Authorizing the US Attorney to Submit an Application - Weed & Seed

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~`~ ~, FY 2008 WEED AND SEED COMMUNITIES APPLICATION ~~~ Homebuyer's Corporation to develop a program intended to help prevent foreclosures in the W&S area. Community & Economic Development will work with homeowner assistance organizations on a coordinated marketing strategy for all of the community's housing programs. VII. C. ROLE OF RESIDENTS IN STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION Role of residents in the community policing element of the strategy: Residents will identify locations in need of remediation from graffiti and send that information to the Weed & Seed Coordinator and the South Bend Police Department. They will hold crime information meetings and send representatives to monthly Regional Crime Watch meetings provided by the SBPD. Additionally, they will encourage other residents to become Block Captains and to continue reducing nuisance conditions by reporting gatherings of people after hours to police, and organizing and participating in Adopt-a- Blocks and other neighborhood cleanups. Role of residents in the prevention /intervention / treatment element of_the strateav, specifically their involvement in Safe Haven operations: Residents will provide mentoring at Safe Havens. They will encourage youth to participate in Safe Haven activities and help identify and direct ex-offenders and crime victims to available support services. Residents will be encouraged to volunteer Hours at Safe Havens. Role of residents in the neiahborhood restoration element of the strategy: Residents, working through their neighborhood associations and advisory committees, will identify low-income residents to participate in Bridges Out of Poverty'~Getting Ahead" workshops. They will identify business owners who may wish to participate in one day Bridges training sessions. And, they will disseminate information about the program within their associations. They will also continue to communicate with the City to identify houses in need of Code remediation and potential demolition as part of the South Bend Dollar Home program. VII. D. COMMUNICATION PLAN How resident leadership will be develoaed and maintained within the site: The Steering Committee has already assisted with expanding its membership by recruiting other individuals to serve. This will continue as the program evolves. The Steering Committee's incorporation into the SBWSA as members will also provide a vehicle for not only managing the program but to continue learning leadership skills. The two community development corporations located in the W&S area have a history of working closely with resident leaders and encouraging their involvement. Also available, is aCity-created support entity called Neighborhood Resources Corporation (NRC). The NRC was developed in the 1990s to build neighborhood leadership capacity and provide training, grants, and leadership assistance to residents and businesses in inner-city neighborhoods. Communication tools and applications: Neighborhood association and citizen's advisory committee meetings; the SBWSA quarterly newsletters; regional crime meetings; W&S Board and Committee Meetings: W&S website; Director attending neighborhood and corridor meetings to relay information and inform members. F:\DATA\SHARE\DPND\Weed&Seed\2008 Application\2008 Application\Final forma[ for application.doc 33