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1,0 U O� NE�Cti �O tp e Newsletter nu cn ...... � P 4 O City of South Bend September 1996 QAl ®F�GHBO +Letter from the Mayor NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH GRANT PROGRAM Dear Neighbor: _ ... , .... _ The Neighborhood Youth Grant Program is one exciting element of South Bend's Good Neighbors/Good Neighborhoods Initiative. The program is intended to spur the involvement of neighborhood youth in the development and implementation of projects/programs to benefit their peers. Begun in 1995 and originally called the "Summer Neighborhood Youth Grant Program," the initial effort primarily funded projects ending in the summer, but also funded several projects designed around the e school year. Twelve youth grants totaling $24,000 were approved last year. Projects varied and included: a gardening project in the Southeast Neighborhood; a project equipping and completing an actual photographic 1 dark room; a replica march dubbed "Dickinson Middle School March" s ; commemorating Washington, D.C.'s Million Man March; and a project t aimed at eradicating the graffitti on the underpasses throughout South Bend. Each grant applicant can receive a maximum of $2,000 and is ' required to have an adult sponsor organization monitoring the actual agreement. Youth took an active part throughout the entire process and at the end, four groups made presentations to South Bend Common Council members. -Working together to make our neighborhoods the best is one of our top priorities. To that end,.the Neighborhood Resources and Technical Services Corp. was established in 1992. Made up,of , residents of neighborhoods across th city, the organization helps neighborhoods help themselves. By sponsoring symposiums and workshops, NRTSC brings neighbor together and gives them information they can use to build their own neighborhood group's capacity and make real improvements to every neighborhood in our community. " In April NRTSC co-sponsored "Our Neighborhoods'- Reasons to Value, Power to Change" and in June . hosted "Livable Neighborhoods: Rethinking Residential- Streets." These workshops, and others, give people ideas and resources to improve South Bend. If interested in NRTSC or its programs, please call Carla Spradlin at 235-5843. Together, we can make a difference! Your nei or, (fe-ph. E. Kernan, Mayor The program has four basic goals: 1) involve neighborhood youth in fun, educational, and recreational neighborhood improvement activities from which they will gain experience; 2) increase the participation of youth in activities that will impact them and their respective neighbor- hoods; 3) encourage and develop youth leadership for neighborhoods and the community -at -large, and 4) foster communication and working relationships between youth and adults. Six grants, totaling $11,000 have been approved thus far in 1996. The program's timeframe was extended to receive applications until October 7th. All projects must be completed, and all grant funds expended, by December 31, 1996. Applicants must be youths 18 years and younger. Not-for-profit organizations serving youth are not eligible applicants. The application process consists of filling out a form describing the project and conducting an oral presentation in front of the Review Committee. Call Jeanine Muir at 235-5846 for more information. By working to provide opportunities for our youth to test their own ideas for programs, we help them to learn how to put thoughts into action to produce results. This benefits the individuals, as well as the whole South Bend community!