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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Neighborhoods Citizen Engagement 2018-2019 Annual Report PN S I VG tole" I f L -m DEPARTMENT OF _ NEIGHBORHOODS + CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT kV. Q W L J Q V I DEPARTMENT OF N E I G H B 0 R H 0 0 0 0 S + CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT Neighborhoods are a top priority. In January 2010, Mayor Schor issued his first executive order by creating a Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement (ONCE) . This new Department places neighborhoods front and center in the administration. He appointed Director Andi Crawford to lead the ONCE and the Executive Order was unanimously passed by City Council. i• `•�� � °••�•��••� ENGAGING CITIZENS �� - ADVANCING PEOPLE BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS � II ENGAGING CITIZENS Citizens Academy Housing & Neighborhood Resource Summits LOVE Lansing Celebration Neighborhood News Neighborhood Roundtables Participatory Budget Nights SERVE Lansing Walking Wednesdays ADVANCING PEOPLE Office of Financial Empowerment Building Civic-Minded Professionals BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS Neighborhood Clean Ups Neighborhood Grants Neighborhoods of Focus Citizens Academy NSIN C Launched the inaugural City of Lansing Citizens Academy. Participants met weekly for 10 weeks beginning Wednesday, September 5, 2010. � HcuAE°°N, Participants toured City Hall,the BWL grid control room,and other City -__ facilities including a behind the scenes look of Cooley Law School Stadium.They also spoke one-on-one with City staff, City Council members and the Mayor. Citizens Academy provided an opportunity for City of Lansing residents to learn more about the role the City plays in their everyday lives and how they can be involved and engaged citizens. 24 participants representing all four City Wards. L ENGAGING CITIZENS Housing& Neighborhood Resource Summits The summits were designed by neighborhood groups to provide citizens direct contact with City and 9/25/18: Forrest View community resources in their neighborhood. I1/27/18: Pleasant View 2/26/19: Sexton High School Summit partners have included: Capital Area Housing 4/30/19: Pattengill Biotech Partnership, Ingham County Land Bank, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, City of Lansing Human Resources, City Clerk's Office, State of Michigan Attorney General, McLaren Health Systems, Lansing Pathway, City of �— Lansing Planning& Development Office, and other civic organizations. --� Apr- Pizza is provided and local businesses generously provide raffle items. i 1 c Thank you to the Lansing School District for generously hosting these quarterly events serving s hundreds of Lansing residents. T 40 C ,r ENGAGING CITIZENS — LOVE Lansing LOVE LANSING Local Organization &Volunteer Excellence South Side Community Coalition- 2019 Recipient of the Mayor's Cup for Civic Excellence LOVE stands for Local Organization &Volunteer Excellence and is an annual volunteer celebration to recognize neighborhood leaders and watch captains/coordinators for their efforts in creating safe and vibrant communities across Lansing. 2019 peer nominated award winners: The Community Builder Award - Melik Brown The Emerging Leaders Award - Rawley Van Fossen The Neighborhood Impact Award - Dr. Stan Parker, After School Action Program May 14, 2019 at the South Washington Office Complex - 250 Neighbors attended L E13LL415INE LENSINE "Thank you LOVE for such a wonderful event. It was a THANK YOU TO OUR fantastic night and hearing about all the fantastic things SPONSORS! the neighborhood groups and individuals do to help and 0" Mctaren promote Lansing was amazing.The nominees were all GREATER LAMSIMG C ewpoint ►►-A wonderful and my congratulations go to the very deserving awan9 v.ona ram, ON 6 winners and to all the nominees. Lansing sure knows how Wr , to do great things!!!"from Facebook Waymire I,.EAi' AoveLansing=9 ENGAGING CITIZENS SERVE Lansing SERVE Lansing connects citizens, organizations, partners, and the City of Lansing to: Increase Citizen Engagement- Build Community Response and Preparedness - Clean & Beautify the Community T u a t :. .. LANS N _ ,r t. t Program Launch- Press Conference (9/6/18) — City Hall Lobby 7lead community partners (United Way, Michigan State University (MSU), DolThing, Lansing Board of Water and Light, American Red Cross - Mid - Michigan, YMCA of Greater Lansing, and Michigan Community Service Commission) MSU has selected SERVE Lansing as the partner for the MSU Community Scholars program. MSU students are assigned to each partner organization and work to coordinate SERVE Lansing events. Sample SERVE Lansing events (see Spring Neighborhood Cleanup Summary for more): Cleanup event held at Cristo Rey (9/7/18) Baker Neighborhood Leaf &Stormdrain Cleanup (11/3/18) CITIES Mayors Inaugural Coat Drive (12/1-12/10/10) SERVICE Trashtag Challenge (5/2019) The City of Lansing is a proud member of the international Cities of Service Coalition. Cities of Service helps Mayors and City leaders tap into the knowledge, creativity, and service of citizens to solve public problems and create vibrant cities. City of Lansing selected as a mentor city for the next 10 funded cities in the Cities of Service Love Your Block grantee cohort. ENGAGING CITIZENS City of Lansing- Neighborhood News Distributed weekly each Friday highlighting City of Lansing events and providing community partners direct communication with Lansing neighborhoods. 650+ on distribution list and growing weekly 1 L ansing W1111 . :]i Neighborhood Andy Schor, Mayor Neighborhood Roundtables Monthly meetings to connect with neighbohood leaders and discuss issues in Lansing neighborhoods. July 1 • Thursday,L Neighborhood Roundtable . . AM Network with Neighborhood Leaders and Public Service as we discuss the Basement Backup Protection FOSTER COMMUNITY CENTER ROOM 209 L 200 N FOSTER AVENUE , ENGAGING CITIZENS Participatory Budget Nights I & II Participatory , budget !'fir : yi ',IAi1 !! * :X •Ilali. nights } Andy Schor,Mayor r i ; NUMBERSBY THE The purpose for hosting Four participatory budget &NO 'll actually enjoyed a Participatory Budget Nights in nights were held: talk about budgets!" the City of Lansing were to empower citizens to corne together and provide input on 11/13/18 ' the City's budget priorities. Letts Community Center "We're beginning to prepare ' 11/2812018 ` our budget, which will be Foster Community Center program based,"said Mayor • 11/29118 Schor. "This is a great Kelly's Downtown opportunity for the public to . 1216118 "Great to have the learn more abort the City's Schmidt Community Center Mayor here!" budget and get involved in decision making," • 60 total participants from Participatory budget nights are part of furthering Mayor all flour sessions. Schor's goal of maintaining Facilitated by: transparency in City operations and encouraging - Mayor Andy Schor civic engagement. - Angela Bennett, Phase II of Participatory Finance Director, Budget Nights will provide City of Lansing "Very Well more budget specifics and - Andi Crawford, organized, great strategies for citizens to Director of Neighborhoods preparation - I like influence the process. Citizen Engagement, the Lego exercise" 210119 City of Lansing Cristo Rey Community center ■ 2/27119 _ McLaren Hospital Dawe A auditorium ■ 218119 Nuthouse Bar & Grille 3{5{19 Fenner Nature Center participatory 4 budget f Andy Y Schor,Mayor nights - ' a BY THE NUARBERS F . ■ The purpose for hosting Four participatory budget Participatory Budget Nights - nights were held: Phase II in the City of Lansing were to provide more budget - specifics and strategies for 2{2g119: Economic Development - Cristo Rey Community Center citizens to influence the process, • 2 7119: infrastructure McLaren Hospital "The first round of • D28119: Neighborhoods participatory budget nights Nuthouse Bar&Grille identified four clear . 15}19: Public Safety priorities for citizens: Fenner Nature Center economic development, •� �� � infrastructure, , neighborhoods and public 58 total participants from - safety. This round of events all four sessions. �j provided additional information and opportunity Facilitated by: for discussion in thesef areas." - Mayor Andy Schor Participatory budget nights - Angela Bennett, are part of furthering Mayor Finance Director, Schor's goal of maintaining City of Lansing transparency in City - Andi Crawford, operations and encouraging Director of Neighborhoods - civic engagement. & Citizen Engagement, Phase II a deeper dive into City of Lansing priority areas. Walking Wednesday Series Walking Wednesdays are co-designed with neighbors and bring the Mayor, City officials, Lansing Police Officers, and community members together to explore the assets and �`xERTSTAT`°N opportunities in Lansing neighborhoods. April loth - June 5th, 2019 �s s 's City of Lansing T01 Walking Wednesdays 2019 ALL events begin at 6 p.m. April 10-Baker Neighborhood-Bethlehem Lutheran-549 E Mt Hope Ave April 17-Red Cedar Neighborhood-Kircher Municipal Park-301 Clippert April 24-Eckert Power Plant-601 Island Ave May 1 -Downtown Lansing-Capital Area District Library-401 S Capitol May 8-Colonial Townhouses Co-Op,Inc.-3818 Pleasant Grove May 15-Greencroft Park Neighborhood -2700 S Washington Ave s • - = `III May 22-Life O'Riley-6726 S Washington Ave x3 — May 29-Fulton Park Trails-3914 Seaway Drive June 5-Scott Woods-Scott Woods Park-2605 Clifton Ave For more information:Department of Neighborhoods&Citizen Engagement 517-483-4051 https://Iansingneighborhoods.info/ Walking Wednesdays can also be arranged throughout the year _ by citizens to address a particular need or topic. Ka K, � ENGAGING CITIZENS � � aS� OFFICE OF FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT Housed in The Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement, the Office of Financial Empowerment is home tofour initiatives: The Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), Lansing SAVE, the Offender Success Program, and BankOn. The financial Empowerment Center (FEC) In partnership with the Cristo Rey Community Center, since 2013, FEC has helped clients achieve: $ 11K REDUCED HOUSEHOLD DEBT S2K SAVED BY HOUSEHOLDS 2019 PROGRAM OUTCOMES # of Sessions Completed = 1,244 Safe, affordable bank accounts opened = 77 Total Clients served = 600 Client Debt Reduction (non-mortgage) _ $1,214,909 Client Increased Savings = $195, 857 -•- _ - _ ,yam ® . Financial ��r Empowerment Center 12,173 counseling sessions 4,707 clients served = S7.8M reduced debt S682K increased savings 1 Q` L , Office of Financial Empowerment's 5 Year Birthday Party (7/19/18) ADVANCING PEOPLE CLIENT STORY The client started with about a year ago and his situation was pretty bad.The client has child support that was taking 50% of his income and over$50,000 in child support arrears and student loans that equaled $6,500, which were in collection. He was working at a low-wage job and was barely able to cover his portion of rent.While the client was incarnated, his identify was used to open credit in his name and he was left to pay the debt. He also did not have a bank account. The first step was to get him on a budget. Once he started following his budget, he concentrated on his student loans and child support arrears.The Counselor referred him out to get some assistance with his child support.Then the Counselor got his student loans on the rehabilitation plan, paying$5.00 a month. Once he started paying on his repayment plan, the Counselor wrote several letters to dispute the debt that wasn't his. The dispute letters were successful because Experian removed the debt. Currently, the client has opened a bank account with Lake Trust, reduced his debt by$20,000 and secured a job making three times as much as before. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Ah The client came to the Financial Empowerment Center accompanied by her 40-year-old son.This client felt completely overwhelmed by her monthly expenses and felt plagued by credit card debt. She stated that she has never budgeted in her entire life and that her late husband of 40 years took care of the finances and she has no clue what to do. The Counselor immediately started the budgeting process with the client and found out that over 60 percent of her income was going into her monthly prescriptions. Client stated that she sought out help with other agencies to help with her prescription coverage but she made $10 above the limit and could not qualify. Consequently, client had to spend $575 a month on her prescriptions. The Counselor knew immediately that in order for this client to make ends meet she would need help with her medications.The Counselor walked the client to the prescription assistance program and asked for an appointment for her.Two months later the client received approval for assistance with her medication. Client is now receiving her medicine free of charge. On the following session,the Counselor updated the client's budget with the new adjustments and were able to see a positive cash flow. Client reported that she sleeps better and has no anxiety any longer. Client is hopeful and does not feel overwhelmed anymore. Client stated, "All I needed was for someone to help me navigate through the mess and show me how to budget.Yes, I am 69 years old and should know all that, but I did not." ADVANCING PEOPLE Offender Success Program The City of Lansing- Office of Financial Empowerment serves as the Administrative Agency for the Offender Success Program in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties. The Offender Success Program is funded and administered by the Michigan Department of Corrections and serves reentry citizens who are returning to the community following prison. Through providing wrap-around services the City of Lansing is reducing recidivism and increasing public safety in our neighborhoods. The program served -450 individuals from July 2010 - June 2019. PROGRAM SERVICES The City of Lansing contracts with Peckham Industries, Housing Services Mid Michigan, Mid-Michigan Recovery Services Inc. and Prevention &Training Services (PATS). These partners provide job readiness,job placement,job retention, housing, behavioral health counseling, and social - supports such as bus passes, clothing vouchers and ; identification. BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUCCESS Offender Success Employer Breakfast- 3/14/191 B AM- 10 AM I The View at Cooley Law School Stadium The purpose of the Offender Success Employer Breakfast was to increase awareness and understanding of the Offender Success Program among local employers by highlighting the benefits to public safety and employers, as well as recognizing successful experiences with reentry citizens. More than twenty employers attended the event and heard from Mayor Schor, Police Chief Yankowski, and MDOC Administrator Kyle Kaminski on the positive impacts of the program. In addition, employers had the opportunity to learn about fidelity bonding, Work Opportunity Act Tax credit information, Vocational Village, and several aspects of the wraparound services offered through the Offender Success Program. ADVANCING PEOPLE Lansing SAVE The City of Lansing partners with the Lansing School District and MSU Federal Credit Union to provide Children's Savings Accounts. Lansing SAVE is a post-secondary education savings program for students in the Lansing School District.All incoming kindergarten students are automatically enrolled in an account.Accounts are seeded with $5 and children and families can make desposits in to the accounts at school or at MSUFCU branches. SAVE TOTAL DEPOSITS (IN-SCHOOL & IN-BRANCH) Total Deposits = 1,030 New Depositers = 495 Total Deposit Amount = $7,925 SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE FIRST LANSING SAVE ACCOUNT SURPASSES $ 19000 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS PROGRAM Bethlehem Lutheran Church In the spring of 2019, during a Baker Neighborhood Partners Meeting, Pastor Matt Smith and Parish Administrator Laurey Wyble of Bethlehem Lutheran Church learned of the Lansing SAVE program. They immediately approached the program partners with an idea — to take a special collection with their congregation whenever there is a 5th Sunday in a month, and donate the offering to be deposited into the accounts of Lansing SAVE students who live in the Baker Neighborhood. Because of their creativity and generosity, the Lansing SAVE Community Champions Program was born. The church has held two offerings which raised a total of $2,692. Their contribution was divided into equal deposits in the 121 Lansing SAVE accounts in the Baker Neighborhood. We look forward to replicating this program with other faith-based partners and civic organizations throughout Lansing. ADVANCING PEOPLE City of Lansing-A National Leader in Municipal Financial Empowerment WHAT WORKS CITIES ECONOMIC MOBILITY GRANT (I OF 10 CITIES SELECTED) FUNDED BY GATES FOUNDATION, BALLMER GROUP, BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES CITY OF LANSING SELECTED BY THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES FOR THE 10 CITIES OF OPPORTUNITY PILOT PROGRAM. S30-40K SELECTED AS I OF 6 CITIES FOR CAFFE PROJECT WITH NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES TO RESEARCH THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPAL FINES AND FEES $ 105000 SELECTED FOR US CONFERENCE OF MAYORS DOLLARWISE INNOVATION GRANT FOR THE KROGER REWARDS PROGRAM GRANT TO SUPPORT LANSING SAVE PROGRAM. SELECTED TO SERVE AS AN FEC EXPERT TO BALTIMORE AND $ 109000 WASHINGTON DC 9 r a • • • • OFE Director serves on the National League of Cities' Economic Opportunity Peer Network • Recognized in Urban Development's publication, "A Scan of Financial Capability Efforts at the Municipal Level" for Lansing's work on connecting returning citizens to safe and affordable bank accounts. • OFE Director co-presented on Municipal Financial Empowerment with Shekeria Brown, Vice President, Office of Nonprofit Engagement atJPMorgan Chase and Jonathan Mintz, President and CEO, Cities for Financial Empowerment at the Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) Conference in Durham, North Carolina. • OFE hosted City of Akron Site Visit - OFE serves Akron through technical assistance • Provided technical assistance to the City of New Haven, CT on Financial Empowerment for Reentry Citizens • Completed white paper on 2-year Bank On for Reentry Pilot ADVANCING PEOPLE Building Civic-Minded Professionals The City of Lansing Department of Neighborhoods and Citizen Engagement leverages the talents and energies of undergraduate students, graduate students and young professionals to expand the department's capacity. This year we hosted student interns from Michigan State University, The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, and Harvard University. The department also hosts AmeriCorps VISTA members serving a year of national service. SERVE ' LANSIN ADVANCING PEOPLE ` ' Y Ulf- 0 �•, x . .a + Andy Schor, Mayor � J SPRING NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION & CLEANUPS F 19 F. Neighborhoods 39 - . Participating ' In Bloom _ ■ ■ ■ . • ■ Neighborhood S4 - - - • Civic Organizations Southwest Lansing I Lave My City 100 + Edgewood cleanup City of Lansing � trashbag rolls �:' ; -. Volunteers distributed for the 80 Trashtag ChaLLenge Bags of Trash 1� } South Lansing Business Association Cherry Hill Park Team Up 2 CLean Upa_ ', Cleanup OVolunteers 15 Volunteers Bags of 4 Bags of Trash trash Two truckfuLLs of brush' L Neighborhood Grants o1Z AI The Department of Neighborhood and Citizen Engagement administers the Neighborhood Grant program and provides administrative support to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Board. 2019 Neighborhood Grant Projects Distribution of Neighborhood Grant funding • Clean ups and Beautification Ward 1 • Communications and Social Events • Signage Ward 2 • Other Ward 3 Ward 4 70 grant funded projects designed and executed by Lansing neighborhoods Citywide projects $0 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 Total amount funded: $ 52, 021.B5 a • , y tit,y�!. <t ,i ��al' �'�`� n BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS Neighborhoods of Focus The City of Lansing has selected two neighborhoods as 'Neighborhoods of focus'. The City of Lansing works with city departments, community partners, law enforcement, community-based organizations and residents to work in partnership to improve the neighborhood. The City of Lansing's primary roles is to convene, capacity-build and connect to resources. This is a multi-year commitment to sustained community development. BAKER NEIGHBORHOOD Press Conference celebrating one year of focus held on February 14, 2019 (outcome sheet below) Lansing SAVE investor program launched with Bethlehem Lutheran Church (see Lansing SAVE section) Three year commitment from Habitat for Humanity to focus Rock the Block home improvement projects in the Baker Neighborhood. Convene monthly partner meetings A t r I I j L 1 BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS Neighborhoods of Focus Baker Neighborhood: Neighborhood of Focu Convene Capacity Build Connect to Resources An& `nhn- h9.ivor -RehabblngHomes # BuiLdings Habitat for Humanity Lansing Board of Water & Light Capitol Region Hometown Energy Savers $100,000+investment Rack the Block Served 35 homes Poured concrete pad under pavilion Installed 1,300+energy saving items; and created accessible path'�vay at i= achieving annual savings of nearly Caesar Donora Park $8,000 far residents _ Capital Area Housing Partnership Mikey23 Foundation Walter French donated to CARP in 2017 rehabbing home on Linval 5t. Development for restoration and reuse and teaching skilled trades to RE4 Town Art Attack mural installation local youth City of Lansing Emergency repairs completed at 2 homes including furnace and water heater replacement, roof repairs and repairs to the interior. Remediated lead-based paint in 2 homes. Designated the area as a high-risk area For Childhood Lead Poisoning and has offered 525,000 per rental unit for lead-based paint remediation to all landlords. Community 538 Isbell Lot SERVE Lansing (Former party store turned ` ; Leaf Cleanup community gathering space) on Ingham County Land Bank Lot Greater Lansing Peace Flag Association of Realtors Art Installation Created b Baker neighbor With neighbors,built Little Free Library, y g picnic table, and provided sports artist Eric Schantz and equipment and games for the 538 Isbell Lot funded/installed by Sycamore Provided 200+meals Creek Church members BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS Neighborhoods of Focus Community BuRdIng Patter Park Zoo Bethlehem *P 0,IPA Lutheran Church Provided 5 programs with Faith Family Fun Day serving 84+ attendees �# Provided FREE zoo passes to 700+ families Ai 114 Baker neighbors Hosts monthly Baker Partner meetings Head Start YMCA Housed City of Lansing Partners with Bethlehem AmeriCorps member 41 19 Hosted Baker Coffee Hours 10 Lutheran Church to provide Community Resource & physical activity and lunch in Wellness Fair the Summer Provides breakfast, Cedar Street Art Collective physical activity and lunch at Art Dedication in Caesar Donora Park Caesar Donora Park Baker neighbor, Jeffrey Handley]r Art Show Baker neighbor, Corey ICroskey Halloween WaLking Wednesday theatre event •►: 200+vistitors `Sunday Dinner'performance from # activating 9 vacant lots with art IDream Dance Studios LLC and activities More than Fine Photography Pop-up 517 Coffee Victim crimes and Jacob Kocan property crimes Community Police Officer * both declined 33% 517-483-2522 from 2017 to 2018. ` ,_ jacob.kc)can@)Iansingrrfi.gov Mike Yankuwski,Chief Join partners 2nd Thursday of each month at BethLehem Lutheran Church WT, Habitat H °� Start for Rumanit) '..*. .uxrr 1�12i.aI RsEI•�A Wtnerpr)ti:tkjc:h Lpr4 rg H—b—NoPle Hom b6 aonver. L 1.1Df11 Y1\Ykrh-Ay.} 11i 1co n I1 COMMUNITY y+ FOUNDATION CAPiTALARF.rI YEARS = the K N�11 Hokis]NQr cavi+aI Area U-I,4dw 4 PARTNERSHIP [Ilmmn (mwIIrKeham wu�A�z,� ma Cedar POTTER PARK 4 Street 10 Sycamore Creek Art G K L A I Lit L A N S I N G Collective +r+ociiirr.r rrrorr BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS Neighborhoods of Focus PLEASANT VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD Michigan State University Design Project a 3 day design event held in neighborhood Community Development Block Grant funding opportunity for Town Square identified City of Lansing (I of 10 cities) selected for Round Three Invest Health funding Purchased 3 parcels from the Ingham County Landbank to create a new park Beacon Park created on southeast corner of intersection Negotiated land sale of homeowner by Beacon Field to open access to park from Pleasant Grove Beacon Field SouthWast soccer facility was built BEACO N FIELD PLEASANT GROVE & HGLMES PROJECTS AT A GLANCE 9-�. . V, BUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS I DEPARTMENT OF N E I G H B 0 R H 0 0 0 D S + CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT S Chief Innovation Officer I Director - Andi Crawford PNI1� IV Administrative Assistant - DeLisa Fountain Director, Office of Financial Empowerment - Amber Paxton Operations Coordinator, OFE - Zach Etzin Financial Education Coordinator, OFE - Ben Thompson Community Coordinator, Offender Success - Yolanda Botello _ ~ Program Manager, Financial Empowerment Center - ser Velma K n_ y 1 Financial Counselors, Financial Empowerment Center Tammy Beckwith +• - Sonia Diallo -.Sam 1� • I � II