Civic Engagement

Goal
Broaden the diversity of resident participation in community efforts and deepen the collaboration among the five neighborhoods on the Near Westside.

Indicators of Success and Baseline

• A youth council is formed in the neighborhood that represents the diverse mix of GWCS students (44% Caucasian, 29% African American, 24% Hispanic) to sustain their engagement in the community
• A GINI governance group is formalized representing 51% residents and 49% agency partners to implement and sustain GINI quality-of-life plan strategies
• A presidents council is formed to coordinate and organize GINI work plan activities and ensure parity among the five Near Westside Neighborhood Associations

Story Behind the Numbers

The Near Westside is a community that abounds with energy and resources. There are 14,517 residents of numerous ethnic backgrounds – 44% Caucasian, 29% African American, 24% Hispanic, and 3% other groups . It has numerous organizational meetings and activities throughout the five neighborhoods. Typically, community partners and residents attend one another’s meetings to show support and to “catch up” on the latest news and events. However, both leaders and residents complain that there are too many meetings, and that “there is a need to be better organized” to avoid conflicts that occur by trying to schedule so many activities.

Another challenge to full and healthy civic engagement is ensuring that all residents have a voice, including the youth and elderly, and those who speak another language. The GINI process has assisted the Near Westside in addressing two areas of improved civic engagement. One area is finding new resident leaders and the other is that high school youth have become engaged in broader community issues and want to expand and sustain their involvement in the community dialogue.