Location: New Orleans, LA
Website: www.prcno.org/programs/operationcomeback
The Preservation Resource Center's Operation Comeback promotes the purchase, renovation and sale of vacant historic properties. Started in 1987, as a focused effort to revitalize the Lower Garden District, Operation Comeback rapidly expanded and now works with dozens of neighborhood associations and community development corporations citywide.
By acquiring and renovating blighted and adjudicated properties that most would consider hopeless, Operation Comeback provides homes for first-time and repeat homebuyers, serving as a catalyst for the rebirth of New Orleans’ historic neighborhoods. In the effort to put as many properties back into the hands of families as possible,
Operation Comeback has developed several ways for many to become involved. The OC Revolving Fund and the Adopt a House program allow individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations to aid in the renovation or construction of homes through donations, volunteering, and education.
On July 1, 2008, Operation Comeback launched the Adopt a House program in an effort to give an individual, organization, foundation, or corporation an opportunity to aid in providing a newly constructed or renovated home to a potential homebuyer, at an affordable price, in one of New Orleans' targeted historic neighborhoods, through donations and volunteer efforts.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Reviving California
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Website: www.asoft484.securesites.net/secure/alfsiliconvalley/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=reviving_ca_new_home
Reviving California is a project of the Common Good Collaborative, powered by American Leadership Forum – Silicon Valley.
Goals include:
- Bringing. diverse groups of people into a common dialogue and collaboration through nurtured community partnerships,
- Being an actively engaged Silicon Valley community that remains a strong voice for the common good,
- Joining forces in engaging the community on the issue of California reform,
- Informing organizations proposing reform about Silicon Valley ideas and collective input in a “bottoms-up” approach.
On November 6-7, 2008, immediately following the U.S. presidential election, ALF Senior Fellows celebrated 20 years of American Leadership Forum in Silicon Valley by participating in a special anniversary forum, "Reclaiming the California Dream," at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove.This forum was a time to look deeply at the leadership challenges facing California.
From that gathering, "Reviving California," a project of ALF's Common Good Collaborative, was born. With initial funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Reviving California - led by a steering committee of Senior Fellows - has played a significant role in reforming the state’s fiscal and governance policies. By harnessing the power of networked leadership, Reviving California has directly influenced reform legislation and initiatives, including Open primaries and the recently completed redistricting process.
As part of this process, ALF has been helping Californians replace political rhetoric with authentic conversations, moving beyond the blame game, and creating the conditions for individuals, networks and communities to engage in democracy in an increasingly complex and diverse state.
We have forged 30 partnerships with organizations from the Afghan Coalition to California Forward to SKYPE, and hosted more than 42 community dialogues/town halls/ summits/thought leader symposiums/affinity group conversations and real-time, online discussions on various aspects of reform involving 1650+ Californians.
Website: www.asoft484.securesites.net/secure/alfsiliconvalley/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=reviving_ca_new_home
Reviving California is a project of the Common Good Collaborative, powered by American Leadership Forum – Silicon Valley.
Goals include:
- Bringing. diverse groups of people into a common dialogue and collaboration through nurtured community partnerships,
- Being an actively engaged Silicon Valley community that remains a strong voice for the common good,
- Joining forces in engaging the community on the issue of California reform,
- Informing organizations proposing reform about Silicon Valley ideas and collective input in a “bottoms-up” approach.
On November 6-7, 2008, immediately following the U.S. presidential election, ALF Senior Fellows celebrated 20 years of American Leadership Forum in Silicon Valley by participating in a special anniversary forum, "Reclaiming the California Dream," at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove.This forum was a time to look deeply at the leadership challenges facing California.
From that gathering, "Reviving California," a project of ALF's Common Good Collaborative, was born. With initial funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Reviving California - led by a steering committee of Senior Fellows - has played a significant role in reforming the state’s fiscal and governance policies. By harnessing the power of networked leadership, Reviving California has directly influenced reform legislation and initiatives, including Open primaries and the recently completed redistricting process.
As part of this process, ALF has been helping Californians replace political rhetoric with authentic conversations, moving beyond the blame game, and creating the conditions for individuals, networks and communities to engage in democracy in an increasingly complex and diverse state.
We have forged 30 partnerships with organizations from the Afghan Coalition to California Forward to SKYPE, and hosted more than 42 community dialogues/town halls/ summits/thought leader symposiums/affinity group conversations and real-time, online discussions on various aspects of reform involving 1650+ Californians.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Columbus Indiana Architectural Tours
Location: Columbus, IN
Website: http://columbusin.mobi/content.cfm?page=architecture-tour&menuid=1261&pageid=403
THREE WAYS TO TAKE A TOUR
There are three ways to see the architecture that made Columbus famous. Find out why the American Institute of Architects ranked Columbus 6th in the nation for innovation and design.
GUIDED BUS TOURS
Call 866-811-4111 to make a reservation.
Please arrive at the Visitors Center at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the tour to check in and view the introductory video, shown fifteen minutes prior to tour.
The Visitors Center is located at 506 Fifth Street, in the heart of downtown Columbus.
You can purchase ticket online here.
(Some changes in the schedule may occur during holidays.)
GUIDE BY CELL TOUR:
If walls could talk...
Try a self-guided tour of downtown Columbus, using your cell phone to hear recorded messages about the city's world-renowned architecture. Keep the colorful tour cards as a souvenir. Purchase them at the Visitors Center, 506 Franklin Street, Columbus, IN for $10 a set.
SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAPS:
Create your own tour, using our tour map. Purchase the large $3 full-color map at the Visitors Center, Viewpoint Books or Hotel Indigo.
Website: http://columbusin.mobi/content.cfm?page=architecture-tour&menuid=1261&pageid=403
THREE WAYS TO TAKE A TOUR
There are three ways to see the architecture that made Columbus famous. Find out why the American Institute of Architects ranked Columbus 6th in the nation for innovation and design.
GUIDED BUS TOURS
Call 866-811-4111 to make a reservation.
Please arrive at the Visitors Center at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the tour to check in and view the introductory video, shown fifteen minutes prior to tour.
The Visitors Center is located at 506 Fifth Street, in the heart of downtown Columbus.
You can purchase ticket online here.
(Some changes in the schedule may occur during holidays.)
GUIDE BY CELL TOUR:
If walls could talk...
Try a self-guided tour of downtown Columbus, using your cell phone to hear recorded messages about the city's world-renowned architecture. Keep the colorful tour cards as a souvenir. Purchase them at the Visitors Center, 506 Franklin Street, Columbus, IN for $10 a set.
SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAPS:
Create your own tour, using our tour map. Purchase the large $3 full-color map at the Visitors Center, Viewpoint Books or Hotel Indigo.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Neighborhhods Partnershiip Network
Location: New Orleans, LA
Website: www.npnnola.com
The Neighborhoods Partnership Network (NPN) is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization consisting of a citywide network of neighborhoods that was established after the Hurricane Katrina disaster to facilitate neighborhood collaboration, increase access to government and information, and strengthen the voices of individuals and communities across New Orleans.
The disasters revealed significant weakness in many structures Americans took for granted – physical structures such levees & hospitals, but also governing and social structures from FEMA to state and local entities. Citizens have had to become their own “first responders” – from rescuing their neighbors to rescuing their neighborhoods. NPN is one such organization born from both the failures and opportunities the catastrophe has provided.
NPN realized that a need existed for a citywide framework to assist communities in maximizing the use of limited resources and information while providing connections to other communities that have similar obstacles so that communities can avoid duplicating efforts and work toward shared goals. The infrastructure of this organization answers New Orleanians’ desires to be involved in the formal decision-making processes that impact quality of life issues for citizens and neighborhoods.
NPN’s mission is to improve the quality of life by engaging New Orleanians in neighborhood revitalization and civic processes. NPN consists of a board of community leaders reflective of neighborhoods throughout the city and a diverse staff immersed in coalition building, public and government relations. NPN envisions a New Orleans where all neighborhoods are great places to live.
Neighborhoods Partnership Network
4902 Canal St., Room 301
New Orleans, La 70119
504-940-2207
Website: www.npnnola.com
The Neighborhoods Partnership Network (NPN) is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization consisting of a citywide network of neighborhoods that was established after the Hurricane Katrina disaster to facilitate neighborhood collaboration, increase access to government and information, and strengthen the voices of individuals and communities across New Orleans.
The disasters revealed significant weakness in many structures Americans took for granted – physical structures such levees & hospitals, but also governing and social structures from FEMA to state and local entities. Citizens have had to become their own “first responders” – from rescuing their neighbors to rescuing their neighborhoods. NPN is one such organization born from both the failures and opportunities the catastrophe has provided.
NPN realized that a need existed for a citywide framework to assist communities in maximizing the use of limited resources and information while providing connections to other communities that have similar obstacles so that communities can avoid duplicating efforts and work toward shared goals. The infrastructure of this organization answers New Orleanians’ desires to be involved in the formal decision-making processes that impact quality of life issues for citizens and neighborhoods.
NPN’s mission is to improve the quality of life by engaging New Orleanians in neighborhood revitalization and civic processes. NPN consists of a board of community leaders reflective of neighborhoods throughout the city and a diverse staff immersed in coalition building, public and government relations. NPN envisions a New Orleans where all neighborhoods are great places to live.
Neighborhoods Partnership Network
4902 Canal St., Room 301
New Orleans, La 70119
504-940-2207
Mile High Connects
Location: Denver,CO
Website: www.milehighconnects.org
Quality health care, good jobs and top schools are at the foundation of a vibrant life. And yet, for many in our community a lack of public transit can limit their access to these important resources. Mile High Connects wants to change that.
Mile High Connects is committed to ensuring that existing and future transit service by RTD, including the FasTracks expansion, enables all people to connect to the opportunities that can lead to a more affordable and better quality life. Mile High Connects will help ensure that public transit links people to the places they live, work, learn and play in a safe, convenient and affordable manner.
The Mile High Connects mission is to ensure that the Metro Denver regional transit system fosters communities that offer all residents the opportunity for a high quality of life.
Mile High Connects will realize this vision by:
- Increasing resources to build affordable, inclusive communities along the transit system.
- Influencing policy to ensure that all people are involved and considered in urban and economic planning.
Increasing resident engagement in neighborhoods directly affected by the expanding transit system.
- Leveraging the existing and expanding transit system to link affordable housing with jobs, schools and health services.
- Working to make the entire public transit system more accessible to residents of the Denver region’s lowest income communities.
Website: www.milehighconnects.org
Quality health care, good jobs and top schools are at the foundation of a vibrant life. And yet, for many in our community a lack of public transit can limit their access to these important resources. Mile High Connects wants to change that.
Mile High Connects is committed to ensuring that existing and future transit service by RTD, including the FasTracks expansion, enables all people to connect to the opportunities that can lead to a more affordable and better quality life. Mile High Connects will help ensure that public transit links people to the places they live, work, learn and play in a safe, convenient and affordable manner.
The Mile High Connects mission is to ensure that the Metro Denver regional transit system fosters communities that offer all residents the opportunity for a high quality of life.
Mile High Connects will realize this vision by:
- Increasing resources to build affordable, inclusive communities along the transit system.
- Influencing policy to ensure that all people are involved and considered in urban and economic planning.
Increasing resident engagement in neighborhoods directly affected by the expanding transit system.
- Leveraging the existing and expanding transit system to link affordable housing with jobs, schools and health services.
- Working to make the entire public transit system more accessible to residents of the Denver region’s lowest income communities.
E-Governance Institute
Locarion: Newark, NJ
Website: www.spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/home/ncpp/institutes/e-governance-institute.html
The E-Governance Institute's mission is to explore how the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) have and will continue to impact productivity and performance on the public sector and how e-governance fosters new and deeper citizen involvement within the governing process.
The institute is committed through its work to supporting the gathering and sharing of knowledge, information and data in order to increase the understanding of how e-governance can strengthen the fundamental partnership between the public sector and the private citizen.
Governments at all levels have been transitioning to e-governance platforms for delivering better services, improving government efficiency and effectiveness, achieving transparency and accountability, and facilitating direct citizen participation. Through research, examples of best practice and scholarly discourse regarding ICTs and their impact on government performance, the Institute provides a source of information that continues to push the study of e-governance to new frontiers.
Information-age governing presents an entirely new set of challenges for decision-makers, public sector professionals and citizens. Finding solutions to these challenges is the primary role of the E-Governance Institute. As part of Rutgers University's National Center for Public Performance, the institute focusus its activities on emerging e-governance issues impacting on all levels of government, the nonprofit sector, the private sector, and the civil society.
Website: www.spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/home/ncpp/institutes/e-governance-institute.html
The E-Governance Institute's mission is to explore how the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) have and will continue to impact productivity and performance on the public sector and how e-governance fosters new and deeper citizen involvement within the governing process.
The institute is committed through its work to supporting the gathering and sharing of knowledge, information and data in order to increase the understanding of how e-governance can strengthen the fundamental partnership between the public sector and the private citizen.
Governments at all levels have been transitioning to e-governance platforms for delivering better services, improving government efficiency and effectiveness, achieving transparency and accountability, and facilitating direct citizen participation. Through research, examples of best practice and scholarly discourse regarding ICTs and their impact on government performance, the Institute provides a source of information that continues to push the study of e-governance to new frontiers.
Information-age governing presents an entirely new set of challenges for decision-makers, public sector professionals and citizens. Finding solutions to these challenges is the primary role of the E-Governance Institute. As part of Rutgers University's National Center for Public Performance, the institute focusus its activities on emerging e-governance issues impacting on all levels of government, the nonprofit sector, the private sector, and the civil society.
Monday, December 3, 2012
ParkScore
Location: Nationwide
Website: www.parkscore.org
ParkScore is the most comprehensive rating system ever developed to measure how well the 40 largest U.S. cities are meeting the need for parks.
Using an advanced GIS (Geographic Information System), ParkScore provides in-depth data to guide local park improvement efforts. Our mapping technology identifies which neighborhoods and demographics are underserved by parks and how many people are able to reach a park within a ten-minute walk.
Cities can earn a maximum ParkScore of 100. For easy comparison and at-a-glance assessment, each city is also given a rating of zero to five park benches.
Parks are important to communities. Close-to-home opportunities to exercise and experience nature are essential for our physical and mental well-being. Studies show that parks can encourage physical activity, reduce crime, revitalize local economies, and help bring neighborhoods together.
Website: www.parkscore.org
ParkScore is the most comprehensive rating system ever developed to measure how well the 40 largest U.S. cities are meeting the need for parks.
Using an advanced GIS (Geographic Information System), ParkScore provides in-depth data to guide local park improvement efforts. Our mapping technology identifies which neighborhoods and demographics are underserved by parks and how many people are able to reach a park within a ten-minute walk.
Cities can earn a maximum ParkScore of 100. For easy comparison and at-a-glance assessment, each city is also given a rating of zero to five park benches.
Parks are important to communities. Close-to-home opportunities to exercise and experience nature are essential for our physical and mental well-being. Studies show that parks can encourage physical activity, reduce crime, revitalize local economies, and help bring neighborhoods together.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)