If you've been following our playground project with Atlantic City Electric, Paulsboro Borough, and KABOOM!, please see the video to learn more! Thank you to all of the partners, volunteers, sponsors, and the Paulsboro community for coming together to make this project a reality.
As April's #VolunteerMonth comes to a close, we're reflecting on the incredible work by more than 100 volunteers from Atlantic City Electric, IBEW Local 210, KABOOM!, Gateway Community Action Partnership, and the Borough of Paulsboro during our Build Day event. We came together to create a playground for West Buck Street Park by pouring concrete, assembling equipment, painting murals, and shoveling mulch. In just six hours, we turned a vacant lot into an exciting playground that residents will enjoy for generations to come.
See how we’re sparking joy for the children of Paulsboro here: http://spr.ly/6049jJrfD#MoreThanEnergy
We are excited to share the recipient of the 2023 Change Ripley County Grant, the Town of Osgood. Through this grant, Laine Narwold and Iron Timbers will add a unique, artistic touch to a recently installed concrete traffic barrier along US 421. This partnership between creative individuals will bring Osgood's town history to life through wood, metal, and art.
Change Ripley County Grant Recipients are chosen by Ripley Youth Outreach students to offer an opportunity for local youth to drive positive change in our community. #ChangeRipleyCounty#CommunityEmpowerment#YouthInvolvement
"It's nice that they care, isn't it?" 😊
"Do you think they're all doing community service?" 🤣
Just a couple of the comments I overheard today, when I joined about 30 other volunteers to clean and re-paint railings along the sea wall in the town where I live.
Set against the backdrop of derelict hotels, it would be easy to argue that this was the equivalent of rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic ... and yet ... it felt like we made a difference.
'Broken Windows Theory' is the idea that an environment communicates norms to people - that we look around us for clues on how to behave. If a broken window is quickly repaired, that sends one message - but if it is ignored, it becomes more likely that another window will get broken [and then another, and so on]. The theory has its critics, and it certainly isn't a magic bullet - but there's something powerful in the idea of communicating "this is how we behave round here."
And so today, without actually saying it, 30 people said "we care about this place" - a message that was witnessed by the hundreds [thousands?] of people who walked along the seafront in that time.
I am increasingly thinking that the most important response to everything happening in the world is re-connection - with People, and also with Place ... both of which happened today.
This isn't to say that painting railings is 'enough' - but it *is* something ...
🤔
It's also worth noting that the project today was put together by my local town council ... quick shout out to Alex, Paddy and the team for their work here 🙌
#volunteering#complexity#place
I’ve been in Portland, OR this week attending the National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference. For most #communitybanks, there won’t be any additional reporting burdens when the new CRA rules go into effect in 2026.
However, it’s also clear that there will be much more opportunity to fulfill CRA requirements through strategic partnerships. It’s been great hearing about #communitydevelopment engagements that are also strong #businessdevelopment initiatives.
In short, intentional investments into the community is often just #goodbusiness! This is a critical component of what Reformed Finch will look to facilitate.
🌟 Spotlight on Community: The Heart of BLC Roofing 🌟
At BLC Roofing, our mission transcends beyond roofing. Rooted deeply in our core values is the spirit of "Community"—an unwavering commitment to uplift and enrich the lives within the neighborhoods we serve. It's not just about installing roofs; it's about constructing stronger, more resilient communities.
Why do we spotlight our community initiatives?
1. Investing In People-Our journey has always been about more than just business growth. It's about nurturing a thriving community where everyone has the opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed. We take pride in taking 3-5 entry-level individuals to six-figure earnings annually, creating a ripple effect of prosperity and opportunity.
2.Service Above Self- Our commitment to service is at the forefront of what we do. Whether it's through our free roofing for those in need, future teen training trade programs, or our local business spotlights, we're here to serve, give back, and make a tangible difference.
3. Building Together- Every community spotlight is a testament to the power of collaboration. By highlighting local heroes, businesses, and initiatives, we're not just sharing stories; we're weaving a tapestry of community solidarity and support.
4. Inspiring Change- Through our actions and spotlights, we hope to inspire others to join us in making a difference. It's about sparking a movement of kindness, generosity, and community service that transcends our individual efforts.
As we look forward to another year of growth, both as a company and as a community, we're reminded of the strength found in unity. Our spotlights are more than just moments of recognition; they are beacons of hope, showcasing the incredible impact we can achieve together.
Thank you to every individual, family, and business that has been a part of this journey. Here's to continuing to build a stronger, more connected community—one roof at a time.
#BLCRoofing#CommunityFirst#GivingBack#CommunitySpotlight
🖋️ PressReader Blog: Unlocking Potential - Utilizing Library Space for Community Engagement and Recreation
"In recent years, few people have been as vocal in their support for public libraries as Eric Klinenberg.... Klinenberg reports on the important role that schools, parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, churches, community organizations and barbershops play in keeping community members engaged. It's the public library, however, that has the greatest potential for connecting people."
Copy+Paste the link to read more! https://lnkd.in/gCrXvZd2#pressreader#publiclibraries#community#communityengagement#publiccommunityspace#publiccommunityspaces#libraries#australianlibraries
What can a tree do for underserved communities? More than you can imagine. From cleaning the air and water, to providing shade and relief, to feeding residents, to helping them connect, learn from each other, and see the value that trees bring.
A tree can be a sign that a neighborhood is more than a housing project — it’s a community putting down roots for the long term. It’s an opportunity to empower residents to build equity in their homes. The trees they plant will be there for their children, for their children’s children, for generations.
Everyone deserves to live near trees. Everyone.
See the effects trees are having on neighborhoods and the good work of local tree-planting organizations at https://lnkd.in/g2pgavYK
A heartfelt update on our Skate Space project.
Our mission is simple: revitalise the old chapel on the Trodez site into a vibrant community space for our youth. We thought we'd be up and running by now. However, we've faced delays from the Planning department, showcasing challenges that need to be highlighted, as they could make other community-led projects feel unachievable.
Currently, the Trodez site houses two cottages, and a small congregation of about 20 people, who meet there on a Sunday. They support our proposal to repurpose the vacant chapel. We all believe in the importance of providing youth with spaces to gather and flourish, and we hope this project can be a catalyst and inspiration for other positive change on the island.
The attached image encapsulates the exasperation we're feeling, as we await news from the Planning department...
On a positive note, the overwhelming support from our community, and potential sponsors who share our vision, has been an absolute beacon of hope!
Assurances from the Planning department indicate a response this week.
Fingers crossed for positive news to propel this initiative forward!
The plans cost circa £14,000 and took 18 months to put together, relying on a huge amount of community goodwill. I share these stats to highlight the tenacity needed as a result our current island 'red tape situation', even for such a simple project as this.
Our community is yearning for change, aspiring to create a better environment for our children, and we hope for future Government support to expedite these kinds of essential community projects. The obesity and mental health crisis we face is an emergency, time is of the essence, and one winter of inactivity means a lot in a child’s life. There is much work to do. Carpe diem!
Thank you to everyone who has given us time, unwavering support, understanding, and dedication to our shared goal of making our community a better place.
Please stay tuned for what we hope will be some positive news!
#SkateSpaceProject#CommunityRevitalization#YouthEmpowerment#PositiveChange#CommunityBuilding#PlanningProcess#CommunityInitiative#CarpeDiem#YouthSpaces#CommunityDevelopment9X5 ArchitectsPlanning.je