Neighborhood Events Build Collaborative Ties

Jul 1st, 2010

A community clean-up is a great way to get everyone’s sleeves rolled up and take an active role in community building. The recent community beautification event in the Hope House neighborhood was a great example. It was an all ages activity, from toddlers to teens to neighborhood seniors.

While a great experience for all involved, community events can sometimes stress the staff and resources of organizations and organizers. Safe & Sound coordinated 88 of these beautification events with 2512 community participants in 2009. Over 430 collaborators participated in neighborhood improvement events, including 319 law enforcement professionals and 84 community based organizations like Hope House. If you add up all of the other 285 meetings and events that Safe & Sound’s 8 Community Partners staff facilitated in 2009 you get a total of 1,221 collaborators and over 10,009 neighborhood participants! Collaboration is truly the key to success.

Safe & Sound Community Partners offered just the support needed for Stephanie Saniter’s Hope House event helping to make it a safe and enjoyable day. County Supervisor Peggy West also lended a hand, as well as local block club captains and active residents. Stephanie is the area Neighborhood Strategic Planning Coordinator and she is always willing to help out with Safe & Sound sponsored initiatives and community events. Maria Sandoval, Safe & Sound Community Partner for the neighborhood, helps out with Stephanie’s organizing efforts in return. Stephanie and Maria represent the best of this kind of collaboration.

To be successful, these events require real communication and collaboration with block club captains, law enforcement, Safe Places and other community organizers. With limited resources and staff, everyone has to work together to realize the greatest impact in the Milwaukee neighborhoods we serve.