National research has demonstrated a link between civic engagement and community health, and, according to Grantmakers in Health – a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to helping local foundations and corporations who give back to the community – “civic participation strengthens democracy, fosters social cohesion and improves public policies that impact community well-being.”
Which is why High Point is going to try to implement that strategy.
This week, the City of High Point and the Foundation for a Healthy High Point announced a new partnership meant to support neighborhood associations and enhance various parts of the city.
To that end, the Foundation is putting some funding behind “community-led mini-initiatives.”
The leaders of the new movement believe a lot of small changes can lead to big results.
“Recognizing that thriving communities require more than just infrastructure improvements, the City of High Point actively partners with neighborhood associations to foster a better quality of life and safer living environments,” the Friday, May 9 announcement from High point stated. “The program enables each of the 11 neighborhood associations in and around the Core City to apply for up to $2,000 in funding for resident-led projects that promote community pride, health and safety.”
The Foundation will provide $22,000 in funding, while the City of High Point’s Community and Neighborhood Development Division will offer technical assistance, as well as project facilitation and administrative management.
Here’s the stated goal: “This initiative is designed to empower neighborhood associations by providing funding and technical support to enhance community leadership and engagement in decision-making processes that impact their neighborhoods.”
High Point City Manager Tasha Logan Ford said the new effort should lead to a better overall living environment for many in the city.
“This initiative represents an investment in our residents and the power they hold to shape their communities,” the city manager said on Friday. “By providing neighborhood associations with the resources and support they need, we are strengthening civic engagement and creating lasting improvements in our neighborhoods.”
The funds will support projects led by residents, projects meant to increase neighborhood pride, up the safety of those neighborhoods, and beautify and enhance public spaces.
The plan calls for the members of each neighborhood association to come together and decide on a project for their community.
Examples of eligible projects include the following:
- Public safety enhancements – installing solar-powered lighting in dark areas or launching a neighborhood watch program to improve safety and security.
- Community green space – establishing a neighborhood garden or revitalizing an underutilized public space to encourage social connection and access to fresh food.
- Neighborhood beautification – organizing a community clean-up, installing decorative lighting or adding murals to enhance neighborhood aesthetics.
FHHP Executive Director Curtis Holloman said, “At the Foundation for a Healthy High Point, we recognize that civic engagement is a social determinant of health. When residents have a voice in shaping their neighborhoods, they build stronger social connections, increase their sense of ownership and ultimately improve community health outcomes.”
Current research highlights the role of civic engagement in community well-being. Civic participation, for instance, has been shown to improve individual and public health outcomes by creating spaces where residents work together to shape their environments.
“Small investments in community-led projects can serve as catalysts for larger neighborhood revitalization efforts,” Holloman noted. “By working together, we can create healthier, safer and more vibrant communities.”
To multiply the impact of the funding from the Foundation, the City of High Point will provide training in leadership development, project management and advocacy to help the neighborhood associations sustain their impact beyond the initial grant period.
Projects that “successfully engage residents and demonstrate long-term sustainability” might receive additional funds.
“Residents are the backbone of our neighborhoods,” Logan Ford said. “Investing in these small, resident-driven initiatives can create long-term positive change and build more connected, engaged communities.”
Anyone in High Point interested in organizing an association for their neighborhood can visit www.highpointnc.gov/cd to learn more about existing neighborhood associations – or, for more information on related matters, they can call 336-883-3041.
The Foundation for Healthy High Point was established in 2013 with a mission to engage the Greater High Point community to “transform upstream social influences that impact health and well-being.”
For more information about the Foundation, you can visit www.healthyhighpoint.org.
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offer ‘get-out’ $$ to select ‘neighbors’ ?
Organizing a community clean-up? Just take a ride through a lot of neighborhoods just south of High Point University. The City needs to bring in a fleet of trash trucks, tow trucks to remove junked abandoned cars, and do something with all of these boarded up delapidated houses that have high grass, trash, rats, graphetti panted on them (Gangs selling drugs in those areas). The Mayor and City Council must have blinders on if they dont see these problems, but since it doesn’t affect them it continues, which is a FAILURE on their jobs. Fix it and you will see better results and less problems in those neighborhoods.