country programs
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
The Youth in Action Teams of Jacksonville and Baker County, FL participated in an exemplary service project which returned remarkable results for a nearby community. They helped bring to life a community service project initiated by Mrs. Barbara Hodge of the Northeastern Florida Community Action Agency. The goal was to clean up an unkempt, littered area that was the site of much illegal drinking, drug dealing and drug use by teens and adults. Not only did they clean up the area, but also transformed it into a community park, now known as Faith Park. The two Youth in Action teams were joined by the residents and Faith Based Community of Baldwin in the completion of the project. This service project gave the youth the chance to create something positive in a low-income area that offered no recreational sites or opportunities for at-risk youth. The project also allowed the youth to claim this area, while at the same time taking a stand against the selling of alcohol to teens.
ORGANIZING TIME
This is a comprehensive project, so the timeline ranged from October 1, 2005, to September 2006. The first step was to meet with key community leaders and Northeastern Florida Community Action Agency staff to get approval and support for the project. Then, they had to devise a plan to manage necessary materials, enroll staff and community volunteers, and figure out the financing and funding for the project. On scheduled Saturdays, youth, parents, and adults in the community cooperated in the clean up of the area, and building of the park. This work entailed picking-up bottles, cans and other debris, planting new shrubbery, cutting down old dying trees, burning off the land, and clearing the areas to put playground equipment, benches, and a steel fence along with a privacy fence in the back of the park. They chose Saturday as their volunteering day because they found it to be the day in which they could recruit the most people, as they were free due to no work or school.
LEVEL OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
Once the youth went to the original site and witnessed its negative image and effects, they decided that they wanted to help and use it as one of their service projects. They also saw this as an opportunity to commit to community service hours as part of YCWA Nine Components. The youth met and planned what they would do as a group. On given Saturdays they volunteered at the site, and also created and distributed flyers promoting the project.
COST
The start-up cost of the project was $4,500. This included a $3,000 6-foot fence which surrounds three sides of the property, $1,000 for playground equipment, and $500 for initial shrubbery and plants around the fence area. The Northeast Florida Community Action Agency funded half of the cost while the town, community, and Faith Tabernacle Church all contributed to matching most of the remaining costs. They received additional shrubbery from the local hardware store, along with rakes, hoes, shovels, gloves and other materials and supplies needed for completing the project. One of the neighborhood grocery stores donated drinks to the hardworking volunteers. In addition, a privacy fence, picnic tables and a basketball hoop were donated from community leaders, church members, and townspeople. As their advisor, Gerrie Ford, mentioned, it's amazing how much people are willing to assist in any way they can, whether its providing monetary help or manual labor, as long as they are informed of what is trying to be accomplished.
NUMBERS INVOLVED
This project was a true collaborative effort for people of all ages. About 45 youth ages 8-20 were involved, along with about 12 adults ages 35-72.
THE RESULTS
This service project successfully created a beautiful community park. Now community youth can go to the park to meet and have fun, instead of having nothing to do and hanging out drinking. Town people who lacked faith in the completion of the project were amazed and delighted by the final results. They were especially impressed by the short amount of time it took to complete, and by the cooperation of the young people and adults. Everyone involved with the project is extremely proud; the whole thing has brought a great sense of pride to the community. The project received special recognition from the mayor as well as local media.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
The most important tip is to select the key people in your community who have a winning track record and will be in it for the long haul. Also, it’s a good idea to request that staff members, parents, and other family members donate at least eight hours per month to the cause. Remember that people really want to be a part of their community, so with a little promotion and encouragement, community involvement can be tremendous. To thank volunteers, their group provided a cookout for every clean-up day. They also celebrated the beginning of the project with a dedication, ribbon cutting, picnic and block party for all of the participants.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT, CONTACT
Gerrie Ford
Family Service Specialist
1093 W 6 th St.
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Tel:
904-632-1469 ext. 201
Charles Baker
Family and Community Supervisor
1093 W 6th St.
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Tel:
904-632-1469 ext. 209
