05/02/2007

Quick Connections #91

IN THIS ISSUE:
• MC-D Mission/Vision Statement
• Tax Site Data
• Successful Data Action Meeting Held on April 23, 2007
• Community Organizing in La Alma-Lincoln Park and Sun Valley
• Spanish version of Data Points Available
• Updates on 100 Family Study
• Community Learning Network Seeks Community Research Volunteers
• Family Friend and Neighbor Training
• Upcoming Events & Meetings

Making Connections—Denver DRAFT Mission/Vision Statement
MC-D staff drafted a Mission/Vision statement at a staff retreat earlier this year. Please let us know if this rings true!
MISSON/VISION STATEMENT:
As a partnership (or movement) of community members, organizations and staff, our mission is to connect and mobilize people to transform ourselves, our communities and systems and to create opportunities that lead to social and economic justice.
Please contact Josh Lazaroff at 720-891-4920 or jlazaroff@mcdenver.org.

Free Tax SuperSite Data
The Free Tax SuperSite at King Trimble had a very productive season:
• 1,707 Tax returns were filed (Including tax returns for years other than 2006)
• Refunds totaled $1.8 million (Including $800,000 EITC)

Successful DATA for ACTION Meeting
Local and national experts, MC-D Partners and residents, Community Learning Network and MC-D staff gathered on April 23 to learn about how to use large body of data called the Casey Household Cross site data and other data to create an advocacy/policy change agenda for an issue. Health Care, including access, coverage and quality was chosen as the first issue to work on from a policy change perspective. Pending SCHIP reauthorization played a key role in this choice. A model and group has been established to flesh out the plan for Healthcare policy change and create advocacy agendas for other important issues. More on the advocacy plan for Health Care next month.

Community Organizing in La Alma Lincoln Park and Sun Valley
A coalition of organizations in Denver’s Westside is working with residents in response to upcoming plans for “transit-oriented development” (TOD) in Sun Valley and La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhoods. Development will occur near existing or future light rail stations on publicly-owned land. This Alliance includes Making Connections-Denver, Metro Organizations for People (MOP), the Front Range Economic Strategy Center (FRESC) and Project Wise. The Alliance is continuing to organize residents in both neighborhoods to achieve community benefits related to such resident needs and concerns. The City is holding a public meeting on Wednesday, May 9th from 5:30-8:30pm at Greenlee Elementary (1150 Lipan) to present possible development plans to residents. For more information, call Blake Pendergrass, FRESC Organizer, at (303) 477-6111 x17.

Spanish Version of Data Points
The Spanish Version of Data Points is now available. It can be downloaded in pdf format from the MC-D website at www.makingconnectionsdenver.org Please contact Suzanne Gruba at 720-891-4917, sgruba@mcdenver.org for more information

Participant Family Data Collection (PFDC) or 100 Family Study
The 100 Family Study, an AECF required, longitudinal study of 100 families engaged in MC-D activities is being implemented by the MC-D Community Research Team. Interview with Spanish speaking families will begin soon. If you know of a family that lives in one of our neighborhoods who would be a good candidate (English or Spanish speaking) for this study contact Veronica Quezada at 720-891-4915. Families are interviewed once a year and are compensated for their time.

Community Learning Network (CLN) Seeks Community Data Volunteers
The CLN is seeking people who would be interested in serving as a research and data community representatives, taking research and data out to community groups and bringing back data and research requests to the Community Learning Network. The Community Learning Network, which is comprised of community members, other community research and data volunteers and evaluation partners, is responsible for reviewing progress and developing next steps on MC-D’s overall evaluation plan.
For more information or an application, contact Rosella Palacios at 720-891-4918.
See attached downloadable job description.


The Family, Friend & Neighbor (FFN) pre-licensing training under a grant from the Mayor's Office for Education and Children was completed on April 30. There are three cohorts of trainees. Some participants from the first cohort have completed their applications and they have been sent to the Division of Child Care. The second cohort participants have completed all of their training, CPR, First Aid, etc. and are in the process of completing their applications. The third cohort has just begun the process. The grant terminates June 30, 2007.


MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Public Workshops for Light Rail Station Planning—
For more information, please visit www.denvergov.org/TOD, or click on the individual station links below.

10th and Osage, Decatur and Auraria West Station Area Plans - Combined Workshop with break out groups, Wednesday, May 9, 2007, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Greenlee Elementary School, 1150 Lipan St, Child care provided.
Project Managers: Karen Good (10th and Osage, and Auraria West), karen.good@ci.denver.co.us or 720.865.2942, Catherine Cox-Blair (Decatur), catherine.cox-blair@ci.denver.co.us or 720.865.2936
Alameda, Colorado and Southmoor Infrastructure Framework Plans - Combined Workshop with break out groups, Thursday May 10, 2007, 5:30 to 8:30pm, University Park Elementary School, 2300 S Saint Paul Street.
Project Managers: Chris Yake (Alameda), christopher.yake@ci.denver.co.us or 720.865.2973, Caryn Wenzara (Colorado and Southmoor,
caryn.wenzara@ci.denver.co.us or 720.865.2940

40th and 40th Station Area Plan - Public Workshop, Monday, May 21, 2007, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wyatt Edison Charter School, 3620 Franklin St., * Limited off-street parking will be available. Child care provided, Project Manager Evelyn Baker, evelyn.baker@ci.denver.co.us or 720.865.2932.

Sheridan Station Area Plan – Public Workshop, Tuesday, May 22, 2007, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Correction: Denver Human Services, 1200 Federal Blvd, Room 3109
Project Manager Tom Hoaglund, thomas.hoaglund@ci.denver.co.us or 720.865.2930

Baker Historic Neighborhood Association (BHNA) Meeting: Tuesday, May 8, 6:30—8:00pm at 1st Avenue Presbyterian Church at 1st Avenue and Acoma, Annual Election of Officers, At large members and Committee Chairs.

Family Economic Success (FES) Guidance Group—Thursday, April 24, 6-8pm. For more information contact Hi Howard at 303-825-6246, Ext 325.

Denver’s Neighborhood Conference—Strengthening Communities Block by Block: Saturday, June 9, 2007, 8:30 AM -2:30 PM, West High School, 9th & Elati.
To register or for more information, please contact Amber Callender at 720-865-9051.

Small Business Basics—Micro Business Development—Spanish--Three session course: May, 17, 24 & 31, 5:30—7:30pm, $20.00 for three classes. Call Benjamin at 303-308-8121 to register or for more information. Download attached flyer.

La Alma Lincoln Park Planning Group (LLPPG) Meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:00pm. To verify this month’s meeting date contact Tom Kelsey at 303-404-1961.

“Las Madrinas Tribute” Sunday, May 20, 2007, 11:00am—2:00pm, Centro San Juan Diego, 2830 Lawrence Street. Join us in honoring distinguished women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and community service, while loving and nurturing their own families. Contact Virginia Longoria at 303-295-9470, Ext. 104 for more information. Tickets are $35 person. RSVP by Friday, May 4.