08/16/2007
Quick Connections # 94
IN THIS ISSUE:
• New LLP Coordinator/Evaluation Manager
• 100 Family Study Update
• New MC-D FES Coach
• Technical Assistance (TA)
• Community Research Team Hosts Site Visit from San Antonio
• Colorado Community Brownfields Workshop
• Denver Workf
New MC-D Evaluation Manager/LLP Coordinator
Making Connections-Denver hired Sue Tripathi, PhD, to serve as the new evaluation manager to oversee and guide the numerous evaluation tasks that the MC-D work demands. Sue comes to us from a rich evaluation background. She is replacing Phuonglan Nguyen who was hired by FRESC as a senior policy analyst in May and Suzanne Gruba who is now the communications coordinator at MC-D. Stop by and introduce yourself to Sue the next time you are at MC-D. Sue can be reached at 720-891-4916 or stripathi@mcdenver.org.
100 Family Study Update
Almost 50 families have been surveyed as a part of the 100 Family Study also known as the PFDC or Participant Family Data Collection. Preliminary analysis of the data collected from 20 out of the 50 families show that 79% had income in the last 12 months from wages or salary. 45% had income ranging from $0--$9,999, 30% had income ranging from $10,000--$19,999, 10% had income ranging from $20,000--$29,999 and 15% had income ranging from $30,000 or more. Only 21% had income from public assistance or welfare payments. See attached graphs for more detailed info.
New MC-D Family Economic Success (FES) Coach
Please join us in welcoming our new FES Coach, Deborah De La Torre. Deborah is in charge of managing the MC-D FES strategies as well as serving as coach to the resident FES Guidance Group. Deborah is replacing Hi Howard of the Piton Foundation, who is taking on new responsibilities in the secondary education work arena. Deborah can be reached at 720-891-4923 or ddelatorre@mcdenver.org.
Technical Assistance (TA)
Technical Assistance is available to groups involved in the community change work of Making Connections-Denver. Types of TA available include: providing skill building opportunities, conducting information scans, arranging peer matches, strategy development, and providing expert assistance, consultation, facilitation. For more information contact Candace RedShirt, Technical Assistance Liaison at 720-891-4919. See downloadable MC-D grant guidelines and TA application.
Community Research Team Hosts Site Visit from San Antonio
The Community Research Team (CRT) hosted visitors from the Making Connections San Antonio Local Learning Partnership (LLP) earlier this month. San Antonio is creating a community research center and came to learn from Denver how we have engaged residents in the important work of evaluation and research. The visit turned out to be a valuable learning exchange as the sites learned from one another.
Site Coordinator Position
MC-D is seeking a Site Coordinator to replace Susan Motika who will be leaving in September. Closing date for applications is Close of Business Monday, August 20, 2007. See attached job description and Deliverables.
Colorado Community Brownfields Workshop
The Voluntary Cleanup Advisory Board (VCAB), a Denver-based community group overseeing the clean-up of the former Gates Rubber Plant, will host a workshop to share community skills for engaging with brownfields redevelopment.
This workshop is open to all Coloradans and will be held at 2980 Curtis Street, Denver, CO on September 22, 2007 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Attendees will learn how and why communities should participate in the brownfields clean-up and redevelopment process. "Brownfields" are sites where pollution from past uses is an obstacle to new development. Many tools exist to help developers overcome these obstacles and create cleaner, revitalized sites; however, communities are often left out of the process.
Attendance is free, but pre-registration is requested. Light meal, childcare, and translation provided (please indicate your needs when registering). Please visit www.cocobrownfields.org for more information, including registration and agenda, or leave a message at 720-837-5446.
The Colorado Community Brownfields Workshop is co-sponsored by:
The Voluntary Cleanup Advisory Board (VCAB) www.vcab-denver.org
The Center for Public Environmental Oversight (CPEO), www.cpeo.org
Making Connections-Denver, www.makingconnectionsdenver
Denver Work Force Development Training Schedule
Denver Work Force Development (DWD) offers various workshops at five Workforce Centers and three Community Resource Centers in the Denver City area. One of them is at King Trimble where MC-D staff are housed. Training programs are designed to teach customers how to use the software applications most in demand by employers. DWD also offer career development workshops and assessment tools to assist customers assess their employability skills and find employment. All classes are offered on a first come, first serve basis and are available at no-cost to the customers. Please contact the appropriate center at least one week prior to the class to request any special accommodations. For your convenience, please find feel free to visit our website at: http://www.milehigh.com/employment to view additional information about the Denver Division of Workforce Development’s technical computer and career development classes.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Baker Historic Neighborhood Association (BHNA) Meeting: NO meeting in August.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, September 11, 6-8pm at 1st Ave. Presbyterian Church at 1st and Acoma.
Family Economic Success (FES) Guidance Group—Thursday, August 23, 6-8pm. For more information contact Deborah La Torre at 720-891-4923.
La Alma Lincoln Park Planning Group (LLPPG) Monday, August 27, 6:00—8:00pm. Contact Tom Kelsey at 303-404-1961.