May, 2003
Twenty-one young people, four field supervisors, and staff of the Mid-County Neighborhood Initiative (MCNI) and Department of Recreation participated in an 8-hour training facilitated by the AED Center for Youth Development and Policy Research. The experiential training taught the participants the skills needed to successfully map a community, and included leadership, teamwork, and workforce development skills.
YouthMapping participants include Britani Robinson, Reva Lee, Ebony Garcia, Avery Walker, Jennifer Boateng, Christa Washington, Markyia Marshall, Ramatu Sesay, Gershon Kallon, Shanelle Mosley, Shadeesha Jordan, Lee Shem-Tov, James Fisher, Andria Gudger, Katryne Francia, Ebony Garcia, Joel Mugisha, Josue Jean-Simon, Genevia Sawyer, Clarissa Bridges, Bintu Musa, Ismael Kazedata. Field supervisors include Jason Kling, Sue Holloway, Christi Piper, and Nedra Kennedy.
This week, the young people have begun administering surveys in the Wheaton Central Business District. Over 90 surveys have been completed in the first three days of the project. The youth will be mapping Wheaton and the Hewitt Avenue Bel Pre Corridor after school from 3:30 – 6:30 pm during the last two weeks of May and the first two weeks of June.
YouthMapping would not be possible without our supportive partners. Montgomery County Department of Recreation staff Stephanie White, Mark Galliano, TJ Miller and Tim Tao support our project daily by providing transportation to and from training and mapping sites as well as assistance with field supervision. The Montgomery County Police Department and the Wheaton Urban District Clean and Safe Team have provided logistical support and added safety to the project. The Governor’s Offices of Crime Control and Prevention and Children, Youth and Families provided funding for the project.
If you have any questions about the Youth Mapping Project, please contact Stephanie at 240-777-8114.
The communities of Fairways, Grand Bel Manor, and Grand Bel II have begun plans for many shared activities as result of the Outreach Event and Community Fair held in March and April. The communities have already participated in a joint community yard sale, and are considering joint pool parties, craft and bake sales, as well as an International Festival to celebrate the rich diversity in their communities. Several residents are active in Community Policing Committees supported by the MCNI and the Montgomery County Police Department, with the goal of actively involving residents in the identification and resolution of crime and safety issues in the community.
Building community in today's busy world is a process that takes the time and commitment of many individuals. These three communities shine as an example of what is possible.
On April 26, the Community Mobilization Committee staffed a table at the Month of The Young Child Event in Westfield Plaza. Hundreds of children participated in a hands-on activity designed to highlight community through a child's eyes. This beautiful artwork will be on display at future MCNI sponsored events. One hundred Community Needs Assessment Surveys were completed during the event by parents and caregivers of the busy children.
Sincere thanks to Giselle Taminez, Joy Nurmi, Phyllis Courlander and Max Bronstein for assisting with this daylong event!
The committee is currently working on strategies for increasing the involvement of faith-based communities in our target area, including the development of a cross faith coalition that could be eligible for faith-based funding opportunities at the local, state and national level. Our June committee meeting will focus on this topic. Feel free to join us. We will provide updates in future issues of MCNI News.
Enjoy the great music of
local teen bands for five Thursday evenings starting July 10, at 9:00PM.
Aspen Hill Library
4407 Aspen Hill Road
Rockville, MD 20853
301-871-2094/TTY 301-871-2097
Sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Recreation and the
Montgomery County Public Libraries.
The Police Department and Parole and Probation will begin joint home visits to probationers on June 1 in the Hewitt Avenue Bel Pre Corridor. This home visiting is a critical piece of the Hot Spot strategy, and has been very successful in the Wheaton CBD HotSpot during the last three years.
The committee is working on convening a forum of Bel Pre Square residents to discuss needs specific to their community, including plans for the community building that is sited on the property.
The committee is also looking to work with smaller communities along the Hewitt Avenue Bel Corridor for the annual National Night Out Event. Interested? Please contact Stephanie Jennings at 240-777-8114.
May 19-22; May 27-29; June 2-5; June 9-12:
Community YouthMapping Project,
Wheaton, and Hewitt Avenue Bel Pre Corridor.
Contact Stephanie Jennings at 240-777-8114 for information.
May 22: Community
Policing/Community Maintenance Subcommittee,
6:30 -- 8:00 pm,
Argyle Middle School.
June 11: J-2 Meeting,
12:00 noon -- Georgian Colonies Community Building,
Bel Pre Rd.
June 2003: Community Mobilization Subcommittee
10:00 -- 11:30 am; location and date TBD
call 240-777-8114 for information.