VII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Conclusion In the previous pages, we have presented the results of an extensive Needs and Assets Assessment of the East Jacksonville Core neighborhood. As discussed, there are a number of problems facing this neighborhood, which was not surprising. The extent of these problems, including crime, poor health, poor schools, high drop out rates, and myriad other issues present any efforts to ameliorate them with some serious obstacles. There are also, however, a significant number of assets in the neighborhood, including a core group of citizens, pastors, and service providers, who are intent on making things better. This finding was, in many ways, not so much expected. For the East Jacksonville is often described as “the worst” neighborhood in the city, and little attention has been paid to those assets in the past. Thus, taken as a whole, there are some serious needs for the neighborhood, and there is a serious core group of assets that can be strengthened to address those needs. Such strengthening, however, cannot take place without some infusion of resources, including financial and human. Nor, can such strengthening be done by outsiders usurping these assets, or taking over the neighborhood.
Recommendations While there are a number of areas which it may not be realistic to recommend action – or which may be outside the abilities of FreshMinistries or CCI to act upon – the findings from this Needs and Assets Assessment do provide information that suggests a number of ways and areas in which action can be taken. Many of these recommendations are taken directly from the community residents interviewed for this study, while others are based on their reflections. These recommendations include: Development of a Community Action Group (CAG). There is a core group of dedicated residents and pastors that could form the core of a Community Action Group that could serve as the voice (both internally and externally) for the neighborhood. Creation of the group could be facilitated by continuing the Community Meetings at the Resource Center, with the support of FreshMinistries. Create Collaborative Efforts to provide additional/focused organized youth sports. A number of those interviewed were concerned about the availability of athletic opportunities for youth in the neighborhood. Indeed, special concern was expressed over the lack of access to the local schools. It is recommended that a cooperative arrangement be developed between the schools, other community service agencies, and the churches in the neighborhood to provide such opportunity. 88