September 20, 2013
Volume 2, Issue VI
Special points of interest:
> City Provides Home Reconstructions
City to Build Low Interest Homes
> NJNI Wishes a Fund Farewell to 2013-2014 AmeriCorps Members > NJNI Prepares to Visit New Orleans
The City of Jonesboro is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for reconstruction assistance for homeowners meeting income guidelines and other criteria required through the Arkansas Department of Finance Authority (ADFA). ADFA is the State agency that funnels HOME funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to municipalities that do not receive HOME funds directly from HUD.
> Join FSCIA on September 29th
The applicant must own and live on the property, have no judgments on the property, and have homeowner’s insurance for the property. The property cannot be located in a flood plain, and must be located within the city limits of Jonesboro. The reconstruction must be constructed using ADFA’s home designs. This loan will have an affordability period of 20 years; however, 50% of the loan is forgivable and the other 50% has an interest rate of 1%. This is similar to our CDBG rehabilitation program; however, the amount that can be spent per house significantly increases with a reconstruction as opposed to rehabilitation. Citizens interested in applying may obtain the FY 2013 ADFA Application Packet at www.jonesboro.org , or at the Grants Department located on the fourth floor (Suite 402) at 300 S. Church St. Jonesboro, AR 72401. For more information, please contact Aaron Smith, Grants Housing Rehab Coordinator at 870.336.7170 or asmith2@jonesboro.org.
Inside this issue:
“This is a tremendous opportunity and benefit to those citizens that need work done to their home in order to bring their home up to quality standards, but the need is greater than a CDBG funded rehabilitation project, which limits the amount that can be spent to $20,000 per home. “ – Heather Clements
Homeowner Reconstruction
1
An Evening w/Stars
2
“This is the first time that the City of Jonesboro has ever entertained this type of funding and we are thrilled that this opportunity will allow us to continue our mission of providing excellent services to the good citizens of Jonesboro AND eliminating potential blighted areas at the same time.” – Harold Perrin
NJNI Visits New Orleans
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FSCIA Update
3
Board of Directors
4
Community Calendar 4
Page 2
North Jonesboro Neighborhood Initiative
An Evening with the Stars
L to R: Cassie Mashburn, John Bolding, Hannah Raines, Tawuana Hooper, Janeese Hogan, Tara Howard, Sarah Worsley, Siera Vail and Angela Simmons
On September 19, 2012-2013 AmeriCorps members gathered at the ASU Convocation Center to reflect on their past 10 months of service to Jonesboro residents. “Becoming an AmeriCorps Member and teaming up with the North Jonesboro Neighborhood Initiative gave me a completely different outlook on community service..� Stated Janeese Hogan. When the program ends on September 30, 2013, AmeriCorps members will have invested well over 10,000 hours of service in our community. Several members have applied to continue their service in our 2013-2014 program year. Others have accepted full time jobs or internships. To all of our NJNI AmeriCorps members, it has been my pleasure to serve with you; Jonesboro is a better place because of your service! Best wishes and keep in touch!
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North Jonesboro Neighborhood Initiative
Volume 2, Issue VI
NJNI Prepares for Learning Journey to New Orleans On September 24-26, a delegation from NJNI will travel to New Orleans to join representatives from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation on what has been deemed “A Learning Journey”. The purpose of the trip is to see first hand what a similar initiative is doing in New Orleans. Activities will include: ·
A tour of New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward with community leaders who have developed strong initiatives and partnerships,
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Meet with Mayor Mitch Landrieau and his team to learn how the city integrates community leadership postKatrina through the city’s Neighborhood Engagement Office,
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Participate in a roundtable discussion with neighborhood associations and neighborhood improvement district leaders
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Meet with community leaders to learn how the unique culture of New Orleans is healing and revitalizing the community.
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Tour the New Orleans East Vietnamese community’s saquaponic/urban gardens
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Visit with leaders of youth organizations to learn best practices for engaging youth.
Participating in the learning journey will be Emma Agnew, Heather Clements, Amy Hutson, Charles Coleman and Matt Smith.
Network Update ·
FSCIA and Home Depot will be working in the gardens on September 29th. Home Depot has been a FSCIA sponsor since the beginning and John Hansen called to notify the network that they will continue their support with contributions of vegetation, labor and tilling lots at 316 Drake and 330 Fisher..
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Mr. Elrode turned and tilled two lots with a large tractor at no charge.
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FSCIA is in the process of constructing a new 6 X 8 building with donated materials from Ridout Lumber. The SUCCESS School students are assisting in building the structure.
The members of FSCIA are looking forward to seeing you around 12:30 p.m. on September 29th.
-Submitted By: Rev. Dr. Charles Coleman, D.Min.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILLIAM
CASH, Entrepreneur, Vice Chairman
CHARLES COLEMAN, Retired, ASU JEANETTE DOTSON, East AR Area Agency on Aging LILLIE FEARS, ASU CARTER FORD, ASU Sports Foundation DAISY FREEMAN, Retired, St. Bernard's, Secretary JANICE GRIFFIN, Craighead County DHS AMY HUTSON, Frito Lay JANE MCDANIEL, Retired, St. Bernards M.G. MEYERING, Habitat for Humanity RUBY MCKINLEY, RETIRED, JONESBORO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ROGER MCKINEY, RETIRED, DELTA CONSOLIDATED & CITY OF JONESBORO
VISION
Collaborative community change strategies where engaged residents, local businesses, faith communities, social service providers and funders work together to build
vibrant neighborhoods, foster community cohesion, and build a strong infrastructure of services and supports for families. MISSION
To encourage two-way communications between neighbors, residents, stakeholders, and officials to participate in the decision making process to enhance safety, strengthen families, and transform
neighborhoods through involvement and engagement.
BEN OWENS, Retired-St. Bernard's, Chairman MELODY ROBINSON, Jonesboro Human Development Center LESHIA STEVENs, Retired, Nettleton School District
Community Calendar September 23 - Enroll the Ridge! Call Center Opens 870.336.0520 September 24-26—Learning Journey to New Orleans
Caption describing picture or graphic.
September 29— Fifth Sunday Service—New St. John Baptist Church @ 6:00 p.m. September 26—Community Meeting E. Boone Watson Center (5:30-7:00 p.m.) October 4, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Go Pink for the Cure Free Mammograms & Clinical Breast Exams for uninsured women, age 40 - 64 Temple Baptist Church (2405 Stadium Blvd. , Jonesboro, AR) October 1—NJNI National Night Out & Community Fair University Lions Park (4-7 p.m.)
Emma Agnew, Editor and NJNI Coordinator 870-336-7210
City of Jonesboro North Jonesboro Neighborhood Initiative P.O. Box 1845 300 S. Church St. Jonesboro, AR 72401-1845