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We have learned that
improving the quality of life in a neighborhood takes more than just
services or improving housing. We want the children in our
neighborhood to have...
- a good education,
- a safe place to
call home,
- a neighborhood
where they can play,
- nurturing, caring
adults in their lives and
- the opportunity
to become successful individuals, giving back to their community.
Our experience and
national research has indicated that comprehensive community initiatives
are needed in order to make significant neighborhood transformations. A
comprehensive community initiative ties together services for children,
youth, families and adults with community development, housing
improvements, educational reforms, community policing and economic
development to make lasting changes in neighborhoods.
Working with a variety
of partners, including representatives from local universities, City of
Dayton, Montgomery County, law enforcement, Dayton Public Schools, other
agencies, and a wide array of private and public funders, East End is
working on helping children and adults improve their lives and fulfill
their dreams.
Children, Teens and
Adults Our
partnership with Dayton Public Schools has led to a unique merger of
East End Community School, a charter, into the public school district.
The new school, Ruskin, is a neighborhood school with a local Management
Council. The neighborhood school will provide not only an excellent
education for children, but also services as a point of contact for
parents to receive a wide array of supports. To help working parents
and to help students achieve their fullest potential, tutoring and
educational enrichment is offered to the students at Ruskin by East End
afterschool, summers and during intercessions. Parents and children
benefit from fun Family Wellness Nights that focus on child development,
reinforcing learning at home and strategies for parenting.
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Miracle Makers is a free afterschool and summer program
serves children in kindergarten through 5th grade providing
academic tutoring, educational enrichment, and a curriculum
designed to help youth acquire healthy behaviors. For three
years, children attending this program have scored higher on
standardized tests than a comparison group.
The Youth Center and Streetpeace
provides tutoring,
prevention programming, recreation, fitness, and cultural
bridging activities with youth between the ages of 10 and 22
years of age. Streetpeace provides wonderful services that
engage youth not only in academic tutoring and enrichment, but
also in social justice projects that have improved the
neighborhood. The Youth Center also engages teens in
service learning as well as academic programs. The programs has
been successful in helping youth remain in school and avoid many
risky behaviors. These services are free
Family and Job Connections program offers free employment
assistance, job placement and case management support to more
than 700 persons. The program also includes an advocacy
program for the Latino families in the neighborhood. A elderly
outreach program provides assistance to homeowners and renters
60 years and older. Evaluation results show that these programs
are successful in helping individuals address their goals.
Community Building is a program that helps the 1,400 Twin
Towers households work together to create a safe, attractive and
thriving neighborhood. The hallmark of this effort has been
involvement of the neighbors and area youth in more than 2,500
hours of volunteering. The neighbors, East End and
representatives from the City of Dayton, Montgomery County,
County Corp and others have created a comprehensive housing
strategy for the Twin Towers area. This effort also includes
cultural bridging and celebrations conducted with CityFolk.
These efforts have led to neighborhood organizing, well attended
cultural events and a 35% reduction in crime.
Creation of jobs
and economic development is also an integral part of our plan.
The two renderings show the new green housing that is being
developed and a sketch of a thriving business district.
Read more about our Housing Strategy.
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