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TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES FROM THE INSIDE OUT

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION - UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

COLUMBUS, OHIO

 

March 2004

 

 

Report prepared by:

Susan H. Colbert, Extension Agent

Ohio State University Extension – University District

1621 N. Fourth St.

Columbus, OH 43201

(614) 294-9720

Colbert.22@osu.edu

 

 

MISSION:

Engaging people to strengthen their lives and communities through research based educational programming.

 

PROBLEM

The University District faces challenges in the appearance and maintenance of its residential and commercial structures and, most importantly, in the safety and quality of life of the students and other residents who live and work in the area.

 

PLAN OF ACTION

As part of the University's outreach and engagement efforts, an Extension Agent, Susan H. Colbert, was moved from the OSU Extension-Franklin County office in 2002 and placed in the heart of the University District.

 

The University, in demonstration for its commitment to the neighborhood, arranged to have Ms. Colbert housed in the Human Ecology House, a refurbished house at 1621 N. Fourth Street at East 12^th Avenue.  The University’s Service Learning Initiative and P-12/Jumpstart program also operate out of this residential site. Ms. Colbert initially worked through the OSU C.A.R.E.S (Community Access to Resources and Educational Services) office, but is now her program is administered through the OSU Extension-Franklin County office.

 

Program Objectives:

• To educate and empower residents with the knowledge and resources essential to becoming self-sufficient.
• To expand Extension-based programming to the neighborhoods adjacent to OSU.
• To engage faculty, students and staff in this effort.

 

Program Strategy:

• Offer regularly scheduled workshops to area residents.
• Work closely with County/State/District Extension personnel to develop and implement programming.
• Partner with community, church and civic organizations.
• Actively participate in community meetings and events.
• Generate resources to help revitalize the neighborhood.

 

Partnerships:

• Formed a strong, active Advisory Committee composed of residents and representatives from the public and private sectors to University District Extension Agent.
• Host of OSU and non-OSU organizations too numerous to mention.

 

Progress:

• OSU Extension-Godman Guild Community Technology Center

o      Relocated CTC from OSU Extension-Franklin County location to Godman Guild.

• OSU Office of Information Technology
• Provides free technology support
• Technology for Access to Better Learning/Employment grant
• Received grant from the U.S. Dept of Education ($241,000) to integrate Technology, Workforce Development and Life Skills training
• OSU Center for Education and Training for Employment

o      Co-sponsored table grant and provided evaluation

• OSU Communication and Technology
• Provides assistance with brochures, web development, etc.
• Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) grant
• Received grant from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture ($50,000) to integrate 4H-Youth Dev/Technology and increase parental involvement
• OSU Center for Study and Teaching of Writing
• Received grant from the Literacy Initiative ($5,000) to have graduate students tutor and conduct seminars on writing
• Your Neighborhood Credit Union, formerly Colofab Credit Union
• Advisory Committee instrumental in opening membership to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in most of the University District.

• OSU Extension-Maynard Youth Development Center
• Facility to integrate 4H Youth Dev/Technology/Parental Involvement
• OSU Dept. of Athletics/National Youth Sports Program.

o      Summer/Academic/Athletic programs includes youth of University District

• Columbus Housing Partnership
• Able to offer comprehensive Home Buyer Education workshops to area residents

 

Future Collaborations

• Enterprise Works/Women's Business Resource Center

• Central Ohio Transportation Authority
• Transport children, parents, and volunteers to sites where 4H is held
• Community Properties of Ohio

o      Collaborate on grants/projects to assist residents of CPO properties.

• Urban Financial Services Coalition

o      Will co-sponsor financial literacy programs/services

 

Keys to Success:

• Thinking outside the box
• Willing to be flexible, unconventional and responsive to the needs of the community.
• Strategic partnerships/alliances.
• Remain in constant communication with your funders and prospective funders.
• Build a level of trust and respect for your constituents.
• Possess a passion for what you do, thereby realizing that what you do is truly impacting the lives of others.
• Never lose sight of our mission and vision. Work with individuals and organizations, which share and believe in your mission.

 

Promising Practices

• Social Entrepreneurship, an innovative approach to solve the problems of the community, where bureaucracies have failed.
• Use an asset-based and capacity-building approach which focuses on what the community has, versus what it does not have.