News from Urban Concern

As we approach our 20th year of service in South Linden, we are grateful to have a grassroots network of relationships and a positive reputation in our community. Our education programs have a proven track record of success. And in August 2007, we moved into our newly constructed 30,000 square foot community center on Bonham Avenue, providing a home base of operations in the community.

On the other hand, we recognize how far we have yet to go. Our community remains troubled on many fronts: broken and dysfunctional families; poor educational outcomes; abandoned homes and violence.

Community Development Strategy
The Urban Concern community development strategy has always been geographically-focused on the South Linden community. What we have not been able to establish in the target area is a positive consensus. We are proposing a fairly radical shift in our strategy-by segmenting our target area into phases of development (see map), and impacting more residents in each phase in order to create a positive consensus.

Last March 2008, the Urban Concern Management Team participated in an intensive three-day institute at the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), a nationally recognized community development agency in New York City. Our vision for what is possible and the strategy for moving forward were shaped by our experience. We returned to Columbus and set out to develop a five-year plan for our work in South Linden.

Four Principles in Development Strategy

1. Build Consensus

We plan to implement a block-by-block approach. We have already witnessed the positive effect of this on 13th Avenue. Residents are working together to form a block watch, houses have been renovated and home ownership is up. Over the next five years, we hope to replicate this revitalization from 11th to 17th Avenues.

2. Start Young & Sustain Impact

We define the programs in the pipeline, according to these stages:

·         Infants and Toddlers: 0-3 years
·         Elementary: 4-11 years
·         Middle and High School: 12-18 years
·         College /Young Adult: 19-23 years
·         Adults/Parents

All of these stages are important. We must shore up Urban Concern's pipeline to keep individuals growing and safe into adulthood, empowering them to be the agents of positive change for the future.

3. Rebuild Community

If the Pipeline focuses on empowering individuals, this principle focuses on broader community conditions. Improving the community has several desirable effects. Young people are more likely to grow to become healthy adults if they live in a healthy community. Parents are also more likely to remain in the community, rather than flee to other parts of the city. Most importantly, the cycle of violence and injustice in our community is unacceptable. God can change South Linden.

4. Evaluate Impact

This principle is concerned with maintaining the quality and effectiveness of our efforts. Ultimately, the outcomes for program participants should be better than the outcomes for South Linden at large. And as the number and percentage of participants from the target area increases, the outcomes for South Linden at large also should improve.

Looking Ahead

Our undying passion at Urban Concern has always been to demonstrate God's concern for the poor and social justice. We believe that we can effect change on a profound and personal level. As our mission statement implies, personal transformation means a person not only lives a stable and healthy life, but also that he or she contributes in a positive way to the community.

If we remain passionate about God's concern for the poor, and we serve our neighbors in ways that bring about personal transformation, then we will impact our community in a way that brings glory to God. Email Alex Steinman if you'd like to give us feedback. Copies of the full Five Year Plan are available upon request.