Urban Update 
The monthly newsletter of the UMass Dartmouth Urban Initiative
August 2012
We're keeping this month's email short and sweet: not only do we anticipate lots of "out of office" replies from our subscribers on vacation, but we're also putting the finishing touches on two big projects that have kept us moving at pace that's been at odds with this summer's sultry weather.

Enjoy the rest of the summer, and we'll be back in September!
Projects
  • This was the summer of Taunton for the Urban Initiative. We spent the past few months developing a baseline report for the Taunton Housing Authority's HOPE VI project, which involved mail surveys, door-to-door surveys, interviews, and analysis of quantitative data on everything from the business vacancy rate to neighborhood crime. We look forward to sharing some of the information we've gathered once the report is published. Thanks to those who helped with this extensive effort! 
  •  Just one more month until our newest effort, the SouthCoast Urban Indicators Project, is kicked off with a new website full of information related to education, the economy, public health, and more! 
  •  This week, you can find the Urban Initiative team riding aboard the NB Line, the new shuttle offered by the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. We're working with SRTA and the National Park Service to conduct an evaluation of things like operations and rider experience.   
From the blog:
  • As we've  been putting together our annual report covering FY 2012, we've identified some fun numbers that help tell the story of the past year at the Urban Initiative. Check them out, and thanks to everyone who helped make those numbers possible!
Upcoming Events

What:   'Creating Walkable Communities,' a session co-sponsored by the Urban Initiative as part of our 'Sustainable Cities' series being offered with the university's Office of Sustainability. Learn about ways to make your city or town more pedestrian-friendly in ways that extend to improvements in parking and economic development.  

When:   Thursday, September 20, 1-5p 

Where: Woodland Commons, UMass Dartmouth campus 
 
 

Want your upcoming event listed? Email us!

In this issue:
Projects
From the blog
Events
Grant opportunities
Job opportunities




 About the Urban Initiative:

 

The Urban Initiative at UMass Dartmouth is a division of the Center for Policy Analysis that was established in 2007 to address challenges and opportunities in the region's smaller industrial cities, with a particular emphasis on nearby communities like Fall River and New Bedford.  

 

In addition to conducting applied research, evaluating programs and policies, facilitating collaborations, and providing technical assistance to cities and organizations therein, the Urban Initiative serves as a knowledge base for urban policy issues and their applications in the region. 



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Contact us!

 
Phone:
508-910-6407

Email: [email protected]

Mail:
285 Old Westport Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747

Website: http://www.umassd.edu/urbaninitiative/ 
Grant & technical assistance opportunities
 

Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFED Charitable Foundation - Deadline: August 31 (for large grant requests)

 

Supports organizations in southeastern MA in the areas of education, job development, affordable housing, accessibility to health care, and accessibility to the arts. For instructions on how to apply, click here.  

 

Miller Innovation Fund - Deadline: August 24 (for concept papers) 

  

This fund supports innovations, tools, and practices that help organizations working in Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts increase the political power and leadership of community members.  Learn more at the Fund's website.    

    

Gateway Cities Education Agenda grants - Deadline: August 31 (for statement of interest

 

As part of Governor Deval Patrick's Gateway Cities Education Agenda, two requests for proposals were recently announced to provide funding for two initiatives: 1) English Language Learners Enrichment Academies, and 2) Career Academies. While the statement of interest must be submitted by mayors or superintendents on behalf of applicants, eligible grantees are not limited to public school districts; instead, they can include charter schools, nonprofits, universities, businesses, Workforce Investment Boards, and more. Read more about the agenda and view the full RFPs at this link.  

       

Know of any other upcoming opportunities we should share? Email us!
Job opportunities

Commonwealth Corps Environmental Educator     

Where: Coalition for Buzzards Bay, New Bedford

 

The Buzzards Bay Coalition seeks two energetic individuals to join their team as Commonwealth Corps Service Members. This year-long position is as a core part of their Education and Public Engagement department with an overall goal of engaging the community in active and on-going stewardship of the Bay and Watershed. Specifically, service members will be working on our youth education initiatives which seek to strengthen the ethic of environmental stewardship in the region while also improving academic achievement in the classroom through increased school engagement. View the full job description here.    

 

  

 

Make sure to check out our blog, which typically has more job opportunities than those featured here. And let us know if you have an opportunity to share!