L.I.N.C.–
Leadership
through Innovative Neighborhood Connections
Research
across the country has shown that connected communities are safe communities.
For three years the Stop the Violence (STV) Collaboration has worked with
residents of Spartanburg, SC to increase connectedness not only among residents
but also between residents and institutions. Having experienced success in
decreasing crime and increasing connectedness, STV sought ways to sustain the
sense of community through a “communications center.” The idea for the
L.I.N.C. Center came from a community resident who expressed the need for a
place where residents could come together to meet and organize. Listed below are
the ABCs
for creating a L.I.N.C. Center.
Assure
Buy-in: Organize a meeting in the community where the L.I.N.C. Center will be
located. Invite residents to talk about how they could utilize a meeting
facility. Allow them to generate ideas about activities at the Center. Buy-in
from the very beginning is crucial for long-term success. If there is not energy
and support for the Center, stop now! Otherwise it will be a waste of time and
energy.
Build
Bridges:
If you do have an enthusiastic reaction of residents, have those residents build
additional support among residents and institutions.
Broad-based involvement will insure stronger committees and diversity of
Center activities.
Construct
Committees:
In order to successfully develop the L.I.N.C. Center, several committees
composed of residents and community partners will be needed.
For example, selecting a site, planning the grand opening, and hiring
staff are all tasks best done in committees.
Determine
center activities: Once the Center is open and the staff is hired and trained,
an Advisory Committee should be created. In addition to supervising the L.I.N.C.
Director, the committee would assist the Director in developing activities,
programs, and trainings in the L.I.N.C. Center.
Evaluate:
Activities and progress at the Center should be evaluated by participants,
residents, the Advisory Committee, and the Director.
Have
Fun: It is important that everyone
have fun. Occasional refreshments, celebrations and interaction are important.