Cities of Service Grant_Letter of IntentMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Letter of Intent to Apply for Cities of Service Grant
DATE: July 6, 2012
Dubuque
bierd
All-America City
1
2007
Human Rights Director Kelly Larson is transmitting a Letter of Intent to apply for the
Cities of Service Grant to implement the High Impact Service Plan.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO Michael C Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director
DATE July 3, 2012
SUBJECT Letter of Intent to Apply for Cities of Service Grant
Dubuque
had
NI- America City
'I 1 1 I'
2007
INTRODUCTION
This Letter of Intent to apply forthe Cities of Service Grant is to implement the High Impact Service Plan that was created by
Mary Bridget Corken
BACKGROUND
Attached please find the Letter of Intent to apply for the Cities of Service Grant In the Letter of Intent I focused on initiatives
listed in the High Impact Service Plan since the Plan was already approved by the Mayor and Council We are free to change
our focus areas in the final grant if we so choose I have designated Nikola Pavelic, our Community Engagement
Coordinator, as the Chief Service Officer If we intend to apply for multiple initiatives, we need to designate someone who will
be employed full time for the duration of the grant, so we cannot designate Trisha Federspiel, our VISTA member
Attachment
Kelly Larson Dubuque, IA
Dubuque, IA
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund 2012
Dubuque, IA
City Clerk's Office
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Kelly Larson
rdbuol @cityofdubuque.org
0: 563- 589 -4121
1300 Main Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Idarson@cityofdubuque.org
0: 563 - 589 -4190
M: 563 - 564 -5807
F: 563 - 690 -6691
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact
Printed On: 28 June 2012 Volunteering Fund 2012 1
Kelly Larson Dubuque, IA
Application Form
Report Fields
City, State*
Dubuque, IA
Instructions
Number of initiatives *
Indicate the number of initiatives for which funds will be requested.
7
Amount requested*
Indicate the grant amount requested. Please note that only cities with Chief Service Officers funded through the
period of the grant are eligible for multiple initiative grants.
$100,000 (multiple initiatives)
Mayor and City Information
Name of City*
City of Dubuque
City population*
57637
Name of Mayor*
Roy D. Buol
Date the Mayor's current term in office will conclude*
12/31/2013
Is your city a Cities of Service coalition member ?*
Yes
Involvement with Cities of Service
How has the City been involved with Cities of Service in the past?
The City of Dubuque received a $5,000 grant and joined the Cities of Service Coalition in 2011, with
AmeriCorps VISTA member Mary Bridget Corken serving as chief service officer. During her tenure, our CSO
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact
Printed On: 28 June 2012 Volunteering Fund 2012 2
Kelly Larson Dubuque, IA
created a high impact service plan and also inflated the Love Your Block Service Strategy. Additionally, she
took some initial steps to create an on -line portal for volunteering here in our community. In June 2012, Mary
Bridget completed her VISTA term. In the meantime, the City has created the full -time position of Community
Engagement Coordinator. We have hired a person to fill this position and he will begin work on July 23, 2012.
While his duties will expand beyond volunteer work, he will also serve as the City's CSO.
Advancing Cities of Service Principles*
Describe how the City has acted in accordance with the Cities of Service Declaration, which can be found at
http://www.citiesofservice.org/about/declaration-of-service/:
The City of Dubuque has acted in accordance with the Cities of Service Declaration by identifying areas of
community need and creating the high impact service plan in alignment with those needs. The initiatives
listed in the service plan have a level of staffing and resources sufficient to indicate that leadership in the
community is dedicated to their continuation and their ability to address unmet needs, yet breadth of
measurable impact will be dependent on our ability to garner sufficient volunteers to assist the staff in
carrying out the work We have begun to articulate measurable targets for these initiatiaves. We have
purchased a software license that will allow us to match volunteers to these opportunities based on volunteer
skills and interests, along with the needs of the major initiatives. In addition, the City has created a full time
position of Community Engagement Coordinator to develop systems and strategies to enhance community
engagement on an ongoing basis.
City's Service Plan
If the city has a service plan, please upload it here or provide a link to the plan if it is available online.
High Impact Service Plan.doc
Contact Information
Name of individual to contact regarding grant:*
Kelly Larson
Title*
Human Rights Director
Email*
Idarson@cityofdubuque.org
Phone number*
563 - 589 -4190
Mailing address*
1300 Main Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact
Printed On: 28 June 2012 Volunteering Fund 2012 3
Kelly Larson Dubuque, IA
Chief Service Officer Information
Name of Chief Service Officer (CSO) or individual in similar full -time role, if any
Nikola Pavelic
Title if not using "Chief Service Officer"
Community Engagement Coordinator
Reporting relationship of CSO
Please state the reporting relationship of the CSO to the Mayor (i.e., does the CSO report directly to the Mayor? To
the Chief of Staff who reports to the Mayor? Other line of reporting ?)
Reports to department head who reports to city manager & mayor
Average number of hours spent per week on CSO responsibilities?
20
Will the CSO position be funded through the proposed term of the grant?
yes
Primary source of funding for CSO position
Please note that proof of local funding will be requested when the application is submitted by August 31, 2012. If
the CSO position is defunded during the period of the grant, the grant may be terminated.
City agency
Initiative Information (first initiative)
Working title of initiative
Volunteer Center
Brief description of initiative
This initiative will continue the creation of the infrastructure needed in our community to support our
efforts to recruit and retain volunteers for the remaining six initiatives listed in our application. It will involve
launching the volunteer matching software, training the staff involved in each of the other six initiatives in use
of the software and in volunteer recruitment and retention best practices, educating the public on the
importance of the other six initiatives and the need for volunteers, and marketing the volunteer opportunities
available.
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Blueprint
Blueprints may be downloaded at http: / /www.citiesofservice.org /resources /blueprints/
Not based on a Blueprint
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact
Printed On: 28June 2012 Volunteering Fund 2012 4
Kelly Larson Dubuque, IA
Initiative Information (second initiative)
Working title of initiative
Love Your Block
Brief description of initiative
In 2010, a Safe Community Task Force (SCTF) working in our community contracted with Northern
Illinois University Center on Governmental Studies to examine crime and poverty in Dubuque. The study
resulted in recommendations that the community focus on building social cohesion in neighborhoods,
particularly those impacted by crime and poverty. We launched Love Your Block this past spring as one
response to this community need, and we are currently evaluating the results of that effort. We intend to
apply for funds to expand this effort into another year.
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Blueprint
Love Your Block
Initiative Information (third initiative)
Working title of initiative
Green Iowa AmeriCorps Weatherization
Brief description of initiative
Dubuque has a significant stock of older housing in need of upgrades in order to improve energy efficiency
and affordability for the homeowner. Green Iowa AmeriCorps members currently provide home
weatherization services and are in need of volunteers who can be trained to assist with weatherization work
This initiative would involve training volunteers so they can carry on the work of the AmeriCorps Members
work when the AmeriCorps grant comes to an end.
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Blueprint
Sustainable Home Makeover
Initiative Information (fourth initiative)
Working title of initiative
Green and Healthy Homes Initiative
Brief description of initiative
The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is a public - private partnership that refocuses how we as a
nation repair and improve housing in economically challenged communities. GHHI is leading a national
strategy to make sure all families and children live in homes that are healthy, safe, energy - efficient and
sustainable. Creating greener, safer, and healthier homes leads to more stable housing, a higher quality of life
and better health, mental health and social and economic outcomes for parents and their children. GHHI is in
need of volunteers who can assist homeowners in cleaning and organizing their homes both to improve health
and safety, and to ready the home for contractors to come in and perform the needed repairs and energy
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact
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Kelly Larson Dubuque, IA
efficiency updates. The focus of this initiative would be on recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers to fill
this need so that GHHI can reach its goals related to homeowners served and issues addressed.
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Blueprint
Not based on a Blueprint
Initiative Information (fifth initiative)
Working title of initiative
Circles Initiative
Brief description of initiative
Circles® is an innovative model based on a body of research suggesting that in order for low income
families to improve their situation, they must have bonding social capital within the community, bridging
social capital to access the resources contained by higher income networks, and linking social capital that
connects the first two with public institutions. Operating in communities around the country, each Circles®
initiative consists of a family working to get out of poverty and several middle and upper income Allies who
befriend them and lend support. The family is the Circle Leader, setting direction for activities. With the help
and friendship of their Allies, each Circle Leader sets and achieves goals unique to their own needs. The City of
Dubuque recently launched Circles and the success of the intiative will be dependent on recruiting and
retaining sufficient volunteers to serve as Allies and measuring the outcomes for Circle Leaders.
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Blueprint
Not based on a Blueprint
Initiative Information (sixth initiative)
Working title of initiative
Multicultural Family Center
Brief description of initiative
Our community is growing and changing demographically, and this initiative relates to building a cohesive
pluralistic community. The mission of the Multicultural Family Center (MFC) is to build unity through
diversity by offering programming and education designed to meet needs that are currently challenging the
community. Relationships — intergenerational, intercultural, and interracial —are at the core of the MFC's
identity, and much of the work to build those relationships and the associated social cohesion in the
community depends on recruiting and retaining volunteers that bring a wealth of experiences and knowledge
regarding diversity issues. The Center serves as an inviting and safe place for community members, stimulates
connections, and provides programs to foster civic engagement and social and economic success. This
initiative would focus on raising awareness of volunteer opportunities at the Center, recruiting, retaining, and
supporting volunteers.
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Blueprint
Not based on a Blueprint
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact
Printed On: 28 June 2012 Volunteering Fund 2012 6
Kelly Larson Dubuque, IA
Initiative Information (seventh initiative)
Working title of initiative
Days of Caring
Brief description of initiative
Days of Caring is a yearly event where volunteers from around the Dubuque area join local charities &
organizations to work on one -time service projects. Participating charities & organizations are matched with
volunteers from the community and local businesses who choose to give their time, talents and services to
impact our community's needs. Some services that can be provided are painting, landscaping, washing
windows, general cleaning and lawn maintenance. This initiative will focus on expanding the Days of Caring
concept beyond a once a year event by encouraging businesses to support volunteering by their employees on
a monthly basis. This initiative is aligned with citizen recommendations from the Safe Community Task Force
that we enlist more volunteers in assisting residents in low and moderate income areas with their home repair
needs.
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Blueprint
Not based on a Blueprint
Initiative Information (eighth initiative)
Working title of initiative
(Unanswered)
Brief description of initiative
(Unanswered)
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Blueprint
(Unanswered)
Initiative Information (ninth initiative)
Working title of initiative
[Unanswered]
Brief description of initiative
(Unanswered)
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Bluepint
[Unanswered]
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact
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Kelly Larson Dubuque, IA
Initiative Information (tenth initiative)
Working title of initiative
[Unanswered]
Brief description of initiative
[Unanswered]
Indicate if initiative is based on a Service as a Strategy Blueprint
[Unanswered]
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact
Printed On: 28June 2012 Volunteering Fund 2012 8
Kelly Larson
Application Files
Dubuque, IA
File Uploads
• High Impact Service Plan.doc
Printed On: 28June 2012
Intent to Apply - Cities of Service Impact
Volunteering Fund 2012 9
THE CITY OF
Dui
Take
Action
Dubuque
City of Dubuque's High Impact Service Plan
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
SUSTAINABLE
DUBUQUE
viable • livable • equitable
2
Table of Contents
Message from the Mayor 3
Executive Summary 4
About Cities of Service 5
About AARP 5
About Cities of Service -AARP Volunteer Chief Service Officer 6
Service in our City 6
Initiatives Overview 7
Acknowledgements 13
Appendices 13
3
Message from the Mayor
Dear Citizens,
I am deeply proud of the ethic of service that permeates our city. Whether it's the
outpouring of volunteers for Days of Service, the conscious citizens who serve on
boards and commissions, the generosity of Dubuque's adults who mentor and
tutor children or the hundreds of citizens who volunteer regularly in support of
Sustainable Dubuque, Dubuquers have always found meaningful ways to help
one another.
In June 2011, I was delighted to announce that Dubuque joined the Cities of
Service coalition and partnered with AARP to bring the City's first volunteer Chief
Service Officer to develop Take Action Dubuque. Take Action Dubuque
highlights Sustainable Dubuque's Social and Cultural Vibrancy vision and
therefore it is with great pride and enthusiasm that I release Take Action
Dubuque, the City's first strategic blueprint for service.
Take Action Dubuque is a high impact service plan that seeks to engage citizens
through several volunteer initiatives. The answers to some of Dubuque's
challenges cannot come from government alone. Residents have always played
a critical role in providing essential services to our community. Now with Take
Action Dubuque, I purposefully call upon Dubuquers to volunteer with other
citizens as both active participants and recipients.
I want to thank all of you who will play a role in bringing Take Action Dubuque to
life over the next year and beyond. Together, we can share our time, energy,
and expertise to make Dubuque an even more viable, livable and equitable
community.
Ultimately, Take Action Dubuque is an invitation to Dubuque citizens to be a part
of solving some of Dubuque's challenges. With assistance from city staff, I
encourage you to take ownership of your neighborhoods and connect with your
neighbors. Take Action Dubuque will support you in these challenges with two
main opportunities. First, Love Your Block — a high impact service strategy to
improve neighborhoods and community cohesiveness. And secondly, our new
website, www.cityofdubuque.org /volunteer — a web based clearinghouse for
volunteers to locate opportunities to take action throughout Dubuque.
I hope Take Action Dubuque inspires you to become actively engaged and to
create a more vibrant Dubuque.
Roy Boul, Mayor
4
Executive Summary
Take Action Dubuque: Using Service to Respond to City Challenges
In June of 2011, Mayor Buol and Dubuque joined the Cities of Service coalition
and received support from AARP to bring on the city's first volunteer Chief
Service Officer. From this support, Take Action Dubuque was created as a
blueprint to address two specific challenges: neighborhood development and
connecting Dubuquers to service. In developing this service blueprint, the Chief
Service Officer invested countless hours listening and learning from the
experiences and goals of a wide range of stakeholders including city staff,
service and non - profit organizations, neighborhood specialists, community
residents, business professionals, the City Council 2011 goals and the
recommendations of the Safe Community Task Force. From this collective
knowledge base two specific challenges stood out in Dubuque: neighborhood
development and connecting Dubuquers to service.
Take Action Dubuque will focus on these specific challenges within:
Neighborhood Development
• Volunteers need to be used strategically to address the City's most
pressing needs within neighborhoods.
• Neighbors and residents need to positively interact with each other
resulting in community cohesion.
Connecting Dubuquers to Service
• It needs to be easier for Dubuquers to find meaningful service
opportunities.
Take Action Dubuque invites Dubuquers to convene and connect with their
neighbors to create a more united, vibrant Dubuque. Specifically, Take Action
Dubuque calls Dubuquers to take ownership of and pride in their neighborhoods
and embrace Sustainable Dubuque's call for social and cultural vibrancy.
Take Action Dubuque has three important goals:
• Assist volunteers to take ownership of their neighborhoods and build a
sense of pride in their surroundings through neighborhood beautification
projects.
• Create and elevate volunteer opportunities which can increase resident
interaction.
• Help Dubuquers connect to service opportunities more easily.
Take Action Dubuque will achieve these goals with these specific strategies:
5
• Love Your Block – a high- impact service strategy to improve
neighborhoods and community cohesiveness through neighborhood
organized volunteer beautification cleanup projects.
• www.cityofdubque.org /volunteer - a web based clearinghouse for
volunteers to locate and access one -time and ongoing volunteer
opportunities and a central location for non - profits and civic agencies to
house volunteer opportunities.
Take Action Dubuque is an opportunity for Dubuquers to take action and enhance
any part of their neighborhood. Working toward a collective goal will lead to
greater community cohesion and create a more viable, livable and equitable
Dubuque community.
About Cities of Service
Founded in New York City on September 10, 2009 by 17 mayors from cities
across the nation, Cities of Service is a bipartisan coalition of mayors who have
committed to work together to engage citizens to address critical city needs
through impact volunteerism.
The coalition aims to create a vibrant and growing network of municipal
governments effectively leveraging citizen service as a reliable, viable tool to
achieve measurable impact on pressing local challenges. By accelerating the
service movement at the most local level— connecting local needs to the supply
of willing volunteers in innovative and impactful new ways — Cities of Service
aspires to create a new chapter in America's longstanding history of service while
making local government more effective.
Today, the Cities of Service coalition includes more than 100 mayors,
representing nearly 50 million Americans. Like the founding mayors, each
coalition member has made a commitment to work with other mayors around the
country and advance service strategies in their own city by crafting a high- impact
service plan.
About AARP
AARP, formerly, the American Association of Retired Persons, was founded on
the principle of service. Since its establishment in 1958, AARP has been
dedicated to delivering value to its members through service. Now, with the
heightened interest in civic engagement and a new vitality around service,
including the passage of the Kennedy Serve America Act in 2009, AARP is well
positioned to tap into the strength of its millions of members to help solve
pressing problems at the community level through the Cities of Service – AARP
Volunteer Chief Service Officer Initiative.
About Cities of Service -AARP Volunteer Chief Service Officer Initiative
The City of Dubuque joined the Cities of Service — AARP Volunteer Chief Service
Officer (CSO) Initiative in July 2011. Through this collaboration between Cities of
Service and AARP, coalition members with less than 125,000 residents have
been given the opportunity to appoint a highly - skilled Chief Service Officer for
one year. Dubuque is one of 10 cities participating in this initiative along with:
Surprise, AZ; Allentown, PA; York, PA; Pierre, SD; Vermillion, SD; Kingsport, TN;
Nacogdoches, TX; Glens Falls, NY; and Davenport, IA.
A Chief Service Officer is a member of the City's leadership team and is
responsible for the development and implementation of a high- impact service
plan that leverages citizen service to address the city's most pressing challenges.
In addition to appointing a Chief Service Officer, participating cities receive a
$5,000 Recognition Award from AARP and technical assistance from Cities of
Service to develop and implement their high- impact service plans.
Service in our City
Between July and October 2011, the City of Dubuque's Chief Service Officer was
a VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) who worked in the Leisure Services
office and met with 40 key stakeholders in the community. The purpose of these
meetings were to:
1) Identify existing service programs in Dubuque
2) Identify challenges facing our City
3) How these challenges could be addressed through service
4) Identify other organizations or individuals that could participate in
moving forward
The key stakeholders who engaged in this process included a wide variety
of city staff and managers, city partners and non - profits throughout Dubuque.
Through these meetings the City of Dubuque identified a priority need area,
specific challenges within the priority need area and an overarching cross - cutting
challenge. (For names and positions of stakeholders, see Appendices).
City of Dubuque - Landscape Analysis
Priority Need Area
Neighborhood Development
Specific challenges within
the priority need area
Volunteers are not always used
strategically to address the City's most
pressing needs within neighborhoods-
particularly around issues of
neighborhood beautification and
cohesiveness.
Neighbors and residents need
to positively interact with each
other resulting in community
cohesion.
Cross - cutting challenge
It needs to be easier for Dubuquers to find meaningful service
opportunities.
7
Take Action Dubuque
Using Service to Respond to City Challenges
Impact Initiative Overview
Love Your Block
Love Your Block is a simple and cost effective way to achieve measurable
impact in local communities by enhancing any neighborhood space and
strengthening a neighborhood's social capital. By providing resources to
volunteers, Love Your Block works to improve and beautify an area, thereby
reducing negative behaviors and instilling neighborhood cohesion and pride.
Love Your Block is a tested, high- impact service strategy that engages
community members in revitalizing any part of their neighborhood. Volunteer -led
groups and organizations from across Dubuque will work together to create a
more vibrant community. The City of Dubuque will use the recognition award
from AARP to support five Love Your Block grants of up to $750 for each block
beautification project to be carried out by community volunteers. The other funds
will help with the promotion of Take Action Dubuque. The City of Dubuque will
help coordinate each project and support each project through key City
departments. Some examples of Love Your Block projects include but are not
limited to: landscaping, tree planting, community /block gardens, painting and
litter collection.
Action Dubuque: Using Service to
Respond to City Challenges
Impact Initiative Overview
Love Your Block
Take
Challenge We
Discovered
Goal and
Strategy
Initiative
What We'II Measure
Action Plan
Volunteers need
to be used
strategically to
address the
City's most
pressing needs
within
neighborhoods-
particularly
around issues of
neighborhood
beautification
and
cohesiveness.
Assist
volunteers to
take ownership
of their
neighborhoods
and build a
sense of pride in
their
surroundings.
Love Your
Block — a
high- impact
service
strategy to
improve
neighborhood
beautification
and
cohesiveness
through
community
organized
volunteer
cleanup
projects
Amount of space or
other geographic unit
beautified /revitalized,
and a combination of
the following: trees
planted, flowers
planted, green
spaces or community
gardens
created /enhance,
litter collected and
buildings painted.
Find the simple
application for Love
Your Block on our
new website,
www.cityofdubuque
.org /volunteer. Or
call or email Mary
Bridget Corken at
563 - 690 -6048 or
mcorken @cityofdu
buque.org.
Neighbors and
residents need
to positively
interact with
each other
resulting in
community
cohesion.
Create and
elevate
volunteer
opportunities
which can
increase
resident
interaction.
Neighborhood
residents and outside
neighborhood
residents who
participated, physical
resources created
that could be used
again by the
neighborhood, and
community
engagement with a
short post -event
survey.
Infrastructure Initiative Overview
www.citvofdubuque.org /volunteer
The new website, www.cityofdubuque.org /volunteer, is a new initiative
with the City of Dubuque and will become the City of Dubuque's first Volunteer
Center. This website was developed by the Chief Service Officer to serve as a
clearinghouse for volunteers to locate and access one -time and on -going
volunteer opportunities and to house volunteer opportunities from all across the
City. The website, www .cityofdubuque.org /volunteer, will promote the service
outlined in Take Action Dubuque while also enabling citizens to review a wider
range of volunteer opportunities. The website is infrastructure that will boost
Take Action Dubuque in several ways including: enhancing search and matching
capabilities, promoting opportunities that address our greatest needs and
encouraging individuals and community groups to engage in self- directed service
efforts. As well as Take Action Dubuque's initiatives, all other City volunteer
opportunities will be posted on the website to allow volunteers to review the most
current events and easily register as a Dubuque volunteer.
Other Opportunities to Volunteer in Dubuque
Infrastructure Initiative Overview
www.citvofdubuque.org /volunteer
Challenge We
Discovered
Goal and
Strategy
Initiative
What Well
Measure
Action Plan
It needs to be easier
for Dubuquers to find
meaningful service
opportunities.
Help more
Dubuquers
easily connect
to service
opportunities.
www.cityofdubuque
Number of
Dubuque
residents
registered and
number of
Dubuque
organizations
or agencies
registered.
Register as a
volunteer today at
www.cityofdubuque
.org /volunteer and
find possible
volunteer
opportunities.
.org /volunteer
Other Opportunities to Volunteer in Dubuque
10
Multicultural Family Center
The Multicultural Family Center (MFC) officially opened its doors on July
9, 2005 and due to the large amount of growth, in 2008, a partnership was
formed between the City of Dubuque, Dubuque Community School District, and
the MFC to expand the MFC to a new location at 1157 Central Avenue Since its
opening, the Multicultural Family Center has developed a two - pronged approach
to reaching out and addressing the needs that are currently challenging the
community The MFC first prong is to offer programming to any person or
persons in the Dubuque community The second prong at the MFC is community
education The individuals who work and volunteer at the Center bring an
incredible wealth of experiences and knowledge regarding diversity issues
Relationships— intergenerational, intercultural, and interracial —are at the core of
the MFC's identity The Center serves as an inviting and safe place for
community members, stimulates connections, and provides programs to foster
civic engagement and social and economic success
For more information visit www mfcdbq orq To become a volunteer with the
Multicultural Family Center, register as a volunteer at
www citvofdubuque orglvolunteer
Snow Angels Program
The winter season brings lots of excitement and Joy, but for some
Dubuque residents it can also be one of the most difficult times of the year
Therefore, Dubuque is introducing Snow Angels Snow Angels is a referral
program connecting willing volunteers and individuals in need of assistance with
snow - shoveling in the winter Snow Angels also aims to develop a culture of
neighbors - helping - neighbors in the Dubuque community Snow Angels are
volunteers who commit to serving a neighbor -in -need for an entire winter Snow
11
Angels look to make snow removal less daunting for Dubuque elderly and
physically - disabled residents and foster stronger community relationships.
Individuals seeking assistance must be age 60 or older and /OR have a
physical disability. Individuals must also live within Dubuque City limits and lack
access to the available resources (financial resources or local family /friends) to
assist with snow removal. Anyone looking for assistance can learn more by
calling or emailing Mary Bridget Corken at 563 - 690 -6048 or
mcorken@cityofdubuque.org. Willing Snow Angels can register as a volunteer at
www.cityofdubuque.org /volunteer.
Green Iowa AmeriCorps
Green Iowa AmeriCorps empowers Iowa communities through energy
education, home weatherization and outreach. This non - profit community
service organization is housed under the City of Dubuque's Sustainable
Dubuque. Some services Green Iowa AmeriCorps can provide are caulking and
sealing windows, installing door sweeps, sealing duct joints with aluminum tape
and much more. Opportunities are available to learn more about weatherization
by attending a weatherization workshop or scheduling a free presentation with
Green Iowa AmeriCorps. There are also opportunities to volunteer for a
weatherization service project.
For more information contact an Iowa Green AmeriCorps at 563- 690 -6032 or
through email at greeniowaDBegmaii.com. To become a volunteer with the
Iowa Green AmeriCorps, register as a volunteer at
www.cityofdubuque.org/volunteer.
Green and Healthy Homes Initiative
The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative is an integrated sustainability
model that the City of Dubuque, its local partners, state and federal partners are
implementing to create a holistic household- centric approach to improving health,
safety, livability and affordability of housing in Dubuque. Participating
households will be given a complete Healthy Homes Assessment, receive
counseling on health and safety issues and have lead hazards repaired
according to HUD guidelines. Volunteers will assist Green and Healthy Homes
inspectors with proper repairs and assist the homeowners in sustaining the
improvements. Green and Healthy Homes is looking to create not only healthier
homes but ultimately, healthier neighborhoods.
For more information contact Mary Bridget Corken at
mcorken@cityofdubugue.org. To become a volunteer with Green and Healthy
Homes, register as a volunteer at www.cityofdubuque.org /volunteer.
12
Bridges Initiative
In 2007 a group of concerned citizens and service providers met to
develop a plan to eliminate poverty in the Dubuque Community. These leaders
understood poverty was not just about "having enough money" and recognized
ending poverty would require a shift in behavior and thinking of individuals as
well as the community as a whole. This group developed the Bridges Initiative.
Today, the Bridges Initiative seeks to address poverty on all levels, from uplifting
the individuals living in poverty to addressing the systematic barriers and policies
keeping people there. There are opportunities for everyone who wants to be
immix/Pr] in this important work.
For more information visit, www.cityofdubuque.org /Bridges. To become a
volunteer with the Bridges Initiative, register as a volunteer at
www.cityofdubuque.org /volunteer.
Days of Caring
Days of Caring is a yearly event where volunteers from around the
Dubuque area will join local charities &organizations to work on one -time service
projects. Participating charities &organizations are matched with volunteers from
the community and local businesses who choose to give their time, talents and
services to impact our community's needs. The most important resource
Dubuque has is its people. Volunteers who work, who invest and who care about
making along -term change in the community make it a better place to live, work,
play and do business. Volunteers make the Days of Caring so successful! Some
services that can be provided are painting, landscaping, washing windows,
general cleaning and lawn maintenance.
For more information visit www.dbqdaysofcaring.org. To become a volunteer for
Dubuque Days of Caring please register as a volunteer at
www.cityofdubuque.org /volunteer.
13
Acknowledgments
Thank you to AARP and Cities of Service for their collaboration and assistance in
so many ways. Take Action Dubuque would not be possible without AARP's
generous $5,000 Recognition Award and the on -going assistance and support
from Cities of Service staff.
Appendices
Service in Our City
Stakeholder Name
Position
Maddy Cross
Multicultural Family Center Assistant Director
Peggy Demker
Read To Me Foundation Director
Jerelyn O'Connor
City of Dubuque Neighborhood Specialist
Kelly Larson
City of Dubuque Human Rights Director
Mary Rose Corrigan
City of Dubuque Public Health Specialist
Tara Velez
Multicultural Family Center Director
Amy Schauer
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.) Director
Deb Bell
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Director
Cori Burbach
City of Dubuque Sustainable Community Coordinator
Christie Trilk
Dubuque Main Street Program Specialist
Maggie Baker
Iowa Campus Compact Director
Chris Olson
Four Mounds Foundation Director
Carroll Clark
City of Dubuque Family Self- Sufficiency Coordinator
Stacy Martin
Foster Grandparent Program Director
Shannon Gaherty
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Newcomer Relations Specialist
Beverly Berna
Multicultural Family Center Board of Directors
Nicole Johnson
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
AmeriCorps
Dubuque County Volunteer Reception
Center Committee
Shelly Malone
Live Healthy Dubuque Committee Chair
Eric Dregne
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Vice
President of Programs
Angela Petsche
Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation
Executive Director
Lindsey Harms
Green and Healthy Homes Initiative Home Advocate
Vicky Sutter
Dubuque National River Museum Development
Director
14
Dubuque Community Wellness
Coalition
Dennette Kellogg
City of Dubuque Public Library Administrative
Assistant
Diana Painter
Project HOPE Coordinator
Iowa Green AmeriCorps Members
Angela Grunder
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
Leadership Experience Manager
Randy Gehl
City of Dubuque Public Information Director
Dubuque Downtown Christian
Outreach (D.D.C.O.)
Dr. Rick Anderson
Loras College Professor of Sociology
Kathy Eldridge
Crescent Community Healthy Center Gardening
Coordinator
Mary Purdy
St. Luke's Methodist Church Wading Pool Gardens
Coordinator
Crista Koch
Dubuque Community YMCA Aquatics Director
Kelli Buchenau
City of Dubuque Public Information Assistant
Kristina Tranel
City of Dubuque Sustainable Dubuque VISTA
Amanda Dellwo
Multicultural Family Center Teen Coordinator
Cheryl Peacock
Dubuque Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Activities
Director
Priority Need
Area
Specific
Challenge
Initiative
Description
Impact Metrics
Participations
Metrics
Initiative
Lead
Start
Date
Neighborhood
Volunteers need
Love
Love Your
Amount of space or
# of volunteers
Take
Spring
Development
to be used
Your
Block is a new
other geographic unit
Action
2012
strategically to
address the
City's most
pressing needs
within
neighborhoods
— particularly
around issues of
neighborhood
beautification
and
cohesiveness
Block
block
revitalization
program
created to
provide
resources for
volunteers to
reduce blight
and instill
neighborhood
cohesion and
pride.
beautified /revitalized,
and a combination of
the following: trees
planted, flowers planted,
green spaces or
community gardens
created /enhance, litter
collected and buildings
painted
Dubuque
Neighbors and
residents need
to positively
interact with
each other
resulting in
community
cohesion.
Neighborhood
groups from
across the
City will be
invited to
propose
volunteer -led
projects to
transform up
to 5 spaces
with the
support of key
Neighborhood residents
and outside
neighborhood residents
who participated,
physical resources
created that could be
used again by the
neighborhood,
community engagement
with a short post -event
survey
City
departments.
16
Cross- Cutting
Challenge
Initiative
Description
Metrics
Initiative
Lead
Start Date
It needs to be
easier for
www.cityofdubuque.org /
The new website,
cityofdubuque.org /volunteer, was
Number of
Dubuque
Take
Action
Spring 2012
volunteer
Dubuquers to find
meaningful service
opportunities.
developed by the Chief Service Officer
to serve as a clearinghouse for
volunteers to locate and access one-
time and on -going volunteer
opportunities. It will include enhanced
search and matching capabilities, can
promote opportunities that address our
greatest needs and encourage
individuals and community groups to
engage in self - directed service efforts.
residents
registered and
number of
Dubuque
organizations
or agencies
registered
Dubuque
Community Engagement Survey
1. I can recognize most of the people who live on my block.
2. My neighbors and I want the same things from the block.
3. If there is a problem on the block people who live here can get it solved.
4. In general, would you say that people on your block watch after each other and help out when they can, or do they
pretty much go their own way?
5. Would you say that it is very important, somewhat important, or not important to you to feel a sense of community
with the people on your block?
6. Would you say that you feel a strong sense of community with others on your block, very little sense of community
or something tin between?