Cities of Service City Hall Americorps VISTA Program Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 19.
ITEM TITLE: Cities of Service City Hall Americorps VISTA Program
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of an application for the Cities of
Service City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
❑ Cities of Service City Hall Americorps VISTA Program-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
❑ Staff Memo Staff Memo
❑ Supporting documentation Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
UBE I
erica .i
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Cities of Service City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program
DATE: December 8, 2014
Neighborhood Development Specialist Jerelyn O'Connor is requesting City Council
approval of an application for the Cities of Service City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA
Program. Cities of Service will provide both financial and human capital supports to six
cities for up to three years, including a $30,000 grant and two City Hall AmeriCorps
VISTA members to support the planning and implementation of Love Your Block
Initiatives in low-income neighborhoods.
The Neighbor2Neighbor planning team, Mark Dalsing, Scott Baxter, Kevin Klein,
Manisha Paudel, Megan Starr, and Jerelyn O'Connor, reviewed this grant opportunity.
There was consensus that this program could benefit the Neighbor2Neighbor initiative
by providing a 3 year $30,000 grant in addition to the AmeriCorps VISTA members.
The City of Dubuque recently launched the pilot project, Neighbor2Neighbor, a resident-
driven City support program aimed at promoting interaction, collaboration and strong
relationships among neighbors in an effort to make our neighborhoods healthier, safer,
and friendlier. This is a block specific program. Safer, cleaner and better
neighborhoods are built street by street, block by block with active citizen participation.
The City is proposing an initiative with the Cities of Service Program to broadly expand
the Neighbor2Neighbor program in the targeted neighborhoods, Downtown,
Washington, and North End. Currently there are 6 block coordinators in the pilot
Neighbor2Neighbor program. It is anticipated that this initiative will activate at least 30
additional Neighbor2Neighbor participating blocks in the targeted neighborhoods.
Although the Neighbor2Neighbor program is city-wide, per the federal requirements of
the AmeriCorps VISTA program, all grant funds must be focused on low-income
communities, so the VISTA members' work would be focused on recruiting and
supporting Neighbor2Neighbor block coordinators in targeted low-income
neighborhoods.
The Neighbor2Neighbor Pilot was developed in the past year as an alternative to
Neighborhood Watch. It was developed by neighborhood residents, along with
representatives from the following City departments: Police, Human Rights, City
Manager's Office, Neighborhood Development, and Economic Development.
Mayor Roy Buol and the City Council have made volunteer service a priority. A
community forum in 2009 initiated open dialogue on crime issues in our community.
This resulted in the formation of the Safe Community Task Force, and subsequently the
Safe Community Advisory Committee, which made 60 recommendations to improve
community safety. This proposed initiative will address many of these
recommendations.
There is no local cash match required for this program. However, if awarded the grant,
the City would need to locate desk space and a computer for the AmeriCorps VISTA
members.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
1AA^-
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Jerelyn O'Connor, Neighborhood Development Specialist
2
THE CITY OF
DUB E MEMORANDUM
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
DATE: December 8, 2014
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jerelyn O'Connor, Neighborhood Development Specialist
RE: Cities of Service City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request approval of an application for the Cities of
Service City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program.
BACKGROUND
The Cities of Service City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program is a competitive grant
opportunity available to mayors that supports the planning and implementation of
neighborhood revitalization initiatives based on Love Your Block, one of the Cities of
Service's most tested and popular blueprints. Cities of Service will provide both
financial and human capital supports to six cities for up to three years, including a
$30,000 grant and two City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA members to support the planning
and implementation of Love Your Block Initiatives in low-income neighborhoods.
In 2011 , the City received funding for one AmeriCorps Vista position through the Iowa
Commission on Volunteer Service to develop and establish a Volunteer Center for the
Community. In 2012, the City Council approved Take Action Dubuque, the city's High
Impact Service Plan. The plan outlined ways to use service to respond to the city
challenges, and also established the initial Love Your Block program, with $5,000 in
funding.
DISCUSSION
The Neighboi2Neighbor planning team, Mark Dalsing, Scott Baxter, Kevin Klein,
Manisha Paudel, Megan Starr, and Jerelyn O'Connor, reviewed this grant opportunity.
There was consensus that this program could benefit the Neighboi2Neighbor initiative
by providing a 3 year $30,000 grant in addition to the AmeriCorps VISTA members.
The City of Dubuque recently launched the pilot project, Neigh bor2Neighbor, a resident-
driven City support program aimed at promoting interaction, collaboration and strong
relationships among neighbors in an effort to make our neighborhoods healthier, safer,
and friendlier. This is a block specific program. Safer, cleaner and better
neighborhoods are built street by street, block by block with active citizen participation.
The City is proposing an initiative with the Cities of Service Program to broadly expand
the Neighbor2Neighbor program in the targeted neighborhoods, Downtown,
Washington, and North End. Currently there are 6 block coordinators in the pilot
Neighbor2Neighbor program. It is anticipated that this initiative will activate at least 30
additional Neighbor2Neighbor participating blocks in the targeted neighborhoods.
Although the Neighbor2Neighbor program is city-wide, per the federal requirements of
the AmeriCorps VISTA program, all grant funds must be focused on low-income
communities, so the VISTA members' work would be focused on recruiting and
supporting Neighbor2Neighbor block coordinators in targeted low-income
neighborhoods.
The Neighbor2Neighbor Pilot was developed in the past year as an alternative to
Neighborhood Watch. It was developed by neighborhood residents, along with
representatives from the following city departments: Police, Human Rights, City
Manager's Office, Neighborhood Development, and Economic Development.
The proposal outlined in the grant application is to initially update the City of Dubuque's
High Impact Service Plan, Take Action Dubuque.
Mayor Roy Buol and the City Council have made volunteer service a priority. A
community forum in 2009 initiated open dialogue on crime issues in our community.
This resulted in the formation of the Safe Community Task Force, and subsequently the
Safe Community Advisory Committee, which made 60 recommendations to improve
community safety. This proposed initiative will address many of these
recommendations.
It is proposed that the AmeriCorps VISTA members would be under the supervision of
the Neighborhood Development Specialist.
BUDGETIMPACT
There is no local cash match required for this program. However, if awarded the grant,
the City would need to locate desk space and a computer for the AmeriCorps VISTA
members.
RECOMMENDATION
I am recommending approval of the Cities of Service City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA
Program application.
Attachment: Cities of Service City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program Application
Cc: Manisha Paudel
Mark Dalsing
Scott Baxter
Megan Starr
Jerelyn O'Connor Dubuque,IA
Dubuque, IA
City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program
Dubuque, IA
Roy D Buol joconnor@cityofdubuque.org
50 W. 13th Street 0: 563-589-4110
Dubuque, IA 52001 F: 563-589-4149
Jerelyn O'Connor
50 W. 13th joconnor@cityofdubuque.org
Dubuque, IA 52001 0: 563-589-4110
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Jerelyn O'Connor Dubuque,IA
Application Form
Report Fields
City Name & State*
Dubuque,IA
Individual Responsible for Day-to-Day Oversight of Initiative
Please enter the contact information of the person in city government who will be responsible for oversight of the
initiative,serve as the Cities of Service liaison,and be the supervisor for the AmeriCorps VISTA members.
Name:*
Jerelyn O'Connor
Title:*
Neighborhood Development Specialist
Email*
joconnor@cityofdubuque.org
Phone Number*
563-589-4110
Mailing Address*
50 W.13th Street
Dubuque,IA 52001
Application Questions
Summary of Initiative*
Please provide a brief summary of the initiative, including(1)the blight-related challenges faced by the city; (2)
how those challenges are impacting the health and safety of the city's low-income neighborhoods; (3)the design
of the city-led strategic planning process, including plans for engaging previously under-represented stakeholders;
(4) how this initiative highlights a priority of the mayor and connects to a comprehensive city wide service plan;
and (5) how the city plans to support the AmeriCorps VISTA members and leverage this valuable resource.
The City of Dubuque has recently launched a pilot project,Neighbor2Neighbor,a resident-driven City
supported program aimed at promoting interaction,collaboration and strong relationships among neighbors
in an effort to make our neighborhoods healthier,safer,and friendlier. This is a block specific program. Safer,
cleaner and better neighborhoods are built street by street,block by blockwith active citizen participation.
The City is proposing an initiative with the Cities of Service Program to broadly expand the
Neighbor2Neighbor program in the targeted neighborhoods,Downtown,Washington,and North End.
Currently there are 6 block coordinators in the pilot Neighbor2Neighbor program. It is anticipated that this
Printed On:1 December 2014 City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program 2
Jerelyn O'Connor Dubuque,IA
initiative will activate at least 30 additional Neighbor2Neighbor participating blocks in the targeted
neighborhoods.
The Neighbor2Neighbor Pilot was developed in the past year as an alternative to Neighbohrood Watch. It
was developed by neighborhood residents,along with representatives from the following city departments:
Police,Human Rights,City Manager's Office,Neighborhood Development,and Economic Development.
Proposed initiative will expand the Neighbor2Neighbor program to attack blight,while empowering
residents,increasing sense of pride and ownership.
The proposal is to initially update the City of Dubuque's High Impact Service Plan,Take Action Dubuque,
with significant participation from non-profits and neighborhood associations,Washington Neighborhood
Development Corporation and other stakeholders.
Mayor Buol has made volunteer service a priority.A community forum in 2009 initiated open dialogue on
crime issues in our community. This resulted in the formation of the Safe Community Advisory Committee
which made 60 recommendations to improve community safety. This proposed inititive will address many of
these recommendations.
Neighborhood Revitalization*
What is the neighborhood revitalization challenge that the mayor hopes to address through this impact
volunteering initiative?
Using the Love Your Block blueprint as a guide, please include any facts about the scale of the specific need in the
city and the low-income neighborhoods that will be targeted by the initiative (e.g., there are more than 5,000
blighted properties in the city, including 125 in the targeted neighborhood). Provide any additional information
that will illustrate why this is an important blight-related challenge facing the city.
The primary focus of the neighborhood revitalization initiative is to make Dubuque's neighborhoods
safer. The Downtown/Washington/North End neighborhoods have a higher rate of police calls for service,
larger percentages of rental properties,and a higher concentration of nuisance,trash violations,and housing
code complaints and face blight related challenges of litter,overgrown weeds,and oftentimes unkempt
properties. The area also has a higher rate of police calls for service,disturbance calls,housing code and
nuisance violations.
Safer,cleaner,and better neighborhoods are built block by block.s This initiative will focus on bringing
neighbors together to address aesthetic improvements while improving communication amongst neighbors
on their particular blocks. Our goal is that neighborhood residents will be empowered to address specific
issues that a particular block faces.
The Neighbor2Neighbor Pilot was developed in the past year as an alternative to Neighbohrood Watch. It
was developed by neighborhood residents,along with representatives from the following city departments:
Police,Human Rights,City Manager's Office,Neighborhood Development,and Economic Development.
Proposed initiative will expand the Neighbor2Neighbor program to attack blight,while empowering
residents,increasing sense of pride and ownership.
Low Income Neighborhoods*
Which low income neighborhoods has the city identified to target through this initiative,and how were they
identified?
This grant requires that the neighborhood revitalization initiative target low-income communities,specifically
neighborhoods that are lower than the Census Bureau's average median household income in the city. Please
describe the process the city went through to identify the target neighborhoods.
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Jerelyn O'Connor Dubuque,IA
The City has targeted the Washington Neighborhood,Downtown Neighborhood,and North End
Neighborhood for this initiative based on existing City priorities. The city has an adopted Downtown Master
Plan and a Washington Neighborhood Strategic Plan and is currently investing$180 million in the Bee Branch
Watershed Improvements Project to alleviate flooding in this area.These areas are targeted because of city
council priorities and they lie within the heart of an area with high concentrations of low-and moderate-
income persons. The median income in Census Tract 1 (Downtown and Washington)is$22,583,$29,570
(Census Tract 5)compared to$44,309 citywide. The Washington Neighborhood is one of the city's oldest and
most-challenged communitites. The city has identified partners in these neighborhoods to help shepherd this
initiative,including the Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation,North End and Downtown
Neighborhood Associations,and the Multicultural Family Center.
Health & Safety*
What are the health and safety concerns faced by neighborhood residents as a result of these blight-related
challenges?
Include information such as neighborhood-based crime statistics;information from city agencies such as the Public
Works, Housing,and Environmental Safety Departments;and testimonials from community leaders and
neighborhood residents.
In 2012,a Washington Neighborhood Marketing Plan was developed. Numerous neighborhood residents
and other stakeholders expressed challenges in the neighborhood such as"tenants are not responsible
neighobrs,litter and trash in the neighborhood,vacant building and properties that are in poor condition,
negative perceptions of hte neighborhood,media depictions of the neighborhood as unsafe" Although the
plan specifically addressed Washington neighborhood,similar challenges are present in the adjoining
Downtown and North End neighborhoods.
Public Works,Health Department,and Housing Department continue to address large numbers of
housing code,nuisance,and trash complaints in this targeted area. This area represents the heart of the
community policing territory and a large number of calls for service.Last month,the local newspaper
recently ran a page one story on"Shots fired"incidents in the Washington and Downtown neighborhoods.
Residents are striving for a safer,calmer and cleaner environment.
Many of the recommendations from the citizen group,Safe Community Advisory Task Force addressed
issues of blight to improve safety,such as lighting,securitycameras,and increased code enforcement. The
Task Force al encouraging neighbors and other community members to help address these issues.
Mayor's Priorities*
How does the initiative advance a priority of the mayor?
Include specific information that demonstrates why the issue is a priority for the mayor, how the mayor has
communicated that it is a priority, and related mayoral efforts to address it. Indicate if the initiative is part of the
city's service plan if one exists, and plans for updating or creating a service plan if necessary.
Mayor Buol has made volunteering a priority,as evidenced in his annual State of the City Address. Under
Mayor Buol's inititive,Dubuque has also become a recognized leader in sustainability. Sustainable Dubuque
is a community that embraces economic prosperity,environmental integrety,and social/cultural vibrancy to
create a sustainable legacy for generations to come. Dubuque's sustainability principles were modified in the
past year to include a"community health and safety"principle.
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In January,2012,the City Adopted Take Action Dubuqe,the City's High Impact Service Plan. Since that
time,the Dubuque United Way has stepped up to lead the Volunteer Center although the city's remains
strongly committed to the importance of community engagement to creating a better community. The Mayor
will lead the effort to update the High Impact Service Plan.
Role of Mayor*
Describe the role of the mayor in the planning process, including activities with both internal and external
stakeholders.
Recently,staff presented the Neighbor2Neighbor Pilot to the City Council. Mayor Buol was enthusiastic
about this new pilot and addressed the need for more residents to get involved to improve our community.
The Mayor and City Council created the Safe Community Task Force and have strongly supported the
Task Force's recommended initiatives to make our community safer. He is a vocal cheerleader within the City
organization and broader community to making Dubuque a more livable community.
The Mayor is influential in encouraging volunteerism in his many addresses to the public at large as well
as to service and community groups.
Design of Strategic Planning Process*
The strategic planning process is designed to engage key community stakeholders with city agencies and City Hall
as together,they design the most appropriate impact volunteering initiatives. In this section, please (1) identify the
neighborhood leaders,community partners,and university and local research institutions who will be asked to
participate; (2) identify the city agencies that will be asked to participate;(3) identify key topics that you want to
address through the process;and (4) identify who will be responsible for ensuring that the planning process runs
smoothly and accomplishes its goals.
The High Impact Service plan,Take Action Dubuque,was developed in 2011 and approved by the City
Council in January 2012. Since that time,The City of Dubuque has chosen to work with United Way who is
providing a centralized place for connecting volunteers to service. The City will be a partner with United Way
in their effort to develop a centralized volunteer center.
Much of Dubuque's High Impact Service Plan,Take Action Dubuque, concerning the Love Your Block
initiative is still relevant.However,all stakeholders will be contacted again to review the plan and provide
any updates. Updates will be needed regarding the development of a centralized volunteer center due to the
involvement and lead taken by United Way.
The development of the Neighbor2Neighbor Pilot also involved an extensive community engagement
process.
The Neighbor2Neighbor Initiative's basic premise is the value of getting neighbors to know each other
and to work together to improve their blocks. This foundation is based on volunteerism and community
engagement and it will be vital for the success of this program to link to the Volunteer Center that United Way
is establishing. Following a series of high profile disturbances,the Downtown Neighborhood Association and
concerned citizens met. Much of the final discussion revolved around neighobrs getting to know each other,
especially for the safety of children,as away to make the neighborhood abetter place to live. Police Chief,
Community Policing Captain,and Human Relations Specialist discussed program concerns,recommendations
form the Safe Community Task Force,as well as Council Goals and Priorities around safety and neighborhood
engagement. The multi-Department work group eventually developed the Neighbor2Neighbor concept with
significant input and suggestions from community members.
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Jerelyn O'Connor Dubuque,IA
AmeriCorps VISTAS*
What roles will the City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA members play in this initiative,and how will the city support the
VISTAs in their work(i.e.staff supervision and professional development opportunities)?
AmeriCorps VISTA members are often described as the "secret sauce' in successful impact volunteering initiatives.
Please describe how the city plans to recruit,train,support,and deploy this valuable resource, including where in
the mayor's office the AmeriCorps VISTA members will be placed, who will supervise the member and what his/her
roles will be. Include any information about previous experience the office has had with AmeriCorps VISTA
members.
The City of Dubuque has a long history of utilizing AmeriCorps and VISTA members and is acutely aware
of the value of this incredible resource. The VISTA member who led the City's Love your Block Initiative is
now the City's Americorps Director. We have extensive experience in recruiting for these positions with the
local and regional colleges and universities,along with expanded networks. The AmeriCorps/VISTA
members will be under the supervision of the Neighborhood Development Specialist,a Department Manager
who is part of the City Manager's Office and works directly with Police,Human Rights,Housing and
Community Development,and Economic Development Departments. The Neighborhood Development
Specialist will make the expansion of the Nerighbor2Neighbor program a high priority and will provide
direction and support to the AmeriCorps/VISTA members. The Neighborhood Development Specialist also
worked closely with a VISTA member who helped create the city's Multicultural Family Center. The City of
Dubuque values partnerships which will be key for the success of this program. The AmeriCorps/Vista
Members will be tasked with identifying new block coordinators for the Neighbor2Neighbor program,
providing training and support to them,and developing and administering the Love Your Block grant
program.
The AmeriCorps/VISTA members will be invited to join the City's Leadership Team and will be able to
take advantage of the monthly trainings and staff development.
Existing Initiatives
If Love Your Block or a similar neighborhood revitalization initiative is already being implemented, please describe
how the City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program will help your city achieve higher levels of impact.
Dubuque launched a pilot,Neighbor2Neighbor on six blocks. Neighbor2Neighbor hopes to be a social
movement and a toolkit that empowers people to get to know their neighbors and build better relationships
and safer communitites. The City Hall AmeriCorps VISTA Program will help us to exponentially expand the
Neighbor2Neighbor program,with a particular emphasis on expanding in the low income targeted
neighborhoods.
The Safe Community Task Force made 60 recommendations to the City Council and the broader
community with suggestions to make our community safer. Most of the recommendations have been
implemented such as ordinance changes,enforcement,surveillance cameras. The more challenging
recommendations,such as"increase resident participation using such vehicles as clean up campaings,
neighborhood picnics"and will be addressed by the expansion of Neighbor2Neighbor.
The City also provides supports through the Neighborhood,Sustainable Community and Arts Grants
Programs.
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Certifications
Please certify the following statements by checking the boxes below:*
Proposed initiative will not displace city employees or functions.
Proposed initiative will not displace expenses or duplicate existing services.
Proposed initiative focuses on a poverty-related need.
City is in good standing with Corporation for National&Community Service.
Uploads
Strategic Planning Process Six-Month Timeline*
Please upload the six-month timeline for the strategic planning process.
Strategic Planning Process-Cities of Service Application.doc
Strategic Planning Process Budget*
Please upload a budget up to$5,000 for the strategic planning portion of the program.
Strategic Planning Update Uudget.doc
Staffing Chart*
Please upload a staffing/organizational chat which demonstrates where the city government contact who will be
leading the day-to-day operations of this program and acting as the primary liaison to Cities of Service sits in
relation to the mayor.This city government contact will also be the individual responsible for supervising the
AmeriCorps VISTA members.
FY15 org chart-Cities of Service AmeriCorps VISTA Program.doc
Service Plan
If your city has an existing service plan, please upload it.
High Impact Service Plan.pdf
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Jerelyn O'Connor Dubuque,IA
File Attachment Summary
Applicant File Uploads
• Strategic Planning Process-Cities of Service Application.doc
• Strategic Planning Update Budget.doc
• FY15 org chart-Cities of Service AmeriCorps VISTA Program.doc
• High Impact Service Plan.pdf
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Strategic Planning Process*
'Since the City Adopted Take Action Dubuque in 2012, the plan just needs an update,
and will probably be accomplished in less than 6 months, and possibly under budget.
April 2015 — Orientation for new AmeriCorps/VISTA
May 2015 - Review existing High Impact Service Plan, Take Action Dubuque
June-July - Kick off by Mayor Buol
Consult with 38 stakeholders to determine any need for changes
Consult with all neighborhood associations
Consult with the 6 pilot Neighbor2Neighbor block coordinators
August — September
Consult with United Way on best way to incorporate community needs
Into Volunteer Center
Strategic Planning Update Budget
Mailings to Stakeholders $300
Meeting Expenses $500
Advertising and printing for 1 ,000
Love Your Block Grant Program
CITY OF DUBUQUE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
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City of Dubuque's High Impact Service Plan
THE CITY OF
DTB— i SUSTAINABLE
V U DUBUQUE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi viable • livable • equitable
2
Table of Contents
Message from the Mayor 3
Executive Summary 4
About Cities of Service 6
About AARP 6
About Cities of Service-AARP Volunteer Chief Service Officer 6
Service in our City 6
Initiatives Overview 7
Acknowledgements 13
Appendices 13
;oar
A r A
y oav
L gar
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 , 1 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, a new
volunteer website — a web based clearinghouse that matches volunteers with
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 Bout, 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.
• A volunteer website – a web based clearinghouse that matches volunteers
with opportunities and promotes one-time and ongoing volunteer
opportunities. It will provide 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.
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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 Volunteers are not always used Neighbors and residents need
the priority need area strategically to address the City's most to positively interact with each
pressing needs within neighborhoods- other resulting in community
particularly around issues of cohesion.
neighborhood beautification and
cohesiveness.
Cross-cutting challenge It needs to be easier for Dubuquers to find meaningful service
opportunities.
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, highimpactservice strategy that engages
community members in revitalizing any part of their neighborhood. Volunteerled
groups and organizations from across Dubuque will worktogether 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 supporteach project through key City
department. Some examples of Love Your Block projects include but are not
limited to landscaping, tree planting, community/block gardens, painting and
litter collection. I
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Take Action Dubuque : Using Service to
Respond to City Challenges
Impact Initiative Overview
Love Your Block
Challenge We Goal and
Discovered Strategy Initiative What We'll Measure Action Plan
Volunteers need Assist Love Your Amount of space or Access the simple
to be used volunteers to Block — a other geographic unit application for Love
strategically to take ownership high-impact beautified/revitalized, Your Block by
address the of their service and a combination of calling or emailing
City's most neighborhoods strategy to the following: trees Mary Bridget
pressing needs and build a improve planted, flowers Corken at 563-690-
within sense of pride in neighborhood planted, green 6048 or
neighborhoods- their beautification spaces or community mcorken@cityofdu
particularly surroundings. and gardens buque.org.
around issues of cohesiveness created/enhance,
neighborhood through litter collected and
beautification community buildings painted.
and organized
cohesiveness. volunteer
Neighbors and Create and cleanup Neighborhood
residents need elevate projects residents and outside
to positively volunteer neighborhood
interact with opportunities residents who
each other which can participated, physical
resulting in increase resources created
community resident that could be used
cohesion. interaction. again by the
neighborhood, and
community
engagement with a
short post-event
survey.
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Infrastructure Initiative Overview
Volunteer Website
The volunteer website is a new initiative developed by the Chief Service
Officer to serve as a clearinghouse that matches volunteers to opportunities and
promotes one-time and on-going volunteer opportunities. The website will be
able to house volunteer opportunities from all across the City. The website 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.
Infrastructure Initiative Overview
Volunteer Website
Challenge We Goal and What We'll
Discovered Strategy Initiative Measure Action Plan
It needs to be easier Help more Volunteer website Number of Register as a
for Dubuquers to find Dubuquers Dubuque volunteer to find
meaningful service easily connect residents volunteer
opportunities. to service registered and opportunities.
opportunities. number of
Dubuque
organizations
or agencies
registered.
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Other Opportunities to Volunteer in Dubuque
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.mfcdbg.org.
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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.
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For more information contact an Iowa Green AmeriCorps at 563-690-6032 or
through email at greeniowaDB(agmail.com.
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(acityofdubugue.org.
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
involved in this important work.
For more information visit, www.cityofdubugue.org/Bridges.
G94�
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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 a long-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.dbgdaysofcaring.org.
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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.
a .
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Appendices
Service in Our Cit
Stakeholder Name Position
Maddy Cross Multicultural Family Center Assistant Director
Peggy Demker Read To Me Foundation Director
Jerel n O'Connor City of Dubuque Neighborhood Specialist
Kelly Larson City of Dubu ue 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 AmeriCor s 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
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Shannon Gaherty Newcomer Relations Specialist
Beverly Berna Multicultural Family Center Board of Directors
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Nicole Johnson AmeriCor s
Dubuque County Volunteer Reception
Center Committee
Shelly Malone Live Healthy Dubuque Committee Chair
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Vice
Eric Dre ne President of Programs
Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation
Angela Petsche Executive Director
Lindsey Harms Green and Healthy Homes Initiative Home Advocate
Dubuque National River Museum Development
Vicky Sutter Director
Dubuque Community Wellness
Coalition
City of Dubuque Public Library Administrative
Dennette Kellogg Assistant
Diana Painter Project HOPE Coordinator
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Iowa Green AmeriCor s Members
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
Angela Grunder 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
Crescent Community Healthy Center Gardening
Kathy Eldridge Coordinator
St. Luke's Methodist Church Wading Pool Gardens
Mary Purdy 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
Dubuque Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Activities
Cheryl Peacock Director
Priority Need Specific Participations Initiative Start
Area Challenge Initiative Description Impact Metrics Metrics Lead 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 Block block beautified/revitalized, Dubuque
address the revitalization and a combination of
City's most program the following: trees
pressing needs created to planted, flowers planted,
within provide green spaces or
neighborhoods resources for community gardens
— particularly volunteers to created/enhance, litter
around issues of reduce blight collected and buildings
neighborhood and instill painted
beautification neighborhood
and cohesion and
cohesiveness pride.
Neighbors and Neighborhood Neighborhood residents
residents need groups from and outside
to positively across the neighborhood residents
interact with City will be who participated,
each other invited to physical resources
resulting in propose created that could be
community volunteer-led used again by the
cohesion. projects to neighborhood,
transform up community engagement
to 5 spaces with a short post-event
with the survey
support of key
C ity
departments.
16
Cross- Cutting Initiative
Challenge Initiative Description Metrics Lead Start Date
It needs to be Volunteer website The new website was developed by the Number of Take Spring 2012
easier for Chief Service Officer to serve as a Dubuque Action
Dubuquers to find clearinghouse for volunteers to locate residents Dubuque
meaningful service and access one-time and on-going registered and
opportunities. volunteer opportunities. It will include number of
enhanced search and matching Dubuque
capabilities, can promote opportunities organizations
that address our greatest needs and or agencies
encourage individuals and community registered
groups to engage in self-directed
service efforts.
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?