Now gang violence has ended, the neighborhood is cleaner, and the association is continuing to work with community police and schools. Institutions can change. This project not only increased the confidence of these high school students to define and change their conditions, but it also proved to be both a practical and political lesson for families. The youth and adults built a community of interest that wasn't there before. In a big community meeting attended by more than 200 people, students presented their video and proposed solutions to school board officials and their principal.
Communities can change.
Without a large setting for the sharing of community values, the common sense of purpose that gives people the courage they may need to be creative will not be fostered. They exchange ideas and help promote the development of community-based projects to reduce homelessness. An annual conference helps to create a sense of common purpose and to communicate with political candidates and public officials. This report describes and synthesizes strategies used to support community-based efforts that strengthen families and neighborhoods. Input came from both grantees and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.