One immediate benefit of the council process has been to put university researchers, community activists and city officials in close working contact, in some instances for the first time. Gorham, who serves as director of the Middle East Community Organization, one of the prominent neighborhood community groups, has turned her work with the Cardiovascular committee into action. One way we want to look at nutrition is through community gardens, and so we've decided to sponsor them to help teach people the importance of eating right. A lot of people in the community believe they can't eat right because they don't have the money, but that's not the case. That process of collaboration is very powerful, and to my knowledge this is the first time it's occurred at such a level.
Every day brings another positive surprise.
We're seeing partnerships evolve and groups identify programs and develop solutions. Daniel cites the integration of two projects from the Safe and Sound program that has been proposed by Violence Prevention working group co-chairs Jackie Campbell, associate dean at the School of Nursing, and Col. Margaret Patten of the Baltimore City Police Department. Another project focusing on children's health is being discussed by the Department of Pediatrics and the Associated Black Charities. Despite the hurdles ahead, Daniel is optimistic about the future. That goes without saying.