Having finally grasped my role within Habitat for Humanity Riverside through AmeriCorps National, I’ve been busy researching and interpreting a new program Habitat Affiliates across the nation are implementing:‘Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative’. Online courses which are offered through ‘My.Habitat Learns’ is comprised of PowerPoints, articles, newsletters, and case studies which helped me get up to speed with NRI. To further help me get situated with NRI is David Heddy. Mr. Heddy, who is the NRI Organizational Development Consultant of Habitat for Humanity International has held regular conference calls with me and the other new AmeriCorps Members. He gave us new and additional materials such as ‘Community Coalitions’, ‘Asset Based Communities’ and ‘Learning Conversations’, all of which are components of achieving a successful NRI.

Conference Calls With David Heddy Organizational Development Consultant of HFHI

My position’s goal in relation to the project as a whole is to expand Habitat Riverside’s services to impact not just one family at a time but a neighborhood. In doing so, I will help empower the residents of communities by connecting them to the resources in their community. First and foremost was selecting a neighborhood.

Habitat Riverside had already a neighborhood in mind prior to selecting the neighborhood of study. The neighborhood which we have been referring to as ‘Demeter’ (because of its street name), evidently falls in the area of NSP (Neighborhood Stability Program). NSP is program grant through HUD (Housing and Urban Development) which provides grants to help areas that have suffered from forecloses and abandonment through the uses of purchasing and rehabilitating homes, demolish blighted structures and redevelop on vacant properties (Hud.gov). Along with being located in the NSP area, the neighborhood was selected due to its rather workable size (37 homes) as well as already having 3 Habitat Families in the neighborhood.

To help better understand the neighborhood of focus, AmeriCorps Member Daniel and I conducted a visual survey of the neighborhood and surrounding areas using the methodology of a voids analysis. We then presented our findings to the staff at Habitat and received constructive feedback.

A walk through the Demeter Neighborhood shows its beautiful scenic mountain ranges, as well as the neighborhood's potential

Helping us transform the idea of serving more than just one family at a time is Rebecca Hix, NRI Director of Habitat for Humanity International. Within the first few weeks of my time at Habitat Riverside, Rebecca Hix made a visit to our affiliate. Mrs. Hix brought to us knowledge of the steps of NRI within our area of study. She also stressed the importance of creating ‘Connector Leaders’ who will be the voice of the neighborhood. This will essentially be a part of the sustainability of the neighborhood by allowing residents to take charge of the neighborhood. What helped me better understand NRI was the examples of other affiliate’s successes in the areas of community engagement, partnerships with stakeholders and overall outcomes of NRI.

AmeriCorps Member Jenna and residents Sergio and Yvonne led Rebecca Hix and staff through the Demeter Neighborhood

An unannounced invitation in a resident’s home in the neighborhood we are working in caught me a bit off guard. It shows that a few residents have and are willing to work with agencies to establish some sort of communication. This is the first step in becoming familiar with the residents and to encourage resident engagement in NRI.Through our handful of Demeter neighborhood visits, we have greeted many more residents who are thrilled about the project; some even want to partake in the surveying we have been conducting.

Residents welcomed us into their home, allowing us to better understand their neighborhood through the comfort of their kitchen

Volunteering for ‘A Brush With Kindness’ with Project Coordinator Dave Pedaline was an enlightening experience particularly due to the impact the program has on the homeowner. A simple paint job, allows for those who are struggling financially, to reestablish a sense of ownership and pride in their home.  Seeing the releif and gratitude of a homeowner in need through a paint job is worth being a part of and I look forward to being a part of many more families receiving ABWK effect.

Volunteers reaching out… Quite Literally

 ‘Coffee with Council’ is the City of Jurupa Valley’s approach in allowing residents and stakeholders to partake in an informal discussion of Q and A’s at a public location. The importance of meeting with the Councilmembers is that out NRI focus area lies within their city limits. Understanding their position and resources can help us help the residents of the Demeter neighborhood. My first Coffee with Council took place at a local burger joint. This session allowed me to explore hands on with conducting ‘learning conversations’ – a tool used to help find out what residents care about and are willing to work on. This session also helped me connect with the council members themselves, city staff as well as a few residents.

AmeriCorps, city staff and residents listening attentively to questions answered by Councilman Michael Goodman of Jurupa Valley