THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 21, 1995 TAG: 9505200257
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J3 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Here are some of the local and national groups that harness civic
resources to tackle problems:
LOCAL-
Norfolk Neighborhood Crime Prevention Coalition: This group
focuses on getting people involved with preventing crime in their
neighborhoods. It's organized as a citywide council that helps
individual communities fight crime. 441-1771.
CIVIC: This organization is working to enhance community
leadership in Norfolk and the surrounding region. It sponsors
training in leadership skills and discussions of issues such as
diversity. Pat Richardson, executive director, 625-2088.
Elizabeth River Project: This eclectic group of
environmentalists, shipbuilders, engineers and sailors is taking a
grass-roots, collaborative approach to cleaning up the river. Its
director, Marjorie Mayfield, can be reached at the project's office,
625-3648.
Olde Huntersville Community Development Corp.: A nonprofit group
of neighborhood residents revitalizing the Olde Huntersville area of
Norfolk. Beatrice Jennings, executive director, 625-1565.
Park Place Community Development Corp.: A nonprofit group
revitalizing the Park Place area of Norfolk. Alphonso Albert,
executive director, 626-3442.
Chesapeake Council of Civic Organizations: An umbrella group for
many neighborhood groups in Chesapeake. Gene Waters, president.
Voice mail 671-3746.
Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations: An umbrella group
for many neighborhood groups in Virginia Beach. Leslie K. Fenlon,
president, 481-2501.
NATIONAL
Healthy Families America: This national community-based program,
modeled after a program in Hawaii, is offered at 92 sites in cities
across the United States. It began in 1992 as a way to prevent child
abuse through home visitation. Call (312) 663-3520.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Founded in 1972, this New Jersey
organization is devoted exclusively to health-related, grass-roots
social activism. The foundation distributes about $180 million in
grants annually. Write to: P.O. Box 2316, Princeton, NJ 08543; or
call (609) 452-8701.
Fight Back! Insure the Children: This Ford Foundation-funded
program in Little Rock, Ark., provides substance-abuse treatment for
children and counseling for parents and other family members. For
more grant information, contact The Ford Foundation, Office of
Communications, 320 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10017. (212)
573-5000.
The Black Women's Health Project: Founded in Gainesville, Fla.,
this group pulls women in a community together to determine what
health needs are not being met. It then helps the women meet those
needs. The Black Women's Health Project has chapters in Baltimore;
New Orleans; Sacramento, Calif.; Columbus, Ohio; and Washington,
D.C. Write to: The Black Women's Health Project, 1211 Connecticut
Ave. N.W. Suite 310, Washington, DC 20036, or call 1-800-275-2947.
Renew America: This 7-year-old organization has built a data base
of several thousand community-based environmental programs. The
organization helps local groups compare notes and copy successes
around the country. Call (202) 232-2252.
The Character Education Partnership: Created in March 1992, its
aim is to develop good character in youths and improve their
well-being. It acts as a clearinghouse for character education
resources available to the public. Call 1-800-988-8081.
The Character Counts Coalition: More than 50 organizations from
the American Red Cross to the Urban League work together to advance
character in schools and community. Nearly 30 states and 250
communities and school boards participate in creating ways to teach
ethical values. Call (310) 306-1868.
KEYWORDS: CITIZENSHIP VOLUNTEERISM COMMUNITY
COLLABORATION by CNB