Author: nanapipim

The kind of social justice work the Main South CDC tackles is providing opportunities of housing, business, and programming to low- to moderate-income families of all races and ethnicities in the Main South neighborhood. The Main South CDC’s programming addresses the need for recreation, health/fitness, financial literacy, and early childhood development. The Main South CDC ensures programming is free, which prevents money from acting as a barrier for families. The Main South CDC partners with many Worcester-based organizations; therefore, if it does not offer a specific service they will try to connect you to one. There are many methods of fighting inequality to gain social justice. 

I played a role in ensuring the success of the programming–such as concerts and Summer Saturdays–through coordination and promotion. Without promotion, community members could have been blind to the blessings happening in what seems like their own backyard, because before this internship I certainly was. It is an amazing feeling to witness when all the preparation and behind-the-scenes work results in a great turnout. The Main South CDC’s staff is incredibly hard working and busy, so I am glad I was able to provide a helping hand and alleviate the load, if even by a little. 

Unexpectedly, I had a nice balance of work inside the office and outdoors. My office responsibilities included creating flyers, sending emails, posting on social media, and making direct calls to residents. My outdoor responsibilities included posting flyers on bulletins in Main South housing, setting up University Park for concerts, cleaning and packing up at the end of concerts, and engaging in in-person discussions with residents and business owners. Whether by signage or conversation, it all requires a skill of communication to get your message across in the most clear, precise, and professional form. Accent and language barriers can make communication difficult at times, which causes it to be the type of career where being bilingual or multilingual is essential. It is definitely a community-focused organization, so you must be comfortable communicating with community members. Additionally, by learning the demographic of the community, you will be able to organize events and programming that speaks to the demographic. 

This summer I grasped the importance of being an active community member. An active community member is someone who engages and participates in the improvement of their community, attending community events, neighborhood meetings, volunteering, etc. I did not know there are over fifty neighborhood meetings in Worcester each month, two of which are hosted by Casey Starr, my supervisor and the Director of Community Initiatives at the Main South CDC. Attending these meetings gave me the space to share my thoughts and concerns about the neighborhood while hearing from others as well. There is city staff, such as Worcester police and Inspectional Services, consistently present at meetings to address what is being said. 

I was lucky enough to have this experience to learn how to be an active community member, but for those who do not have such an opportunity, my simple advice on how to become one begins with learning about what is going on in your backyard. I am absolutely grateful for the Main South Community Development Corporation and all they do for the Main South neighborhood. A special thanks to Casey Starr, Julia Dowling, and the rest of the CDC family.

 

My experiences at the Main South Community Development Corporation (CDC) and on campus at Brandeis University have taught me about the importance of public spaces. If you read my first blog post, you know my role at the Main South CDC is centered around community organizing, which means I will be planning and coordinating free family-friendly activities in public spaces in the Main South neighborhood. 

On the first day of my internship, Casey Starr, director of Community Initiatives at the Main South CDC, handed me a book called How to Turn a Place Around by Kathleen Madden. How to Turn a Place Around is a handbook about creating and improving public spaces with a chapter dedicated to explaining why these public spaces are important to cities. Reading this book moved me to reflect and appreciate the public spaces at Brandeis University.

Before I share the answer to why public spaces are important and break down the thought that goes into creating public spaces, I should define it. A public space is a place indoors or outdoors that is generally open and accessible to people of all backgrounds. When we think of a public space our minds tend to immediately go to parks or squares however, the definition informs us the extent to what qualifies as a public space is broad. 

Public spaces unite the community. It is a gathering point for celebration through concerts and festivals. Celebration brings a sense of spirit and pride like no other in a community. Along with its collective uses, there are private reasons to enter a public space that are not limited to dog walking, jogging, biking, reading, picnics, and playing. It is multipurpose with an ability to simultaneously cater to the specific needs of many because not everyone has a quiet place to read, money for a gym membership, or a backyard for their children to play. Not to mention how different spaces carry different atmospheres. Parks carry a lively atmosphere while libraries carry a quiet atmosphere. Each space fills a unique role and purpose. 

Students especially require multiple public spaces on campuses to accommodate for population size. Observing Brandeis University’s spaces, I realized it works to cover the demand for learning/study environments (Library and Shapiro Campus Center), green spaces (the Great Lawn and Chapel’s Field), and expressional spaces (Intercultural Center and Spingold Theater Center). Brandeis knows how essential each space is for its students, which is why it devotes resources to ensure comfort and safety. 

Comfort and safety is what allows people to enjoy a public space. I will even go beyond that statement to say it is what draws people to public spaces. On Wednesday, July 10, the Main South CDC had its first concert of four at University Park. It was a great turnout that took lots of promotion and outreach. It is a beautiful, large park and the city recognizing this continues to devote resources to ensure comfort and safety so community members utilize it to its full potential. Coordinating events like the concert creates the lively atmosphere and improves the perception of the park in the eyes of the community.

Main South is a vibrant, diverse inner-city neighborhood located in Worcester, Massachusetts. However, it deals with its fair share of challenges, such as a plague of gang activity, drugs, and prostitution, which has taken a toll on its social-economic status and physical condition, from abandoned lots to fire-damaged buildings. On a mission to revitalize the neighborhood, the Main South Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides quality affordable housing and economic opportunities for low and moderate-income families. 

The Main South CDC has developed over three hundred units of housing, has sold sixty-eight houses to first-time home buyers, and currently manages two hundred affordable rental units. The Kilby-Gardner-Hammond Neighborhood Revitalization Project, one of the many projects of the Main South CDC, has helped to create Clark University’s athletic complex and a new Boys & Girls Club facility. With each improvement, the Main South CDC hopes to change community members’ perceptions and the overall quality of life in the neighborhood. Throughout the process, the Main South CDC has involved many members of the community, and, as a member myself, I desire to be a part of such an important mission. 

This summer I will be assisting Casey Starr, Director of Community Initiatives at the Main South CDC, with place-making and the activation of public spaces. Our goal is to plan and coordinate free family-friendly activities in public spaces in the neighborhood. Main South CDC aims to “take back” spaces deemed unsafe by community members, such as parks and vacant lots. To “take back” a space means to create functionality and comfort in a public area that is struggling with a spoiled reputation because of illegal activity.  Often in inner-city neighborhoods, these spaces are vital because not everyone has a backyard. Not to mention, the Main South CDC hosts monthly neighborhood meetings to address community members’ feedback and concerns with a city elected official and police officer always in attendance. I plan on attending a few neighborhood meetings during my time with the Main South CDC.

The Main South CDC programs are what we like to call Summer Saturdays, which are multiple activities and programs held on Saturdays. The various activities target an extensive age range starting at age zero with the Worcester Family Partnership Early Childhood Playgroup to the predominantly elderly presence at the Farmer’s Market. The Summer Concert Series held on Wednesday nights at University Park  is a community favorite event with cultural music that speaks to the diversity of the community. Additionally, the newly renovated Castle Park programs fitness circuits run by the YWCA, Recreation Worcester Summer Camp, and capoeira on Saturdays as well. All programming works to create a safe and lively atmosphere.  

To ensure community members are aware of the many different activities, Julia Dowling, my co-intern, and I will promote programming through social media, emails, flyers, direct calls to residents, and signage on bulletin boards. It is essential to get the word out because these programs are implemented to accommodate the needs of children, adults, and low-income families.  In this day and age it is safe to say social media is an important tool for promotion, which is why I will also be responsible for managing the Main South CDC’s Facebook and Instagram. As I attend programs and events, I will make sure to capture the fun and share it on both platforms.