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RACF, ESL partner with city on neighborhood initiative
RACF, ESL partner with city on neighborhood initiative
Listen to this articleESL Federal Credit Union and the Rochester Area Community Foundation have partnered with the city of Rochester on its Neighbors in Action initiative.
The initiative – announced by Mayor Malik Evans in September – supports local efforts including community beautification projects like gardens and public art, neighborhood events, youth and senior programs, environmental sustainability projects and educational and health-focused initiatives.
NIA is open to all neighborhood associations, block clubs and other community organizations in the city of Rochester.
ESL and RACF are each providing $100,000 to the initiative, making available $300,000 in small grants of up to $10,000 each.
Staff from both organizations, along with the city, will serve on an application review committee.
Rochester Area Community Foundation will hold, manage and disseminate the funds and the city of Rochester has created four new positions in its Neighborhood Service Centers to help coordinate NIA and help build capacity in neighborhoods.
“We’re excited to partner with the City of Rochester and Rochester Area Community Foundation to help invest in the prosperity of city neighborhoods and residents,” said John Paul Perez, executive director, Community Impact, ESL Federal Credit Union. “This program will provide vital support to initiatives that foster connection among neighbors, strengthen bonds and build vibrant and resilient neighborhoods.”
Added Simeon Banister, RACF president and CEO, “We align closely with the Urban Institute’s definition of upward mobility, which says that neighborhoods need to be inclusive and have ample opportunities in order to make economic success at the individual or household level possible. NIA puts residents in the driver’s seat to shape their neighborhoods.”
Applications are now open online for the first round of NIA grants and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28. Grant announcements will be made on Mar. 31.
[email protected] / (585) 653-4021
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