Improving Neighborhoods: The Impact Of Grassroots Energy (From Nurturing the Grassroots: Neighborhood Volunteer Organizations and America's Cities, P 4-18, 1989, Judith Walker, ed. -- See NCJ-117408)

• NCJ Number: 117410
• Author(s): P Florin
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Citizens Cmtte for New York City, Inc.
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-117408.

Annotation

Volunteer neighborhood groups can produce several types of meaningful benefits for urban neighborhoods, including physical improvements, neighborhood stabilization, the creation of a sense of neighborhood stability, provision of social services, and nurturance of individuals.

Abstract

Most neighborhood volunteer organizations have practical goals focused on specific problems, particularly deterioration in the physical environment. Neighborhood groups are often involved in clearing empty lots, cleaning streets, planting trees, cultivating community gardens, removing graffiti, painting murals, and repairing and improving homes. The improvements in the physical environment also have a demonstrable impact on neighborhood stability. Groups also conduct social activities to foster a sense of community and organize day care and other social services. Over time these groups also have the important benefit of changing the skills, attitudes, beliefs and values of the participants. Summaries of results of studies on the impacts of neighborhood groups, photographs, and six reference notes.