Accomplishments

TA for Submitting Applications to DFC Grants

"Mock Program Narrative with Tips and Submit Drafts for Review"

This is the easiest and most fun section to write. Here you get to describe what you have already accomplished.

Accomplishments to Date

In the brief time Strategize has been organized as a community-wide coalition, we have been able to achieve a fair amount of progress. Most notably perhaps are the increases in protective factors for our community youth. We were fortunate to have a trainer come to the coalition early who provided information on asset development in children. This information and the enthusiasm of the trainer sparked a community interest in the building blocks for youth success. It was exciting, for example, to see the PTA organize a community tea for the teachers to thank them for their efforts in the class room. Their ulterior motive, of course, was to share the importance of the teacher and other school staff in creating “Great Places to Learn,” A book published by the Search Institute. It was also exciting to see a booth at the county fair organized by grandparents/caregivers where fortune cookies were distributed with character-building messages such as, “Children learn what they live,” based on a book by the same name.
Regarding the coalition, the most impressive progress has been made in the number of sectors that have joined in our mission. Of particular importance is the involvement of the Police Chief who has been so supportive of our initiatives to limit accessibility of alcohol to minors and monitoring private parties. He is also planning a community oriented policing initiative to get his officers more accessible to the general public, with the intent of teaching youth that officers are their friend.
The Homeowners Association has organized a block watch program where volunteers monitor private parties where youth are congregating.
The school district has always been progressive in their desire to monitor drug use trends and began the administration of the PRIDE survey prior to the organization of Strategize, Inc. Since our formation, however, we have used to data to guide direction in our activities to address our community’s drug issues in a more comprehensive way. The media has also been a strong supporter of our community’s youth. They are always eager to share the successes of youth people—not just the troubles they may get into. It was a natural for them to engage with the coalition when it was formed. They have served to be a wonderful vehicle for getting out the word about focus groups, town meetings, and other coalition events.
The frightening thing is that Bethlehem is on the verge of change. It has become a “bedroom community” for a close-by metropolitan area. There is a tremendous population growth. New subdivisions are popping up everywhere. Even those some of these changes are exciting, it also creates tremendous burden. Our schools have become overcrowded and the community is experiencing some disorganization as a result of the influx of people. Many migrant workers who engage in seasonal farm work have decided to settle here, which has increased the diversity of the community. With these changes also come some of the problems of the urban areas—youth who do not feel connected, youth who spend an inordinate amount of time unsupervised as parents drive off to the city to work.
It is some of these problems that Strategize, Inc., hopes to circumvent. Before the drug trafficking becomes too great, before alcohol is too available, before young people create peer gangs to feel a part of something other than themselves – we want to act. We want to provide opportunities for neighbors to know neighbors, for youth to know their elders, and for everyone – young and old - to gain a broader understanding of human experience that population diversity offers.

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Submit Your Draft Program Narratives for Review and Technical Assistance (possible 75 points) Accomplishments to Date (15 points).