University Area Community Development Corporation Inc

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PRODIGY CULTURAL ARTS: PRODIGY IS A RESEARCH-BASED PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK YOUTH AGES 5-18. PRODIGY USES VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS AS A WAY TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS COMMUNICATION, LEADERSHIP, PROBLEM SOLVING, ANGER MANAGEMENT, CAREER ASPIRATIONS AND GOAL SETTING. EACH CULTURAL ARTS CLASS IS CONDUCTED BY A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST WHO SERVES AS A MENTOR AND TEACHER. THROUGH ART, YOUTH BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, LEARN HOW TO SHOWCASE THEIR SKILLS AND DEVELOP POSITIVE, LIFE-LING HABITS FOR FUTURE SUCCESS. ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT RESEARCH, AS WELL AS THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, PRODIGY IS AMONG ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMING PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN THE STATE. OVER 98% OF ENROLLED PARTICIPANTS DO NOT HAVE CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED A MINOR OFFENSE, OVER 89% DO NOT RE-OFFEND. ADDITIONALLY, PRODIGY PROVIDES ARTREACH ACTIVITIES TO INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES, BUT ESPECIALLY OLDER ADULTS AND SENIORS THROUGH SPECIAL FUNDING FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES. ARTREACH CONSISTS ON A 1 HOUR CLASS OF VISUAL OR PERFORMING ARTS IN A GROUP SETTING. THIS COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN WIDELY SUCCESSFUL AS IT HELPS SPARKS CREATIVITY, MENTAL APTITUDE, AND SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS. ARTREACH WAS DONE VIRTUALLY WITH SENIORS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND WAS A LIFE SAVER FOR MANY DUE TO THEM BEING SOCIALLY ISOLATED. PRODIGY PROGRAM STATS & FACTS: OVER 45,000 YOUTH HAVE BEEN SERVED OVER THE LAST 22 YEARS THROUGH PRODIGY . IN ADDITION TO AN IMPRESSIVE REACH ACROSS WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA, PRODIGY ALSO TOUTS A PROFOUND ANNUAL SAVINGS OF $160 MILLION FOR THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE (FDJJ). THE CURRENT COST ANALYSIS SHOWS PRODIGY TO BE AMONG THE LOWEST COST PREVENTION PROGRAMS AT AN AVERAGE COST OF LESS THAN $1,500 PER STUDENT PER YEAR. PRODIGY MOVES! IS THE MOBILE COMPONENT OF PRODIGY CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM. PRODIGY MOVES!, TAKES MOBILE CULTURAL ARTS CLASSROOMS TO UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN HIGH RISK NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS SEVEN COUNTIES IN WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA.

STEPS FOR SUCCESS: OVERCOMING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY ONE FAMILY AT A TIME, STEPS FOR SUCCESS PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE GUIDANCE AND INDIVIDUALIZED GOAL PLANS FOR MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO IMPROVE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES AND BREAK FREE OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. STEPS NAVIGATORS HELP MITIGATE CRISIS, PREVENT HOMELESSNESS, AND STABILIZE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ON THEIR QUEST TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY.STEPS FOR SUCCESS CONSISTS OF THREE KEY PLANNING TOOLS:PRESCRIPTION FOR PROSPERITY THE PRESCRIPTION COULD INCLUDE A PATHWAY TO EDUCATIONAL TRAINING, A NEW CAREER OR ENTREPRENEURSHIP.INDIVIDUALIZED GOAL PLAN (IGP) THIS INCLUDES SPECIFIC GOALS FOR LIFE IMPROVEMENTS AND DETAILING DEADLINES, AS WELL AS STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING BARRIERS AND GAPS IDENTIFIED IN THE PRESCRIPTION.NETWORK OF SUPPORT THE NETWORK MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS TO DISCUSS PROGRESS ON GOALS IN THE IGP, AS WELL AS ANY ADJUSTMENTS THAT SHOULD BE MADE.STEPS FOR SUCCESS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED WAY SUNCOAST HAS PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL NAVIGATOR POSITION AND ALLOWED US TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO WORK WITH AN ADDITIONAL 24 FAMILIES PER YEAR.PROGRAM STATS & FACTS:70% OF FAMILIES ENROLLED IN THE STEPS FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM OBTAIN SAFE HOUSING, WHICH PREVENTED HOMELESSNESS. 70% OF PARTICIPANTS BECAME EMPLOYED AND/OR OBTAINED BETTER EMPLOYMENT UPON ENTERING THE STEPS FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM. MORE THAN 400 HOUSEHOLDS (APPROXIMATELY 1700 CHILDREN AND ADULTS) HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE STEPS FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM.

HARVEST HOPE PROPERTIES, ACQUISITION AND HOUSING:THE UNIVERSITY AREA CDC CREATED HARVEST HOPE PROPERTIES, LLC IN 2016, TO AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE ACQUIRING PROPERTIES THROUGH THE LAND BANKING PROGRAM. HARVEST HOPE PROPERTIES SERVES AS THE CATALYST FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION IN THE HEART OF THE UNIVERSITY AREA. THROUGH PROPERTY ACQUISITION, THE COMMUNITY WILL INFORM WHAT TYPE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS BUILT AND WHERE. AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A KEY PRIORITY IN THE UNIVERSITY AREA COMMUNITY AND IT ALL BEGINS WITH LAND ACQUISITION. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE HOLISTIC HOUSING PROGRAMS CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR UNIVERSITY AREA RESIDENTS: SOUND & SAFE HOUSING - LEASE TO PURCHASE MODULAR HOMES FOR SINGLE PARENTS IN THE UACMULTI-FAMILY HOUSING - MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OF 61 RENTAL UNITS FOR FAMILIES THAT IS AFFORDABLE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH BLUE SKY COMMUNITIES, LLCSINGLE FAMILY HOUSING - HOME OWNERSHIP VIA PARTNERSHIP WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITYCOMMERCIAL PROPERTIES - BUILDING/REHABBING COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES TO OFFER HOLISTIC SERVICES TO UACPARKS & GREEN SPACES - BUILDING PARKS AND GREEN SPACES IN THE UAC FOR RESIDENTS TO ENJOYLAND BANKING PROGRAM: LAND IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BY VIEWING THESE PROPERTIES AS POTENTIAL ASSETS, RATHER THAN BARRIERS TO REVITALIZATION, LAND BANKING WILL PROVIDE A NEW WAY TO REINVEST IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. UNIVERSITY AREA CDC'S CONCEPT AIMS TO CONVERT VACANT PROPERTIES THAT ARE CONTAMINATED OR HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED BY THE OPEN MARKET INTO PRODUCTIVE USE, AND THEREBY TRANSFORMING NEIGHBORHOOD LIABILITIES INTO ASSETS. SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION, IN 2016, 18 PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED WITHIN ONE MILE OF THE CATALYST SITE (HARVEST HOPE PARK) AND HAVE BEEN EARMARKED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ONCE A PROPERTY HAS BEEN ACQUIRED, A LAND BANKING SIGN IS ERECTED TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE GROWING OUR COMMUNITY, ONE BLOCK AT A TIME.HARVEST HOPE CULTURAL CAMPUS: THE MISSION OF THE HARVEST HOPE CULTURAL CAMPUS IS TO SERVE AS A NAVIGATIONAL HUB CONNECTING COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WITH SIX ANCHORED PARTNERS WHO ARE PROVIDING DIRECT PROGRAMING AND SERVICES THROUGH A HOLISTIC APPROACH. THROUGH THE ORGANIZATIONS LAND BANKING PROGRAM, TWO CONTIGUOUS LOTS ACROSS THE STREET WERE PURCHASED AS PHASE I OF THIS PROJECT. PHASE II OF THIS PROJECT IS THE PURCHASE OF TWO ADDITIONAL LOTS THAT HOUSE THREE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. PHASE III IS THE FINAL PHASE OF THIS PROJECT AND WILL BE THE DESIGN, REHAB AND PROGRAMING OF THESE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS TO HOST A COLLECTIVE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS OFFERING SERVICES TO LOW INCOME RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE UNIVERSITY AREA COMMUNITY.HARVEST HOPE PARK:THE UNIVERSITY AREA CDC HARVEST HOPE PARK, LOCATED AT 13704 N. 20TH STREET, SITS ON 7-ACRES OF LAND NEAR THE TAMPA CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA. IT IS A VIBRANT, RESIDENT FRIENDLY GREEN SPACE IN AN OTHERWISE MARGINALIZED NEIGHBORHOOD PLAGUED HISTORICALLY WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF BROWNFIELDS AND RELATED REDEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES. THE PARK WAS BUILT IN FOUR DEVELOPMENT PHASES AND OPENED IN NOVEMBER, 2019. THIS URBAN OASIS ENCOURAGES FAMILY PLAY, HEALTHY EATING, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INTERACTION AND FEATURES A COMMUNITY GARDEN, TEACHING KITCHEN, MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS FIELD, PLAYGROUND, OUTDOOR FITNESS STATIONS, WALKING TRAIL AND 2-ACRE FRESHWATER FISHPOND FOR RECREATIONAL FISHING. HARVEST HOPE COMMUNITY GARDEN: THE UNIVERSITY AREA CDC HARVEST HOPE COMMUNITY GARDEN IS A CATALYST FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE BECAUSE IT AFFORDS AREA RESIDENTS, YOUNG AND OLD, THE OPPORTUNITY TO (1) IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH THROUGH EXERCISE AND ACCESS TO HOME-GROWN HEALTHY FOOD; (2) PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON GARDENING EDUCATION AND COOKING CLASSES; (3) IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL WELL-BEING BY COMMUNING WITH NATURE; AND (4) LEARN ECO-FRIENDLY WAYS TO SUSTAIN THEIR PERSONAL COMMUNITY WELL AS THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THE PRIMARY BENEFITS FOR COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND FOR RESIDENTS OF UNIVERSITY AREA AT LARGE INCLUDE INCREASED ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD AND CONTINUED EDUCATION OR ENHANCEMENT OF SKILLS RELATED TO PLANTS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND ECO-SYSTEMS. THESE BENEFITS ARE IMMENSELY IMPORTANT FOR THIS COMMUNITY WHERE POVERTY, LACK OF EDUCATION, HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS HAVE SEVERELY IMPACTED THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF MANY OF ITS RESIDENTS.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: THE GOAL OF THE UNIVERSITY AREA INVEST WORKFORCE PROGRAM IS TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES BY CONNECTING AND BUILDING KNOWLEDGE OF, AND HOW TO ACCESS, RESOURCES THAT WILL POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR PERSONAL PLAN OF LONG-TERM SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE COMMUNITY-BASED WORKFORCE PROGRAM PROVIDES RESIDENTS (INCLUDING NON-FLUENT ENGLISH SPEAKERS) INTERNET ACCESS, TOOLS, INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TRAININGS, AND PROGRAMS THEY NEED TO BEGIN AND COMPLETE A SUCCESSFUL JOB SEARCH. EVEN THOSE WHO ARE EMPLOYED CAN ENHANCE THEIR SKILLS, WHICH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO OBTAINING "BETTER JOBS AND/OR CAREER ADVANCEMENT."THE COMPUTER LAB IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EVERY WEEKDAY. IT SERVES AS A TREMENDOUS AID TO THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO RESEARCH, SEEK EMPLOYMENT, TRAIN AND OBTAIN CERTIFICATIONS, CREATE RESUMES AND PARTICIPATE IN JOB TRAINING WORKSHOPS, ALL FREE OF CHARGE.PROGRAM STATS & FACTS: UNIVERSITY AREA INVEST WORKFORCE PROVIDES UNLIMITED ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, COMPUTER TRAINING 101, MICROSOFT OFFICE CERTIFICATIONS, JOB READINESS WORKSHOPS, JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE, JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE, SOFT SKILLS TRAINING, AND INDUSTRY SPECIFIC TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATIONS. THE COMPUTER LAB SERVES APPROXIMATELY 300 INDIVIDUALS PER MONTH. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMPUTER LAB ARE SEARCHING FOR EMPLOYMENT, COMPLETING TRAINING, OR APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE. MAJORITY OF JOB LISTINGS ARE ONLINE AND TO APPLY FOR A POSITION YOU NEED ACCESS TO A COMPUTER. UACDC ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH CREATING COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES, DISCUSSES INTERVIEW BEST PRACTICES, AND ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH FOLLOWING UP WITH A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER.GET MOVING! MIND, BODY, SOUL: UNIVERSITY AREA CDC'S GET MOVING! PROGRAM IS A WELLNESS PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S HEALTH; PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, NUTRITIONAL, AND/OR SPIRITUAL. THE PROGRAM FOCUS IS TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH OF ALL COMMUNITY RESIDENTS, SPECIFICALLY IN THE UNIVERSITY AREA, BY OFFERING HEALTHY ACTIVITIES THROUGH ORGANIZED SPORTS, EDUCATIONAL CLASSES, WELLNESS COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY GROUPS, AND OTHER WORKSHOPS. INDIVIDUALS ARE ASSESSED AND RECEIVE THEIR PERSONAL TRACKING FORM THAT HELPS THEM MONITOR THEIR SELECTED ACTIVITIES AND INDIVIDUALIZED GOALS. THE GET MOVING! PROGRAM SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY'S DESIRE FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. ON A MONTHLY BASIS, OVER 500 CHILDREN, ADULTS, SENIORS, AND VETERANS PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH EVENTS.GET MOVING! ALSO OFFERS WORKSHOPS ON AN ARRAY OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, NUTRITION, CANCER PREVENTION, COOKING CLASSES, STRESS PREVENTION, AND DIABETES INFORMATION. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, WEIGHT MANAGEMENT, BOOT CAMP, YOGA, ZUMBA, BASKETBALL, MARTIAL ARTS, CHEERLEADING, FOOTBALL, AND SOCCER. THE PROGRAM HAS PARTNERSHIPS WITH VARIOUS SPORTS, HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS (ENGLISH AND SPANISH SPEAKING) AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, CERTIFIED TRAINERS, EDUCATORS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH A HOLISTIC MENU OF SERVICES. BLOCK-BY-BLOCK: BLOCK-BY-BLOCK IS AN INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO FURTHER THE UNIVERSITY AREA CDC'S REACH INTO THE COMMUNITY BY BUILDING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESIDENTS AND ASSISTING RESIDENTS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. THIS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY NEIGHBORHOOD SEGMENTS IN NEED OF SUPPORT, CONDUCT NEEDS ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THAT PARTICULAR BLOCK, AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS AND RESOURCE CONNECTIONS TO ADDRESS THE PARTICULAR NEED AT BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY LEVEL. OFTEN, NEIGHBORS MAY HAVE SIMILAR CHALLENGES REGARDING COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE, HIGH CRIME, LACK OF TRANSPORTATION, LACK OF CLEAN WATER, AND OTHER ISSUES. ONCE IDENTIFIED, THESE CHALLENGES CAN BE RESPONDED TO IN A REAL AND HOLISTIC WAY THAT SUPPORTS THE PROSPERITY OF AN ENTIRE BLOCK OF RESIDENTS RATHER THAN JUST A FEW. THE PROGRAM RUNS FOR 10 WEEKS, DURING WHICH PARTICIPATING RESIDENTS ARE PAIRED WITH A VOLUNTEER "CONNECTORS" WHO HELP TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF NEED, AND CONNECT THE RESIDENT TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ITEMS OF ASSISTANCE.