This paper describes the goals and perspective of the Bicentennial Ethnic Racial Coalition (BERC), as they exemplify the relationship between emerging neighborhood consciousness and ethnic/racial consciousness. The perspective of BERC, formed in the early 1970s, is that Federal domestic policy of the past three decades has not appreciably…

Examines Washington, DC, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANC) as an illustration of neighborhood involvement in city revitalization and maintenance. Considers (1) hypotheses about neighborhood roles and participation in public issue raising; (2) ANC structure, participation, and decision roles; and (3) likely roles neighborhood governments can…

Describes community based, voluntary neighborhood revitalization projects in New York and Philadelphia. Discusses the effects of Reagan Administration cutbacks and seeming indifference to such projects which appears to be contradictory to the Republican party platform of 1980 pledging aid for self-helping and cooperative community efforts to…

Cities throughout the country are sponsoring family projects that convert vacant lots and rooftops to productive neighborhood gardens. It is hoped that utilization of these otherwide wasted areas will provide extra food for low income families, as well as promote community spirit and organization. (MA)

The influx of middle class individuals and families from the suburbs to the cities is reversing the trend of decay in American cities. Rehabilitation and revitalization are underway in many downtown areas. (RLV)

Neighborhood service organizations such as Detroit's Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Franklin Wright Settlements, and Warren/Conner Development Coalition have developed leadership and mobilized resources for collective action. Neighborhoods served by exceptional organizations contrast sharply with surrounding areas in decline. (SK)

A North Oakland (California) neighborhood spent years convincing the city to convert an old college building into a senior center, housing, a park, and an African American cultural center instead of replacing it with a strip mall. Community strategies included publishing a monthly newsletter, attending meetings, replacing city politicians, and…

The findings and recommendations of a study of potential opportunities to convert under-utilized space in multiple residential projects into play spaces for children are reported. On the basis of site visits, informal interviews and discussions with management from a selected and representative sample of 18 residential projects in the Toronto…

The potential of the community development corporation (CDC) as a vital component of inner-city development politics is explored and its limitations are outlined. In some neighborhoods, nonprofit CDCs have helped build an alternative social production process and have advanced a new and progressive development regime. (SLD)

Recognizes the unused potential of inner city kids and describes how The Institute for Leadership, Excellence and Academic Development (I-Lead) program has helped prepare these students for admittance to universities and colleges. I-Lead offers four core courses: (1) test prep class; (2) constitutional law class; (3) writing class; and (4)…

If the neighborhoods' movement faces up to the implications of one of its important claims, namely, that by preserving communities, a city can promote better values than by destroying them, then it must determine how the process of political education and organizing can foster better attitudes throughout the community. (Author/EB)

A park and promenade along a city river front have restored a decaying area and revitalized a problem neighborhood. (JD)

Community-based development organizations (CBDOs) appear to be a major force for the economic and physical rejuvenation of distressed, low-income communities. A CBDO is a private nonprofit group that serves a low-income community or constituency, is governed by a community-based board, and is an ongoing producer, with at least one completed…

This handbook provides a brief overview of bank and bank holding company community development corporations (CDCs), the types of activities for which they can be used, the legal requirements in establishing such an entity, and how they are organized and operated. Case studies, including studies of the Shorebank Corporation of Chicago, the First…

Describes a volunteer effort involving community church groups and secondary school children in an effort to provide a summer learning experience for children in public housing. Reviews advantages of the program and what can be learned from it. (TB)