As 2022 comes to a close, here are some of the things our staff have read, watched, or listened to this year that have informed our work and/or personal development that we wanted to share as a resource.
Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) and its local partners are launching a community driven land use educational initiative, Fresno Community Land Use Academy (CLUA). Fresno CLUA aims to expand access and facilitate more inclusive engagement in Fresno’s land use and urban planning processes so that land development decisions benefit all Fresnans, especially those local residents who live in neighborhoods where land use decisions have caused environmental injustices. Housing, health and economic disparities are often based on location, race and income.
The attached article from the Urban Institute lays out the benefits and impacts to implement a Community Land Use Planning Academy, like Fresno CLUA. To learn more about the framework of Community Land Use Academies, read this article
Thanks to a grant from the Kresge Foundation and with technical support from the Urban Institute, ENP will spend the next year launching this new city-wide initiative. We are looking forward to witnessing the ways this will positively impact the environments of so many Fresno residents.
Stay tuned for more updates from Fresno CLUA!
This holiday season, here are some community resources available for free!
Many of us long to make a difference in our communities, but we’re frozen by inaction because we don’t know where to start.
“The most valuable thing you can offer someone is your time,” says Marcel Woodruff.
Over 12 years ago, Marcel felt a call to invest in the young people of West Fresno. He says he “didn’t have much to offer,” but he knew he could volunteer for one hour once a month on a Saturday morning. On one of those Saturday mornings, Marcel met a boy who would impact his life forever.
Not everyone ENP partners with comes from a faith background, but we all have a moral vision. We wanted to design something that represents the theological and moral vision of ENP.
The Biblical Story is really a story about two spaces: God’s space and humanity’s space. It is the Biblical Story of God’s mission and vision to reunite all humanity with Himself. In the Garden of Eden, God’s space and humanity’s space were one. But when sin and brokenness entered the world, those spaces separated. Injustice, pain, poverty, and disunity entered the picture.
Jesus is on a mission to bring them together once and for all. As an organization, we long for a city that reflects Jesus’ prayer: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Revelation 21 tells us that one day God’s space and humanity’s space will completely overlap.
As the Lord prayed, until the final vision becomes a reality, we get to work to see glimpses of heaven here in Fresno.
Thank you to Shelby King for bringing our vision of this design to life! She can be reached at shelbyking.art@gmail.com
If you would like to purchase a full resolution print of “in Fresno as it is in Heaven,” for pick-up from our office, you can order it below.
Every Neighborhood Partnership is seeking a part-time or full-time Recreational Resilience Coordinator!
This role will: Manage, oversee, and expand Saturday Sports. Assist with other ENP School Support programming. Explore other recreational programming (such as recess support, sports camps, and play streets) as able.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
See full Job Description for more info.
To apply, email your resume and cover letter to jenessa@everyneighborhood.org.
Last week, 223 individuals representing various churches, City of Fresno council district offices, local businesses, community benefit organizations, neighborhoods, and Fresno Unified School District gathered for Every Neighborhood Partnership’s 2022 Fall in Love with Fresno event!
What a joy it was to celebrate growth in our city and ENP!
The words, “Privately engaging but socially irrelevant” should make us all uncomfortable. This is the accusation we hear about the church from so many corners. So many see the church existing for itself, but making no contribution to the betterment of their communities. What examples are there of community-engaged churches, and how did they come to embrace their communities? Hear these stories from Noel Castellanos, a veteran Christian community development practitioner and pastor, and understand how your church and community might be transformed. Please see the flyer below for his bio.
Hello Andrew,
Recently folks have asked… “So does ENP change much when the school year starts?”
You have NO IDEA! We are like a bunch of busy bees around here!
We got students to hire, train and place in schools… (100 to be exact!)
We got parent groups starting back up… (Olmos & Columbia)
We have more outreach or tabling events than we can handle…
We are working on adding new church partners…
Oh did I mention that we are doing our banquet on September 22nd! Love to have you join us.
But honestly, in all the work I am so grateful for the fantastic new staff we have, the deep community engagement we are doing, and the support of our friends, partner organizations, and this community.
By way of updates, we are also working on our first strategic plan which includes an update to our mission, vision, and values. More details coming in October! Enjoy these updates and the good work you are supporting…
Can’t wait to see you at our Fall in Love with Fresno Banquet!
Learn more about Every Neighborhood Partnership’s growing vision and important things taking place in our city at our Fall in Love with Fresno event on September 22.
Over the last 14 years, Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) has been on a growth trajectory. Yes, our staff and programs are growing, but so is our vision.
ENP began as an organization focused on helping churches connect relationally with schools in central Fresno. Over time, with God’s guidance and the support of incredible partners, we have expanded our vision to equipping and mobilizing residents to be leaders who have the tools they need to make sustainable, long-lasting change in their neighborhoods.
Communities are being changed from the inside out.
Through literacy mentoring at elementary schools, Saturday Sports camps, Latin Dance Fitness classes, women’s support groups, workshops and coaching for other nonprofit leaders, and neighborhood associations, our vision is growing… and it involves YOU too.
Join us on September 22nd to learn more and celebrate the GROWING taking place in our city at ENP’s annual Fall in Love with Fresno event! You won’t want to miss this.
