You have most likely heard the expression, “It Takes a Village”. We are saying, “It Takes a City”! The story this week is about Cross Sector Collaboration, a very fancy term for ‘all of us working together’.
Our shared goal: A THRIVING CITY!
Who is “All of Us”? It’s churches, universities, school districts, businesses, organizations, non-profits, parent groups, the city . . . it is literally ALL OF US! When we work together with a vision of a healthy city, great things begin to happen.
EXAMPLE: A few weeks ago, Peoples Church called and asked if we knew of any projects for a group of kids who would be attending a youth camp in late June. At about the same time, the City of Fresno Community Revitalization Department contacted us with a need in the Jefferson neighborhood. There was a home with a potential code violation and rather than giving them a citation, they asked if we might know of a volunteer team who would be interested in cleaning up the overgrown yard. The 1/4 acre lot looked much like a jungle!
It was perfect timing. Thirty kids and a few leaders spent 2 hours at the site and made quick work of a huge project. There is still a bit more to do, so some of the kids plan to find a Saturday when they can go back and finish up. These kids not only had the opportunity to see a need in another part of our city, they also saw first hand what Cross Sector Collaboration looks like (and they may not even know it yet).
In the past 6 years, our mission and vision have remained focused on partnering churches with elementary school neighborhoods, and seeing folks engaged with kids, families and the health of our city. However, the path to get there has broadened. We not only know it will require ALL OF US, but see that we are simply better together! It will take the entire city working together to achieve that goal.
All of us at ENP are blessed each day to watch that happen and work alongside so many amazing people who share the same vision for our city!
