ENP Blog

DRIVE HUB Highlight: Familias en Acción

November 29, 2021 Alexis Kalugin
DRIVE HUB Highlight: Familias en Acción

This weeks HUB Highlight Familias en Acción in the Winchell Neighborhood led by Lilia Becerril.

  1. In light of DRIVE, what is the vision for Familias en Acción in the Winchell Neighborhood? 
    • The vision of Familias en Acción is to be able to connect with the majority of the residents in the Winchell neighborhood and to build a strong network of local stakeholders (council-member office, elementary school partners, & local churches). The hope is to build resident and neighborhood capacity to achieve great changes in this community.
  1. How is being a DRIVE HUB in the Winchell neighborhood providing an opportunity to engage in your community in a deeper way?
    •  The civic infrastructure initiative has given residents the opportunity to feel part of the process that gives them a voice to share their concerns and suggestions for neighborhood improvements.
  1. How has ENP been of support to you and Familias en Acción? 
    • ENP has supported us in many ways, for example; they provide us with educational work tools for community projects and coaching support to help us grow as leaders.
  1. Up to this point, what is 1 thing that you would like to highlight & share with others? 
    • We have been meeting with families to provide resources and support on how to advocate for their neighborhood. As a new organization this has been an important part of growth. We are actively trying to connect Winchell residents with their city leaders to have a seat at the table of decision making. 
HUB Leader, Lilia Becerril.
Alexis KaluginDRIVE HUB Highlight: Familias en Acción
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DRIVE Hub Highlight: Jackson CDC

November 25, 2021 Alexis Kalugin , ,
DRIVE Hub Highlight: Jackson CDC

Jackson CDC is one of our DRIVE Hub organizations led by Heidi White. Learn about what they do and how being a part of DRIVE has impacted their work. 

  1. In light of DRIVE, what is the vision for Jackson CDC in the Jackson Neighborhood? 
    • Alongside our residents, we seek the cohesive well-being of the Jackson Neighborhood and it’s residents through community engagement, advocacy, and asset-based community development. In this season of work we are intently focused on 4 initiatives. First, we continue to build our resident-led neighborhood association as a way to capacitate neighbors in asset based community development best practices. Second, we assist Jackson Elementary in educational attainment initiatives. Third, we collectively implement resident imagined solutions that impact our neighborhood’s greatest needs. Fourth, we engage in resident-led strategic revitalization that partners with the City of Fresno for systemic change. 
  1. How is being a DRIVE HUB in the Jackson neighborhood providing an opportunity to engage in your community in a deeper way? 
    • Being a DRIVE HUB has enabled us to hire additional staff who are also Jackson resident leaders to support the community development work we are doing in Jackson. This is allowing us to reach wider and deeper in our community through already established networks and relationships. DRIVE is also providing us with the encouragement, tools and support we need as we equip and empower residents to engage in being part of the solutions to the challenges facing the Jackson Neighborhood.
  1. How has ENP been of support to you and Jackson CDC? 
    • ENP has been helpful to provide training opportunities for our staff and residents, personalized coaching to help us achieve our goals, and they have created regular opportunities for us to connect with and learn from other DRIVE HUBS. 
  1. Up to this point, what is 1 thing that you would like to highlight & share with others? 
    • In the last few months, Jackson residents have been putting forth their best ideas for how to make the Jackson neighborhood a safer, better, and flourishing community. From a list of the top 16 resident-submitted ideas ranging from starting a community garden, to hosting block parties, to doing alley clean-ups, over 150 neighbors voted to focus their attention on making our neighborhood safer through a Safe Streets Initiative. We are in the preliminary stages of gathering resident concerns and their best solutions to tackle the challenges of cars making donuts in our intersections, speeding, and running stop signs. We are currently hosting community meetings and putting out a resident survey to activate all the gifts, skills, and best ideas of our residents to work towards a safer neighborhood. We are partnering with the Fresno Police Department and City Hall to address not just the safety issues facing our current residents, but to consider systemic changes that could be made to ensure future residents are equally safe. Seeing residents use their voices, passions, and skills to enact change in our neighborhood gives us fuel to continue in the work we are doing in the Jackson Neighborhood.
Heidi White, HUB Leader
Alexis KaluginDRIVE Hub Highlight: Jackson CDC
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DRIVE Hub Highlight: Fresno Street Saints

November 25, 2021 Alexis Kalugin ,
DRIVE Hub Highlight: Fresno Street Saints

This week’s HUB Highlight is Fresno Street Saints located in the King neighborhood and led by Joby Jones.

  1. In light of DRIVE, what is the vision for Fresno Street Saints in the King Neighborhood? When it comes to the DRIVE initiative, our vision for the King neighborhood is to reestablish that sense of being connected but ownership of their communities. Being the catalyst and spark that an individual needs empowering them to take up the responsibility to see change.
  2. How is being a DRIVE HUB in the King neighborhood providing an opportunity to engage your community in a deeper way? Being a DRIVE HUB enables us to engage in the community from a personal standpoint. it’s not about coming to our meetings or events. It is asking them to participate, be involved and speak up for your community.
  3. How has ENP been of support to you and Fresno Street Saints? ENP has been great, the 1-1 meetings, instructions and suggestions have all been valuable to keeping us on point when it comes to understanding what Drive is and what our role is.
  4. Up to this point, what is a victory that you would like to share with others? A victory that we have had is being able to bring on 3 people who are real community people willing to go out and embrace, engage and empower the community.
  5. Why should a church/organization apply to become a HUB within the DRIVE initiative? A church or organization should apply because of the interaction that it brings with the community.
Joby Jones, HUB Leader
Alexis KaluginDRIVE Hub Highlight: Fresno Street Saints
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Hub Highlight: Another Level Training Academy

November 22, 2021 Alexis Kalugin ,
Hub Highlight: Another Level Training Academy

We wanted to highlight one of our HUB highlights in the Webster Neighborhood led by Nia Hodge-Grier.

1. In light of DRIVE, what is the vision for Another Level Training Academy in the Webster Neighborhood? 

The vision for ALTA is to make lasting relationships in the community, creating spaces for the community to heal by taking ACE’s courses to relate to those who have been marginalized and not heard. ALTA desires to meet the community’s needs by showing members of the community how to leverage the gifts that they possess while allowing them to use their voice and stated needs. ALTA’s goal is to move the community from needing services to creating a vibrant ecosystem within the community they live. We hope that this will become a trend in the community for generations to come.  

2. How is being a DRIVE HUB in the Webster neighborhood providing an opportunity to engage in your community in a more profound way? 

Being a DRIVE HUB in Webster has challenged ALTA to take a more creative approach to reach residents. ALTA is learning new ways to leverage relationships and connect with organizations amid people hesitant because of COVID. ALTA is connecting with youth in the community through educational institutions to draw the seasoned members of the community to the table. ALTA  is learning to lean into this work and allowing the community to lead with what they desire for the community they live.

3. How has ENP been of support to you and Another Level Training Academy? 

ENP has been an enormous support to me by leading with transparency and letting me know that we are all learning as we go. In addition, ENP has been good about referring the information on additional training to help ALTA grow in the capacity it needs to serve the community further. I am very comfortable moving into the DRIVE initiative having the support from ENP to help us thrive internally and externally. I am confident that ALTA will continue to thrive with the support of ENP.

4. Up to this point, what is one thing you would like to highlight & share with others? 

The Highlight of the  DRIVE initiative is the effort being put forth to ensure that this initiative is diverse, inclusive, and practical. 

Hub Leader, Nia Hodge-Grier.
Alexis KaluginHub Highlight: Another Level Training Academy
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Sustaining Physical Activity in the Community During COVID-19

November 19, 2021 Gabrielle Piceno
Sustaining Physical Activity in the Community During COVID-19

*This report is taken from the PEARS Success Story ID 23330

In partnership with the Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) and Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP), the Central Valley Health Policy Institute (CVHPI) has conducted a series of interviews with Latin Dance instructors before the COVID-19 pandemic and shortly after the shelter-in-place mandate was lifted. The initial interviews conducted in 2019 were aimed at understanding how the program has expanded, identifying challenges, and linking the program to resources. There were nine (n=9) Latin Dance instructors who were interviewed and provided input on these topics. Shortly thereafter, the pandemic struck and the opportunity to report findings back to the community was put to a halt. In the month of June 2021, follow-up interviews were conducted with the Latin Dance instructors to assess the current state of the project and how best to move forward. A total of five interviews were conducted with the Latin Dance instructors. On June 30th, 2021, the CVHPI met with  the FCDPH, ENP, and the Latin Dance instructors who were interviewed to report back findings and ensure that all ideas were captured. The following is a summary of both findings from all interviews as well as topics that came forward during fruitful discussions with the Latin Dance instructors. 

Gabrielle PicenoSustaining Physical Activity in the Community During COVID-19
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LivingUNDIVIDED

November 11, 2021 Alexis Kalugin
LivingUNDIVIDED

The last 5 years have been a wake-up call for many in the Church to issues of race and justice.

Join Larry Hodges (Northpointe Community Church), Jessica Criner (St Rest Church), and Andrew Feil (ENP+Midtown Vineyard Church) in a six-week in-person LivingUNDIVIDED class.

To register click here.

Alexis KaluginLivingUNDIVIDED
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Now Hiring: Read Fresno Mentors

June 9, 2021 Gabrielle Piceno
Now Hiring: Read Fresno Mentors

Searching to make a difference this year? Read Fresno with ENP works to raise the reading and academic abilities of local elementary school students each year. Read Fresno is now recruiting qualified students for the 2021-22 academic year to serve as mentors. If you qualify, you could earn up to $15.00 per hour. Mentors work approximately 10-15 hours per week, based on work-study eligibility. In order to qualify for one of these openings, you must:

  • Be eligible for Financial Aid Work Study funds (the Financial Aid Office has already indicated to us if you are eligible!).
  • Have excellent oral and written English language skills.
  • Be interested in working with elementary-aged children. 

New applicants to the program: Read Fresno Mentor Applications-NEW

Returning applicants to the program: Read Fresno Mentor Application-RETURNER


Priority applications will be accepted online until Friday, June 25. Applicants selected to move forward will be contacted for a one-on-one interview via Zoom between Monday, June 28-Friday, July 16.  

Gabrielle PicenoNow Hiring: Read Fresno Mentors
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Summer Resources for Kids

May 19, 2021 Gabrielle Piceno
Summer Resources for Kids

As summer approaches, we wanted to share free and low-cost summer resources and activities for kids from some of our partners.

Reading and Learning

ENP Literacy Mentoring

Trained and equipped Literacy Mentors meet one-on-one virtually with K-3rd grade students to help them with their foundational reading skills and sight words. Sign up using one of the links below:

FUSD School Libraries

School Libraries will be open to the public at all summer school locations. Find summer school sites HERE.

Sora App

Students in Fresno Unified School District can use the Sora App for online reading access

Fresno County Library

The Fresno County Library has free summer reading programs and activities for kids, teens, and adults. Click HERE for more information and a calendar of events.

Take a Book, Leave a Book

Find a Book Bin or Little Free Library near you and exchange a book!

12 Free Learning Apps and Websites for Summer

High-quality digital tools for kids that are both educational and entertaining.

Free At-Home Learning Library

Share Wide Open School in English or Spanish with families to help them find activities.

Online Learning Sites

Activities

Camp Fresno

Starting the week of June 15th, the City of Fresno will be offering Free 3-day overnight camps. While they hope to open camp to current youth leaders, they are particularly interested in also opening to the most vulnerable. They are most eager to provide the opportunity to teens who perhaps would never have had a chance to experience an outdoor camp; or perhaps those who have made some bad choices in life and an outdoor experience like this might impact their lives positively. Complete the interest form below:

English Interest Form

Spanish Interest Form

City of Fresno Parks and Recreation (PARCS)

Fresno PARCS offers a variety of activities for kids. Some of these activities have a cost associated with them. To learn more and register, visit their website.

Activities include Youth Sports and Virtual Programs.

You can also visit their Facebook page for upcoming events and activities.

Martin Park VBS

Martin Park is hosting 7 weeks of VBS CAMP to reach kids with the Gospel!

They have partnered with Child Evangelism Fellowship, First Presbyterian, River Park Bible Church, Children’s Champion and The Well to facilitate a VBS CAMP for one week at a time.

VBS Camp will run from June 14th-July 30th on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, from 3pm-5pm. Dinner will be provided each night at 4:30 for children and volunteers! 

On the 3rd week (June 28-July 2) they will take kids to VBS at River Park Bible Church. 

On the 6th week (July 12-16) they will take kids to City Bible Adventure at First Presbyterian Church.

Each day the kids will participate in singing, lessons, craft and games.

Call 559-554-4319 to sign up!

Additional Websites

  • Activity Hero – Search this website for upcoming events for kids in Fresno
  • Fresno Summer Camps – List of summer camps in Fresno, costs associated with these camps

Food

Fresno County Food Map

Search fresnocountyfood.org for free food near you.

Food Bank

Central California Food Bank is here to help you get access to the food you need. To find a food distribution near you, utilize the daily calendar, enroll in CalFresh, or sign-up for a pick-up.

  • Food Locator – Find food distribution partners near you.
  • Food Distribution Calendar – Find Neighborhood Markets, Mobile Pantries, and USDA Commodities partners by date.
  • Groceries 2 Go – Schedule a pick-up appointment at our Groceries 2 Go location Monday – Friday (7am-4pm) or at one of our satellite locations near you (hours vary by location).
  • CalFresh – Their team can help you enroll in CalFresh.

Other

Webinar

Consider hosting a Summer Learning Program! Hear tips and plans from our partners by watching the webinar recording HERE.

Gabrielle PicenoSummer Resources for Kids
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