When we embarked on this semester, I had an idea of how Literacy Mentoring might work virtually, but honestly, I was skeptical. However as the first semester came to a close, floods of sweet stories came pouring in. The overall theme is relationships. Literacy Mentoring 2020: light on the literacy, double dose of mentoring.
As we head into the final week before Christmas, we wanted to let you know of a special end of year donor special! Every gift of $25 or more from now until the end of the year will receive a special and limited time only ENP mug. Enjoy that coffee or tea in style!!!
During the recent season of Thanksgiving our ENP staff was reflecting on our gratefulness for the work we get to do. Every week we see the power of being present in the life of our neighborhoods, connecting schools, churches, families and volunteers together. We know you feel the same way. We are grateful for all the work do and for the support!
As we come into the last month of the year we wanted to update you on all that is going on and share some resources that have been shared with us.
We would appreciate any gift you could give as we come into our final month. Give online today!
If I can help you or connect with you please let me know!
COVID-19 has changed many things, but we can still encourage, serve, and appreciate those around us. Below are some physically distanced volunteer ideas from loveourcities.org.
Did you miss it? Watch here.
We had a really good time with our 2020 Fall in Love with Fresno event!
If you were not able to tune in live, don’t worry…we recorded it! You can watch it on YouTube, or if you want to see all the comments, you can view it on Facebook.
Fresno Community & Economic Development Partnership Project Specialist
Position Description
Under the general supervision of the Fresno CEDP HUB Coordinators, the Project Specialist would be responsible for developing and executing projects that advance the vision of the CEDP and the Missions of the CEDP Partners. The Project Specialist should be an inspiring leader capable of coaching, motivating and equipping our CEDP staff by providing ongoing support for their individual needs.
Status: Part-time
Hourly Rate: $25-$30 – per hour
Responsibilities
1. Coordinate work responsibilities with HUB Coordinators on a weekly basis
2. Provide technical support to CEDP Partners in areas such as: (but not limited to)
3. Provide assistance with data collection, analyzing data and research
4. Coordinate CEDP meetings be they live or virtual. Provide notes for each meeting and assist with any logistics
5. Knowledge on virtual platforms
Requirements
Must be able to work with a diverse cross-section of our community and have a general understanding of our community. Must be comfortable working with varied economic, social, racial and cultural backgrounds. Have a passionate heart for community development work and be committed to excellence. Should be self-motivated, able to work by yourself and in teams. Have the ability to multi-task on a weekly basis.
The Project Specialist should have, at minimum, an AA Degree or higher and at least 2 years working in the nonprofit or community development field.
Must possess a valid California Driver’s License and verified automobile insurance along with use of a reasonably reliable auto for use on the job. Should have the ability to pass a Live Scan background fingerprinting check.
Application Process
Fresno CEDP HUB Coordinators are Fresno Metro Ministry and Every Neighborhood Partnership. To apply for this position please jointly email your resume and/or cover letter to the following:
Keith Berthold, Fresno Metro Ministry
keith@fresnometmin.org / 559.485.1416
Andrew Feil, Every Neighborhood Partnership
andrew@everyneighborhood.org / 559.400.7310
Gulp. Yes, that was the audibly loud sound coming from my throat.
Today marks a new day in my life and the life of Every Neighborhood Partnership. Artie Padilla, our beloved founder and leader for the past 12 years, has officially transitioned out of ENP and into the Central Valley Community Foundation.
Many of you know Artie as the trusted community leader, who has played the role of bridge builder and servant leader across our city. I got to know Artie back in 2007 and served under him as a volunteer running the Saturday Sports, Classroom Volunteering, and summer school programming at Easterby Elementary. Since then, I have seen his steady rise into the leadership of our city (Yes, even receiving the key to the city!). But I haven’t just seen him in the limelight, I have also seen him on his bad days and yet in the midst of those he has been, and continues to be, humble, others-centered, and committed to the hard work of community development. His collaborative way of moving in the world has brought Jesus followers, community members, city officials, health policy advocates and many others together on the journey for the betterment of Fresno.
You can understand why there is a big gulp there! So let’s be real. I am not Artie. I can never be Artie. I can only be me. As a former pastor, current adjunct professor at Fresno Pacific, and now as Executive Director at Every Neighborhood Partnership, my goal is to continue the great work that Artie has paved for our city and our church. The team we have assembled at ENP is fantastic. Our board is supportive. Our community advocates are many.
I have a lot of growing to do. I know that I have a lot to learn and am going to make a lot of mistakes along the way. I am actually terrified of that, but instead of giving into the fear of not getting everything perfect, I am committed to fail fast and join the good work that will happen.
In this new season of ENP’s work in our community, we are as committed as ever to bringing people of faith and people of goodwill to join the transformation of our neighborhoods and city. We are wholly committed to the belief that the Image of God dwells in every member of our community and that they have the gifts and abilities that are needed to shape the future of their neighborhood and our city. We will work hard to fight against the overly simplistic political divide to create flourishing for all.
With trepidation, I and our team look forward to stewarding the work of ENP. We believe that God is not done with us yet.
As we coming into this new season we are also marking this new moment with our Virtual Fall in Love With Fresno banquet. You can watch the livestream or order an at home party box with Ampersand Ice Cream, Lanna Coffee Co, and other fun items!
Register to watch or buy a party box here! https://fallinlovefresno2020.eventbrite.com
Thanks for your support of ENP and myself and our family in the past and into this new season!
I invite you to read this passage from the book of Isaiah. In it, God sets the vision that ENP looks to see accomplished. We look forward to supporting our churches, schools, families, businesses, and other community organizations in the continued transformation to be a city that lives into the vision God gave Isaiah:
Isaiah 65:17–25 – NIV
17 “See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
20 “Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
the one who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere child;
the one who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.
21 They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the work of their hands.
23 They will not labor in vain,
nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the LORD,
they and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,”
says the LORD.
This week marks the start of the 2020-21 school year for most districts in our Valley. With it comes an unprecedented year. Everything has changed!
ENP is not immune to this change. This week marks the last couple of weeks for our beloved founder, Artie Padilla. If you missed his remarks from our last newsletter see them here.
As Artie wraps up his time at ENP we need you to help us capture his impact in your life and in our city.
This article was written by former ENP intern Alexis Kalugin.
Over the last few decades, institutional community development has taken over the structure of most community functions. Instead of finding ways to engage neighbors to be a voice of change in their community, most cities have put the burden of change on institutions. The problem with this narrative is that workers in schools, law enforcement, and healthcare are responsible for more community problems than they can handle. There is no relationship between the institution and the community to understand each problem. This approach becomes one size fits all and leaves a gap between the institution and the citizens.
It’s amazing when you stop and reflect on the path that the Lord has been taking you down. Sometimes you don’t understand things along the way, sometimes it’s a smooth ride. I’ve been reflecting a lot the last couple of years and I’ve been processing where the Lord has me going in the path ahead. He’s provided a little more clarity for me the last month.
