Launch of UNITE Lancaster to be set at El Dorado Town Hall meeting
Forum to propose neighborhood improvements
The Lancaster Neighborhood Vitalization Commission will launch the third annual Uniting Neighbors in a Team Effort (UNITE) program with an applicant information session at the El Dorado Town Hall meeting on Thursday, May 24. The UNITE program provides residents with a forum to propose neighborhood improvement projects and compete for the resources and funding needed to bring these projects to fruition.
“The purpose of the UNITE Lancaster program is to empower residents to be the change they wish to see in our community,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Through UNITE, residents have the opportunity to propose projects they believe will enhance the quality of life in their neighborhood.”
The 2012 program will adopt a targeted approach. All this year’s UNITE projects will be located in the El Dorado neighborhood, which encompasses the area from Avenue J to Lancaster Boulevard and from Division Street to Challenger Way.
“While UNITE has yielded a number of excellent community service projects throughout the city, we plan to concentrate our efforts this year in order to make an even greater impact in a specific area,” said Lancaster Neighborhood Vitalization Commissioner Angela Hearns. “In addition, this strategic approach will assist us in accomplishing the program’s goal of strengthening the bonds between neighbors by offering El Dorado residents a forum to meet one another and work side by side to carry out service projects that will improve their community.”
Hearns and members of the staff of Safer Stronger Neighborhoods Committee will provide an overview of the program and walk prospective applicants through the application process at the Town Hall meeting.
While all UNITE projects must take place in the El Dorado neighborhood, any local resident or community organization may propose projects and participate in the program. There are three project categories: beautification projects to enhance the aesthetics of the neighborhood, such as façade improvements, murals, and community gardens; neighborhood interaction projects to foster and strengthen relationships between neighbors, such as mentoring programs and block parties; and public safety projects, such as lighting and traffic-related issues.
“We encourage applicants to be creative with their project proposals,” said Parris. “This is your opportunity to share your ideas regarding what would help build a stronger sense of community and improve your neighborhood. The sky is the limit.”
Proposed projects will be evaluated based on six criteria, which include self-reliance, neighborhood involvement, sustainability, community benefit, partnership building and innovation. Projects which best meet these criteria will be awarded the resources and funding needed to accomplish them.
The Town Hall Meeting will take place from 5:30–8 p.m. at El Dorado Elementary School, located at 361 East Pondera St. All residents interested in participating in the UNITE Program are encouraged to attend. Children’s activities will be provided to allow parents to attend the meeting.
For further information regarding the UNITE Program, email unite@cityoflancasterca.org, visit www.saferstrongerneighborhoods.org, or call (661) 723-6072.
The Lancaster Neighborhood Vitalization Commission (LNVC) approved seven winning projects for the third annual UNITE (Uniting Neighbors in a Team Effort) program at its August meeting. The UNITE community projects, which focus on strengthening community ties, beautifying, and enhancing public safety in local neighborhoods, will take place Saturday, Sept. 22.
LANCASTER, Calif.—After last year’s success with the UNITE (Uniting Neighbors in a Team Effort) Lancaster program, the city of Lancaster is ready to usher in the second annual season of service.
Residents, neighborhood and community groups are encouraged to participate by submitting proposals to help improve the lives of Antelope Valley residents in addition to beautifying neighborhoods and establishing a stronger community bond.
The city of Lancaster is now accepting applications for the fourth annual Uniting Neighbors in a Team Effort (UNITE) program.
Applications for the UNITE program are available on the city’s website at www.cityoflancasterca.org/unite and must be submitted by Friday, June 14 at 5 p.m. (postmark dates will not be accepted).
The program, which aims to help build safer and stronger neighborhoods, offers residents an opportunity to propose neighborhood improvement projects and compete for the resources and funding needed to make those projects a reality.
LANCASTER, Calif.—It’s official. The cities of Lancaster and Palmdale are being sued by community members and Section 8 residents for alleged discrimination against Blacks and Latinos in public housing.
According to the complaint filed Tuesday by the Community Action League and the NAACP, as well as two private members of the community, the cities named have discriminated against Section 8 families by implementing policies that directly affect the living quality of Blacks and Latinos.
LANCASTER, Calif.—The Lancaster Neighborhood Vitalization Commission (LNVC), an advisory committee dedicated to addressing housing issues in the city, has organized a subcommittee to address the issue of truancy in Section 8 housing.
The Lancaster City Council and the LNVC came to the conclusion that such truancy is a problem as 2010 came to an end.
