The meeting served as an award ceremony for the "Love Your Block" mini-grant program in Fall River, Massachusetts. Dr. Sadler provided background on the program, which was established in partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovations at John Hopkins University in 2021. The program aims to revitalize neighborhoods by connecting city leaders with residents and providing small grants, up to $5,000, to support volunteer-fueled solutions, particularly in the Flint community. Mayor Paul Coogan then presented checks to four nonprofit organizations. The Bristol Black Cooperative received a grant for three projects under "pages to pathways," including story walks, community reading boxes, mile markers, and a community garden at Cathy Assad Toddlot and Travaso's Park. Fall River Wick and Health First Health Center received a grant to host a Flint Family Wellness Day, focusing on physical, mental, and emotional health. The Y was awarded a grant for public art murals, nonprofit signage, and sandwich boards for Pleasant Street businesses. Finally, the Spectrum Empowerment Project received a grant to transform a corner lot on Pleasant Street into a community garden and performance stage for open-air theater events.
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Council
Public / Other
Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for being here.
0:05Before we start, I'd like to offer some background on Love Your Block. What it is, Love Your Block is a program established in partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovations at John Hopkins University, bringing city leaders and residents together to revitalize neighborhoods.
0:29One block at a time, Love Your Block connects city leaders with community residents to help improve their neighborhoods one block at a time.
0:43The program was launched in 2021.
0:48Love Your Block addresses unmet challenges by providing fasttrack services that bring communities together and build trust between residents and city hall.
1:03Love Your Block empowers residents by providing small grants that support volunteerfueled solutions developed by communities.
1:15activating alleyways and improving deteriorating spaces. Installing art are just a few of the love your block programs that are going to be taking place in our Flint community within the city of Ball River and how it works.
1:38Love Your Block supports neighborhood improvements through funds and coaching to residents, businesses, and organizations.
1:47Projects funded under this program target deteriorating spaces, address community concerns, and enhance neighborhood pride.
1:58Love Your Block offers many grants providing upwards to $5,000 to support smallcale initiatives such as community tool sheds, public art, vacant lot activation, playground repairs, basic exterior home repairs, cleanups, and placemaking signage.
2:23We encourage creative ways to improve the Flint neighborhood. And today we have four nonprofit organizations that Mayor Paul Coogan is going to present with checks. Mayor Paul Coogan.
2:43Thank you, Dr. Sadler. We appreciate it.
2:46Uh love your block. Um it's my pleasure to share exciting news this afternoon.
2:52The city of for is announcing the recipients of these mini grants, an initiative designed to empower the neighborhoods. As Dr. Saddler said, these grants put the tools directly in the hands of the nonprofits who in turn assist residents, enabling them to lead the way in building stronger, proud communities. Our first one is to the Bristol Black Cooperative who will be spearheading three projects
3:21under the banner pages to pathways growing a thriving connected community.
3:26Their vision is to transform public spaces spaces in the Flint adding story walks, community reading boxes, mile markers, and a vibrant community guard to Cathy Assad Toddlot and Travaso's Park. These spaces will soon be hubs for literacy, wellness, and connection. Come on up, Tia.
4:03Very nice. Congratulations.
4:06Thank you. Our second one will be Fall River Wick and Health First Health Center. They'll host the Flint Family Wellness Day, a special event designed to support the health of local families.
4:22This initiative brings together free activities that focus on physical, mental, emotional wellness, including fitness classes, stress management, workshops, healthy cooking demonstrations, and open conversations about mental health. All designed to make it easier for every Flint Community family to live well. Come on up. Who is this going to be? Who's Cabarina? If you don't know, then I'm
4:50lost. It's okay. conflict between this time. I'm just happy that congratulations. Health first.
5:02Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
5:12Y will be working on three projects.
5:16creating public art murals and providing signage to nonprofit and making some sandwich boards for the Flint to help Pleasant Street businesses stand out.
5:25Their efforts will energize the Flint neighborhood, promote local culture, and strengthen our sense of place within the Flint community. Come on up, Sarah.
5:51And finally, we have the Spectrum Empowerment Project. Spectrum will undertake two projects to transform a corner lot on Pleasant Street across from the post office into a community garden and seating area complete with a little performance stage. The space will host open air theater events, offer a dynamic venue for community gatherings, and give local youth a place to discover and experience the magic of theater.
6:17Who's up from spectrum?
6:31All of these incredible projects are possible thanks to the support of the Bloomberg Center of Innovations at John Hopkins Love Your Block Grant. The Love Your Block Grant represents Far's commitment to resident driven change, enhancing public spaces, strengthening community bonds, and making a lasting difference. Congratulations again to all the many grant recipients. Thanks for
6:55your passion, your creativity, and your belief in the city of Fall River. We appreciate all of you very very much.
7:01Thank you.