ABCD Block Grant – Mind Set, Financial Literacy Seminars
Background
A few years ago, the Lodi Chamber of Commerce (CofC) started a program called Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) “Love Your Block”. It provides a unique opportunity for neighborhood groups to grow in leadership and help transform their own neighborhood This program was and is targeted towards improving the Heritage District, in the eastern side of Lodi, by supporting citizen-driven community improvement projects. Modeled after similar programs successfully established in several other cities nationwide.
Here is a link to a video that was made the first year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=yFkzWi1gDY4
In January of this year the Lodi Rotary club had a presentation on the project from Sheri Aguilar a realtor in our community. At the next Executive Board meeting was decided that the club would fund a $500 grant for a project developed by applicants.
Mind Set Financial Literacy Project
There were four projects submitted for funding and the club decided at our July board meeting to fund one titled “Mind Set Building” designed to provide financial literacy training to the community in the Heritage District.
What was unique about this project was that it was the brainchild of Jennifer Noyola a 9th grader. Jennifer with the assistance of her mother Micaiea and a couple of others developed a project plan to do this. They elicited the help of representatives from Farmers Insurance and BBVA Bank of Lodi. These organizations offered to help provide the curriculum for the training.
Jennifer’s plan is comprehensive. It includes social media, public relations with the media and support from several local businesses to host the seminars. In true Rotarian fashion, she also has a plan to evaluate the successes and overcome challenges. Her plan is to develop a series of ongoing seminars throughout the year.
Next Steps
Our club found this project to one worthy of support and it is our plan to work with Jennifer through this year and the next to help succeed. Stay tuned for updates as the project unfolds in Lodi.
Lodi's ABCD: Love Your Block is a community program organized by the Lodi Chamber of Commerce and City of Lodi. This program is targeted towards improving the Heritage District, in the eastern side of Lodi, by supporting citizen-driven community improvement projects. Modeled after similar programs successfully established in several other cities nationwide, ABCD: Love Your Block provides a unique opportunity for neighborhood groups to grow in leadership and help transform their own neighborhood.
How it works
Modeled after similar programs successfully established in several other cities nationwide, ABCD: Love Your Block provides a unique opportunity for neighborhood groups to transform their own neighborhood. Area individuals form and development project ideas which can then apply to receive mini-grants up to $500, receive leadership training, and get connected to existing community resources to help implement the project.
Contact information for ABCD: Love Your Block
Sheri Aguilar 209-679-2042 or Sheri@RealtorSheri.com
Patrice Clemons 209-333-6800 or PClemons@Lodi.gov