Mayor Takes Government Into the Neighborhoods With New Outreach ‘Street Team’
Mayor Jerry Abramson announced a new initiative to connect citizens to government. The Louisville Metro Department of Neighborhoods has created a new team called Community Outreach Liaisons. This five-person team will empower neighborhoods with an array of community-building skills. “These individuals, or our ‘street team,’555 will be an invaluable resource for our citizens,” Abramson said. “By implementing outreach programs at the neighborhood level, our residents can become more empowered to make Louisville a safe, strong and vibrant hometown.” Each outreach liaison will cover one of five Louisville Metro areas which include urban and suburban areas. The Community Outreach Liaisons’ primary purpose is to connect the community with government and make government more accessible. Outreach programs include:
• Assisting residents to start or rejuvenate neighborhood, homeowner or condominium associations.
• Connecting neighborhood groups with business associations to work on common issues.
• Helping neighborhood groups participate in the Neighborhood Assessment project. Neighborhood assessments are studies of a neighborhood’s demographic, economic and land-use composition to provide a better understanding of an area’s strengths, challenges and opportunities.
• Providing connections between residents and government services, such as MetroCall 311 and/or explaining how the Inspections, Permits and Licenses Department works.
• Coordinating training. By offering a number of programs to assist neighborhood leaders, such as conflict-resolution workshops and bylaws training for neighborhood associations.
In addition, the Community Outreach Liaisons are currently working to receive professional certification as community builders through the national NeighborWorks America program. NeighborWorks America is a national nonprofit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based revitalization efforts.
To contact Your Community Outreach Liaison please visit the "Contact Your Outreach Liaison" Link or call the Department of Neighborhoods at 574-3380.