Empower North Fairmount with New Hope

Hello, my name is Glimer Davis! I am from a small community named North Fairmount, located on the west side of Cincinnati, Ohio! For the past 20 years, my neighborhood has been left in pieces, meaning we were completely left behind. We have no stores, the parks are unsafe, it's dirty, and most of the houses have been torn down or they are run down!

Over the last 10 years, public transportation has been rerouted, making it an invisible place.

I have always wanted to make a difference, not just in my community but wherever I could! It seems like every time you look, it's something! I have been trying for years to just save a little money here and a little money there, and it hasn't worked out yet!

There is no time but the present time to start! So this is prideful me asking for help to raise funds to obtain property to bring my community back to life, by adding affordable housing and a store!

I am in need of $5000+ to buy land to rebuild on! This is only the beginning!

Enhanced Plan to Raise Money for Affordable Housing and Community Development in

North Fairmount

Overview

This plan outlines strategies to acquire land and develop affordable housing, a grocery store, a library, and a community center in North Fairmount. The goal is to create a sustainable community hub that addresses housing needs and provides essential services.

Objectives

Acquire land for development.

Develop affordable housing units.

Establish a grocery store to improve food access.

Create a community library and center for educational and social activities.

Steps to Implementation

1. Research and Community Engagement

Conduct Needs Assessment: Survey community members to identify needs and preferences regarding housing, food access, and community services.

Form a Community Advisory Board: Include local residents, stakeholders, and experts to guide the project.

2. Fundraising Strategies

Grants:

Research local, state, and federal grants focused on affordable housing and community development.

Target foundations that support housing and community initiatives.

Crowdfunding Campaign:

Launch a crowdfunding platform (e.g., GoFundMe, Kickstarter) to engage the community and raise initial funds.

Use storytelling to illustrate the project’s impact.

Corporate Sponsorships:

Approach local businesses for sponsorships or partnerships in exchange for recognition and advertising opportunities.

Explore partnerships with grocery chains for the grocery store component.

Events and Fundraisers:

Host community events (e.g., fun runs, dinners, auctions) to raise awareness and funds.

Involve local artists and musicians for entertainment, creating a festive atmosphere.

3. Land Acquisition

Identify Potential Sites:

Research available properties within North Fairmount that are suitable for development.

Negotiate Purchase:

Work with local government and landowners to negotiate fair prices and potential partnerships.

4. Development Plan

Engage Architects and Urban Planners:

Collaborate with professionals to design housing, the grocery store, library, and community center.

Sustainable Practices:

Incorporate green building practices and energy-efficient designs to reduce long-term costs.

5. Community Partnerships

Local Nonprofits and Organizations:

Partner with organizations focused on housing, food security, and education to leverage resources and expertise.

Government Collaboration:

Work with local government for zoning approvals, potential subsidies, and support in navigating regulatory requirements.

6. Marketing and Communication

Build Awareness:

Create a website and social media presence to share project updates and engage the community.

Community Meetings:

Regularly hold meetings to keep the community informed and involved, allowing for feedback and input.

7. Program Development

Grocery Store:

Research best practices for operating a community grocery store, focusing on affordability and local sourcing.

Library and Community Center Programs:

Develop programs and services based on community needs, such as job training, literacy programs, and youth activities.

8. Monitoring and Evaluation

Establish Metrics:

Create criteria to measure the success of housing units, community programs, and grocery store performance.

Feedback Mechanism:

Regularly solicit community feedback to adapt and improve services.

Timeline

Year 1: Community engagement, needs assessment, initial fundraising, land acquisition.

Year 2: Design development, securing additional funding, begin construction.

Year 3: Complete construction, open grocery store and community center, launch library services.

Conclusion

This enhanced plan aims to transform North Fairmount by addressing pressing housing and community needs through strategic fundraising, community involvement, and sustainable development practices. With a collaborative approach, we can create a vibrant, self-sustaining community that meets the needs of its residents.