Community Successes – The Catalytic Impact of SCOPE
Local Environmental Action is resulting as citizen-led committees take steps to achieve five environmental goals for the community. These goals were developed at the Summit for Environmental Action held in February 2008.
- The goals include developing alternate water sources such as rainwater and storm water, offering incentives for low impact development techniques, increasing solar hot water heater usage, attracting sustainable green businesses and expanding transit-oriented development.
- Two committees are developing case studies: alternative water usage with Pelican Cove Condominium Association and an examination of transit oriented development on a section of Bee Ridge Road.
- The solar hot water committee’s work will help create an advisory committee to Sarasota County government and the green business committee is examining the best way to train our workforce for the green jobs of the future.
- Two SCOPE community studies are being used as a resource to the transit-oriented development committee. These studies are Redevelopment & Infill (2004) and Traffic Flow & Congestion (2002)
(Community Report Card)
An Independent Transportation Network (ITN) is becoming a reality in Sarasota. SCOPE was the catalyst that brought the community together to secure funding and file the application to create an ITN affiliate. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is providing start-up funding and Jewish Family and Children’s Service is the lead agency. This service provides local rides to older adults who no longer drive and is sustained by a broad base of income including fees for service, contributions from businesses, individuals and philanthropic organizations.
(Aging: The Possibilities 2008)
The annual Winter Forum on Aging continues to bring together local residents and nationally-known experts in thinking about, discussing and getting active in issues of aging and community. The forum includes prominent guest speakers and participant discussions. The third annual forum will be held in February 2009 and is part of a week of activities entitled “Creating a Great Community for Aging.” As creator of the Winter Forum and catalyst, SCOPE has invited other organizations to develop additional learning opportunities for that week. Past forums have been insightful and thought-provoking for residents, organizations and local government.
(Aging: The Possibilities 2008)
Diversity Awareness workshops are offered to local organizations through “Speaking of Diversity”, a volunteer-powered program. The workshops are a product of the Coalition for inclusion and Diversity (CID). The CID connects diverse communities, provides learning opportunities and mobilizes the talents of community members to promote diversity and tolerance.
(Race & Cultural Relations)
In 2007/2008, high school students helped create Unity Day programs in area high schools and one student is working with other students to form a diversity club. We anticipate more Unity Days in the coming school year.
(Coalition for Inclusion & Diversity)
Emerging leaders develop their personal leadership capacity and connections to decision makers in the community through the Grassroots Leadership Initiative (GLI). These leadership Fellows represent untapped community resources whose voices are being heard. This program was developed in partnership with the Herald-Tribune, the United Way, USF Sarasota-Manatee, and The Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
(Grassroots Leadership Initiative)
The Community Housing Trust formed in 2005 to create a supply of permanently affordable housing for low and moderate income residents. There are now eleven homes in the land trust maintaining permanent affordability. New housing is in development in areas close to downtown on Hatton Street and Blvd. of the Arts.
(Affordable Housing 2002)
The Family Violence Task Force brings together domestic violence shelters, the police and other community partners, to eliminate gaps in the service systems surrounding Family Violence.
(Family Violence 2004)
Public officials increased the efficiency of existing roadways by funding the Advanced Traffic Management System, a comprehensive real-time approach to managing traffic intersections and traffic flow.
(Traffic Flow & Congestion 2002) |
