To get to know many people I don’t yet know and to connect
Everyone here can understand what everyone does and how everyone inter-relates
Relationship building time
Feel we are all one partnership
Learn about the partnership and get a sense of direction about my work
Find out about the rest of the partnership and what people do
Take information and share it with my staff
Every person understands we each have a voice and can make our community what we want it to be

Intentions

I am willing to…
Listen to everyone’s point of view
Have an open mind and heart
Share
Learn and give my honest opinion
Listen, contribute, and respect ideas of others
Hold things said as confidential
Learn from people
Support and be supported, feel connected in our work together

WHERE WE HAVE COME FROM: HOW OUR PARTNERSHIP HAS GROWN AND DEVELOPED

Molly Clark, Executive Director, reviewed the development of the partnership

Where we are now: we are like a snake that has outgrown our skin
We do things in three different ways:

Our Human Bank

Deposits of talent, experience, knowledge

Projects

We spend our “human capital” on projects

Measuring our success

Group reflection

We started small and we grew
Have seen many changes, many activities
Becoming a family, first in own immediate family, then we built an extended family and made friends. We are building connections, getting hugs and living longer
We can feel comfortable in this community, can live in the present and feel alive
We have action teams and community celebrations
We influence what people do in the City of Concord and the City is proud to work with us every day
First we came to listen and learn and saw many changes – we became leaders and received much support – we now share information and support others. We feel very positive and our families are very proud of us

THE HEART OF OUR PARTNERSHIP: SHARING OUR STORIES AND EXPERIENCE

Participants shared stories of their experiences with the Partnership. They wrote about their heartfelt connection to the Partnership on paper hearts; these were posted on the wall for all to see.

Hearts

Para mi el programa es mui …… y mi corazor esta aqui por que me dan el espacio de participar para hacer el cambio
Connecting people from the community with various services
I like to be an advocate for the latino community; I love working with women; MCP builds new opportunities
I cam here today to hear all the great things you guys have to say about how to save our community
Improving the health of the community; learning more about Mexican culture; practicing what we preach about “resident-driven” and “asset-based”; learning strategies that will work in other communities; develop partners for our work in community improvement
Involucra a todos los sectores y ofrece ayuda a estos. Deben hacerse proyectos de mas corto plazo con su seguimiento oportuno para evaluarlos mas oportunamente
Helping families find resources to help children positively transition to a school environment
I’m here because I think it’s a good thing what we are doing; I think I would volunteer for as long as I can
the love we share as we grow together; El amor que compartimos mientras que crecemos juntos
I want to be a part of the community’s change for the better. When change happens in individual’s lives, the community changes as a result. MCP is a partnership that makes change possible
Economic leadership; civic integration; First Five education; Heart of the family; leadership; best education; diverse leadership; safe community; housing
I love MCP because it gives voice to residents who otherwise might not be heard; I love MCP because, as an organization, it can be our vice and power in city government, the more people who are involved, the more powerful it is; I love MCP because it celebrates our diversity and multi-cultural experience and helps all of us enjoy working and living together; I would like MCP’s participation to be even broader and more diverse, reach more people and businesses; I would like MCP to help create a community center in the Monument
Helping people in the area we live, feeling good and kind and helpful
Oportunidades; el liderazgo; exitos; la union hace la fuerza; seguridad en nuestro vecimdario
Helping to make the Monument Community more walkable and healthier for everyone; to make friends and allies
MCP gives people hope and a voice, a place to come together with others who want to change things; MCP needs to be proactive in addressing the violence and racism in our community
Seguridad para mi familia y comunidad; mejorar la educacion para padres latinos; tomo guiar a nuestros hijos por los caminos correctos; informarnos nuestros derechos como personas Latinas
I love the potential of the Family Resource Network but need additional Hosts and Lead Partners; I really like the way residents, city, county and community agencies are working together; MCP model “rocks”; keep the progress moving forward
Seeming community residents, agencies and government work together collectively with (mostly) mutual respect
I am here to help make the community a better place and I’m here to volunteer
I am here because I meet new people and love working with the community
Conocer masa aprender cooperar; Feliz de conocer que haya un grupo de personas que se preocupen por mi comunidad; Pienso que es bueno el programa pero hace falta que mas personas conozcan de Monument Community Partnership
Caring people, things get done
Health task force; community; First Five Center; Education task force; salud!
Being able to help the community
I love working directly with the residents, they have so much to offer!! I love feeling like the bridge and the connection point between residents and community. I would like to see a Volunteer Action Team developed with all the wonderful youth we have in the Monument Corridor
Basis of the passion: God loves people, cities, strangers and especially the poor. To come out of poverty people need….English language skills. People are held back by illiteracy. Being God’s person, I want to help in my skill area: words and language. So I am passionate and committed to do what I can to love the city by helping as I am able
I feel good about MCP activities to be able to learn
Hola mi nombre es Fabiola y mi experiencia a sido incredible en MCP. He recibido ayuda de todos los programas. Empece con Primeros 5 y despues Monument Futures y cuando tuve un problema. Donde a mi hermana le quitaron a de sus hios. Esta organizacion fue la mas grande “ayuda” de todos los programas. Fue como si en ningun momento estuviera sola, Gracias; Creo que es momento que todos los programas se amplen porque el cupo de algunos ya es limitado
To learn and get a better education. To help others who need education and to be part of something good and big. To help the community grow.
Getting involved requires action and I chose to start with me
I am impressed with how MCP supports and empowers its community, who is mainly immigrant, to participate and better their families, themselves and their community; my best friend in the 2^nd grade moved here from El Salvado and I have a family in Bolivia whose son moved to the U>S. seven years ago and they are in my heart here. Estoy impresionada con MCP y como apoya y da poder a su communidad, mayormente imigrante, para participar y mejorar sus familias, ellos mismos y su communidad. Mi mejor amiga en 2^nd curso vino con su familia aqui de El Salvador. Tambien tengo una familia en Bolivia cuyo hijo major vino a los EEUU hace 7 anos. Ellos estan en mi Corazon aqui.
Le doy las Gracias a la Senora Ruth Rodriguez por la organizacion del (Liderato de mjueres) el cual he aprendido que no por ser mujer debo quedarme callada. He aprendido abrir mi Corazon y expresar lo que siento saber escuchar. Otia de las cosas muy importante es que en el cuidado de los ninos he sabido, escuchar a mis hijos tenerles mucha paciencia y saber escuchar sus opinions respetarselas y darles buenos consejos; Uno do los proyectos que me gustaria es que en los parques hubiese un poco mas de seguridad para podernos reunir con nuestra familia. A los primeros 5 les agradesco todas las actividades que hay para nuestros hijos
A more refined system of measuring progress. How are we doing? how do we know?
People helping people, caring for children as well as the elderly
It is a very nice group in the area of Concord, California
That our members some day soon become elected to city council – and city employees
Sentir la coneccion con mi nueva familia con diversidad de culturas
Accountablity. I’d like for the community to be more involved with holding the organization / MCP accountable for their ultimate decisions. Communication. Realy as much information as possible, factual and emotional, between organization and community. Provide options to stay and prosper
I am here to meet new people, make friends and have lots of fun
So where I live is a good neighborhood
It is my duty to serve the community. It is my privilege to work with the residents, organizations and businesses that from the MCP, to participate in projects that improve community life
Por amor a mi comunidad me gusta estar involucrada en diferentes grupos y saber a donde acudir por ayuda
Hope for Monument Future; human capacity; environmental improvements; better health of residents; center where all can meet!
Teamwork is very important to me; I love working with Mary Lou’s Senior Action Team
Quiero aprender cosas nuevas para mi familia y mi comunidad
I was very moved by the Monument Futures program – the integrity, pride, and resourcefulness of the members. I was happy to have the opportunity to contribute to this program
Hope and opportunity
MCP allows me to unite with people that are sharing their unique skills to empower others; we offer each other a place of belonging
I am here because I get to meet lots of people and I have lots of fun
Help immigrants improve their lives; to learn how to help others; be a helping hand to the ones in most need; learn about community, local and county level politics and organizing
Real community participation; find creative ways of fundraising
To see people succeed and improve their lot in life
I want systems to better serve individuals, youth and families
My daughter never went to pre-school but right now she is an A++ student at her school in Kindergarden and all the credit for the A++ goes to the hard work and programs at First Five Centers; thanks a lot to the “First Five” MCP
Seniors are given the opportunity to participate in cross-cultural activities; children see a healthy active community; people have avenues to find solutions to problems; person to person we can affect change; the idea of a Human Bank is really working; we can all be a part of the joy and celebrations in our changing city; happiness; hope

OUR HUMAN BANK: WHAT WE BRING TO OUR PARTNERSHIP

Participants worked in small groups to brainstorm the talents, knowledge and skills they possess: their “human capital.” Each group’s work is separated by asterisks.

Software / computers
Web site design
Humor
Management skills
Motivation
Organization
Listening, talking
Network of people
Sharing, kindness, respect
Ambition
Translation
Event coordinating
Mobile Health Clinic
Personality (amiable, friendly)
Decorate
Loves to cook
Bilingual
Artist
Hospital resources
Connection to schools
Organizational skills
Sewing
Knows how to play instruments
Quilting
Being happy
Learning skills
Knowledge of computers
Knowledge of built environment / community planning
Writing grants
Entertainment connection
Love to eat
Likes to help others
Knowledge of children
Driving skills
Service oriented
Developing skills (learning)
Punctual
Social
Gardening
Spiritual
Read
Dancing
Video game skills
English classes
Listening to music

*******

Improving in cultural competency
Elder issues
Speak French
Youth substance abuser problems
Women in leadership
Know how to partner
Early childhood education
Domestic violence education
Public administration
Use computers
Design computer program
Translation
Community knowledgeable
Mental health and health
Members from all age groups
Grandparents, parents, children
Spiritual support
Good interpersonal skills
Art skills
Lemonade out of lemons – squeezing skills
Think out of the box
Facilitate
Critical thinker
Connections with providers
Cook
Eat
Multi-ethnicity
Cultural awareness
Carpenter
Inspector
Minister
Language skills
Counseling skills
Passion for community
Love strangers
Hugging skills
Learning skills
Organizing events
Running projects
Asking for money
Great community input
Know how to invest
English major
Good in crisis
Foster parenting
Criminal justice
Organizational skills
Support group
Empathy skills
Singing
Salsa dancing
Managerial skills
Write grants
Honestly evaluate mistakes
Listening skills
Buy house
Psychotherapy
Teaching ESL
Adapt to reality
Know how to work with schools

******

Persistent / determined
Persistente / insistente
Fast learner
Aprende rápido
Willingness to take leadership
Actitud de liderazgo
Problem solver
Resolver ó ayudar eb=n revolver problemas
Positive
Positiva
Fighter
Luchadora
Hard worker / dedicated
Trabajadora dedicada
Flexibility
Flexibilidad
Receptive
Receptora
Risk taker
Toma riesgo
Courageous
Valiente
Sense of humor
Humorismo
To be bi-lingual / bi-cultural
Ser bilingue / bi-cultural
Good singer
Buen cantante
Helper
Ayudante
A bridge between worlds / cultures
Un coneción entre mundos / culturas
Accounting / auditor
Contador / auditor
Arts & crafts
Artesania / artes manuals
Teacher
Maestra
Diplomatic
Relacíones publicas
Rediscovering roots
Recaptor los raíces
Listener
Escuchadora

******

Cooking
Child care skills
House cleaning
People person
Good communicator
Bilingual
Good writer
Good problem solver
Organizational development
Computer skills
Good management skills
Good budget skills
Good team player
A facilitator of change
Good teacher
Good dancer
A good leader
Cooking
Leadership skills
Political skills
Teacher
Good voice / speaking skills
Good connections
Volunteering
Math
Good at being a friend
Good helper

******

Manicure
Pedicure
Beauty salon – salon de bellezza
Give shots – inyecciones
Cook – cocinar
Teaching / tutoring
Helping people with special needs
Patience
Cooking healthy: Indian food, Peruvian desserts / postres, jarocha
Teach to read / tells stories
Sales / EBay / entrepreneurial
Fútbol - soccer
Organizing trips – organizer viajes
Motivador
Physical conditioning
Leadership
Bilingual / bicultural
Poetry – poesia
Basketball
Bartender
Baila, cumbia, salsa
Knows lots of people – relaciones publicas
Basic computer skills
Enjoy music
Sew – coser a máquina
Makes a good: shrimp cocktail, tamales a masa, pastels
Latin American studies
How to start a business – empezar un negocio
Basic financial planning – planificación financioro
Good housekeeping – amar la casa excellentemente
Eager, willing, ready to work – tiene las ganas de trabajar
Event planning – planíficación de eventos
Makes hamburgers – hamburguesas
Translator – traductor

******

Sewing
Design clothes
Connections to people in city / county / government / nonprofits
Bilingual
Know local geography and history
Can manage a restaurant
Geriatric caregiver
Sing
Paint – art
Interior design
Teach
Love to help people
Cleaning
Event coordinating
Organized
Loud and / or outgoing
Projecting voice
Bargain hunter
Young mother – energy, learning every day, flexible
BRAVE
Eucharistic minister
Fabric painting
Fix cars
Babysitting
Computer skills
Gardening
Dancing – Folklorico
Multi-taking
Public speaking
Cutting hair
Troubleshooting
Taking care of pets
Aware of current affairs
Writer
Get $$

******

Resourceful
Good teamwork skills
Bi-lingual
Open, flexible in working with a community I don’t know much about
White water rafter
Design gardens in spare time
Strong advocates, especially for children and education
Practical
Knowledgeable about health
Connections to politicians
Fast typist
Good salesperson
Empathy for people
Can talk / communicate at all levels
We know the Monument like [picture of two hands]
Good thinker, strategic and realistic
Leadership skills
Computer skills
Play guitar (some)
Good dancers
Have staff I can assign to work on projects
Talent to create, design and carry out projects in a timely manner
Good cook
Good motivator of people
Passionate
Sense of humor!
Good at talking to bureaucrats
Helping groups focus in meetings
Relationships with funders
Writing skills
People person (many of us)
Connections to county, community organizations
Funds $$ to share
Connections to school district
Like to help
Have own housekeeping business
Cosmetology
Translation and consulting business
Volunteerism

OUR PROJECTS: WHAT WE CAN DO IN PARTNERSHIP AND OUR VISION OF SUCCESS

Participants chose a group to work with to discuss one of five projects. The groups identified what success will would look like and what human capital is needed.

Transportation

Brackets [ ] indicate human capital: people and agencies who can help with a particular part of the project

Artist [Francisco]
Reduced fares [Gerry Witacki Schools’ principals – Gary McHenry]
Bike lanes – wide, safe [Ken]
More Spanish information / other languages [Martha]
Shuttles go further[County Connection / Transportation Action Teams]
More para-transit [Gerry W., CCEG / AAA Trans.]
Shuttle pick up for children [Gary McHenry]
Seamless transportation transfers – no waiting [Gerry M L]
Bus shelters [County Connect, Terry House]
Bike trails
Shelters / benches
Bus safety / waiting safety [Gerry Adrianna]
Marsh Creek Detention folks continue to make benches [Terry House]
More speed bumps / street safety [Adrianna, Mark Deven, Beatrice]
More bus ambassadors (helpers) [County Connection Residents training]
Special lighting at street crossing [Mark Deven, Police Dept.]
Traffic light beepers for blind [City of Concord Transportation Dept.]
More seats on busses for students [County Connection TAT]
Stroller space on busses [County Connection TAT]
Shorter waits between busses [County Connection, TAT, AAA Transportation Comm., CCEG]
Promote car pooling [TAT – NATS]
Weekend shuttle service

Safe Community

Challenges / Opportunities

No gang activity
No prostitution
Less men loitering in the streets
Less loitering / drinking in public
No assaults on laborers
Decrease in all violent crime
Decrease in domestic violence
Healthy activities on streets
Collaboration (residents, law enforcement & schools) to protect children off campus
Increase neighborhood watch
After-school / after-hours activities for youth
Overcome fears associated with reporting crime
Students and parents feel safe with attending neighborhood schools
Collaboration to focus on outcomes
Establish service centers
Support the Resource Network and its connection with safety
More discussion / information re: gang issues
Address substance abuse
Promote safe, affordable and quality housing
Provide more leadership from the Faith Community

Human Capital

Leadership in Faith Community
Residents, property owners
Schools
Police
Local government (city)
Health Dept.
CBOs – AOD, STAND, New Connections, Family Stress, Catholic Charities, AA, Al Anon

Redevelopment

Sidewalks
Pedestrian friendly
Landscaping
Lots & buildings not used
Bulk food that is affordable
Farmer’s market
Community events – ongoing
Active business association
Market study: what we have, what we need, what we want
Common theme

Color – vibrance
Banner program
More art – public

Timed traffic lights
Living trees
Evidence of community buy-in – business and property owners
Walkable community
Variety of restaurants – open & accessible, with ambience
CLEAN
SAFE
From mess to folkloric
Mercado – movable stalls
Business organized – merchandise selective to new business
Organize property owners

Skills & Talents Resources

Communicating with property owners (more resources needed)
Needs assessment – residents, property owners (need resources time & people)
Investors conscious
Structure
Information about opportunities to make a plan (time)
Information about moveable markets – models that have worked in the past (research skills needed)
Realtors & lenders – creative financing
Joint investment strategies
Financial education
Research – successful development projects in the Bay Area – bringing business owners into
Someone with design experience – urban design
Organize landscapers and businesses to use what we have available instead of going outside
Skills are available but we need money to pay for time and resources

Healthy Eating Active Living

Bike lanes
Little parks and playgrounds
Activities for all
Exercises classes
Grocery
Streets and sidewalks encourage walking
Permanent craft co-op
↓ fast food
↑ good healthy restaurants
Places to walk
Farmer’s market every 10 blocks
Place to do active things with niños
Cut portions in restaurants & cheaper
Change school menus to lower calorie meals
Schools encouraging eating balanced meal

Human Capital

$$$ - Walkability workshop; Kaiser Health; Redevelopment
Residents and business owners to design
Advocates on City Council and Planning Commission
Engineers who know how to do this
Place / space to do this
Residents knowledgeable about health and exercise

Parent and Youth School Leadership

Exito como lo vemos / How we see success

When a parent calls the school within the 24 hours
Parents have input in school events
Having a monthly meeting where they share success and progress in academics and other areas of their children’s education
100% estudiantes han pasado los examenes necesarios para pasar a un grado superior. Los padres nuevos en a escuela conocen y aprenden acerca de como funciona el sistema escolar
Todos los padres estan involucrados 100% en la ayuda escolar de sus hijos
todos los padres de familia estan pendientes y apoyan a que todos los ninos en edad escolar esten asistiendo a la escuela
Todos los ninos en las escuelas usaran un uniforme unico
todos los etudiantes que estan aprendiendo ingles si tienen integrados a la escuela independientemente de su habilidad para hablar ingles
Todos los padres conoceran acerca de programas educativos para apoyar el exito academico de sus hijos

§ Todas las eslueas entenderan, y respetaran las caracteristicas culturales de las familias y estudiantes de diversos paises

Todas las escuelas desarrollaran programas de prencion que ayuden a que los jovernes se desarrollen saludablemente y tengan exito
Todas los padres pe familia conocen y entienden su responsabilidas en el exito de sus hijos
Padres y maestros trabajian en colaboracion para asegurar el exito academico y personal de los estudiantes a ensenar y reforzar valores y morales de los estudiantes – ensenar el valor practico de los conocimientos (illegible) caracter de los estudiantes
Todos los estudiantes pasaran de un nivel escuela media – a secundaria de manera exitosa. Desarrollar planes para apoyar la transicion de una escueia de un nive a otro
Todos los ninos con formas de aprender cuentan con los progamas y recursos para tener exito
Aumentar el nivel y cantidad de estudiantes que se graduan de educacion secundaria 90% de todos los estudiantes se graduaran
Todas las esuelas contaran con servicios de apoyo (consejeria tutoria, salud mental) de calidad Y culturalmente apropiados
Re-asignacion en areas designadas para las escuelas

LEARNING TOGETHER: HOW WE KNOW WE ARE SUCCESSFUL

Participants chose one of five interest groups:

Resident leadership
Economic development
Education
Health & well being
Housing

The groups discussed how they will know when they are successful in these areas. This was an exercise in sharing and understanding and no notes were taken during this discussion.

GOING FORWARD: TRYING OUT THIS WAY OF ORGANIZING MCP

The full group agreed to try out this way of organizing Monument Community Partnership for the next six months and expressed interest in a further retreat in six months time.

CONCLUSION, NEXT STEPS

Molly Clark explained that progress updates will be shared over the next six months by the facilitators and leaders of the different action groups.

Facilitation and note transcription: Quinlan Gaston Huey Associates: 415-499-1050, gastonhuey@eartlink.net