Columbus Park

Walking Columbus Park on a cold December day, one can’t help but notice traces everywhere. Traces of a once vibrant Italian American community. Traces of their continued legacy of prideful fellowship and service. Traces of the influx of Vietnamese American residents. Traces of looming big budget developers knocking on the door. Even traces of the snow that fell a few days prior. Traces that suggest that this was, is, and will likely always be a community defined by transition.

GB

Afternoon in Ivanhoe

My first extended period of time spent in Ivanhoe after 2.5 + years of living in Kansas City [ no excuse offered ] was both rewarding and eye opening. Statistics shared about housing and graduation rates absolutely floored me. Causing even more pause were personal stories shared by Chris Jehle. [ A kid was really murdered in that driveway, right there, because of a argument over a lawn mower? ]

A common theme from our guests seemed to be “ownership” or the ability to get people to “buy in” to what you are doing or trying to accomplish – listening and responding to your stakeholders. Margarget May made it clear that previous and continued success of the INC’s efforts was this feeling of prideful ownership and active involvement.

After, reflecting on the work of people like Chris Jehle, Margaret May, Airick Leonard West, and many others (often volunteers) in that community and communities around the metro, one can’t help but question the importance or relevance of the work we do. “Is this reviewing this submittal really that important?” Maybe. Maybe not. I’ll offer up it can’t touch what people are doing in Ivanhoe or Oak Park, or the Northeast every day.

Perhaps the real challenge is to find ways to make what we do every day half as important or impactful on some level as the work of our January guests.

GB

IVANHOE

First, I have to thank Brad for his post. I was happy to see that my message about posting to the blog came across LOUD AND CLEAR and exactly as I had intended it--and with a very flattering photo to boot. Kudos to Brad.

Visiting the Ivanhoe neighborhood was very eye opening. I am impressed by Chris Jehle, Margaret May, and Airick West for the work they are doing in the neighborhood. Some of the social issues seem insurmountable. There are also a lot of economic issues that drive what types of business can survive in the area. Architectually, there is a lot of opportunity in the area.

Chris Jehle talked about trying to gain community involvement to start to effectuate change. To me, an even more basic and fundamental component of society that is lacking in the area is family structure. I don't think communities can be strong unless there is a foundation of family structure. I thought it was interesting how he explained some of the dynamics that affect neighborhood. Grocery stores in the neighborhood face a lot of challenges.

In my opinion, Airick's "Be One" campaing is heading in the right direction. With the lack of family structure, getting adults involved in each young person's life and providing multiple possitive role models is really key. I think it is great that the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is working to clean up the nieghbor and rehab housing. I am very impressed by the efforts of all those people working and fighting to turn this neighborhood around.

January - Hope Center / Ivanhoe

BRAD MARKS - PILLARS 0809

hook 'em up

the january session located in the ivanhoe neighborhood yielded the best sandwhich in kansas city - a "hook em up" from the M&M Deli. not the most in-depth post but it is funny how something as simple as a cheese sandwhich will keep me returning to a neighborhood i might not otherwise go to.

November - Art of Team

Pillars creation.