Feb 2016 Newsletter
SAVE THE DATE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ANNUAL MEETING
March 31st, 6-8 PM
Location TBD 
Focus: Developing Resident Leaders in the North of Main
There will be:
*An opportunity to socialize and connect with resident leaders and advisory committee members
*A guest speaker
*An announcement of a ReImagine resident leadership incentive program
*An opportunity to identify and support resident leaders in a variety of settings
In Case You Missed It. 
The Health Foundation of Central Mass awards $450,000 to ReImagine 
The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts awarded the team with a critical $450,000 grant to help support our programming. At the same time, our new Mayor, Stephen DiNatale, served as guest speaker, discussing the ways in which his plans in office align with those of ReImagine.
State Rep Candidates Discuss the Issues at Forum
We were pleased to once again join Fitchburg PRIDE-along with a new partner, the North Central Chamber   of  Commerce-in hosting a forum between Steven Hay and Dean Tran , the two candidates for Fitchburg's State Representative seat. Read more about it here and watch the full event here courtesy of FATV.
PROJECT UPDATES
The ReImagine Holiday Party was a Huge Success!

There were over 200 residents present and it generated really positive feedback. One resident wrote on FB that the holiday party was "one of the best community events I ever attended." The event effectively engaged residents in a couple of the existing NOM mini-grant projects including the Revolving Museum's ArtMobile and Fitchburg PRIDE's Main Street photography project. It promoted development for several resident volunteers who helped out with outreach and running activities at the event. The event also provided an opportunity for the Fitchburg Police Department to connect with residents (props to Lt. Howe and Chief Martineau on their Santa Claus duties!).


Planning for May Clean-Up with Crossroads Church has begun!
May Clean Up with Crossroads Church
This year's cleanup has been set for May 14th. Although the event is still a few months away, a committee-of ReImagine, NewVue, FSU, City and Crossroads staff--has been planning since November! Partners have met, surveyed neighborhoods, and identified potential signature projects for the spring cleanup event.  The Building Blocks team also developed an application for residents and groups to submit potential projects.  We are planning a large kick off meeting tentatively for March 15th: if you are interested in taking part in this meeting, please contact Tom and let him know!
City Begins Implementation of Software Tools
The City has been working with View Point software to build the mobile code enforcement software programs, View Inspect/View Nforce, specific to Fitchburg's needs.  After accepting a gift of $25,000 from ReImagine North of Main, the City is ready to implement this program, and training begins in March. After the training period, code inspectors will become more efficient and the inspection data will become electronic with some enhanced ability to manipulate and report data.  

Partnership with the Harvard Community Development Program
The graduate students from the Community Development Program-a joint effort between Harvard's Kennedy School and Graduate School of Design-created a survey to analyze the effectiveness of the service delivery system as it relates to at-risk families in North Central. As of 02.17, 20 participants filled out the survey, and the team conducted follow-up interviews with 17 of the providers. For next steps, the team will work with ReImagine Staff, and Irene Hernandez of Fitchburg Community Connections Coalition, to analyze the system as it currently exists, and develop a tool that can improve the system of service deliver in the region.
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