LISC launches neighborhoods reclamation effort
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- Published on Thursday, 12 July 2012 16:18
- Written by Paul Gordon
An effort to improve conditions in poverty-stricken area of Peoria will start with the South Side and East Bluff, officials announced Thursday during block parties at venues in each area.
The parties were planned to celebrate and kick off the work by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to "mark its commitment to neighborhood rebuilding," officials said in the announcement.
Announcements were made at block parties at Harrison Community Learning Center, 2727 W. Krause Ave., and at Glen Oak Community Learning Center, 2100 N. Wisconsin Ave. that were attended by local dignitaries, civic leaders and by Michael Rubinger, the president and CEO of LISC.
(Photo by Paul Gordon) Michael Rubinger, president and CEO of Local Initiatives Support Corporation's national office, was in Peoria on thursday to launch the group's local efforts to improve Peoria neighborhoods. "LISC exists to help neighborhood become better places to live," said Rubinger, who noted LISC has offices in 31 states through which more than $10 billion have been invested in blighted neighborhoods.
Such investments in improved housing and new businesses, he added, "lead to health and sustainable communities. It's a comprehensive approach" that LISC has been using for more than 30 years.
"We invest in better housing and new businesses. We support innovative educational programs and local access to health care. We help create jobs and make communities safer. And we are eager to get started in Peoria," Rubinger said.
While LISC Greater Peoria selected the South Side and East Bluff to start its local work, it eventually will encompass the rest of the city as well as communities in the Tri-County area. While LISC does have program in rural areas already, Peoria will be its first hybrid urban-rural program, the organization said.
LISC has been selective where it would locate during its history and chose Peoria several months ago because of work put into bringing them here by Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis and other civic leaders. The final decision came after Caterpillar Inc.'s Foundation pledged $3 million to the local neighborhood rebuilding effort.
That kind of commitment is necessary, Rubinger said, adding LISC Greater Peoria will be approaching other local businesses and foundations for additional support. "If we don't engage the business and organizations in the community, it won't work. It won't get done," he said.
Noting the size of the crowd at the Glen Oak announcement, which included many East Bluff neighborhood leaders, Ardis said "excitement in the city is running high today."
Ardis said the city started courting LISC a year ago after researching organizations that help turn neighborhoods around. "They get results," he said.(Photo by Paul Gordon) East Bluff neighborhood children run through a water tunnel outside Glen Oak Community Learning Center during a block party on Thursday. The block party was organized to launch a neighborhood improvement project and includes games and activities for children as well as food and entertainment.
But he and others noted LISC can't do it alone, that it will take involvement by others in the city and other neighborhood groups to get it done. "It's going to take all of us. If we only needed one organization we would've done it already," said State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria. "But Peoria is a place where we can get our arms around issues and make things happen."
And East Bluff residents, added City Councilman Tim Riggenbach, who represents the East Bluff in the 3rd District, "There are a lot of people on the East Bluff who are ready to roll up their sleeves."
That would include Lisa Fisher, president of the Glen Oak Park Homeowners Association. She was sporting a t-shirt that said, "Taking Back Our Neighborhood. We Own It." More of the shirts will be given out to children in the neighborhood by LISC.
The search for the LISC Greater Peoria executive director is still underway, the organization said. It hopes to name its director in August.
As part of the block party celebrations food was served, games and activities for children were set up, including water tunnels provided by Illinois American Water to help beat the heat, and the ELITE Drum Line performed at both locations.
Paul Gordon is editor of The Peorian. He can be reached at 692-7880 or editor@thepeorian.com
