KEY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE

Why are Community Partnerships working?

1. They are tailored for each community.
2. They address both short and long-term needs.
3. They create shared responsibility.
4. They feed off the synergy of other Community Partnerships.
5. They are managed by the Santa Rita Collaborative which provides capacity, focus and sustainability.
6. They are authentic and represent the true voice of the people.

What do you have after one year?

1. A team of 25 people responsible for building and managing your Community Partnership
2. 100+ people who have completed Education 101
3. 150-200 citizens with the mission and training to bring the rest of the community together to discuss important issues
4. 300-500 citizens who have participated in a community-wide meeting
5. Total of 750 to 1,000 citizens working together to resolve problems and take advantage of opportunities
6. A community seeing its voice in important decisions
7. A list of shared community values
8. Civic involvement from new people
9. Connection to a statewide network of Community Partnerships
10. Local website
11. An attitude of trust and collaboration beginning to become imbedded in the community culture
12. A renewed sense of hope that “we can make a difference”

What happens after that?

1. Reach out and involve more people
2. Continue to energize those people already participating in the Community Partnership
3. Drive the Community Partnership concept deeply into the culture of the community

How are Community Partnerships being funded?

The key to funding a Community Partnership is spreading around the financial commitment. Rather than one organization such as the school district or city having to come up with all of the money to fund its Community Partnership, it works better for a number of community organizations to come together and pool their finances. When the school district, city, library, businesses and other community groups all have a stake in the success of a Community Partnership, it truly becomes a "community partnership".

Note: Two sources of grant money that can be used to fund a Community Partnership are Safe Schools grants and Community Schools grants. For details about how we can help you to fund a Community Partnership, contact wocallaghan@santaritacollaborative.com