So, I feel like I haven’t blogged about anything related to my project in awhile. Most of my days are consumed by work revolving around the HP Collaborative. Homework, office work, and community work. The first part of our project was to identify youth serving organizations in Highland Park and get in contact with them, letting them know about the Collaborative’s mission and goals. By doing this, we were able to put together a whole directory of organizations interested in being a part of the HP Collaborative. Although it was sometimes frustrating to receive a lack of interest for such a great cause, the overwhelming support was heartwarming.
Next, we have been working on the Age Friendly Community Initiative. AARP created a survey for Highland Park seniors to take to voice their opinions about what needs improved in the community, specifically for the elderly. We have been distributing the surveys at every different retirement home, residential house, and HP event in an attempt to get people to fill out the surveys. It is 16 pages, however, and the seniors aren’t willing to complete something that long most of the time. It seems as though people are always willing to voice their opinions or complaints very openly to their friends or anyone who will listen, but when it comes time to actually do something to make the necessary changes, there is little done. Still, we are working avidly to get these surveys distributed and collected so that steps can be taken to improve HP for people as they age.
Lastly, a list of potential funders for the HP Collaborative programs has to be put together. We are working on contacting large scale corporate funders as well as local businesses to ask what their criteria for funding is so that we may document this for the Collaborative’s future use. After all, without funding, none of these wonderful things can be done for the youth or elderly in HP. There is a lot to be done by the HP Collaborative, and I like to think I’ve helped in multiple areas, enabling them to do the best work they can.
