Mondamin Presidential Association

*Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods*

What is Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods?

Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods (TBN) is a holistic community development initiative that seeks to mobilize a coalition of community partners that will transform a distressed neighborhood, so that residents and stakeholders can enjoy a higher quality of life. It is funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

The Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods initiative is broken up into two phases: the planning phase and the implementation phase. Within the planning phase, each pilot area must form a coalition that is dedicated to transforming the target area. They will develop a Neighborhood Action Plan that outlines an investment strategy aimed at improving the quality of life in the target area. At the end of the planning period, each site will submit their Neighborhood Action Plan as an application for the implementation phase of the project. If that phase of the project is funded, each site will be eligible for up to $500,000 dollars in grant money and $500,000 in social investment capital to use as a catalyst in carrying out the Neighborhood Action Plan. A 10:1 match is required for these funds; thus the overall investment strategy will include plans for an $11 million investment.

?“Holistic community development initiative?” for Des Moines?

Traditionally community development/neighborhood planning in Des Moines has consisted primarily of housing, infrastructure and physical planning aspects. While those are important aspects of overall quality of life, this initiative aims at expanding the scope of planning. This initiative is designed to encompass the wide range of issues that neighborhood residents face. This could include youth activities, employment, housing, parks, services for seniors, etc. This initiative allows neighborhood stakeholders to determine what issues most affect them and what solutions make the most sense for their particular neighborhood.

In December of 2006, Des Moines was one of four communities across the country that was awarded the opportunity to participate in this initiative. The target area for this initiative includes the King Irving and Mondamin Presidential neighborhoods. The two neighborhood associations along with eleven other partners have joined together to form an initial coalition. As interest in the project and as needs are identified, the coalition will grow to include all interested stakeholders. This coalition will work with the neighborhoods and additional stakeholders to develop the Neighborhood Action Plan by November 2007.

Six priority areas for King Irving and Mondamin Presidential were decided upon through a community meeting earlier in the summer. Those priorities are: Crime and Safety, Youth, Neighborhood Pride and Perception, Housing, Community Center, and Employment. A subcommittee for each of those priorities has begun working on developing a plan for how to improve the existing situation in the neighborhoods for their particular priority area.

Who is the project lead?

The City of Des Moines, in partnership with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, is the lead organization for coordinating this project. The plan will be generated with the input and guidance of a variety of stakeholders, most importantly the neighborhood associations and the neighborhood residents. With the use of the planning grant funds, the City of Des Moines was able to hire a Coalition Coordinator to help facilitate the planning process.

This coalition coordinator for the Des Moines' King Irving and Mondamin Presidential nighborhoods is Sadie Hildebrand. Her contact information is below.

Email us
srhildebrand@dmgov.org

Links

Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
City of Des Moines Community Development Department