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Draft:Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley

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Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley (PNLV) is a nonprofit organization based in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2007, the organization was established to address intergenerational poverty and to improve educational outcomes for children and families in underserved communities.

History

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Promise Neighborhoods is a United States Department of Education program authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).[1] Predicated upon the Harlem Children's Zone model,[2] the program aims to provide comprehensive programs designed to create opportunities for children, families, and communities to succeed academically, professionally, and personally. The Cradle-to-Career initiatives focus on early childhood development, education, career readiness, and community health with the intent to offer communities and individuals social mobility and long-term prosperity.[3]

Promise Neighborhoods is an Obama administration initiative to replicate the Harlem Children's Zone nonprofit model in 20 cities across the country. [4] [5] [6]The desired goal of the program is to enhance educational outcomes for students in urban and rural neighborhoods experiencing trauma, poverty, and violence.[7]

In the 2008 U.S. presidential election, President Barack Obama advocated for the establishment of Promise Neighborhoods to address poverty. This initiative was a component of the Obama Administration's broader strategy to enhance outcomes and opportunities for children and families through place-based programs.[8][9][10]

A place-based program views a distressed neighborhood as an interconnected system. Instead of solely targeting underperforming schools, the Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods program acknowledges the significance of the entire community in a child’s education. Promise Neighborhoods aim to establish a continuum of services from pre-K through college and career by collaborating with community-based organizations.[11] The goal of establishing partnerships is to offer a range of services, including workshops for parents with young children, in-school and after-school tutoring, mentoring, and community-building programs.[12][13][14]

The aim of Promise Neighborhoods is to ensure that "all children living in a Promise Neighborhood have access to high-quality schools and robust systems of family and community support, preparing them for an excellent education and a successful transition from college to career." [15][16]

Mission and Goals

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Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley is an organization founded in 2007. It was initiated by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.[17][18]

On January 1, 2015, Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley transitioned to operating independently from the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. It became an autonomous nonprofit organization, retaining the name Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley.

Promise Neighborhoods are designed to be community-focused initiatives that rely on the collaboration of residents, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations to alleviate generational poverty and generational trauma through comprehensive social and educational interventions from early childhood through career development.[19]

It is the goal of Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley to collaborate with local schools, community organizations, and government agencies to provide free services and support to community members in the form of parenting workshops, health programs for children and families, youth leadership training, violence prevention training, and community wellness programs.[20] [21]It is the goal of the organization to bring together residents and leaders from diverse sectors to support the success of children from infancy to their careers.[22]

Region

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The Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley (PNLV) serves three neighborhoods from Old Allentown to South Bethlehem to Easton’s West Ward. The Allentown Promise Neighborhood encompasses the nine-square-block area bounded by Hall, 10th, Turner and Liberty streets and is home to roughly 5,200 people. The Easton Promise Neighborhood encompasses the city of Easton's West Ward from 10th to 15th streets. The Bethlehem Promise Neighborhood encompasses two areas of the Christmas City- Census tract 112 on the Southside and also the Northeast's Pembroke Village/Marvine area.[23][24][25][26][27]

Challenges

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Because funding is limited, Promise Neighborhoods face sustainability issues and, as such, will likely need to partner with other agencies to maximize funds. Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley has received funding from both public and private sources, including grants from philanthropic foundations and government agencies to further this initiative.[28][29][30]

The "cradle-to-career" strategy presents challenges for Promise Neighborhoods due to the broad age range it aims to serve. The task of assessing the effectiveness of Promise Neighborhood programs can be difficult since they cater to specific neighborhoods, yet clients may access services outside of those areas. Another challenge in evaluating program outcomes is the mobility of families, as they may frequently move in and out of the neighborhood.[31][32][33][34]

PNLV Programs

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Zero Youth Violence- Zero Youth Violence is an anti-violence program in Allentown, Pennsylvania which seeks to foster hope, a sense of belonging, and agency among residents. Cure Violence is a violence prevention strategy that employs techniques to detect and interrupt conflicts, and provide support to individuals at the highest risk and promote changes in social norms.[35][36][37][38]

Leadership Without Limits- Leadership Without Limits (LWL) is an initiative developed with the goal to empower and support individuals to become leaders within their own communities by way of developing community cohorts, utilizing established leaders and resources within the community as a means of inspiring and cultivating future leaders.[39][40]

HEART- The HEART is a partnership between communities and healthcare professionals for the purpose of improving health care by involving sectors of the community who have historically been excluded from the decision-making processes regarding their own care.[41]

Community Wellness- Community initiatives aimed at enhancing PNLV neighborhoods' surroundings, include programs such as the "Community Bike Works," urban gardening projects, block parties, and beautification efforts as well as home renovations facilitated through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity.[42]

Training- The Parent T.R.E.E. is an educational resource designed to provide parents with information about trauma history and to help them develop trauma-informed skills, restorative practices, emotional intelligence, equity, and advocacy.

References

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  1. ^ "Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)". Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  2. ^ "Home". Harlem Children's Zone. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  3. ^ "Home | Promise Neighborhoods". promiseneighborhoods.ed.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  4. ^ "Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative". The White House. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  5. ^ "Obama Administration Announces Eight Additional Promise Zones to Build Community Prosperity | USDA". www.usda.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  6. ^ Ross, Tracey (September 2014). "4 Things Communities Must Do to Become Promise Zones". Center for American Progress.
  7. ^ "Promise Neighborhoods | Wittenberg University". www.wittenberg.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  8. ^ "President Obama's Legacy of Success: Neighborhoods of Opportunity". Mission Promise Neighborhood. 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  9. ^ Wiley. "Obama's Promise Neighborhoods Initiative". phys.org. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  10. ^ "Obama and Comprehensive Educational Equity". Teachers College - Columbia University. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  11. ^ Gallagher, Megan ; Kumari, Shubhangi (December 2022). "Building the Cradle in a Cradle-to-Career Initiative: Three Opportunities for Promise Neighborhoods to Promote Kindergarten Readiness" (PDF). Urban Institute.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "What is a promise neighborhood". Promise Heights. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  13. ^ "Promise Neighborhood". drexel.edu. 2024-04-10. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  14. ^ "PNI". promiseneighborhoodsinstitute.org. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  15. ^ "Promise Neighborhoods". Urban Institute. 2016-11-07.
  16. ^ Ragland, Christian (2022-10-06). "Social Sector Hero Spotlight: U.S. Department of Education Promise Neighborhoods Program - Clear Impact". Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  17. ^ "PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY SELECTS WEST WARD FOR LOCATION OF ITS EASTON PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD". Easton, PA Patch. 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  18. ^ Ledger, The Valley (2014-10-08). "PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY CONTINUES EASTON PUBLIC MEETINGS IN OCTOBER". The Valley Ledger | Its All About The Lehigh Valley at. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  19. ^ Gallagher,, Megan; Nathanson, Lori; Tatian, Peter; Crocker, Jarle (March 2024). "Making the Case for Promise Neighborhoods" (PDF). Urban Institute.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley - Community Solutions for Health Equity". 2024-03-20. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  21. ^ Express-Times, Jeff Butz | The (2013-04-22). "Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley". lehighvalleylive. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  22. ^ "Promise Neighborhood on Lehigh Valley Discourse". WDIY | Lehigh Valley Public Radio. 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  23. ^ "Upside Allentown Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods" (PDF). Planning PA.org. June 2014.
  24. ^ Ledger, The Valley (2016-05-16). "PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY SELECTS TWO AREAS FOR ITS NEW BETHLEHEM PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD". The Valley Ledger | Its All About The Lehigh Valley at. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  25. ^ "Easton's West Ward is now a Promise Neighborhood". WFMZ.com. March 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  26. ^ lehighvalleylive.com, Rudy Miller | For (2015-03-30). "Easton Promise Neighborhood looks to make connections in West Ward". lehighvalleylive. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  27. ^ "Promise Neighborhoods of the LV delivers 2014 Status of the Promises". WFMZ.com. January 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  28. ^ Katz, Michael; Oneto , Alyse D.; Brody, lana; Bogle, Mary (September 2018). "An Annotated List of Promise Neighborhoods Resources" (PDF). Urban Institute.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ "Lehigh Valley Anti-Violence Organizations Receive Major State Funding | WDIY Local News". WDIY | Lehigh Valley Public Radio. 2024-04-01. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  30. ^ AFRO, Special to the (2024-07-28). "Empowering communities: Fund violence prevention initiatives now". AFRO American Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  31. ^ "Education Grants: Promise Neighborhoods Promotes Collaboration but Needs National Evaluation Plan" (PDF). Government Accountability Office. May 2014.
  32. ^ Joseph, Matthew H.; Connors-Tadros, Lori (August 2011). "Sustaining Community Revitalization: A Tool for Mapping Funds for Promise Neighborhood Initiatives" (PDF). Promise Neighborhoods Institute.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Comey, Jennifer; Tatian, Peter A. Tatian; Freiman, Lesley; Winkler, Mary K.; Hayes, Christopher; Franks, Kaitlin; Jordan, Reed (March 2019). "Measuring Performance: A Guidance Document for Promise Neighborhoods on Collecting Data and Reporting Results" (PDF). The Urban Institute.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ Gallagher, Megan; Fernandez, Emma; Meltzer, Ariella (April 2024). "Keeping a Promise: Case Studies and Annotated Resources for Promise Neighborhoods Sustainability" (PDF). Urban Institute.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  35. ^ "LVHN, Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley Will Use State Grant to Fight Community Violence". www.lvhn.org. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  36. ^ "'The community has the solutions'; Allentown nonprofit celebrates hard-won progress in fight against gun violence". LehighValleyNews.com. 2024-06-26. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  37. ^ Manch, Rob (2024-06-25). "'This work is life or death to us': Local nonprofit focused on reducing gun violence in Lehigh Valley highlights some of its successes". WFMZ.com. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  38. ^ Bresswein, Kurt (July 2023). "Pa. Lt. Gov. Davis visits Allentown on tour to combat gun violence". lehighvalleylive. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  39. ^ Batts, Phyllis Alexander and Hasshan. "Nurturing Context Experts: Building a Network of Non-Traditional Leaders". www.tamarackcommunity.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  40. ^ "Lehigh Valley park gets cleanup from Allentown youth receiving environmental job training". LehighValleyNews.com. 2022-10-31. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  41. ^ "At Promise Center in Allentown, community's health needs met with more than food". The Morning Call. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
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