place matters Covington has successful first year

The Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington has released a report on the first year of their place matters program, and so far it's been a success.

place matters, an initiative of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati that also includes the Cincinnati neighborhoods of Avondale and Price Hill, is a highly-targeted program that improves communities through evidence-based human service interventions and proven community development strategies.

In the first year, the program has led to upgraded housing, large-scale planning initiatives, community organization, a community learning center pilot program, and a middle school mentor program.

Of the $67,865 mini-grants awarded, over $150,000 has been leveraged in cash, donations, and volunteer hours.

"One of the best things about place matters is that we are working with investors to create a different way of working together," says Rachel Hastings, director of neighborhood housing initiatives for the Center.  "We are all working to improve the community as directed by residents.  This signifies a real, and hopefully lasting, change in the funder-nonprofit relationship.  This is the best way to effect change and push the needle in our urban communities."

Hastings says that she sees place matters making a real difference in the coming years.

"As the relationship between investors and agencies continues to evolve, I see more collaborative efforts to effect big-picture, systemic change," she says.  "Also, I believe that we will see more folks choose to live and stay in our place matters neighborhoods as more folks look to urban living and a real sense of community belonging.  It makes you wonder why anyone would want to live in the suburbs."

A report on the Center's year two goals will be completed in the next couple of weeks.

"I believe we are working toward a successful project," Hastings says.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Rachel Hastings, director of public housing initiatives, Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington
Photography by Scott Beseler