Community: The Structure of Belonging

Excerpt of the Welcome from the new second edition of Peter's book "Community: The Structure of Belonging."

The Church and Proximity

How St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Westerville, Ohio created a new narrative for itself and been radically shaped by the community in which it lives and serves.

Restorative Practices: A Toolbox for Turbulent Times

Transcription of John and Peter's May 8, 2018 conversation with Thom Allena about his work in getting justice out of courthouses and into neighborhoods. Thom is a community and organizational psychologist who for nearly thirty-five years has worked in the fields of community and restorative justice, applying creative approaches to respond to crime, violence and group conflict. In Thom’s community justice work, citizens are invited to play active rather than passive roles in determining the shape of justice and become more directly involved in redressing the quality of life issues that are breached by crime.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR the Open Streets Summit 2018 in New Orleans!

The Open Streets Project is partnering with Walk Bike Places and the City of Gretna to deliver an educational Open Streets Summit in Gretna and New Orleans, from September 15-16 2018. Summit Description The Summit will feature a behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program, as well as breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and a World Café with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. The Summit will provide inspiration and practical tips for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters from public health, transportation, planning, public space, and policymaking fields....

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Open Streets Project Revamped

The Open Streets Project has undergone some changes over the last year. We bid a sad farewell to project co-founder, the Alliance for Biking & Walking, who are moving on to other things, and we happily welcomed a new partner, international Open Streets leader 8 80 Cities. We are excited for all the possibilities and energy this partnership will bring.

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JPMorgan Chase Brings Entrepreneurs of Color Fund to Chicago

JP Morgan Chase is teaming up with LISC, Accion and Fifth Third Bank on an investment effort to support the growth of minority-owned businesses on Chicago’s South and West Sides. LISC’s Maurice A. Jones joined Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, to announce the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund—a model built on the bank’s similar efforts in other cities--as well as related support for small business mentoring. "This work is about catalyzing opportunity so that everyone—no matter their race, or zip code, or family background—has the chance to contribute to Chicago’s prosperity, and to share in its benefits as well,” Jones said.

LISC Buffalo Names New Executive Director

LISC is ramping up its economic development work in Buffalo under the leadership of an new executive director, Julie Barrett O’Neill. O’Neill is a local expert in urban planning and sustainability and will take the helm of the 20-year-old LISC Buffalo program beginning in September. She replaces Michael Clarke, who retired earlier this year.

The Real Stories Behind the Unemployment Story

An article in The Guardian examines the full and complex story behind the nation’s jobless numbers as it plays out in Kansas City. LISC’s Financial Opportunity Centers are highlighted as a partial solution to egregious rates of unemployment among African Americans, helping people to become “net cash positive” and to build plans that are “inspiring to them,” says LISC CEO Maurice A. Jones.