COLUMBIA, S.C. – A Bold New Initiative to Strengthen Community Connections!
Columbia is lighting up the community engagement scene with an exciting new initiative designed to bring people together and spark connections in some of the city’s most struggling areas. The city’s leaders are diving in, determined to make a real difference, one block at a time!
Meet the Enthusiastic Team Behind It
“We are going to partner with our community leaders. We are going to partner with our neighborhood associations. We will make differences in our communities through this initiative,” said Trevon Fordham, who is spearheading the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. His words underscore the city’s commitment to creating a vibrant and engaged community.
The city is rolling out the ‘4 Block’ Promise, aimed at fostering growth and engagement through collaboration with faith-based partners. The plan? Simple! Local program partners will host community events, provide exciting volunteer opportunities, and work together on safety and engagement initiatives. It’s all about coming together for greater impact!
Why Faith-Based Communities?
Fordham emphasized the potential of local faith-based communities in this initiative. “Usually, individuals go in and out of our places of worship, two, three, or four times a week. They get refilled. They get recharged,” he shared. This ties into an important point: while city officials may not see a lot of these individuals in city meetings, their presence in places of worship is a golden opportunity for community engagement.
With an impressive 1,300 religious institutions sprinkled across the city, Columbia is tapping into a vast reservoir of potential partners. However, the city plans to tackle areas with the highest levels of violence before expanding its reach.
Bringing Down Crime Together
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann weighed in on the positive outcomes of community collaboration. “When we know collaborating is working: Crime, violent crimes down. Shootings down. Auto break-ins are down. Why? Technology, training, and collaboration — the things that are happening now,” he explained. By teaming up with these faith-based organizations, the city aims to enhance these results further!
So far, five churches have joined forces in this exciting initiative, with notable participants like Gill Creek Baptist Church, Eau Claire Baptist Church, Temple Zion Baptist Church, and Reformation Lutheran Church. Together, they are committed to making a mark in their communities.
Community Challenges and Responses
Pastor James Woodley from Gill Creek underscores the importance of collective efforts. “When I think about faith-based initiatives, I think about all the churches coming together, working towards a common cause,” he said. He also highlighted key issues like crime rates, affordable housing, and access to grocery stores facing their community, recognizing the substantial challenges that need to be addressed.
Pastor Woodley shared a critical vision with the community in mind: “How can we be an imprint in the community in which we live?” He wants everyone in the neighborhood to not just know about the church, but to connect with its mission and efforts. “If you ask someone what church is in that community, we want them to say, ‘Oh, Gill Creek’s in that community!’”
A History of Community Involvement
Gill Creek has already set forth initiatives to engage their community through activities like community feedings and hurricane relief efforts. Their involvement in this new initiative is an exciting expansion of that work. “We are the hands and feet of the gospel…the best sermon is not heard, but the best sermon is seen,” Pastor Woodley said enthusiastically.
Next Steps for Columbia
As this initiative continues to develop, Columbia city officials are looking forward to the next twelve weeks. They plan to meet with faith-based leaders to draft outreach plans that will truly resonate within the neighborhoods sorely needing attention and support. Everyone is buzzing with anticipation about how collaborations can bear fruit in the community.
So, Columbia, are you ready for a block party of engagement? With an enthusiastic team and a solid plan, there’s a lot to be excited about as this initiative unfolds!
