Danielle Parker Robinson is a PhD student in the School of Education and CCP Intern working in Lenoir County.
Kinston, NC- A group of community partners have focused efforts to begin work to apply for the Promise Neighborhoods Planning Grant. This grant is a product of the U.S Department of Education and the Federal Government’s efforts to have neighborhoods across the country to resemble the work of Geoffrey Canada and what is known as the Harlem Children’s Zone. Canada is the Chief Executive Officer of the Zone. The zone started in 1997 to serve a 24-block area of Harlem, dedicated to serving children from cradle to college. Today the HCZ serves nearly at 100 blocks. This pipeline effort provides an environment that supports and encourages children to attend college. Parents are given tools for healthy parenting, charter schools have been implemented and results are indicated through a data driven approach. Canada’s story has been outlined on 60 Minutes, New York Times and was the subject of author, Paul Tough’s book Whatever It Takes:Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America.
President Obama , inspired by Canada’s work, has called for the creation of 20 “Promise Neighborhoods” across the country. The President has proposed $210 million for funding Promise Neighborhoods in the 2011 budget.
Community stakeholders in Kinston have come together for 3 meetings thus far to collectively focus on this effort. If the grant is awarded, Partnership for Children of Lenior and Greene Counties will house the grant. Weekly meetings will occur until the application is submitted on June 20th.