This past Spring and Summer I had the fortunes of working with amazing people at the Allentown Promise Neighborhood. Part of my work included helping them visualize the many parts that go into their services. The visual below provides insight into part of their vision. Clear goals, support from partners, and evaluation measurements are just SOME of the crucial moving parts to their efforts. More detail on the organization and some recommended reading below!
The visual is an acrylic painting on canvas with rough edges, approximately 6 feet x 4 feet in size, with permanent marker and my new favorite – grommets, for hanging.
Allentown Promise Neighborhood pipeline of services
I thought I would include a photograph of the process and a few close up photographs.
Process and Details
Allentown Promise Neighborhood (APN) is making the world a better place. Essentially, in my words, they facilitate understanding between people – both individuals and groups of people – empowering them to learn and lead. Currently part of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, the initiative has built momentum. The people behind APN are some of the most passionate people I have met – and they are working hard. I was lucky to work with them. Their dedication to the value of ‘service’ is impressive. This group brings more than a program, beginning with a nine block square radius in downtown Allentown. APN brings a coordinated web of services and supports of resources for children to graduate from high school ready for college or a good job. It is a powerful collaboration of residents and an array of community organizations, doing “whatever it takes” to ensure that all kids and families succeed.
Their efforts are similar to that of Geoffrey Canada‘s Harlem Children’s Zone.
I can’t recommend enough the book ‘Whatever It Takes‘ by Paul Tough. Tough’s work in education is to be followed. However, this book is about more than education, it’s nearly the archetypal hero’s story, a one man’s journey with highs and lows, a statistical look at change efforts, a documentary of a breakthrough idea turned real, and a good business read. I’d recommend at least checking it out on the web. Enjoy!
