Allison Brandt, an Urban Fellow working with the Healthy Blocks department writes about a new initiative in Rochester.

“For every negative act someone is inspired to do a positive act.” – youth participating in Positive Tickets
The media often highlights negative events that occur in the city and does not reveal the positive ones. The City of Rochester has recently been trying to emphasize publicly rewarding and recognizing good rather than bad deeds. In 2008, the City of Rochester’s Youth Voice, One Vision embarked on a new initiative of distributing Positive Tickets to individuals for their constructive behavior that help contribute to their community. Various teams made up of youth and adults determine the specific criteria of a positive act before going out into a specific neighborhood together to “catch” community members doing something good. The positive act can be anything from picking up litter to wearing a bicycle helmet to mowing the lawn. If the patrol group finds a person doing something commendable, that individual receives a Positive Ticket, which can include gift certificates, coupons or free admissions to local businesses or youth and family attractions. The ticket also includes useful information about local resources and services for both families and youth. In 2009, the program expanded by encouraging other community agencies to distribute the tickets in their own neighborhoods, helping spread this positive program throughout the city. Results have shown that this program has had a positive impact on both the individuals and the community, as 98% of the recipients felt inclined to do more positive acts in the future. Additionally, it grants the recognized community members a sense of value for their commitments to the neighborhood. The Positive Tickets program has distributed over 390 tickets since its commencement and it will continue to spread its encouraging effect with the help of devoted community members.
This summer, we will be going out into our Healthy Blocks neighborhoods to distribute Positive Tickets to individuals who we catch doing a good deed for their neighbors or community. This will advance our program by encouraging positive behaviors, thus helping create a greater sense of community. Ultimately, we hope this will improve the quality of life for the residents in our Healthy Blocks due to more helpful acts being performed more frequently by neighbors.

For more information about the Positive Tickets program, visit: http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589943605

NeighborWorks^® Rochester’s Healthy Blocks Manager, Katrina Rex explains how to be a great spokesperson for your neighborhood.

The city of Rochester is losing over 2,000 residents per year. That’s 2,000 people who are choosing to leave City neighborhoods, and they are taking their tax dollars with them. This leads to less revenue for the City to provide needed maintenance and basic services.  Some are moving out of state, but many others are finding homes in nearby suburbs. There are several reasons why people leave the City for suburbs like Penfield, Greece or Brighton. Schools are a top concern for those with small children, and the Rochester City School District is struggling to improve graduation rates and student achievement. However, a number of people leave the City because they have the perception that their neighborhood is not worth their investment of time, money and emotional commitment.

1. Focus on the positive.

This doesn’t mean ignore the challenges that every neighborhood confronts at one point or another (eccentric or noisy neighbors, aesthetic differences, petty arguments, etc.) These challenges occur just as often in rural and suburban communities as they do in urban neighborhoods. Instead, emphasize what you value about your neighborhood. Parks, stores, and restaurants all within walking distance. Lovely, landscaped streets. Convenience to 590.  A rich history evident in the diverse architecture. Sidewalks. Public art. These are all things that may occur individually in suburban communities, but rarely do they occur simultaneously as they do in the City.

2. Defy stereotypes.

For some folks, their entire perceptions of urban areas are shaped by TV shows like The Wire and for them, the City is a place populated by criminals and composed of poor neighborhoods.

• Find positive examples
  • What would you say to someone who thought all city neighborhoods were bad? What examples could you give that would change their perceptions?

• Create an “elevator speech”  based on your personal experiences
  • “I like my neighborhood because __________________”

• Be consistent.
  • Think of everyone you talk to as a potential future neighbor. Friends, co-workers, your hairdresser or barber. You never know who is looking to buy a home and will take your opinion seriously.

3. Invite them to visit a neighborhood restaurant, boutique or park with you.

It may not change their opinion overnight, but it could change their view of urban living for the better.

This summer, one of our amazing Healthy Blocks volunteers was honored with the Regional Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership. This is an honor bestowed annually in recognition of outstanding contributions by dedicated community leaders. The awards are named in honor of Dorothy Richardson of Pittsburgh, a pioneer in the community-based development movement. She was the driving force behind the establishment of the first Neighborhood Housing Services resident-led partnership, the forerunner of today’s NeighborWorks® network. Richardson and a small group of her neighbors banded together in a successful fight to save their dying neighborhood. Thus, it was very fitting that Jesse Knoth was recognized with this award.

Jesse Knoth installing solar lights in the Brooks Landing neighborhood as part of a Unifier Project through NeighborWorks Rochester's Healthy Blocks Program

Upon becoming President of the Barton Street Block Club in 2008, Jesse went straight to work. He organized a neighborhood block party in 2008 and 2009 with over 100 attendees. He also organized a street cleanup attended by 20 neighbors (including 10 children)  in 2010. These events can only expect to become larger under Jesse’s continued leadership. These events fall in line with some of the goals of the Healthy Blocks program including increasing community pride, improving a neighborhood’s image, and changing outsider perceptions of city neighborhoods.

Barton Street was used as an example by Rochester Police Department for how block clubs can reduce criminal activity on their street. Under Jesse’s leadership, Barton Street neighbors have been communicating more with each other and the police about suspicious activity in the area. This openness is furthering community involvement efforts in one of the NeighborWorks® Rochester Healthy Blocks neighborhoods. After attending a Community Leadership Institute session in Milwaukee in 2009, Jesse used a Community Leadership Institute grant to encourage healthy food choices among neighborhood youth. He organized a 10 week series of craft days at the Westside Farmers Market. Jesse purchased fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers at the market to provide healthy snacks to neighborhood kids. His goal was to introduce children to fresh foods that they would not have come across normally in their area corner stores. By incorporating locally grown food, Jesse is promoting a green lifestyle to area children and their families.

Jesse continues to work tirelessly to bring diverse groups of people together and strengthen his community. He has built partnerships with the two neighborhood groups Barton Street spans; the 19th Ward Community Association and the Plymouth-Exchange Neighborhood Association. He has also created ties with area businesses such as D&L Groceries, Jim Dalberth Sporting Goods, Stop N Shop, Staybridge Suites Hotel and an area barbershop. Most impressive would be his connection with R Community Bikes. Jesse volunteers with the organization to refurbish donated bicycles for low-income city youth. Using this connection, Jesse organized a bike giveaway for children in the neighborhood to coincide with the annual block party. Many youth have been impacted by this collaboration and encouraged to live a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Barton Street comprises of approximately 80 households. He also recently volunteered to serve a second term as Secretary of the 19th Ward Community Association. The 19th Ward is one of the largest neighborhoods in the City of Rochester and being the secretary for the community association would be a daunting experience for most people. Until recently, Jesse successfully managed all of his community involvements while being a full-time college student. He graduated from RIT with a degree in computer science, but has chosen to pursue a career in community development. He now works for Bridges to Wellness (BTW), a community health initiative in northeast Rochester funded by Greater Rochester Health Foundation. BTW seeks to improve the health of the community by engaging residents to bring about the change they want to see in their community and having fun in the process.

It is with a great deal of pride that we acknowledge Jesse for the hard work and dedication he devotes to his community.