Seneca Street Community Development Corporation
Year 4 Plan – 2012

Mission Statement
The Seneca Street Community Development Corporation (SSCDC) partners with the residents and businesses of the Seneca Babcock neighborhood to improve and restore the economic, educational and social environment here. Through partnerships and collaborations, the SSCDC provides opportunities for the entire community to acquire skills that build resiliency and self-reliance, enhancing the quality of life and potential for current and future generations in the Seneca Babcock neighborhood.

Organizational Goals - 2012 Financials   

• Transparent financial system / policies / procedures in place
• Financial yearly plan – includes timely plan for fundraising, grants, etc.
• Recruit volunteer treasurer
  
• Audit of records, standing
• Program budgets created and used
  
  

Volunteer Program

• Database created, updated and used regularly
• Continued recruitment of new volunteers and communication with past volunteers
• Volunteer Handbook Guide created and used for all new and past volunteers (to be used as Program Orientation with new volunteers)
• Volunteer Information  Form revised and collected
  
  

Organizational Communication

• Increase the amount and quality of communication regarding program updates, needs, challenges, etc. to all organizational partners and stakeholders
• Continue production of newsletter “Seneca Street Sentinel” three times per year
• Update website www.senecastreet.org regularly
• Make better use of social media / networking to communicate with partners and stakeholders
  
  

Board Development

• Continue to build and recruit a diverse Board of Directors, hold regularly scheduled SSCDC Board meetings
  
  

Strategic Planning

• Review and revise as needed organizational vision
• Develop short-term and long-term organizational plan: goals / objectives
  
  

Program Goals - 2012 Health & Wellness

Babcock Neighborhood Garden (BNG)

In its fourth year, the BNG and BKG will work towards the following goals:

• Create 2012 Calendar
• Engage gardeners for all 14 of the BNG raised beds and maintain their participation throughout 2011 season
• Apply for relevant grants
• Distribute donated seeds and seedlings to BNG gardeners
• Engage community volunteers in BNG projects
• Develop a sustainable, efficient and effective watering system
• Hold community barbecues during summer 2012
• To continue to form partnerships with area gardening organizations and businesses
  
  

Babcock Kids Garden (BKG)

• To serve as a place of education and inspiration to the youth of the Seneca Babcock community to better understand and appreciate the environment and nature
• To provide green-space to be used as an outdoor art gallery and to include pieces that draw on children’s natural love of whimsy, color and fun
• To work towards partnerships with organizations that serve these goals

Academic Success & Educational Attainment

         Seneca Street Church Afterschool Program

In 2012, the Seneca Street Church Afterschool Program will:

• Register and include 40 K-8th grade community children in constructive, out-of-school-time activities
• Maintain structured homework help/tutoring environment
• Hold parent orientation at beginning of the school year
• Pursue and continue partnerships relevant to the goals of the program (ex.: 4-H, Erie County Youth Bureau, First Niagara Bank, Science Firsthand, Daemen College, Buffalo State College, University at Buffalo, Medaille College, Canisius College, WNY Writing Project, Milkweed Collective, United Methodist Churches, South Park High School, Flexo, Bear Metals, Food Bank of WNY, etc.)
• Provide stimulating enrichment options (ex: Fun Foods Club, Computer Lab, Science Program, Fitness programs, Arts & Crafts Club, etc.)
• Create and update volunteer database
• Implement and maintain “Achievement Trax” program component – collect relevant academic information on each participant throughout the school year
• Apply for relevant grants to support operation of program

 

         Seneca Street Church Teen Program

In 2012, the Seneca Street Church Teen Program will:

• Register and include 10 9-12th grade community teenagers in constructive, out-of-school-time activities throughout the year

 

         Summer @ Seneca Street Church Programs

During the summer of 2012, the Summer @ Seneca Street Church Programs will:

• Register and include at least 100 different community children in constructive, summer-time activities
• Develop and implement exciting, stimulating, quality summer-time programming with an emphasis on positive youth development, encouraging exploration of different interest areas,  and safety
• Pursue and continue partnerships relevant to the goals of the various programs (ex.: United Methodist Churches, Science Firsthand, etc.)

 

Youth Development

       Seneca Street Church Teen Program (see above)

         Job Readiness Program

         Middle School Program: To include -
         * Personality Assessment
             * Understanding Career Options
             * Customer Services Skills
             * Working in Teams

         High School Program: To include -
           Same topics discussed in Middle School Program plus
             * Job Search Techniques
             * How to Network
             * Completing an Application (Paper/Online)
             * Writing a Resume
             * Interviewing Skills
             * What Employers Look for and Expect at Work

         Summer @ Seneca Street Church: Mayor’s Summer Youth Work Program

During the summer of 2012, the Summer @ Seneca Street Church: Mayor’s Summer Youth (MSY) Work Program will:        

• Register up to 15 community youth aged 14 – 21 to be employed as Youth Leaders at the Summer @ Seneca Street Church programs
• MSY Workers will attend two orientations: one provided by the city of Buffalo at City Hall, the other provided by their Work Supervisor at the SSC
• MSY Workers will work up to 20 hours per week over the course of 7 weeks at the Summer @ Seneca Street Church programs