RCDC’s Executive Director appointed to JP Morgan Chase’s Community Advisory Board:

• Gwendolyn Relf, CEO/Executive Director was appointed to serve on JP Morgan Chase’s Regional Community Advisory Board (CAB). JP Morgan Chase convened its first C.A.B. meeting of 2010 on March 4th with leaders from various Community Development/Based Organizations to determine the needs of each our prospective communities. Chairman and CEO, Joseph Stewart, along with other leaders of Chase discussed meaningful ways in which JP Morgan Chase can partner with the community. Some highlights of the meeting focused on JP Morgan Chase’s National Philanthropic Platform and working collaboratively to stabilize neighborhoods. Meetings will be held quarterly.

RCDC conducts its 1st Leadership Academy at Grand Canyon University for Canyon Corridor Community Members:

• Utilizing the NeighborWorks America Training Institute’s Building Leaders Curriculum, CEO, Gwen Relf and Community Liaison, Alejandra Romero are conducting a 12-week Neighborhood Leadership Academy at Grand Canyon University for Canyon Corridor Community Members on Thursday evenings from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Leadership Academy attendees are a cross-section of youth, refugees from Bhutan and Berma, faith leaders, and other community residents desiring to improve their skills and become stronger leaders of their community. Some workshop topics covered are: 1. Building Winning Teams; 2. We Got Skills: Mapping Community Assets; 3. Leadership in Real Life; 4. Keeping Cool in Conflict; and, 5. Let’s Talk! Tips for Effective Communication and Leading Great meetings..

RCDC collaborates with Maryvale on The Move (MTM) team promoting opportunities for healthy eating and active living within the Canyon Corridor Community:

• Where children live, go to school, and play can significantly impact their health. Children thrive when they live in communities with parks and playgrounds, grocery stores selling affordable, nutritious food, and neighbors who know them and their families. Without a healthy environment, children are more likely to suffer from obesity and other chronic conditions. To catalyze and support policy and environmental change that promote children’s physical activity and healthy eating a partnership of Arizona organizations (Arizona Children’s Association/Golden Gate Community Center, Rehoboth Community Development Corporation, Wesley Community Center/Amigos Center, Arizona Community Foundation, Arizona State University/Stardust Center for Affordable Homes and the Family , LISC , St. Luke’s Health Initiatives) has been selected to receive a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to reduce childhood obesity by improving opportunities for physical activity and access to affordable, healthy foods. The purpose of the pilot project called Maryvale on the Move (MTM ) is to impact policy changes in the Maryvale community.

The goals for the first year will be to:

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  • establish and strengthen an inclusive, multidisciplinary partnership with strong identity, purpose and mission

  • develop and prioritize MTM goals, initiatives and benchmarks for the project though relevant assessments, data collection and a participatory charrette/planning process;

  • implement, assess and expand upon a walking school bus pilot initiative;

  • implement strategies to improve the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables for WIC program participants.