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History of the Strong
Neighborhood Action Program
The first SNAP grant was awarded to the Jackson Place Community
Council, which demonstrated the best overall plan and met the goals
of SNAP. These goals are to increase safety and security, as well
as to improve the quality of life for private and business residents
in the community. The submitted proposal addressed the following:
Increase Safety/Security
- English and Vietnamese block watch programs were implemented
with support from the Seattle Police Department.
- Identification kits (bar code ID stickers) were distributed
to each resident.
- Smoke detector vouchers were distributed to residents, which
allowed a household to obtain two free smoke detectors for their
home.
- Fourteen new streetlights were installed to provide a safe and
pleasant walkway through the heart of the Jackson Place neighborhood,
where criminal activity once prospered.
Improve the Appearance of
the Neighborhood
- Tree circles were cleared of trash and planted with a variety
of flowers and small plants.
- One hundred and ten trees were purchased and planted in parking
strips throughout the neighborhood.
- A tool bank was developed and provides household, yard and painting
tools that will be available to members on a nominal fee basis.
- A program was put in place to improve the appearance of houses
and assist residents in painting their homes, allowing neighbors
to be reimbursed up to $400 in paint and painting supplies.
- A celebrated local artist designed a public art piece that will
provide neighborhood identity.
Increase Resident Participation
in Community Activities
- Fifty volunteers from the community conducted a massive spring
clean-up in April, with Seattle Solid Waste Utility providing
free trash pick-up and local businesses providing food and beverages.
- A vacant lot was leased from a local business to provide the
community with a P-patch. Volunteers cleared and fenced the area,
installed a tool shed and compost bin.
- The community council rented a room in the Japanese Language
School to provide a place for meetings, workshops and a working
area. Volunteers cleaned, painted, refinished floors and purchased
supplies to provide a working space. The office is used daily
by staff and provides a computer, phone (including answering machine
with a "Jackson Place Information Line").
- A monthly newsletter is published and distributed to every home
and business in the Jackson Place Community. The newsletter provides
information about SNAP projects and how to get involved.
Improve the Quality of Life
- A needs assessment survey was conducted to obtain an understanding
of problems in the community and provide guidance in planning
community programs.
- An outreach worker was hired to work with residents who required
special needs. Such work included coordinating crime prevention
meetings in Vietnamese, publishing a resource book of local service
agencies and city departments, and troubleshooting neighborhood
problems.
- Jackson Place Community Council was host to three celebrations
during the grant period. The parties brought residents together
for a positive social gathering.
- Three family film festivals were held during the summer months.
- Workshops were offered to the residents of Jackson Place and
in most cases included a Vietnamese interpreter. The workshops
were held at the Jackson Place Community Council office and included
topics such as gardening, composting and soil preparation.
- A Red Cross Baby-sitting Certification course was offered free
of charge and each graduate was asked to volunteer to baby-sit
at one general meeting of the Community Council. The name and
phone number of each graduate was maintained in a pool at the
council office and used as a referral for residents.
Grants Home Page
Strong Neighborhood Action
Program
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Grants
Sample Projects
Rating Criteria
Contact Information
Introduction to NW Insurance
Council
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