Residents can learn how to organize their neighborhoods, protect
their streets and take advantage of local business opportunities
during the Gilroy Neighborhood Academy 2006.
Gilroy – Residents can learn how to organize their neighborhoods, protect their streets and take advantage of local business opportunities during the Gilroy Neighborhood Academy 2006.
This year, the academy is scheduled for three days in March and will focus on ways to keep streets safe in the face of the rising methamphetamine problem, how to identify community resources within distinct neighborhoods, and the businesses environment in Gilroy and how to connect with local leaders.
Art Barron, founder of the Gilroy Eigleberry Neighborhood Association, said he has been a regularly participant in the meetings, both as a speaker and attendee.
“We’re more organized, more connected, so we can network and help each other out, which we do a lot,” he said. By way of examples, Barron pointed out how neighborhood associations came together in 2005 to organize a candidates forum in the run-up to the November council election, as well as a health fair that connected more than 1,000 uninsured and underinsured residents with representatives from 48 health and human services agencies.
Mayor Al Pinheiro, who will present certificates to those who attend all three events, also lauded the program.
“It’s a place where people can get a lot of information and ideas on how they can work in their neighborhoods and make our town a better place, no matter what area of town you are from,” Pinheiro said. “It will be a positive thing for all of us.”
The neighborhood academy is a joint venture of the Gilroy Housing and Community Development, Gilroy Police Department and nonprofit South County Housing.
This year, the neighborhood academy takes place on the following days:
– March 14 – Methamphetamine Crisis: “The unwanted Neighbor ,” presented by Gilroy Police Investigator Pedro Espinoza
– March 21 – Learn about the Hidden Treasures in Gilroy: identifying community resources, presented by FE Moncloa of the University Cooperative Extension; also presentations by various neighborhood associations
– March 27 – Business Growth and Opportunities in Gilroy, presented by Economic Development Director Larry Cope
All seminars take place at the Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna St., between 5:30 and 7:30pm. The meetings begin with a 15-minute dinner and socializing period followed by presentations. To reserve a spot at any of the events, call Community Service Officer Rachel Munoz at 846-0524 or e-mail
rm****@ci.us
.
