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Blake Road Corridor Collaborative (Spring 2010, Vol. 1 No. 1)Academy making a difference By Marsha Partington 43Hoops Basketball Academy is nestled in the Blake Road neighborhood of Hopkins. Hopkins is a first -ring suburb that 43 Hoops co-owner Tom Schuster refers to as the "Mecca of basketball in this state." Tom is business partners with Chris Carr, former NBA champion, whose illustrious career included playing for the Minnesota Timber - wolves, Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics. After talking with Tom, it seemed surpris- ing that these two men met. Despite their shared passion for helping athletes of all ages Road Action achieve their true potential, on the court and off, Schuster was a CEO for Hirschfield Stores and Carr was traveling from gym to gym teaching basketball clinics and motivat- ing youth. Their friendship began when Tom's college-age son Sam was 10 years old. Tom enrolled him in a basketball camp at Concor- dia University in St. Paul. The basketball camp was their introduction to Chris Carr. Schuster was impressed with Chris's mentorship, the respect he garnered from others and his un- canny ability to relate to kids. PLEASE SEE HOOPS, PAGE 4 unveiled By Marsha Partington Residents and other stakeholders met at 43 Hoops in February to hear about the new action plan for the Blake Road Corridor Collab- orative project. These impassioned people were gathered for one purpose — to find out how to create a safe, improved community that could provide opportunities to empower youth. The lobby of 43 Hoops Basketball Academy, a partner in the Blake Road Corridor Collabora- Blake Road Neighborhood News BRCC unveils community action plan PLAN, FROM PAGE 1 tive and host for the meeting, was ablaze with energy as Judy Elling, BRCC Co -Chair, welcomed everyone. The key to success, repeated by many, is resident involvement — 3,500 people live in Hopkins; 200 are home owners and 2,000 are renters. "The strategies to make Hopkins safer," noted Anne Marie Buck of the Hopkins Police, "include enhanced police presence in the area." But the most important com- ponent for safety, she emphasized, is to strengthen the neighborhood so residents and businesses look out for each other. Deb Ukura, representing Hopkins Schools, shared the results of focus group meetings held with parents and more than 700 students. There proved to be over- whelming evidence that this population wants to work for safer neighborhoods, and youth want adult -supervised activities. To meet this challenge, the Hopkins -Min- netonka Joint Recreation Services Depart- ment has agreed to bring programming to Cottageville Park twice a week for children kindergarten through sixth grade this sum- mer. Plans are being investigated to expand to include older children. Convening in small groups and enjoying cake in celebration of this kick-off meet- ing, residents appeared reluctant to leave. The conversation was buzzing throughout the room, and resonated with ideas for how Spring 2010 to move forward. One thing was certainly clear — no matter what your interest, the action plan includes a place for everyone to get involved. Meet new BRCC outreach coordinator RIVERA, FROM PAGE 1 In his current role, Alvaro is responsible for coordinating events and community outreach efforts. He has been going door to door visit- ing businesses, as well as residents on Blake Road, spreading the word about the work in process to build a sustainable community. Alvaro visualizes the Blake Road Com- munity becoming revitalized, just as the Lake Street area in Minneapolis has, with the addition of thriving businesses such as the Midtown Global Market. His image of vibrancy and growth on Blake Road keeps him knocking on doors. When not strategizing revitalization efforts for Blake Road, he may very well be visiting with his children and three grandchildren, exercising, reading or playing guitar. His lifelong focus on helping others im- prove their lives, drives him to do every- thing possible to reach all the stakeholders in the Hopkins area, so the dream of a safe, fun, actively thriving Blake Road neighbor- hood will be realized. For further information, or to find out how you can get involved, contact Alvaro Rivera, 952-279-0287 or alvaro.rivera2@ gmail.com. Spring 2010 Blake Road Neighborhood News Community Action Plan is first step in planning process This Community Action Plan is the first step in the community planning process. Beginning in fall 2009, residents, businesses and community members met to discuss priorities and strategies for ad- dressing issues most important to them. Based on meetings, informal conversations and the Wilder assessment, the plan fo- cuses on three areas: Preventing Crime and Improving Safety; Neighborhood Improve- ment and Development; and Fostering and Empowering Youth. The plan is a blueprint for action, but it is also a living document. Many activities depend on the involvement of residents. Others require raising funds. The following individuals deserve a special thank you for the time and energy they contributed to this plan: Tara Beard, Veronica Bennett, Colin Brown, Chantelle Burgess, Anne Marie Buck, Debra Butler, Ann Davey, Christopher de Alwis, Bobbi Ettinger -Wilt, Garrett Farmer, Destiny Rose Holiday, Carrie Kennedy, Terrall Lewis, Nancy Litwin, Denise McKizzie, Gwen Nordwell, Bayro Omanovich, Jessica Plowman, Ann Seehof, Hildy Shank, Nikki Slatkin, Sharon Terry, Deb Ukura, Aaron Vehling, Lisa Walker, Dr. Rob Ward, Tsehai Wodajo, Sara Woeste, and the Blake Road Neighborhood Youth. The next step is gath- ering community members to implement these strategies. Here are the action items: Preventing Crime/Improving Safety . A neighborhood that is a safe place for all residents and in which residents and I usinesses watch out for one another. . Continued police presence in the Blake Road Corridor. . Improve communication and social interactions among residents. . Improve the physical environment to create safe places. Neighborhood Improvement . A neighborhood where residents and businesses work together to reduce litter, create a pleasing neighborhood aesthetic, and are actively engaged in development efforts to improve livability, green space and access to recreational space. . Reduce litter along streets, sidewalks, residential yards and parking lots. . Engage with the city of Hopkins and Hennepin County to ensure development and infrastructure needs of the Blake Road neighborhood are a priority. . Residents take personal responsibility for beautifying and reducing waste in their home, on their block and in the whole neighborhood. Fostering and Empowering Youth . A neighborhood where youth have safe, clean recreational space, activities that nurture mind and body, and where youth have opportunities to contribute to their community. . Work with all Blake Road youth to develop a sense of community responsibility and ownership of Cottageville Park and their neighborhood. . Adult -supervised activities at Cottageville Park during summer 2010. . Afterschool activities. . Understand existing programs for children and families and work to remove barriers to participation. Communications . Residents, businesses and property owners are informed of neighborhood activities. . Develop effective communication tools to keep residents informed of activities, events and news. . Explore interest in a Neighborhood Diversity Committee. Summertime will be sizzlin' in Hopkins By Marsha Partington Over 50 years of collective experience in caring for and about youth is represented in the two vibrant, passionate women I had the pleasure of interviewing about their roles in summer pro- gramming for the Blake Road Community Collaborative. Deb Ukura, Youth Programs Coordinator for Hopkins Public Schools, and Lisa Walker, Youth Development Program Supervisor, said Hopkins Public Schools will use grants to expand programming with goals of providing support for academic achievement, increasing school connectedness through relationships with caring adults, and ultimately creating an environment for positive youth development. Partnering with Hopkins Minnetonka Recreation Services, summer activities will be returning to the neighborhood. Cottageville Park in Hopkins will be a home to recreational programming for children between the ages of 6 and 12. A new idea called Friday Night Lights, family picnic nights in the park, is being planned. Multiple activities are being offered this summer. Students will receive academic support, as well as have enrichment opportunities. Transportation, breakfast and lunch are provided. Children not need- ing basic skills support, may enroll in a variety of morning enrich- ment options, and then stay for Afternoon REPLAY. REPLAY is a pro- gram offering age-appropriate, interactive, supervised, fun learning experiences. Excited about the prospects for fun when school lets out in June, students have been asking staff since March: "Have you gotten my Photo by Marsha Partington Deb Ukura, Youth Programs Coordinator for Hopkins Public Schools, and Lisa Walker, Youth Development Program Supervisor. form yet?" The form they are referring to ensures their enrollment in REPLAY for the summer. With that kind of enthusiasm, dedicated youth advocates like Walker and Ukura, and committed partner agencies, there seems no doubt that many children will have a sizzlin' summer! 4 Blake Road Neighborhood News Spring 2010 43 Hoops malting a difference HOOPS, FROM PAGE 1 After knowing Chris better, Tom saw an opportunity to make a difference by leaving his job and collaborating with Carr in es- tablishing a permanent basketball venue. Approached by a representative from Hennepin County, they were asked to be part of the Hopkins community. Three years ago, 43 Hoops opened its doors for business. In this economy it is difficult to keep any venture going, but they continue reaching out to neighborhood kids. Their combined fervor to make a difference in the lives of youth fueled Torn Schuster their interest in actively participating with the Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Cor- poration and become resident leaders in the Blake Road Corridor Project, a grassroots effort to build sustainable communities. The Blake Road community has had problems with crime, drug trafficking and poverty. 43 Hoops hopes to help make 915 Mainstreet Hopkins, MN 55343-7515 43 Hoops Basketball Academy 1002 2nd Street Northeast Hopkins, MN 55343-8301 (952) 294-4667 www.43hoops.com enormous strides in rejuvenating the area by sponsoring free court time, snacks and opportunities for building healthy relation- ships. Future dreams include sponsoring teams from the Blake Road neighborhood to play in tournaments and establishing an after-school program. After meeting Schuster and seeing the passion in his eyes, I believe it can and will happen. As I chatted with Tom at 43 Hoops, with the sound of basketballs being dribbled and tossed on the glistening courts behind him, he shared an interesting fact with me. Until he met Chris at Concordia University, he had never heard of him or his brilliant NBA career. Now, as they share their talent and drive to make a difference, they most cer- tainly are "courting" a new career together. 43 Hoops: . Community Fun Saturdays, June 12, 19, 26. 9am-Ilam. . BRCC business owners meeting. June 14. 6:30pm. . BRCC Advisory Committee meeting. June 16. 2 pm West Side: . Crafts Monday, June 7, 5pm 43 Hoops: . Community Fun Saturdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31. 9am-Ilam. . BRCC Advisory Comm. July 21.2 pm West Side: . Crafts Monday, July 12, 5pm 43 Hoops: . Community Fun Saturdays, Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28. 9am-Ilam. . BRCC Advisory Committee meeting. Aug. 18. 2 pm West Side: . Crafts Monday, Aug. 2, 5pm For more information, call 952-279-0287.