OUR APPROACH
West Lakes Partnership, believes that transformational development is achieved by serving all residents from highest to the lowest economic tiers of our neighborhood. Only through this approach, can our neighborhood truly heal and move forward. We aim to lift the lives of our neighbors in West Lakes by addressing the various yet interconnected aspects of our peoples’ lives.
ART AND BEAUTIFICATION
Traffic Box Art located in the West Lakes community near Camping World.
Our West Lakes Arts and Beautification Initiative is designed to enhance the public realm within West Lakes by adding works of art by local artists to utilitarian surfaces that are often targeted by vandalism. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood identity, turn ordinary spaces into creative landmarks and promote community dialogue. In addition, we undertake street and eyesore clean-ups that improve the aesthetics of the neighborhood. This includes our West Lakes Paint Program which assists qualified legacy residents who have lived in the West Lakes neighborhoods since 2014.
COMMUNITY GATHERINGS
Our Community Connections are opportunities for residents to meet and exchange ideas to make the neighborhood better and stronger. This togetherness and union is what allows social capital to take place whether that be through public or private spaces, or through relationships among the neighbors. As Antonia Malchik says in her book A Walking Life, “A strong sense of community, defined by a quality that in research circles has been termed “social capital.” In other words, neighborliness” (Malchik 43).
Neighborhood Revitalization
"I am a believer in the Majora Carter’s quote that “You don't have to move out of your neighborhood to live in a better one"
— Timothy Ayers, Executive Director
FOOD Sovereignty
Our Food Sovereignty Initiative is a multifaceted set of programs and partnerships which works together to ensure the most vulnerable of our neighbors have access to hot meals and fresh produce. We can't transform the neighborhood unless we lift all boats.
RECLAIMING THE DREAM HOUSINg and HOME OWNERSHIP
Kitchen remodeling at one of our Reclaiming the Dream residences.
Our Reclaiming the Dream Housing Rehab Program provides our neighbors with the opportunity to become homeowners and build generational wealth. We reclaim vacant, abandoned properties, and convert them into energy-efficient modern living homes for new and old residents. We are strengthening our community one home at a time. This includes our Credit Repair Program to get our neighbors across the finish line for a mortgage loan.
REGENERATIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Our Regenerative Community Development Initiative ensures that the physical spaces where our liberation and healing occur, meet our community’s vision for a healthy, innovative and culturally appropriate environment rooted in our history.