Winter 1995
A Community Coordinator can be an Activist
By Charlene Price-Patterson
During the past five months I have fought back more tears than ever in my entire life — tears of joy, hope, sadness, frustration and gratitude. The tears are a direct result of my position as community coordinator of The Charlotte Observer’s “Taking Back Our Neighborhoods” project. I would not trade my position with anyone.
The goal of this civic journalism project is to focus on crime — and its solutions — inside some of Charlotte’s most violent neighborhoods. Together with our media partners, we take this effort into the homes of thousands of viewers and listeners.
The Observer’s role is to get people to reach out and meet the needs in their own communities People in need and people who can help — I help them connect. It is a difficult process.
Working as a consultant on this project, I walk a fine line between journalist and activist. I act as a liaison with the residents, the media, the United Way and citizen volunteers. Although I occupy a desk in the Observer’s newsroom, I have helped organize hundreds of hours of community meetings and activities. Unlike a newspaper, radio or television journalist, I can reach out to help. If I see that a community leader needs training to be an effective leader, I can help make it possible. For a journalist, that would pose a conflict.
Adding a community coordinator to this project was a brilliant idea. I can get involved with residents on a different level from the four reporters assigned to the effort. I can establish lasting relationships, gain trust and work to bring positive change to devastated neighborhoods. A journalist must maintain a professional distance. There may, for example, come a time when one of the reporters covering the community has to become a civic watchdog and write an investigative story about a resident. I won’t ever be in that position.
No Road Maps
As community coordinator, I have charted a course with no road map to follow. It is a daily challenge. I have to recognize how far to go as we work with each community. There are some waters I dare not tread. For instance, I should never be in a position to influence who leads the community or what direction they should take. If I know a person needs a job, I don’t act as an employment service. I can act as a referral to agencies that can help. I try to connect the community with contacts and services that will help them feel more empowered.
On the project itself, I handle two specific duties. For each neighborhood that we profile, I organize an initial planning meeting with community leaders, residents, the media partners and the United Way. I also compile a list of needs in each community to give readers specific ideas of how to help Charlotte “take back its neighborhoods.”
The planning meeting gives us an opportunity to hear directly from a community’s residents. In each of the four communities we have profiled so far, the planning meeting was key to our success. The reporters got leads for their stories. The United Way identified agencies that should attend a resource fair to be held later with a town meeting. WSOC-TV’s producer started planning the panel for the town meeting. And I started gathering ideas for a list.
Next comes the town meeting itself with the United Way Agency Resource Fair. As community coordinator, I handle the details for that event. That includes arranging child care, refreshments, transportation for those attending, and preparing handouts, hanging signs, and even knocking on doors to publicize the event. When I go door to door I remind residents that the only way this project can work is with their participation. This is a crucial role a journalist could not fill.
After the town meeting the reporters get into full gear. I can sometimes offer insights and help find residents to interview. I also suggest story topics and interview subjects to our broadcast partners. Before publication of that neighborhood’s story, I supply United Way with a comprehensive needs list, including contact names and numbers for each need listed. Readers will be urged to call a United Way number and the volunteer center coordinator will direct the caller to the appropriate contact.
Media-blitz sunday
About two weeks later, we have “media blitz” Sunday. The Observer publishes a front page package about the specific community. Included in the five-page news package is the needs list. Both radio stations air half-hour public affairs specials between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. That evening, WSOC airs a special half-hour program. A United Way panel of volunteers takes calls from viewers who want to help.
As community coordinator, I work from The Observer that evening contacting some of those who have volunteered. In a follow-up story the next day, we turn the spotlight on some of those who have responded and republish a smaller version of the needs list. The lead reporter writes a follow story that highlights actions public officials and volunteers plan to take. Also on that Monday another reporter writes about a success story in a different community where citizens are already taking back their neighborhood.
With four neighborhoods profiled so far, our list of volunteers has climbed past the 500 mark. Now my task is to work with the United Way, following up to be sure volunteers were able to connect with the person or effort they chose to assist.
Results have been encouraging. A local bank will help make possible a new recreation center for the Seversville community. An Army Reserve unit teamed up with residents to help clean up the Commonwealth-Morningside community. In Wingate, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department tore down a building that had been a problem for years and is working with a local church to establish an after-school program. And thanks to a volunteer seamstress, the Steppers drill team had new uniforms for a Thanksgiving Day parade.
As community coordinator, I continue to cultivate relationships in each of our communities. The residents know they can turn to me for support. This, again, is a role a journalist can’t play.
In the coming months The Observer will revisit each community. We have a sincere desire to leave communities feeling more empowered. That’s part of our goal and it’s one of the most important roles of the community coordinator.
