Flowing Wells Neighborhood Association & Community Coalition

President's Report 2011

We have had a very busy year attending many meetings and events, writing grants and working on projects which bring additional help and money to the Coalition area.  The Coalition has brought into the Flowing Wells area over $23 million dollars since 1999.

 Meetings:

Members of the Board have attended many meetings during the past year, which include 22 Coalition meetings (13 Board meetings and 9 monthly meetings), Thrive In 05, Northwest Area Transportation Coalition, Amistades, Ward III Neighbors, Graffiti Abatement with Dr. Clement, Financial Strategies For Non-Profits, Tucson Police Department, Interstate 10 Updates, Rosemont Mine Open House, United Way, Centennial Sidewalk Project and Water Sustainability Forum.  Some of these meetings are monthly, quarterly or just once.

Ellie spoke to the Senior Meals group regarding the Coalition and at an Amistades meeting regarding our Flowing Wells Safer Project.  Also, she met with University of Arizona Students regarding a Water Study Project, their Flowing Wells community health project, and a Flowing Wells History project.

Events:

Family Fun Day In The Flowing Wells District Park – Northwest Fastpitch 2011 Opening, we rented a jumping castle, had an informational table and sold 50/50 tickets with half of the money going to the winner and the other half going to Northwest Fastpitch.  Also, we had a Horseshoe Tournament and awarded two trophies.

Take Back Meds Events, we worked at three events and provided an informational table at each one.

Alcohol Free Cinco De Mayo Celebration, at Walter Douglas Elementary School, we provided an informational table and a jumping castle.

Kory Laos BMX Park grand opening, we provided an informational table and gave out water bottles.

Launch the Loop Bike Ride, Flowing Wells District Park, we provided an informational table and gave out water bottles.

Family Fun Fair, Laguna Elementary School, we provided an informational table and small toys for the children when they answered a school related question.

Senior Health Fair, Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, we provided an informational table and gave out water bottles.

Tools for Teachers Event, Flowing Wells Family Resource Center, we donated $55.00 for gift certificates from Eegee’s for Party Packs to be given away in a drawing and volunteers.

Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center Holiday Party, we donated wrapping paper, candy canes, toys for prizes and volunteers to wrap presents and work at the party.

Grants:

Community Development Block Grant, Operating Expenses, $5,000, Grant Writer $10,000

Wal-Mart, Laptop Computer for the website Flowing Wells Connect, $1,100

Connecting Communities Foundation, website and training, $519.95

Projects:

Connecting Communities Foundation: Gave us a mini grant to help provide a good resource guide for the Flowing Wells Neighborhood area.  The website will be called Flowing Wells Connects.  It will be set up for elementary school children to use and they can look up information for their parents or grandparents.  This website will be managed by  the Flowing Wells Family Resource Center.

University of Arizona, Dr. Zhao Chen, AzACTIVE Study (Activity and Computer Training in Vital Elders in Arizona) – The Study is designed to revitalize homebound seniors.  It will be held at the Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center.  If you know someone we should contact, notify me via this website.

Grant Writer Community Development Block Grant Fund – The balance of the money ($6,666.68) in this fund was approved by Pima County Community Development and Neighborhood Conservation Department, to be used to keep the Flowing Wells Family Resource Center open during the summer months. 

Marana Health Care Update, they have renamed the medical and dental offices Ellie Towne Health Center and are scheduled to open January 24, 2012.  It is located on the Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center campus.

Laguna Sidewalk Project is under construction and scheduled to be completed the end of March 2012..

Homer Davis Sidewalk Project is scheduled to start construction in 2012.

Centennial Sidewalk Project is in the design stage and scheduled to go out to bid the end of 2012.

Flowing Wells Library, received a folding table and six chairs from the Coalition.  They needed these items and asked if we could help them.

Senior Lounge, Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, needed a folding round table.  We provided them with it along with four folding chairs.  The tables and chairs were purchased with 50/50 money.

Senior Housing Project in Flowing Wells was denied again by the State.  We met with Pete Chalupsky, Community Development Partners, State and County representatives at the property and toured part of the revitalization area.  The new RFP came out and there is no way we can qualify for this funding in 2012.  Pete is still working with the county.

Dog Park Update in the Flowing Wells District Park is under construction and scheduled to be completed in January 2012.

Miscellaneous Items:

Coalition Brochure and Senior Resource Guide have been updated, printed and available to everyone.

Annual Survey was completed by 21 people and we have tried to incorporate some of the recommendations that were suggested.

Flowing Wells Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Plan was updated by the Board and Terri Hutts.

Flowing Wells Community Service Award – This is a new award that will be given to a community member, who provides a service to the community, giving of their own time and resources.  It will not be limited to a certain number of awards per year or even that we have to give an award each year.

Website – The total website hits for 2011 were 10,355.

Volunteer Hours – The total volunteer hours for 2011 were 1,192.

We want to say thank you to all of you that support the work of the Coalition and attend the meetings.  We couldn’t do all of this without you. Also, I want to thank the Board members, Dolores Chenoweth and Terri Hutts for the many hours they have given to the community.

We want to give a big thank you to Supervisor Bronson and the other members of the Board of Supervisors and the many County employees that have helped us during the past year.