Historical March–April 2013 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Skinker DeBaliviere community and the Council had another strong year in 2012.
The Council is fiscally sound, having operated with transparency and within a balanced budget for three consecutive years.
In 2012, we made great progress in developing the community’s Identity and Positioning Plan and securing funding so we could begin the Skinker DeBaliviere Urban Design and Development Plan (see related story). Through its committees and volunteers, SDCC presented more than 30 events throughout the year.
The community celebrated its 20th annual MLK Commemoration in January.
The West End Arts Council sponsored a Youth Arts Workshop with a focus on recycling in June, three terrific and well attended concerts in the summer and fall, and another spectacular Wintermarkt.
The 2012 Homecoming celebration at the Regional Arts Commission provided yet another opportunity for Skinker DeBaliviere neighbors to meet, mix and party; and raised almost $15,000 to support the work of the Council.
In January 2012, the Council promoted Jessica Eiland to Associate Director.
In addition to her many roles within SDCC, she has increased Skinker DeBaliviere’s connectivity to and visibility within the St. Louis community development network. Through her work, our E-newsletter has a new look and a distribution of 550, the SDCC Facebook page has more than 350 followers, our website continues to expand, and we created a new Calendar of Events. Through the work of two Brown School of Social Work interns, Mary Margaret McMiller and Kathie East, we were able to develop and present more than a dozen educational workshops, reestablish the Neighborhood Services Committee, and study the needs of Skinker DeBaliviere’s senior population (see related article).
With the uptick in the economy, Skinker DeBaliviere saw the renovation of a number of its historic homes and apartment buildings.
These important projects also brought new neighbors into our community. And, by partnering with Rebuilding Together, SDCC was able to secure home repairs at no cost for five income-eligible senior families. Major goals for 2013 include the completion of the Identify and Positioning Plan and the Urban Design and Development Plan; and continued advocacy for our seniors and home repair programs. Additionally, the Council will continue the Workshop series to present timely, informational programming; and will continue to support the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, our two Community Gardens, and the Lucier Park Committee. And this spring, thanks to the efforts of 28th Ward Alderman Lyda Krewson, we will see much needed repairs to Greg Freemen Park where so many of our community’s events are held.
We are pleased that many of you are engaged in the activities of the community.
From serving on committees, to volunteering at neighborhood events, to expressing your concerns and offering ideas, to providing financial support – all contribute to making Skinker DeBaliviere such a desirable place to live.
We ask you to join the 2013 Friends of Skinker DeBaliviere Campaign so that the Council can continue to be a vital resource.
A Friends letter is included with this issue of the Times of Skinker DeBaliviere.
Original photograph caption
MLK service. Original caption.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March–April 2013.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2013_02.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
