Community Needs Assessment Project Recommended Strategies for Improvement

Flintridge Foundation 2007 Community Assessment Project Recommended Strategies for Improvement The community focus groups and local studies used in the Flintridge Foundation Community Needs Assessment included suggestions and recommendations to alleviate three key community concerns: Education Financial Security Family and Community Violence

Flintridge Foundation 2007 Community Assessment Project Recommended Strategies for Improvement: Education The quality of education provided by Pasadena Unified School District has been a community concern for several years.  Provide services to support literacy, language acquisition and English Language proficiency.  Provide academic and social enrichment opportunities in the school setting before, during, and after school, including the arts, music, sports, special interest clubs, tutoring, etc.  Promote parental involvement and guidance so that youth stay focused on getting good grades, graduating high school, and pursuing higher education or job training.

Flintridge Foundation 2007 Community Assessment Project Recommended Strategies for Improvement: Education  Provide youth with leadership development opportunities to build communication skills and self-esteem, and encourage their participation in governance systems and community affairs.  Promote effective communications between the school district and community around equity in education.

Flintridge Foundation 2007 Community Assessment Project Recommended Strategies for Improvement :Financial Security The availability of decent jobs and affordable housing are critical issues in Northwest Pasadena and Altadena.  Provide job training opportunities for youth and increase the availability of decent jobs with opportunities for growth for both adults and youth.  Promote business practices that lead to job training and job opportunities, in both professional and vocational fields, for hard-to-employ and underemployed populations including youth, emancipated foster youth, and young adults.  Expose youth to different jobs and careers, including exposure to the wealth of businesses and resources available in Pasadena.

Flintridge Foundation 2007 Community Assessment Project Recommended Strategies for Improvement :Financial Security  Increase the supply of adequate and affordable housing, particularly for families with children, and ensure the availability of safe, clean and sanitary housing.  Support services that address the root causes of homelessness for women and children.  Facilitate access to high quality, affordable child care for all families who require it, either in their own neighborhoods or near their workplaces.

Flintridge Foundation 2007 Community Assessment Project Recommended Strategies for Improvement: Violence & Safety Family and community violence exact a toll on the physical, emotional and financial well being of individuals, families, and the community as a whole. Promote:  parental involvement in their children’s lives.  A sense of belonging and opportunities for youth to connect meaningfully with a caring and engaged adult (e.g., mentoring, role models). Provide :  enrichment opportunities for youth, including exposure to different places, cultures, and environments (including nature).

Flintridge Foundation 2007 Community Assessment Project Recommended Strategies for Improvement: Violence & Safety Provide:  summer youth employment opportunities so that youth can be engaged in productive activity.  skill and job development opportunities for youth as well as vocational training in marketable skills/trades that build on young people’s interests and aptitudes (e.g., cosmetology, car mechanics, music production, fashion).  communications training for youth and parents, including conflict resolution.  parent education  opportunities for youth to engage in sports and arts at no/low cost.  resources to prevent alcohol and drug abuse, and adequate treatment.

Flintridge Foundation 2007 Community Assessment Project Recommended Strategies for Improvement To view the Community Assessment in its entirety or for additional information, please visit our website: