COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS

AVOID THE SINS OF THE PAST BY GETTING 

MEANINGFUL INPUT FROM MARGINALIZED PEOPLE

A city cannot simply state it wants its planning to reflect the community; it must commit to making community engagement easy for diverse audiences.

“Provide a meal, have childcare, have translation/native speakers — have it at times that are best for the community,” said Artie Padilla, DRIVE Initiative Director for the Central Valley Community Foundation.

“You have to have an informed community by providing on ramps to learning for our residents. You also should pay stipends to participants.

We have a saying here — NFL — No Free Labor.”

Neighborhood leaders strategizing on how to recruit 400 residents to an event.

Padilla said businesses used to get tax credits or other incentives simply because they promised to create jobs.

Now people are asking during the planning/land-use entitlement process, “are they full-time with benefits, are they good jobs, and are they going to be sustainable?”

In South Fresno, large distribution centers are still being built, Padilla said, but now a community benefits agreement uses a portion of revenues to fund infrastructure improvements in surrounding, previously neglected neighborhoods.