Windshield Survey – Promise Heights

Windshield Survey – Promise Heights Boundaries: Are the boundaries geographical, natural, political, or economic? How is this seen? Do neighborhoods have names? How are these identified? Boundaries: Promise Heights is an urban community in a depressed area of a large Midwestern City. There seems to be a lot of suffering throughout its urban streets. Economics: Unemployment rate- 13% overall, 40% teens Median Income- $26,750 for a family of 3 Homeless- 50 people are estimated to be homeless in Promise Heights Housing & Zoning: What is the age of the buildings? What are the construction materials? Are the residences single family or multifamily dwellings? What is the size and condition of the lots? Do houses have space around them? Are there signs of disrepair (broken doors, windows, leaks, locks missing)? Is there central heating, air conditioning? Are there streetlights, sidewalks, curbs, gutters etc.? Housing & Zoning: The buildings are quite of age. The community Church was built over 100 years ago and is in need of some repairs. Housing in inadequate, there are homeless people everywhere that you will run in to. Signs of Decay: Is the area well-maintained or in a state of disrepair? Is the area littered with trash/debris? Are there abandoned cars, political posters, flyers, real-estate signs, abandoned houses, places for rodents or other wildlife to hide, vacant lots? Is the area ‘alive’? Signs of Decay: This area is a very poor-like community. Homeless people are found everywhere on street corners and many of the buildings are in need of repairs. This community has limited resources and food providing inadequate nutrition to these children (FAST Burger) along with unsafe public parks to play. Parks and Recreational Areas: Are there play areas for children and adults? Are they safe and maintained? Who uses them? Parks and Recreational Areas & Common Areas: Many homeless people are found crowding the street corners, at bus stops or at play parks that are unsafe and unmaintained. Common Areas: Where do people collect for social gatherings of all sorts; where do they ‘hang out’? Are they for particular groups or are they open to strangers? Are there signs posted? ^^^ Stores/shopping: Where do residents shop; what stores are there in the area (retail, drug, dry cleaning, etc.)? How do residents travel to them? Stores/shopping: Convenience stores, FAST Burger, Textile Factory, Drug stores/Medical Supply, Pawn Shop, Beauty Salon, Laundromat, Cook’s Restaurant & Bar, etc. Many people travel by bus or they walk from place to place. Transportation: How do most people get around the area? Is there public transportation? If so, in what form? Who uses it? What is the condition of streets, roads, highways, etc.? Transportation: People of the community have to pay to travel to get to work on the daily basis. They people commute through the community bus. The bus stop is near the hospital and a monthly bus pass cost them $72. Sometimes the buses are late, and the citizens are late for work. Communication: Is there evidence of local and national newspapers and other media? Are there informational posters on streets, busses, billboards, etc.? What media seem most important to residents (radio, TV, print, etc.)? Communication: A dated billboard with a depiction of the city, Promise Heights, in better days; it reads “Welcome to Promise Heights…a pleasant place to live. Population 2,500” Human Services: Where are the services for the community located-health care, social services, schools, employment offices, homeless shelters, senior centers, etc.? Human Services: There is a community church, violence shelter, hospital, elementary school, a Human Services center, Police department & Jail, etc. People in the Community: Who is in the area during the day? How are they dressed? Are there animals (pets) with them or in the area? What evidence is there of particular “classes” of people (upper, middle, working, lower)? Is there evidence of homelessness? People in the Community: Most people in the community are homeless and have to pay to travel to and from work and many other places. Homeless people are found surrounding street corners and teens on the streets. Protective Services: Where are fire and police stations located? Is there evidence of police and fire protection in the area? Is it more in one region than another? Is there evidence of Neighborhood Watch programs? Do houses have security systems? Protective Services: The police department & Jail is located in the middle of the town, in between the stores/shops. With this being such a poor community, security is very low to none. Ethnicity: What is the predominant ethnic group? Are there residents from a variety of ethnic backgrounds or is the community mostly one group? Which one? Are there stores, restaurants, churches, schools, or languages that indicate a particular ethnic group(s)? Religion: What churches and church-related schools are in the area? Who apparently uses them and when? How many are there? Of what religion are residents? Do you see evidence of their use other than on Sunday mornings? Ethnicity: Caucasians- 48% Hispanic-16% Health and Morbidity: Is there evidence of any health problems such as drug abuse, communicable diseases, chronic diseases, mental illnesses etc.? Health and Morbidity: There is evidence of violence in this community. There is also over 50% of Promise Heights residents that have at least one chronic illness. The most common are hypertension, depression, alcoholism, diabetes, and heart disease. Politics: Is there evidence of any political activity? Are there any signs that indicate predominant political parties and political concerns? Are there any political campaign posters visible? Is there a headquarters present? Religion: There is a community Church that has a very dedicated and lively congregation. Within the church, there are many outreach activities and parishioners serve meals to the homeless people on Monday nights. This church is the only place of worship in the community of Promise Heights. The membership consists mostly of elderly people rather than the young. Politics: No Windshield Survey Part II I. Describe three strengths of Promise Heights; provide the rationale for choosing each one. Community Strengths 1. Hospital 2. School/Church 3. Violence Shelters/Low Income Programs Rationale (based on what assessment findings?) The hospital provides care for the community using the ER for primary care and urgent/minor issues. Children are able to attend school for education and the community church for outreach. The programs are to protect and impact these individuals. II. Describe three strengths of Promise Heights; provide the rationale for choosing each one. Community Risks 1. Low Poverty/ Income 2. Limited Resources 3. Inadequate nutrition Rationale (based on what assessment findings?) Many homeless people, main commute is a bus for being going to and from work