CCI is a community-based innovation ecosystem where residents, businesses, local governments, and academia tackle our region’s challenges. We support civic innovation that leads to a more equitable and sustainable community. |
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Welcoming A New Programs Coordinator |
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We are pleased to welcome Susan Farmer to the team as our Programs Coordinator. |
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Susan has worked in academia, government, and the nonprofit sectors for many years. She believes that education and equality are important factors for a more just society and to our future. She has volunteered in her community to increase voter registration, worked with immigrants to help them receive their citizenship, and participated in environmental clean-ups of rivers and nature preserves. She lives in Crozet and enjoys hiking and kayaking with her dog in her spare time. |
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We recently released a final report, prepared by Allen Lang and Frances Astorian, from a Housing Data Project analyzing the change in Charlottesville's housing market from 2000 to 2019.
The aims of the project are to produce tools to better understand how real estate values have changed and the potential impact that it has had on the local community. By talking to stakeholders, quantifying real estate growth (e.g. sale prices over the past 20 years), and identifying trends in the data (e.g. the areas in Charlottesville where the problem of affordable housing may be particularly prevalent), the project’s analysis can help policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public better understand the problem and facilitate a conversation on how to promote change.
Access the final report and read reflections on the project from one of the authors of the report's authors. |
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Introducing the Charlottesville Action Network |
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During their time working with us, our intern team has put together a new tool: the Charlottesville Action Network Map. This tool is designed to help inform community members, organizations, and innovators of the various existing coalitions in the Central Virginia region working to shape our community. It features a visual map and corresponding database. The CANM will allow users to connect to groups directly and begin forming relationships that spark both change and innovation. This map will allow for the realms of nonprofits, government, academia, and citizens to come together in a way that visually displays all the ways in which we can collaborate as a community. We'd like to extend our appreciation to our wonderful intern team, Donavon, Graham, and Selena. Thank you for your hard work on this project! |
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Intern Donavon Lea reflects on the process The Center for Civic Innovation was founded on the idea that collaboration within the community leads to success with tackling complex problems in our area. CCI believes everyone should have a seat at the table when important decisions and topics regarding the community are being made. Additionally, so many community-based organizations work independently and are often unaware that there are neighboring groups who share the same interests and passions. Currently there is an information-gap that stunts civic innovation, as well as civic collaboration. The Charlottesville Action Network Map (CANM) works to close this gap. |
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Over the past 8 weeks, Graham, Selena, and myself had the opportunity and privilege to discover all the resources available to Charlottesville community members. People are coming together to address environmental issues, racial inequities, economic disparities, homelessness, access to childcare, and so many other issues in which the CCI and Charlottesville Community as a whole are passionate about addressing. With over 300+ organizations in our Network Map, we can connect and build relationships across organizations and increase collaboration efforts. If organizations, or even individuals have innovative ideas on how to address an issue in our community, the Charlottesville Action Network Map provides someone to reach out towards and turn ideas into action. The CANM can be used on a large scale when planning community events or town halls, but it can also be used for smaller matters that are just as important. Through CANM, families can find childcare, a place to ensure where their next meal is coming from, job opportunities, transportation to their job, and even help finding a more permanent home. Just the Center for Civic Innovation, the Charlottesville Action Network Map was created to help and support The Charlottesville Action Network Map empowers citizens to solve problems for their communities, and prepare institutions to respond in a way that ensures meaningful and equitable participation. As this database continues to grow so will our chances and opportunities for success as a community.
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Wondering why you're receiving this email? Over the past several months, our organization has been transitioning from Smart Cville into the Center for Civic Innovation. As a subscriber to the monthly Smart Cville newsletter, we’ve brought you along with us into this exciting new phase in the life of our organization. The newsletter looks a little different now because our name and logo have changed, but you can expect updates on our ongoing projects as well as new initiatives as we step into our new role working to empower problem solvers in our community. |
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