| City of Roanoke Participates in National Partnership to Foster Diversity and Inclusion |
September 27, 2006
ROANOKE, VA — At a 10 a.m. press conference this morning, the City of Roanoke announced its participation in the “Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities,” an effort led by the National League of Cities (NLC). At its Sept. 18 meeting, Roanoke City Council voted to adopt a resolution to participate in the Partnership. By passing this resolution, Roanoke joins a growing number of cities across the nation in a partnership to build inclusive communities through committed efforts to increase citizen participation and engagement, while promoting equal opportunity and fairness.
The Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities unites city leaders who are working to support such issues as racial justice as well as those who celebrate the diversity of race, religions, and cultures in order to build communities that are accepting and representative of the differences among its citizens. Increased involvement by a wider representation of citizens in governmental activities will also be a hallmark of these inclusive communities. Groups with whom the city already partners for inclusiveness include the following:
• Blue Ridge Independent Living Center assists the city in ensuring local businesses and city facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. They also help by looking at agencies receiving federal dollars to ensure they are in compliance with the laws for accessibility to people with disabilities. The Center receives CDBG funds from the city for use in home modifications for people with disabilities to make their houses more accessible, and works with the city on fair housing issues as they relate to people with disabilities.
• The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a national civil rights organization working to improve race relations, helped put together a special committee who partnered with the city to rename the First Street Bridge as a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• NAACP Roanoke Branch co-sponsors annual job fairs and other events with the city to promote inclusiveness in our community.
• The Roanoke Sister Cities Committee promotes an exploration of cultures with Roanoke’s seven sister cities: Wonju, Korea; Kisumu, Kenya; Pskov, Russia; Florianopolis, Brazil; Opole, Poland; Lijiang, China; and St. Lo, France. The committee works cooperatively with the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County governments; with schools, colleges, and universities; with churches, civic/service clubs, and with community festivals to make a difference.
• The Mayor’s Committee for Multicultural Affairs was established to facilitate the city’s Multicultural Initiative, and assists the city by disseminating information to newly arrived persons from a variety of cultures, to let them know about the services and programs provided by their local government. Committee members have an active role in relaying this information to people in their cultural community and helping to create an awareness of the city’s diversity.
• The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities is a group that helps the city educate our community about the needs of people with disabilities.
• The VOYCE (Valuing Our Youth through Community Engagement) Initiative Committee meets with city staff to gather feedback and assess issues regarding the city’s plan for youth initiatives. They work with the city and other local groups to develop plans and find ways to show our youth that we care.
• The Youth Commission is a group of local public and private school youth who partner with the Youth Services Division of Roanoke Parks and Recreation to develop programming activities for youth in our community. One of the major projects the Commission has undertaken is the development of the city's Youth Comprehensive Plan, which focuses on future programs, activities and funding resources for the next five to 10 years.
The city also has programs in place to promote inclusiveness:
• The Leadership College is sponsored by the city as an introduction to a variety of resources and information available to citizens as they work within the community and with city staff to improve the quality of life and to promote a stronger sense of community. The college is free to citizens and is offered twice a year.
• The Mortgage Assistance Program makes funds available to help low- to moderate-income homebuyers with down payment and closing costs to purchase a home within the City of Roanoke.
• Tax Abatement Program is an incentive program that allows property owners to receive a reduction in their property taxes over a number of years for repairing and rehabilitating older or derelict homes or commercial properties that are showing signs of age or where the property’s value is severely depreciated.
“By joining this partnership, the City of Roanoke is not only reaffirming its dedication to its citizens locally, but its commitment to help build a nation of inclusion,” said Councilman Sherman Lea.
Members of the Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities will:
• Raise awareness and focus attention on the importance and value of inclusive communities;
• Motivate other cities and towns to make a public commitment to building inclusive communities;
• Provide support to local officials in focused efforts around affordable housing, race and ethnic relations, and equal citizen participation in community decision-making;
• Share valuable insights, experiences, and lessons learned among participating cities and towns; and
• Recognize, publicize, and celebrate the work of cities and towns that have joined the Partnership.
As an indicator of its association with the Partnership, the City of Roanoke will erect a sign created by the NLC conveying to residents and visitors the message that we are working to build an inclusive community.
The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 18,000 U.S. cities, towns and villages, which collectively serve 225 million people. |
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