Celebrating New Lighting at Palomino Park | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2753 | Neighborhood Services | | 5/22/2023 11:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2753/Newsroom_NSD_101.png | | Celebrating New Lighting at Palomino Park | <div class="ExternalClass5532AE4B98064DC9AEBF63003983B0BC"><html>
<p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">The Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of 38 new LED lights at Palomino Park. </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"><br></span></p>
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<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">In partnership with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, NSD invested nearly $390,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to install new lighting, ensuring the parking lot, walkways and ball courts are safe, well-lit environments. The lighting project will also provide added safety benefits to neighboring facilities including Palomino Primary and Intermediate Schools and the Metropolitan Phoenix Ed Robson Family Branch Boys and Girls Club. </span>
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<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">The City recognizes that enhanced park lighting is a high priority for Phoenix neighborhoods and is investing nearly $2 million in park lighting this year.</span></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
Project Haven Construction Kickoff | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2747 | Neighborhood Services | | 5/15/2023 9:00:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/d0BYthyhH6U | Project Haven Construction Kickoff | <div class="ExternalClassA7CE6B80797B4C62A5105B798014938D"><html>
<p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>The City of Phoenix, in partnership with Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), is celebrating the start of construction at The Haven, a new facility that will serve as a first option for individuals experiencing homelessness over the age of 55 years old. The Phoenix City Council awarded $4 million of CARES Act funding to CASS for the renovation of the old Phoenix Inn to create The Haven, which will support approximately 170 seniors at a time. </p>Learn more about the City's Office of Homeless Solutions and efforts to address homelessness at phoenix.gov/solutions <br><br>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | Video | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
Neighborhood Services Director recognized as one of the Most Admired Leaders for 2023 | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2745 | Neighborhood Services | | 5/10/2023 8:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2745/Newsroom_SpencerAward.png | | Neighborhood Services Director recognized as one of the Most Admired Leaders for 2023 | <div class="ExternalClassA90EFB67BB94457895801668B24EC5BC"><html>
<p>City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) Director, Spencer Self, will be one of 25 outstanding leaders to be recognized and celebrated at <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/event/169151/2023/most-admired-leaders-presented-by-arizona-bank-and-trust" target="_blank">Phoenix Business Journal's 14th Annual Most Admired Leaders event</a> on May 11 at the Phoenix Art Museum. The honorees were selected based on their contributions to the community, as well as their integrity, values, vision and commitment to excellence. </p>
<p>Along with his leadership skills, Self's collaborative mindset and commitment to improving the quality of life in Phoenix are attributes that have earned him a coveted spot in this year's roster of professionals. During the pandemic, his strong connections with local agencies helped support the City's efforts to quickly launch the Coronavirus Relief Fund Utility, Rent/Mortgage Assistance Program, which provided emergency assistance to eligible Phoenix residents experiencing financial hardships. As a result, NSD successfully distributed more than $29 million in Federal funds that assisted more than 6,000 Phoenix households with rent/mortgage and utility assistance. </p>
<p>“I am truly honored and humbled to receive this recognition," said Self. “My accomplishments are a reflection of the amazing team I have the opportunity to work with in <a href="/nsd" target="_blank">Neighborhood Services</a>, the support of community leaders who work tirelessly to better their neighborhoods, and the environment of excellence at the City of Phoenix."</p>
<p>Self was named NSD director in 2018 and currently is the youngest director to lead a city department in the City of Phoenix organization. He leads a team of about 200 staff members, who work to preserve and improve the physical, social and economic health of Phoenix neighborhoods through a variety of community programs. He oversees a $35 million budget, which includes the proper disbursement of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, as well as other Federal funds for housing rehabilitation and loan programs, and neighborhood revitalization programs. </p>
<p>Under his leadership, NSD will continue its mission to preserve, enhance and engage Phoenix neighborhoods to create a community with strong infrastructure, neighborhood cohesion, desirable appearance, safe environments and access to programs and resources. </p>
<p>This year's 25 Most Admired Leaders come from very diverse backgrounds and industries, ranging from nonprofits and financial institutions to medical institutions and local government. They will be honored at a special event at the Phoenix Art Museum sponsored by Arizona Bank & Trust. <br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
Historical Society Unveils Mural Thanks to Neighborhood Grant | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2725 | Neighborhood Services | | 4/13/2023 6:45:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2725/20230407_121607.jpg | | Historical Society Unveils Mural Thanks to Neighborhood Grant | <div class="ExternalClass00EE359CB53A425099F36FDB785900C8"><html>
<a href="https://sunnyslopehistoricalsociety.org/" target="_blank">The Sunnyslope Historical Society</a> unveiled last week a bright and eye-catching mural on their building, bringing smiles to passers-by.<br><br>With grant funding assistance from Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department's (NSD) Love Your Block Program, members of the Sunnyslope Historical Society commissioned <a href="http://elitheartist.com/" target="_blank">local muralist, Eli Faria</a>, to create an art piece that features a large garden of yellow sunflowers, with the famous “S" Mountain in the background on one side of the Sunnyslope Historical Museum building. <br><br>“The meaning behind choosing the sunflowers was to signify the resilience of Sunnyslope," explained Rene Blain, a member of the Historical Society. Sunflowers are hearty plants and represent loyalty and longevity. “Many people may not know this, but (Sunnyslope) was actually here before Phoenix." <br><br>During a small unveiling presentation, Phoenix Councilwoman Debra Stark of District 3 thanked the Historical Society for their commitment to keeping the spirit of Sunnyslope alive.<br><br>“(The Society) really does so much to keep the history (of Sunnyslope) alive," Stark said. “This is one of the most special places in the entire city of Phoenix. I don't know what it is about Sunnyslope, but it is magical," she added, a sentiment she shares with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. <br><br>Blain hopes the new mural will make <a href="https://sunnyslopehistoricalsociety.org/about-us/" target="_blank">the Sunnyslope Historical Museum</a> a landmark for people to visit to learn more about the rich history of the area. Founded in 1989, the goal of the Historical Society is to preserve and educate the public on the history of Sunnyslope and its significance in the history of the city of Phoenix, but getting residents and visitors to stop by has been a challenge. <br><br><a href="/nsd/loveyourblock" target="_blank">NSD's Love Your Block grants</a>, supported by the <a href="https://www.gilariver.org/" target="_blank">Gila River Indian Community</a> and <a href="/publicworks/zero-waste" target="_blank">Phoenix Public Works</a>, allowed the Sunnyslope Historical Society to propose this art project as a fun and creative way to promote its Museum and attract the locals, young and old, as well as visitors. The Historical Society was granted $5,000 last summer, which was used to hire Faria, an artist beloved by this Sunnyslope community. In his art, Faria invokes his great influencers – Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Pollack – but also injects inspirations from graffiti artists and street art he's seen throughout his young career. What Faria came up with is a mural that's very Instagram-able, with vivid colors that can be easily spotted from the road. <br><br>This is Faria's fourth completed mural in the Sunnyslope area. His past works include the mural for Norton Vista Neighborhood Association, located on the corner of Hatcher and Cave Creek, also funded through the Love Your Block program, and the mural inside the Sunnyslope Youth Center as part of the grant from the Netflix show, On My Block. <br><br>With his art, Faria “hopes to inspire the minds of the youth, invigorate our culture and give back a little beauty to this world."<br><br>Visit the Sunnyslope Historical Museum and check out Faria's sunflower mural located at 737 E. Hatcher Road. <br><br>Check out <a href="https://fb.watch/jU3-9FDjA8/" target="_blank">the video</a> and visit the Sunnyslope Historical Museum to check out Faria's sunflower mural located at 737 E. Hatcher Road. <br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
City of Phoenix Seeks Feedback On Code Enforcement Policy | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2706 | Neighborhood Services | | 3/27/2023 5:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2706/Newsroom_NSD_007.png | | City of Phoenix Seeks Feedback On Code Enforcement Policy | <div class="ExternalClassA175F501D81843B18148A8289BA0AA5A"><html>
<p>The Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) is hosting community outreach meetings to provide an overview of its <a target="_blank" href="/nsdsite/Documents/NPD%20Documents/Code%20Enforcement%20Policy.pdf">Code Enforcement Policy</a>, outline the possible updates for consideration by the Phoenix City Council and gather comments and feedback from the public. Code enforcement covers items such as weeds, debris, and zoning violations on private property. The Code Enforcement Policy was adopted by City Council and grants NSD the authority to enforce the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance, and portions of the zoning, animal, and business ordinances. <br></p>
<p>We want to hear from you! A total of three meetings will be held, two virtual meetings via Cisco WebEx and one meeting in-person at Phoenix City Hall. <br></p>
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<strong>Virtual Meetings:</strong>
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<p>Thursday March 30 @ 5:30 p.m. <a target="_blank" href="https://cityofphoenix.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=cityofphoenix&service=6&rnd=0.29653017887049204&main_url=https://cityofphoenix.webex.com/ec3300/eventcenter/event/eventAction.do?theAction%3Ddetail%26%26%26EMK%3D4832534b0000000658206cfd544f3ab923c8b3f3865f7aea82949790817ff43053e69af62879b3a3%26siteurl%3Dcityofphoenix%26confViewID%3D255468096068821446%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAAZZKim5D_82TkyrVwEKFlZEC-G8D-fD-dNqN5pwI8UTdA2%26">Register</a>. <br><br>Wednesday April 5 @ 1:30 p.m. <a target="_blank" href="https://cityofphoenix.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=cityofphoenix&service=6&rnd=0.82474185274046&main_url=https://cityofphoenix.webex.com/ec3300/eventcenter/event/eventAction.do?theAction%3Ddetail%26%26%26EMK%3D4832534b00000006dbbf168ac9725183ea916fb7bb16e1a0e08eb7c70d6972b9a3555a485e1feed7%26siteurl%3Dcityofphoenix%26confViewID%3D255469206540165547%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAAaDpXFP63FOhYpER1RiXfZZetbmg1C3dRj7kf1lUBBs7g2%26">Register</a>.<br><br><strong>In-Person Meeting:</strong><br>Tuesday, April 11 @ 10:00 a.m.<br></p>
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<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington Street, First Floor Assembly Rooms B & C</span>
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.phoenix.gov/nsd">Learn more. </a>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Talks About Her Commitment to the Community | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2687 | Neighborhood Services | | 3/15/2023 1:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2687/Newsroom_NSD_AmeriCorpsSamLopez_006.jpg | | AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Talks About Her Commitment to the Community | <div class="ExternalClassDD8444A771B542D8903AD0A0409D6499"><html>
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<em>To celebrate AmeriCorps Week, Neighborhood Services profiles AmeriCorps Volunteer, Samantha López. </em>
</strong><br><br>Phoenix native Samantha López always dreamed of becoming a researcher and community advocate. After starting college up in northern Arizona, surrounded by pine trees, hiking trails and glorious weather, she quickly realized how much she favored working outdoors and being with the community.<br><br>“I wanted to try a different working style and reconnect with nature," López said. “I found AmeriCorps through an extensive search of outdoor jobs."<br><br>That research on <a target="_blank" href="https://americorps.gov/">AmeriCorps</a> led her to a service as a trail worker in the Grand Canyon with Arizona Conservation Corps in February 2022, assisting with the maintenance of trails through inspections, cleanups, education and naturalizing. The experience invigorated her desire to work with the underserved and be a part of the solution to the issues facing their communities. She explored AmeriCorps' VISTA program, designed to do just that. And the rest, as they say, is history. <br><br>AmeriCorps is a network of local, state and national service programs that engages more than 70,000 Americans every year in intensive service to meet community needs. <a target="_blank" href="https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps/americorps-vista">AmeriCorps' Vista program</a> connects its members to local organizations nationwide to provide support and expand capacity to make sustainable changes in areas that affect poverty, education, public health, climate, to name a few. AmeriCorps VISTA members assist in various activities that help create positive change, such as fundraising, grant writing, research and volunteer coordination. <br><br>López is doing just that.<br><br>Through a partnership between <a target="_blank" href="https://www.handsonphoenix.org/beavista">HandsOn Greater Phoenix and AmeriCorps VISTA,</a> López landed a service with the Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) as a Volunteer Recruiter, tasked with creating a pilot program to encourage and recruit teens in Phoenix Union District high schools to be community volunteers and future community leaders. <br><br>Her current position is a perfect fit, having spent some time working as an assistant teacher and clinical coordinator/counselor for the youth in the past. Her degree in Humanities and Psychology from Northern Arizona University was an added bonus.<br><br>“From a young age, children are very capable and desire to contribute to the community. I believe in giving them the power and resources to make a difference," said López. With that experience and knowledge under her belt, López is passionate about helping teens explore their gifts and learn ways to give back to and connect with their community and purpose <br><br>López is thankful to be a member of the HandsOn AmeriCorps VISTA program and a member of the Neighborhood Services family. She relishes every chance to work with different community organizations and learn about the many resources and tools available to individuals and communities. The support she's received from AmeriCorps and her colleagues in NSD have made her experience even more positive and meaningful. So much so that she highly recommends joining the AmeriCorps VISTA program to anyone who has a passion for community service. <br><br>“There are so many opportunities to choose from—backcountry work in the Grand Canyon to working in an office setting," she explained. “All service terms offer an education stipend, and some schools will match a percentage of the stipend to help pay for expenses."<br><br>López added that joining the AmeriCorps VISTA program is a great way to learn new skills, meet new people and explore new interests. <br><br>In celebration of AmeriCorps Week, the Neighborhood Services Department thanks Samantha and the 70,000 Americans involved in AmeriCorps for being committed to creating a positive impact in neighborhoods through volunteerism!<br><br>To be a part of <a target="_blank" href="/nsd/programs/volunteer">Neighborhood Services' Volunteer Program</a>, visit the program's <a target="_blank" href="/nsd/programs/volunteer">website</a> or email Samantha.D.Lopez@phoenix.gov.<br><br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
Help Keep Phoenix Graffiti-Free in 2023 | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2646 | Neighborhood Services | | 2/1/2023 10:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2646/Newsroom_NSD_0123.png | | Help Keep Phoenix Graffiti-Free in 2023 | <div class="ExternalClass6344E04634A943D49DF191F9473137BD"><html>
<p><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Did you know if you see graffiti in your neighborhood, you can report it and, in most cases, the City of Phoenix will remove it for free? Reporting graffiti is an easy way to help have a positive impact on your community. <br style=""><br style="">February 2023 is the ninth annual Graffiti-Free Awareness Month in Phoenix, encouraging residents to help wipe out graffiti in our community. “Graffiti is vandalism, and it detracts from the beauty of our great City," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who signed a proclamation recognizing the annual event. “We need help from our residents to keep Phoenix clean and send a message that vandalism has no place in our city." <br style=""><br style="">In 2022, the Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) Graffiti Busters used nearly 12,000 gallons of paint to clean up approximately 50,000 sites of graffiti around Phoenix. The Graffiti Busters work seven days a week, tracking down graffiti and responding to reports from residents. Crews can cover or remove up to 200 sites of graffiti every day, at no cost to residents or businesses. <br style=""><br style="">“Our Graffiti Busters work tirelessly helping to make sure our neighborhoods are desirable, safe places to live," said Neighborhood Services Director, Spencer Self. “Fighting graffiti is a collective effort. We rely on reports from our residents so we can respond and remove it as quickly as possible, so it doesn't attract more vandalism." <br style=""></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Graffiti is a crime, so if you catch it in the act, call 911. Otherwise, if you see it in your neighborhood there are three ways you can report it and have it removed: </span></p><strong style="font-size:14.6667px;">Call</strong><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">: 602-534-4444</span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><strong style="font-size:14.6667px;">Email</strong><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">: </span><a href="mailto:blight@phoenix.gov" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">blight@phoenix.gov</span></a><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><p><strong style="font-size:14.6667px;">Online</strong><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">: myPHX311 </span><a href="http://www.phoenix.gov/myPHX311" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Phoenix.gov/myPHX311</span></a><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">You can also take control of your neighborhood and help wipe out graffiti yourself. “We always encourage our residents to get involved in keeping their neighborhoods clean and free of blight," said Betsy Cable, the program manager. “Residents can get a group of volunteers together for a community clean-up and we will provide color-matched paint and supplies to help erase vandalism in your area." </span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">The City of Phoenix does need permission from property owners to remove graffiti from private property. You can fill out a permission slip and learn more about getting graffiti removed from your property at </span><a target="_blank" href="/graffiti"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Phoenix.gov/graffiti </span></a><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">. </span><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Help spread the word on social media with #GraffitiFreePHX.</span><br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
Get a Grant for Your School or Nonprofit | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2264 | Neighborhood Services | | 3/10/2022 12:45:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2264/Newsroom_NSD_001.jpg | | Get a Grant for Your School or Nonprofit | <div class="ExternalClass1A8EF1C2B7984AEE970E30234E0C4C76"><html><p> The City of Phoenix is now accepting applications for two different COVID-19 related funding opportunities for nonprofits or schools. The first is the COVID Clean Public Facilities and School Improvement and Upgrades Program. The Phoenix City Council allocated $2.3 million in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) money to fund COVID-19 prevention improvements in public facilities, including public schools, that provide services to individuals and families with low-and-moderate-incomes. Examples of eligible improvements include new HVAC systems, HEPA systems, antimicrobial surfaces & touchless fixtures to address the effects of the current pandemic and mitigate the future spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.</p><p>The second grant opportunity is open for nonprofits to apply for funds to acquire real property for Shelter Acquisition Projects. The Phoenix City Council allocated an additional $2 million in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) money to fund property acquisitions for emergency or transitional shelter facilities. The funding will be provided to eligible nonprofits to purchase underutilized buildings, like motels, to be used as day and night shelter facilities for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The goal is to reduce transmission of COVID-19 by providing adequate, accessible, smaller, and specialized shelters and temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness.</p><p>To see if your nonprofit qualifies, or to apply, go to
<a href="http://www.phoenix.gov/solicitations" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/solicitations</a> and search the name of the program. Applications close October 1, 2022.<br></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |