COLUMBIA EXPANDS COMMUNITY INITIATIVE TO BOOST SAFETY AND CONNECTIONS
Columbia has some exciting news for its residents! The city is rolling out a new initiative that aims to make a positive impact by reaching out to struggling neighborhoods. This isn’t just any plan—Columbia is taking it block by block and community by community!
Building Bridges with Neighborhood Leaders
At the helm of this initiative is Trevon Fordham, the dedicated director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. Fordham vividly expressed the vision of this program: “We are going to partner with our community leaders. We are going to partner with our neighborhood associations. We will make differences in our communities through this initiative.”
The heart of this initiative is the ‘4 Block’ Promise. It is focused on fostering engagement and connections in the city’s most needy areas, particularly with the help of local religious organizations. The program is teaming up with faith-based partners to host community events, offer volunteer opportunities, and collaborate on safety and engagement efforts.
Faith Communities: The Hidden Gems
Fordham highlighted the unique role of places of worship in the community. “Usually, individuals go in and out of our place of worship, two, three, or four or more times a week. They get refilled. They get recharged,” he said. This means that these places can become powerful hubs for outreach. His point? Many residents who frequent these establishments may not participate in city council meetings or regular city-staff interactions. It’s all about tapping into those hidden gems within the neighborhoods!
With a staggering 1,300 religious institutions in Columbia, the city has a great base to work from. However, the focus will first be on areas that face the highest levels of violence. Partners will engage in outreach efforts within four blocks of their respective houses of worship—talk about making a local impact!
Tackling Crime with Collaboration
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann chimed in, highlighting the fruits of collaborative efforts. “When we know collaborating is working: Crime, violent crimes down. Shootings down. Auto break-ins are down. Why? Technology, training and collaboration — the things that are happening now,” he noted. With solid data showing improvements in safety, the city is eager to keep this momentum going.
First Churches on Board
So far, five churches have signed up for this exciting initiative. Among them, Gill Creek Baptist Church stands out as a leading player. Other partners include Eau Claire Baptist Church, Temple Zion Baptist Church, and Reformation Lutheran Church.
Senior Pastor James Woodley of Gill Creek shared his hopes for the community. “When I think about faith-based initiatives, I think about all the churches coming together, working towards a common cause,” he said. The church’s community is rife with challenges, including crime and limited access to grocery stores. “My vision, and the church is so behind this: How can we be an imprint in the community in which we live?” he added.
Paving the Way Forward
Pastor Woodley emphasized that this initiative would enhance their current efforts. They’ve previously engaged in community feedings, supported hurricane recovery efforts, and everything in between. “We are the hands and feet of the gospel,” he stated, conveying how actions often speak louder than words. “The best sermon is not heard, but the best sermon is seen. That’s what I want us to be.”
The city of Columbia is still piecing together the finer details of this initiative. They plan to meet with faith leaders over the next 12 weeks to dream up impactful outreach strategies. If you’re a resident, stay tuned— there’s a chance for you to be part of this uplifting movement!
