Center for Community Initiatives at The University of North Florida

- THE ANNUAL HOMELESS CENSUS AND SURVEY -

The Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of Jacksonville (ESHC)
conducts an annual census and survey of the sheltered and unsheltered
homeless population in Duval County . The data obtained is used for
procuring Federal and other external funding to provide services
for the homeless. For several years, CCI has coordinated the survey
component of the project with sheltered homeless individuals. Hundreds
of UNF faculty, staff, and students, as well as other community members
have been involved in and enriched by the project over the years. Once the
census and survey data has been collected by the ESHC and the volunteers,
CCI analyzes the data and provides a comprehensive report to the ESHC and
the community.

- ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE ARTS IN JACKSONVILLE -

In order to investigate the economic impact of arts and culture in the greater
Jacksonville area, the Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives, at
the request of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, is conducting an
economic impact study of a number of cultural organizations located within
Duval County. These organizations provide data about their operations,
such as how many employees they have, how much income they generate and
how income is used.

- THE MAGNOLIA PROJECT -

The Magnolia Project is a federal Healthy Start initiative intended to
decrease the high rates of infant mortality in an area of Jacksonville
most affected by this problem. The population served by Magnolia consists
of women of child bearing age who reside in the target area and who have
little or no regular access to health care. Magnolia provides services
for this population in a store-front clinic located in the heart of the
target area. The services include: 1) well-woman medical services, and
2) intensive case management consisting of counseling and referrals for
services to local agencies. CCI’s responsibilities include: 1) conducting
interviews, focus groups and surveys with key stakeholders, 2) coordinating
data collection by project staff, 3) performing data analysis, and
4) preparing progress reports for funding agency and community partners.

- PINE FOREST PILOT NEEDS AND ASSETS ASSESSMENT PROJECT -

Located just southeast of the Emerson and Philips intersection, Pine Forest
is a neighborhood with a rich history. Many of its residents still live on
the parcels that their grand parents and even great grand parents lived on.
The Housing Partnership of Northeast Florida has contracted with CCI in
order to determine the current needs and assets of the community that
so many call home. CCI will use a variety of data gathering techniques
for the assessment, including focus groups, interviews, census data, and
a windshield survey.

- TAKING IT TO THE STREETS-

Taking it to the Streets: Investigating Social Problems and Improving
Student Outcomes through Community-Based Research represents a unique
effort, melding classroom activities with community research and civic
engagement to address student' depression and substance abuse. Goals
include 1)increasing levels of civic engagement, 2)create a healthier
atmosphere for the students in the project both mentally and with
regard to substance abuse, 3)keep the students civically engaged after
the class ends through active participation in the annual Duval
County Homeless Census and Survey.