Knowledge is Power

 

Most public housing residents—like most other residents of Boston—have no experience responding to a grant opportunity.  Proposal requests from funders can be hard to understand and interpret.  And if residents don’t fully understand what is being asked for, they can’t write winning proposals, which means no grant money and no programs. IMG_1590

Knowledge is Power is a young program that teaches residents how to respond to proposals—and equally important, teaches the basics of managing a program and planning a program evaluation if a proposal is successful.  Sessions help residents make sense of a Request for Proposal, develop a suitable proposal, and create a budget for the planned program. Participants also learn about legal issues, begin to acquire management and leadership skills, practice making oral presentations, and learn basic computer skills.  At present the program operates in just one housing development (the Cathedral development), but the PHH-PRC plans to expand it to other developments.

Are you a resident of a BHA family housing development and interested in taking part in this grant-writing program? Contact Kailah Hayden-Karp at  Kailah@bu.edu or 617-638-5036

News You Can Use

The National Campaign for Full Funding for Public Housing in the United States is petitioning members of Congress to include full funding in upcoming legislation. Go to this weblink to find the petition and add your signature: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/
fullfundingforpublichousing/

Recent publications from PHH-PRC investigators:

Scammell et al., “Meeting People Where They Are: Engaging Public Housing Residents for Integrated Pest Management.” Progress in Community Health Partnerships 2011:5(2).

Rorie et al., “Use of a Resident Health Advocate Model to Improve Public Health Van Screening and Follow-Up Among Public Housing Residents” (Prev Chronic Dis 2011; 8(1)).

Douyon et al., “The GirlStars Program: Challenges to Recruitment and Retention in a Physical Activity and Health Education Program for Adolescent Girls Living in Public Housing” (Prev Chronic Dis 2010; 7(2))