The group in attendance included educators, members of the NAACP, Edwardsville Foundation, and those running for office (School Board and Alderman). The discussion ranged from existing programs that promote unity to ideating around holding a unity focused event. Many other local organizations were recognized as sharing goals or as potential partners with Edwardsville Unity.

 

  • Discussions
      • Edwardsville orchestra
        • Starts again in may
        • Music as away to bring the community together
        • Arts and crafts for children
      • NAACP and education
        • Requests police incident record so we can track improvements
          • School data on expulsions, reprimands, etc
          • Make the data available for everyone
        • Teachers need to be trained in racial sensitivity
        • Not just a school issue, it’s a community issue
      • Public group/events
        • How to enlarge the group working towards unity
        • An event as an opportunity to know each other
        • Maybe focus on a single event for the year
        • Food is a good way to bring people
        • “International festival”
          • Is Taqueria planning to try again this year?
        • See if Parks & Rec has any upcoming events to collaborate on
      • Lack of general awareness of racism
        • Edwardsville is a good community but all communities have problems
          • False perception of no racism for those that don’t experience it
        • NAACP members present shared that our Police do make an effort to community policing
      • CAC
        • Advisory group meets several times a semester
        • Discuss issues in school system
          • Education, discipline
        • Sometimes includes Superintendent
        • How to amplify that message to larger community
        • “A preview to the school board meeting”
      • Edwardsville Foundation
        • Gives grants and scholarship
        • Improve the quality of life
        • Last year estimated $45k in scholarships and $150k in grants
      • Edwardsville CER
        • Creating Entrepreneurship Opportunities
      • City Council
        • Easy to address the group with concerns or proposals
        • Open to the community

 

  • Recommendations
    • Visit elderly – contact from Community Center
      • Learn from their experiences
      • Intergenerational discussions
      • Three wishes (that do not require funding)
        • Create a list of possibilities to share beforehand?
      • Create a pen pal
    • CommUNITY Night
      • Older kids can participate more
      • Need more attendance from various groups
    • Goshen Market
      • Starts in may
      • Unity art project
      • Discussions w kids
    • Contact organizations and ask to collaborate/participate
      • Rotary
      • Kiwanis International
      • Junior Service
      • League of Women Voters
      • Friends of the Library
      • Stevenson House
      • Children’s Museum
      • CAC from school
      • Business group in edwardsville
      • Chancellor at SIUE and  Lewis & Clark
      • Mayor of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Hamel, Warden