LISC: Community-based Research to Build a Re-Entry Center

A series of community engagement workshops to elicit feedback on the future co-location of services at an economic development and reentry community center.

THE CHALLENGE

The Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) connects community leaders and community-based organizations with the resources to improve neighborhoods. In collaboration with the Osborne Association, an organization that supports formerly incarcerated individuals, the groups were planning the redevelopment of an old prison facility into an economic development and reentry community center in the South Bronx.

THE STRATEGY

Working in collaboration with Project Urbanista, TYTHE designed, developed and facilitated a series of five core workshops to collect community feedback. Each workshop worked in a cohesive progression but maintained the flexibility to stand-alone. To facilitate additional outreach, TYTHE also designed a custom suite of outreach materials, original illustrations and graphics to establish a distinct identity that community members and program participants could quickly associate with the project.

THE OUTCOME

• A Community-Led Plan
  The inclusive workshops drew out community voices from local residents, state senators, justice department, and NYPD. LISC and the Osborne Association are actively incorporating these insights into the redevelopment plan.
• Consistent Voice for Outreach
  The Osborne Association is using the promotional materials to maintain momentum surrounding the development proposal and encourage continued community involvement.

Client: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Collaborators: Kristina Drury, Ellie Wendell, Lora Lui, and Julie Behrens of Project Urbanista

Year: 2014-2015