Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in EBR, The Walls Project has been hosting weekly video calls with leaders of nonprofits, foundations, cit
HAWF Prison Reentry Initiative Report - https://www.hawilsonfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HAWF_PrisonReentryInitiative_FinalReport.pdf 08:50:38 From Adonica Duggan : Apologies for the flashing light, The Shaw Center is testing our fire systems this morning but nothing is on fire. 08:51:02 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : Q: how has the recent pandemic impacted speedy trials and delayed release/impeded due process... or to what extent. it has impacted the system here in NYC where 1/20 of cases have been tried as compared to last year. 08:57:58 From Jen Tewell (she/her) : Powerful and disturbing. Thank you Rev. Anderson for the reality of the state and EBR. 08:58:38 From Pat LeDuff : so sad 09:01:26 From Pat LeDuff : My God,Help us! 09:02:07 From Pat LeDuff : great job Rev. Anderson - You Rock! 09:02:12 From Adonica Duggan : Thank you, Rev. Anderson 09:02:18 From Anna TBF (she/her) : thank you Rev. Anderson 09:02:41 From Chris Spalatin : Thank you Reverend Anderson 09:02:43 From Kellyn LaCour (Baton Roots) : Yakoke chitto Rev. Anderson. Powerful points and reminders that all of us are impacted by the prison industrial system even if we ourselves have not been incarcerated. 09:03:09 From Kevin Guitterrez : thank you for your advocacy and for being real, Reverend Anderson 09:04:15 From Rodneyna : You are so increadbily imactful. My family has been directly a product of this system and environment. I apprecate all of the work that you are doing. 09:05:50 From Pat LeDuff : yes Rev Anderson- You Make it Real ! 09:06:12 From Pat LeDuff : let’s invite them to this call and the DA 09:07:35 From ktriche : I worked for the Department of Educations with the "special school district" that worked with prisons and juvenile detention centers and your words were spot on. 09:09:49 From Chris Spalatin : I've only been in Louisiana for about a year, so I have somewhat on an outsiders perspective. From a national standpoint, JBE made waves when he passed the bipartisan criminal justice reform in 2017 which was modeled after other Southern states. Is the consensus that this has resulted in real positive change? He appeared to be able to run on this during his reelection campaign in 2019 despite vicious attack ads from Landry and the Republicans. How can we get more out of JBE's admin now? Is this an issue where we can only expect to persuade and motivate liberals/Democrats? 09:12:29 From Kellyn LaCour (Baton Roots) : Signal boosting youth led justice advocacy BR for the People : https://www.facebook.com/BRForThePeople/ 09:14:00 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : that behavior (sherriffs that wait at traps) is also seen in rural counties in New York. I feel that is a national issue and a part of rural/Urban divide which is not spoken about. 09:17:02 From Jacquelyn Craddock : Go Tristi! 09:17:30 From Kellyn LaCour (Baton Roots) : PREACH 09:19:15 From Donald Andrews : we are talking about an economic development process that is built on exploitation of low resource households. The education system is in need of a major review. We need to build a high performance education system to catch the problems will kids are young rather than when they commit a crime and go to prison where it costs much more. 09:20:47 From Chris Spalatin : Totally agree Donald. We can fix this. We pay so much money to encourage businesses to come, and then keep paying them after they're already here. Why can't we push that money to teachers and schools? 09:21:16 From Ava Smith : Good morning, thank you, Rev Anderson and all those that speak out about our criminal justice system. What are we doing about this problem? I am so tried of hearing about the problem and nothing changes. The DA office, the laws, the mindset needs to change and I am sad to say it will not happen in my life time. 09:22:45 From Elizabeth Perry : This is fantastic information! Thank you for taking the time to stand up and bring this to our attention. I have witnessed my foster children being directly impacted by this industry. Innocent children not being reunited with their parents because their mother or father are incarcerated over a holiday is gut wrenching. 09:22:48 From Susan Rogers : thank you for some very enlightening information. This is certainly information that our community needs to know. 09:23:01 From Chris Spalatin : Are there any states in US that are doing this well? Are there any other countries we can look to? 09:23:02 From Anita White : Thank you, Jan for asking the question I was thinking of. Where do I, as an individual, begin? 09:23:19 From Carl Motsenbocker : Thank you for the information. 09:23:31 From Adonica Duggan : We say that in education too, budgets are a statement of your priorities 09:27:27 From ktriche : This is so enlightening and so very sad. 09:27:52 From Chris Spalatin : We can do this! 09:27:58 From Pat LeDuff : yes it is - so sad 09:28:16 From Ava Smith : Thank you Donald, we need trade schools, some kids will not succeed in regular school curriculums. 09:28:33 From Pat LeDuff : we can do this 09:30:46 From Pat LeDuff : yes!!!! 09:31:16 From Pat LeDuff : good plan - let’s work together to change this 09:31:28 From Chris Spalatin : Thank you! 09:31:34 From Dominique Dallas : Thank you! 09:31:35 From Judith Rhodes : Thank you. Truth to power! 09:31:35 From Leslie’s iPhone : thanks to all! 09:31:44 From Leslie Clay : Thank you. 09:33:33 From Kelli Rogers : Thanks so much everyone! 09:33:47 From Dustin LaFont@FYB : Thank you. This was the most enlightening conversation I've had on this call to date. Rev. Anderson needs to do a TED talk! 09:34:34 From Adonica Duggan : That is a big part of our culture to not question people in authority and as a result we have created electeds who are not used to being accountable or questioned. We have to fix this in so many areas. 09:34:55 From Chris Spalatin : This is wonderful https://youtu.be/QkpvjFmMVE4 09:35:04 From Anita White : Thank you. 09:37:11 From Emily Chatelain : I've participated in the Nola Gives... and BR Gives was SO much more involved, helpful, supportive etc. Props 09:38:13 From Pat LeDuff : on behalf of Scotlandville CDC and CADAV / Thank You! 09:38:36 From Pat LeDuff : 225 Give was Awesome!! 09:39:17 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : I can ask.about that math exercise with the Criminal Justice Reform group at NYU Marron institute of Urban management 09:39:25 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : If you would like 09:39:51 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : email me at Manny.patole@nyu.edu 09:40:11 From Pat LeDuff : can we please continue this in our next meeting? 09:40:57 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : if we continue in the next meeting I can see if Richard Hahn or someone else can join as well 09:42:33 From Lindi Spalatin : Wanted to let you know that McMains Children's Developmental center had a GREAT 225 Gives. We were blown away by the support of the community. https://www.225gives.org/McMains_Unstoppable_Kids 09:42:50 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : I have to leave but want to work with Rev Anderson on this further and others 09:42:59 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : inspired conversation today! 09:43:06 From Pat LeDuff : invite a DA, judge/ police chief / sheriff allow them to agree disagree or explain 09:45:39 From Pat LeDuff : we should not allow this 09:45:54 From Aishala Burgess : This was great Casey, I have to jump off! If you would like DA for a call in January, let me know. 09:46:48 From Casey Phillips : Thank you Aishala! 09:47:26 From Aishala Burgess : You're Welcome! Enjoy the rest of your day!!! 09:53:29 From Anita White : Tell it like it is, Rev. Anderson! 09:53:51 From Pat LeDuff : yes- Amen Sister 09:57:41 From Pat LeDuff : Yes! Yes! Yes! 09:58:12 From Ava Smith : Back in my day it was called reform schools 09:59:19 From Ava Smith : Preach, Rev Anderson 09:59:23 From Pat LeDuff : Banking establishments will come as well 10:03:18 From Kelli Rogers : I was waiting to ask this question!! 10:03:31 From Kelli Rogers : And now it costs $650 10:03:54 From Pat LeDuff : that’s right - let’s push to bring it back 10:04:34 From Pat LeDuff : sounds great 10:04:42 From Anita White : Thank you! Couldn’t tear myself away! Week #34 Topic “Food Insecurity Coalition (EBR) Update" Meeting Notes Prepared by Zoe Haddad Katie Pritchett (Capital Area United Way) Food Insecurity Coalition Baton Rouge (FIC) is a collection of over 100 individuals working towards the common goal of making EBR Parish a more food secure environment comprising philanthropic organizations and funders, service providers, distributors, growers, etc. Recently entered into partnership with CPEX and Urban Footprint around very specific new data insight tools they have created These tools provide updates every two weeks with a snapshot of our community related to food security and what it means to each parish (economic stress, health indicators, and other such demographics to come up with an insecurity index) The coalition will use this data in meetings moving forwards to see what space we are working in, where the gaps are, and what trends are present (i.e., where are we seeing less food distribution, where are people more secure, etc.) What are the next iterations of the tool? Adding lifestyle measurements, job and wage data, how often individuals grocery shop, mental health factors, and so on Recently took a deeper dive into state programs Monica Brown gave us insight into state programs that help with food security, financial assistance and cash programing, how people access assistance, etc. What are the barriers? If you do online enrollment, it's a 7-10 day turnaround while mail-in is around 30 days. That three week difference can be a game changer. Lots of different documents needed - without a driver's license or access to work history or a pink slip, you could be stopped from receiving the benefits you need If you are an organization with the capacity or willingness to set up a computer in your lobby or office so people can access applications for these programs, helping those who need assistance through the application process would be one of the biggest supports to our community! Things we are working on for 2021: A comprehensive calendar for EBR Parish for distribution events How to share data points Joint funding - what’s one or two things we’d fund collectively as a coalition if we had the funds available? Policy work and joint programing Jan Ross (Huey & Angelina Wilson Foundation) We are working more collaboratively than ever before and bringing in partners who aren’t typically at the table The FIC Philanthropy and Funders workgroup focus on bringing funds from national sources so we aren’t taxing local funding There’s always that need to leverage local support with national funders Manny Patole (Co-City BR) The coalition has short, medium, and long term goals - we are coordinating efforts and policy changes that will structurally change things while addressing people who are hungry now Ideas include wraparound services in central locations, food trucks, and furthering understanding of the policy issues that must be addressed to streamline these services Korey Patty (Feeding Louisiana) Across the state what we’ve seen over the last five or six months is a significant increase in the use of SNAP benefits to put food on the table $150-170 million dollars rolling in to the state each month What are the opportunities that DSFS can use as advocates to make the program more accessible and functional? There are particular populations needing easier ways to use the program - namely seniors, those without access to technology, and college students For the FIC Data and Policy Group and Feeding Louisiana we are looking at longer term issues and policies that can be addressed to make these things more accessible Casey Phillips (Walls Project) There’s a lot of room for everyone at the FIC. In the short term there’s some really cool concepts like community food trucks and fridges - we’re trying to create the case for support, to create a doc that can be used across the coalition. With Work Group A we are writing grants and forging relationships with funders for 2021. On the funding side, the money’s going to be the last thing that comes. The mission can’t happen without it even though it’s not the point of the coalition. We are working hard behind the scenes to get the grants and meet deadlines. Work Group B is working to cover a lot of ground for the steps between seed to mouth. If you’re a practitioner, you’re in Work Group B because we need to find ways to work together non traditionally. In the median term service providers have to figure out ways to take innovation to those systems already in place. With Work Group C, it’s very clear with the data where we’re going and once the data is aggregated and updated in real time we will address systematic policy long term. Work Group A long term will lasso funding and involvement in the community while B works to continue telling the story in a compelling way. Not only strengthen each other’s work but hold each other accountable. Chelsea Morgan (American Heart Association) Working with LSU and Southern - met with LSU Dining this week as an extension of the NEA Our Town Meeting conversations. Spoke about opportunities for 2021 and getting the resources of LSU involved with our coalitions. LSU is working on a swiping program so students with meal plans can share them with others who cannot afford it. W ith COVID rising again LSU is trying to wrap up for the semester as soon as possible but we continue to have conversations. Elizabeth Perry (LSU Health/OLOL) Partnered with Bethel AME Church in 70802, an area which really needs help. They do food distribution days the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month. They have a small house next to their church designated as a food pantry. A great avenue for our partners with Top Box, Baton Roots, and so on. All of our partners have jumped in but we do lack when it comes to contractors and getting assistance for repairs and home maintenance. We want to be able to offer more emergency events and basically make it a full food distribution facility. Grants are few and far between - it’s not really the application time right now. If anyone can assist in connecting affordable contractors or available grants, it would be greatly appreciated. My email is Elizabeth.perry@fmolhs.org Helen Frink (Office of the Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome) There is a Food Bank distribution (the last large one of the year) looking to serve 1-1200 households at Cortana Mall this Saturday November 21. Begins at 8 AM but lines start much much earlier! Encourage anyone with programs or opportunities to get involved - we’d love to plug and elevate those from the Mayor’s office. We are here to help connect community members to these events. Courtney Scott (CAO - Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome) First, early voting starts today (Friday November 20)! Second, Safe, Hopeful, Healthy is moving from research and development to implementation over the next 30-45 days. In the development of SHH we're moving the needle forward on work already being done and building more collaboration to work towards developing peace and prosperity in the community through Four Key Pillars: Prioritize Community-Based Public Safety - Interrupting the cycle of violence, taking initiative not focusing on law enforcement but giving youth opportunities and resources to make choices in their lives Expand Health In All Policies - health inequality and mitigating the risk of racial violence and building support. Stabilize Youth, Family & Community - when we support these three, we are building solutions that aren ot only sustainable but have capacity to build over and over again. Create Equitable Community Development through community revitalization. We have to make sure the neighborhoods have sustainable ways to build and grow and uplift. When we talk about SHH it starts with collaborative work. Annie E. Casey Foundation has joined our work. Build BR and Mid City Redevelopment Alliance are also bringing in national partners. Health EBR helps with access to food and care. This program will develop a team that will have a Program Director and Coordinator hired in January. We will implement a Baton Rouge street team that will have outreach workers and high risk interventionists (individuals form 70805 and 70802 who will go to PD to support violence response on the ground) working towards a continuum of support for our community. Keep in mind: Where are we duplicating efforts and where do we need to disperse energy? Community Announcements Manny Patole - In November of 2019 we unveiled the Imagine Plank Road Plan for Equitable Development, a transit-oriented, community-led vision of a revitalized Plank Road. We are excited to announce that Baton Rouge has been selected to receive a $5 million JPMorgan Chase 2020 AdvancingCities grant to implement the Plank Road master plan. The partners make up the Baton Rouge Collaborative and aim to: develop a grocery-anchored mixed use development with over 40 affordable housing units on the new bus rapid transit line; renovate a 3,500 sq. ft historic building into a Food Incubator that will provide commercial kitchen space, deliver fresh food and offer job training; provide financial and technical support to 15 new and existing minority-owned businesses; upgrade 15 building facades along the Corridor; transform a 4,000 sq. ft vacant lot into a community pocket park; and preserve housing affordability through the formation of a Community Land Trust On December 3 The Myrtlelawn EcoPark Community Webinar is a showcase of the schematic design plans for Build Baton Rouge's land bank property located on 4258 Plank Road. The project, led by Co-City Baton Rouge's Manny Patole, engaged LSU's Professor Kathleen Bogaski's Fall 2020 Landscape Technology class to incorporate community and stakeholder input into their vision for the site. During the webinar students will present their designs.The Myrtlelawn EcoPark project is part of a larger collaborative effort between Build Baton Rouge, and Co-City Baton Rouge (an applied research partnership developed by the Marron Institute of Urban Management at New York University and Laboratory for Governance of the City as a Commons, based at Georgetown University) to co-create economic revitalization and urban regeneration projects within the Plank Road neighborhood. Rodneyna Hart - Capitol Park Museum will do a free outdoor movie event on the lawn Sunday. If you would like to come please feel free to join. The movie will be Black Panther. Chris Spalatin - I work for a Food Service Provider called Focus Foods. We operate out of Celtic Studios. Please reach out if you have any needs cspalatin@thetdpgroup.com Shavon Knighten - AMIkids YouthBuild Baton Rouge would love to connect and potentially partner with any organizations to help give our youth/young adults in the program to gain employment opportunities, internships, mentorship, volunteer initiatives, etc. Please contact me at sknighten@amikids.org (BatonRouge-JR@amikids.org) Resources Sodexo expands its program to fight food insecurity among college students Zoom Chat 08:32:23 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : In November of 2019 we unveiled the Imagine Plank Road Plan for Equitable Development, a transit-oriented, community-led vision of a revitalized Plank Road. We are excited to announce that Baton Rouge has been selected to receive a $5 million JPMorgan Chase 2020 AdvancingCities grant to implement the Plank Road masterplan. 08:32:56 From Leslie Clay : Can I have the link to the 11 oclock. Thanks 08:33:10 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : The partners make up the Baton Rouge Collaborative and aim to: develop a grocery-anchored mixed use development with over 40 affordable housing units on the new bus rapid transit line; renovate a 3,500 sq. ft historic building into a Food Incubator that will provide commercial kitchen space, deliver fresh food and offer job training; provide financial and technical support to 15 new and existing minority-owned businesses;upgrade 15 building facades along the Corridor;transform a 4,000 sq. ft vacant lot into a community pocket park; and preserve housing affordability through the formation of a Community Land Trust 08:33:55 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : To register for the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SX40lx5RQkCTSYAY9yyWjA 08:36:03 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : To register for the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SX40lx5RQkCTSYAY9yyWjA 08:36:15 From Leslie Clay : Thanks Manny. 08:46:28 From Donald Andrews : Is there any thought to developing community gardening programs. 08:46:39 From Pat LeDuff : great job! 08:47:53 From Katie Pritchett/CAUW : @donald Andrews...I know this has been discussed in terms of the service providers at the table that are participating. We have also recruited a volunteer or two to help with those gardens. 08:47:56 From Helen Frink : correct! 08:48:18 From Helen Frink : as with all Food Bank events, community members should arrive early to get in line 08:48:52 From Jan Ross - HAWF : Does the food giveaway on Saturday include college students? 08:49:01 From Pat LeDuff : consider ages 90 til death not having to Recert - most likely their conditions and work status won’t change 08:49:24 From Chelsea Morgan : Yes, Jan, this is open to any students in EBR. Some college students will be volunteering as well. 08:49:48 From Chris Spalatin : For kids on school breakfast and lunch, are there any programs in place for them to receive meals during the Thanksgiving and winter breaks? 08:49:54 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : Q: Does LSU/Southern have a food insecurity program for their community? Ie extra money on their commissary account, etc 08:49:57 From Tyra Banks : I have 4 live chickens to give away if you know anyone raising organic chickens 08:50:31 From Chelsea Morgan : Yes, Manny. I can come off mute and give an update on a conversation that we had with LSU Dining this week. 08:52:19 From Emily Chatelain : Sodexo is doing something to help fight food insecurity on college campuses. I believe Chartwells (Compass Group) is the food provider for LSU... could ask if they have any programs like this one linked? https://www.foodservicedirector.com/operations/sodexo-expands-its-program-fight-food-insecurity-among-college-students 08:52:22 From Katie Pritchett/CAUW : If any of you want to learn more about the application process for the state programming, this handout was shared with the coalition. 08:52:52 From Emily Chatelain : Well... jinx Chelsea :) that article links to a swipe program Sodexo is doing 08:52:53 From Carl Motsenbocker : Good to hear. Yes LSU Dining is Chartwells. 08:54:09 From Jan Ross - HAWF : Emily will you discuss what you know of food distribution for EBRPSS. 08:54:40 From Jan Ross - HAWF : especially over Thanksgiving week 08:54:43 From Karla King : A side note for healthy eating - homemade smoothies offer a way to pack a lot of nutrition into a take-away cup. For instance, this morning I put a small banana, cooked sweet potatoes and yellow squash from last night, fresh kale, water, few cubes of ice and a teaspoon of beet powder. My smoothie maker is an inexpensive $16 one. 08:54:50 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : NYU Dining is Chartwells as well. We have the swipe program up here, with emergency $75 cash if students need and the FREEdge for students to put food in for others to share 08:58:08 From Elizabeth Perry : I received a request from a local church for a construction grant. They host a food pantry twice per month. If anyone can assist in connecting affordable contractors or available grants, it would be greatly appreciated. My email is Elizabeth.perry@fmolhs.org 08:58:42 From Chelsea Morgan : Awesome - thanks, everyone. Continuing to get all partners on how they can fold into all this great work. We can make sure that Cheramie with LSU Dining gets these articles and great resources. It is likely that all of Chartwells is trying to get this across all their campuses with this need. They do also have a food pantry on campus that our organizations can support as well. Just had a baseline conversation with her to get her up to date on the work of Geaux Get Healthy and FIC - helping to identify their resources and how they can help. 08:59:08 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : @Elizabeth, I believe BBR has a few contractors on file they have used for Roof rehab and other projects. 09:00:30 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : CAUW FTFICW 09:01:57 From Carl Motsenbocker : The LSU Food Pantry has needs such as food items, and volunteers to assist them. They recently moved to the first floor in the Union and have a great demand for food. 09:03:57 From Elizabeth Perry : Thank you, Manny! 09:04:48 From Helen Frink : hfrink@brla.gov 09:05:48 From Tyra Banks : I need help finding the grant Courtney spoke about. a few weeks ago 09:06:41 From Casey Phillips : Carl, I recommend that the LSU Food Pantry reach out to Ashley (AJ) at CAUW for corporate volunteers with their partners. 09:08:36 From Elizabeth Perry : Our graduating participants are very interested in helping with Mayor Broome's the Safe, Hopeful, Healthy plan. They have experienced a small part of our great coalition and they want to help in their community! 09:09:48 From Pat LeDuff : I’m interested! 09:09:52 From Helen Frink : Tyra and others, if you’re interested in applying for the grant or participating in Safe Hopeful Healthy please send me an email and I am happy to connect you! hfrink@brla.gov 09:10:32 From Tyra Banks : Thanks 09:10:47 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : I think we need a full presentation on this! :-) 09:11:00 From Elizabeth Perry : Thank you, Helen! 09:11:17 From Shavon Knighten : Shavon Knighten with AMIkids YouthBuild Baton Rouge. I would love to connect and potentially partner with any organizations to help give our youth/young adults in the program to gain employment opportunities, internships, mentorship, volunteer initiatives, etc. Please contact me at sknighten@amikids.org (BatonRouge-JR@amikids.org) 09:11:21 From Helen Frink : you can also contact safehopefulhealthybr@brla.gov 09:11:48 From Helen Frink : we have been talking about this so much she has the elevator pitch DOWN 09:13:01 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : FYI for December 3 The Myrtlelawn EcoPark Community Webinar is a showcase of the schematic design plans for Build Baton Rouge's land bank property located on 4258 Plank Road. The project, led by Co-City Baton Rouge's Manny Patole, engaged LSU's Professor Kathleen Bogaski's Fall 2020 Landscape Technology class to incorporate community and stakeholder input into their vision for the site. During the webinar students will present their designs.The Myrtlelawn EcoPark project is part of a larger collaborative effort between Build Baton Rouge, and Co-City Baton Rouge (an applied research partnership developed by the Marron Institute of Urban Management at New York University and LABoratory for GOVernance of the City as a Commons, based at Georgetown University) to co-create economic revitalization and urban regeneration projects within the Plank Road neighborhood. 09:13:08 From Rodneyna : Capitol Park Museum will do a free outdoor movie event on the lawn Sunday. If you would like to come please feel free to join 09:13:10 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : I will send out flyers soon 09:13:36 From Rodneyna : We will be playing Black Panther! 09:13:44 From Elizabeth Perry : Add your veggies to your mac-n-cheese friends! 09:13:45 From Chris Spalatin : I work for a Food Service Provide called Focus Foods. We operate our of Celtic Studios. Please reach out if you have any needs cspalatin@thetdpgroup.com 09:14:06 From Pat LeDuff : Happy Thanksgiving 09:14:41 From Karla King : Sure thing Casey! Just an alternative fun way for kid's to eat. 09:15:30 From Leslie Clay : Happy Thanksgiving!!! 09:15:36 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : Thanks everyone for grinding on this! Keep pushing the needle. 09:15:52 From Manny Patole (CCBR) : Happy Turkey Day! Be safe, mask up, keep our pods healthy 09:15:53 From Helen Frink : early vote!!!! Week #33 Topic “Diversifying Our Economy" Meeting Notes Prepared by Zoe Haddad Andrew Fitzgerald (Senior Director of Business Intelligence / Baton Rouge Area Chamber) When you’re as reliant on oil and gas as Louisiana is, you feel every bump in the industry that they feel. Ensuring you have a mix of industries contributing to economic success of your community is key - focusing on the major industry that brought you here but also help grow smaller emerging industries With COVID, BRAC has been able to see which industries are resilient despite the 2 quarter recession Which of those industries are a good fit here? BRAC has picked up two industries since COVID - Life Sciences (Bio Pharma) and Technology Do we have the assets and resources to draw these companies into Louisiana? We have two wonderful universities, Pennington Biomedical, the Health district, etc. as well as two growing university computer science programs, Apprenti, lower costs than Silicon Valleys in Portland and Salt Lake City... all good incentives The oil and gas industry that has been shouldering the load forever doesn’t have to determine the fate of our economy alone every time oil and gas prices go up How do we pick what we diversify into? Look around nationally and see what did well pre-COVID What was resilient during COVID How are we doing in Baton Rouge? We’re a community with a myriad of health concerns so we would certainly benefit from health trials In the healthcare workforce, RNs often hop from hospital to hospital with bonuses for relocation positive workforce and how it can help us recruit companies In reality the best thing for the community and the hospitals would be training more nurses internally Training a better workforce would be more effective than competition Starting at a low income healthcare job to work towards a higher wage job through internal training Willingness to work together on the vendor and workforce side is a huge positive Baton Rouge looks like the place to be in many areas, but on the public sector side we are in desperate need of change to help further incentivise and nurture a diversified economy Tyra L. Banks (Innovation & Partnership Catalyst / MetroMorphosis) Metromorphosis works through a strategy with small businesses called LaunchBR How does the recent Shell plant closure affect small businesses? There is trickle down effect as small businesses are connector spots that serve not only employees but the members of the community Heavily includes the input of procurement officers to increase diversity so small businesses are not relying on folks in their immediate vicinity to continue generating revenue Who are opportunities going to? In communities with lots of segregation and inequality, people of color, especially women, struggle to maintain small businesses. Black businesses and Asian, woman owned businesses took the hardest hit when COVID began We need to make sure they have the capital and resources to sustain business Two major bookends at MetroMorphosis: Technical support, coordinating services for small business (free, non-judgemental coaching and technical assistance) and training opportunities (everything from personal finance, how to use the library’s free business resources, free technology business account) Strategy and support for procurement officers Systems are presently set up to assist the people who have always been a part of them, leaving women, people of color, and veterans out. Both strategies are extremely important for strengthening the economy and creating relationships that help businesses thrive while preventing stagnancy What to do next? Put this into action! If you know a small business that might need help and support, connect them to us! We are continuously seeking out relationships with small businesses Buy black, buy woman, buy minority, buy veteran. Your purchasing power has a direct impact. Explore supplier diversity! Advocate for systemic change. When the legislature is viewing things that affect these people, fight for them. Their fight is your fight because it directly impacts the entire community. We can't rely on the big fish to increase supplier diversity. We have to make those decisions every day to invest our dollars in the most unemployed sectors of society, in electing the right people, in purchasing goods and services from places that employ people within their own communities. Questions & Comments Q: Casey Phillips - What does the economy of Louisiana look like in 2050? A: Andrew Fitzgerald - There will no longer be a “tech sector” - everything will be the tech sector. Tech is integrated and will continue to be integrated into many aspects of the workforce. Automation will be an issue. Fewer plant jobs will be needed. There will likely be a rise in service industry jobs. Manufacturing will still be strong - companies aren’t just producing fuel, but the rubber in tennis shoes, the foam in mattresses, etc. The plastic and chemical industry will still be going strong. We will have a population spike as those in coastal communities find their community unsustainable. We’ll see an influx in in-state migration. You’ll need homes, restaurants, bars, etc built. Dr. Girard Melancon SAVE THE DATE! BRCC and ExxonMobil invite you to the North Baton Rouge Industrial Training Initiative Virtual Open House on Wednesday, November 18 at 6:00 p.m. NBRITI provides training courses in welding, electrical, millwright, and pipefitting crafts at no cost to qualifying participants. Register today at mybrcc.edu/nbriti Kelly Welch We are working at Exxonmobile to bring projects to BR that make us more competitive so we are less reliant on crazy oil prices. We are working to preserve jobs and support small businesses. The supplier diversity is an effort we are pushing hard. In 2019 alone we spent $9.5 million with black, woman-owned, LGBTQ+ suppliers. Concerning dirty oil, we are voluntarily reducing VOC emissions by 10%, meaning all emissions from furnaces. Talking about our cogen facility, we spent $11 million to help reduce greenhouse emissions by 50%. There’s no EPA requirement, but we know it’s the right thing to do for the BR community. Tre Nelson Hospitals have looked at how to operate in a way we never did before when it comes to suppliers. There are a lot of opportunities for larger organizations (banks, hospitals, etc) to purchase local and diversify our supplier chain. When we created our diversity council in the hospital we looked at areas of focus, including the supplier chain. That’s a very large task for organizations to look for diverse suppliers and Metromorphosis helps highlight businesses to patronize. We’re at a place of collaboration we’ve never seen before. Heidi Howat Wendt We do have a large supply chain department in New Orleans that has an emphasis on doing work with local suppliers while keeping in mind the scale. We hired our first Chief Diversity Officer for the entire Oschner system earlier this year. Regarding education and pay grade improvement, we started MA Now to provide certification training through Oschner, BRCC and the Mayor’s office as a joint effort to train and then hire MAs. We have an MA to LPN program in New Orleans that will be starting in BR as well. Elizabeth Perry The Lake has FranU courses centered around healthcare to help offer a more flexible work/school schedule to students. We focus on racial disparities as well as food insecurities through the Geaux Get Healthy and EatFitBR programs. Through the mayor’s office we as healthcare systems have been able to put the competition away and work together as an entire parish. Dean Donald Andrews In terms of assets we have in BR, we have two Land Grants and need to do more in terms of generating education on our ecosystems. If we want to bring high paying jobs into our community we have to address K-12 education, racial tension, and high crime rates if we want to attract higher paying jobs into our community. Manny Patole It’s very easy to lose sight of the social and economic factors in the sustainment of a city. How do you not only use tax incentives but also address the services like education, transit, housing and access to healthcare? Everything’s interconnected and focusing on one does not mean you can ignore the others. Reverend Alexis Anderson If you google EBR, what comes up is the prison parish. We are the mass incarceration capital. We have the largest mass incarceration industrial complex. The entire ancillary system holds that up. If you are known as a community that is not accepting of people from around the world, people aren’t going to come here. There are other places you can go with better education. Planning and prevention is better than recovery. We have lots of areas we need to be looking at - most economic development systems have three core baskets. One is constantly raising the floor. In this parish we have a huge number of people coming from our prison system being locked out. At any given time 25-30% of the workforce is unemployable because of this. We have to remind people that if oil and gas are 25%, 75% of the market is everybody else and we’ve got to continue to address that 75% and get them what they need. You can’t keep making the workforce unemployable. You have got to be wanted to come into a space! Gwen Hamilton When we talk about the importance of K-12 education, early childhood and pre-K must be included in the larger discussion of education! Leslie Clay The Protecting Our Communities from Flu and COVID-19 Town Hall has been moved to Tuesday November 17 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM covering Region 2 here. Everyone’s COVID numbers are going up and we need as many people to get their flu shot as possible. Kelly Welch My thanks to Andrew for acknowledging that we must still nurture the industry that has sustained LA for decades. My thanks to Tyra for speaking of opportunities to support local and diverse small businesses because we are very excited to continue our concerted efforts in this space. Mentioned that we spent $9.5M in 2019 with NBR minority owned businesses and that are actively looking to increase that amount for 2020 and future years. Let the group know that we are also concerned about the multiple plant closures/idlings we’re reading about around the state, and that we are currently fighting to bring our corporation’s investment dollars to Baton Rouge with projects that will preserve jobs in the community and make us more competitive with our sites in Texas so that we aren’t as vulnerable to depressed oil and gas markets. Addressed Rev. Anderson’s comments in the chat about dirty industry to let the group know that their voices are heard and that the project we’re currently working to bring to BR – which they’ll soon hear more about – will voluntarily reduce our refinery’s VOC emissions by 10% (the current amount of VOCs emitted from all of our refinery’s furnaces and flares) IF the project is approved for Baton Rouge. I also mentioned another project that will significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions at our cogen facility. Resources I Ran the Numbers Again. Stocks Are Not the Economy. How Cities and States Can Stop the Incentive Madness Tax Incentives Often Don’t Work in Long Run Maggie's List - compilation of Black owned brands, banks, etc by author Maggie Anderson Small Business List for GBR Area Zoom Chat 08:35:24 From Tyra, LaunchBR : Andrew was my FIRST call when I stard working with small businesses at MetroMorphosis 08:47:51 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : FYI - The stock market is not the economy, small business is! https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-10-27/stock-market-is-not-the-economy-by-any-yardstick 08:48:29 From David Summers : On Purpose! 08:49:38 From Jeremy Pleasant : Thanks Tyra. What are some of the sites/resources available for minority, veteran, black, women owned businesses? 08:51:18 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : Developing industry 4.0 is a great idea but not at the expense of your current tax base. Build a Community and Economy for your current residents AND residents you want to attract. Do not leverage tax breaks to bring businesses in, does not work long run: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-12/rethinking-tax-incentives-so-they-actually-work AND https://www.wsj.com/articles/tax-incentives-often-dont-work-in-long-run-1507652843 08:51:42 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : Louisiana's petrochemical industry has been in flux for over 30 years and yet tax incentives for dirty industries continue to be a priority. With our low literacy and high reentry population wouldn't it be a more effective model to find clusters of future technologies to invest in growing their businesses in partnership with the community. Why do we continue to throw roses at companies that devalue our communities and not support the small and emerging business sector which actually provides the bulk of new jobs and is a good community long term partner. 08:53:11 From Girard Melancon : SAVE THE DATE! BRCC and ExxonMobil Baton invite you to the North Baton Rouge Industrial Training Initiative Virtual Open House on Wednesday, November 18 at 6 p.m. #NBRITI provides training courses in welding, electrical, millwright, and pipefitting crafts at no cost to qualifying participants. Register today at mybrcc.edu/nbriti. #mybrcc #workforcesolutions 08:54:12 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : +1 Rev Anderson, Business will come and stay if there is a local base of employment (which means educated youth through higher education), a critical mass of amenities, and inclusive communities (in addition to many other factors). A diverse local economy is a stronger local economy. 08:55:50 From Donald Andrews : Hello Casey, the Chamber has done a lot with respect to case studies such as visits to Austin, Cincinnati and other regions to make comparisons and to learn what other communities have done to move their communities forward. Andrew pointed out the assets to attract new industry such as life sciences and information technology. Which is great, the only problem is every other community would like to have these industries. With two land grant universities we should also look at strategies to grow our own in incubating high tech or STEM science businesses. One of our major weaknesses is the quality of life and do highly educated individuals want to live here compared to other locations such as Austin, Nashville, etc. We have high poverty rates in Louisiana and we need to address the quality of K-12 public education especially in the low income minority community. 08:56:44 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : Mass incarceration by far is the largest employer in this reason. If you google East Baton Rouge the parish prison comes up. We are in the national news every single week for one type of mass incarceration situations. If we don't get this situation and our education situation under control. 08:57:04 From Tyra, LaunchBR : List of businesses: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FlKxk-vQoA1NKSZiZK3qbdApA7JgXGOi/view 08:57:41 From Kevin Guitterrez : thanks, Trya 08:58:29 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : Q: In addition to Tyra/LaunchBR, what are the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to address this inequity to increase the number of minorities/women who own production-related businesses, understand who is at scale and help those increase scale to compete with other business. 08:59:06 From Tyra, LaunchBR : Maggie's List of Black owned brands and banks,etc. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5386a312e4b0bfe6e4e079f4/t/5f7d28db3c93d412b223310a/1602037979830/Maggie%27s+List.pdf 08:59:49 From Rinaldi Jacobs Sr : Sorry for joining late Casey. we are trying to see who is doing a 85 unit apartment called Capstone at Scotlandville. mentioned in the paper it is not the SCDC 09:01:07 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole : @ Andrew, thoughts on R7 (Restart, Relaunch, Refocus, Reconnect, Reskill, Reshore, Resecure) on helping manufacturing communities not only recover from the current pandemic-related downturn but to leverage transformational innovations to enable them to reverse decades of struggle, compete effectively in the global economy, and re-establish America’s manufacturing leadership and bringing that to BR and greater LA 09:01:24 From Jen Tewell (she/her) : Thanks all - I have to go for another call. Have a great weekend! 09:01:35 From Rinaldi Jacobs Sr : Medical Coding can start at 40K working from home 09:01:51 From Casey Phillips : Heidi & Elizabeth up next 09:02:19 From Casey Phillips : Then Kendra, Dean Andrews, Manny, Rev. Anderson 09:03:23 From Casey Phillips : Andrew 2050 projection, Tyra closing comments and Leslie Clay announcement 09:04:11 From WELCH, KELLY S : ExxonMobil Baton Rouge 2019 Diversity Spend: $141M in LA; $115M in BR; $9.5M in NBR. Targeting more for 2020! 09:05:44 From Casey Phillips : See you Girard, will circle back 09:11:46 From Rinaldi Jacobs Sr : how could someone become a PPE supplier for medical community? 09:11:53 From Pat LeDuff : yes, for sure the most awesome part about all of this is the collaboration for our local and State’s Success 09:11:58 From Casey Phillips : Great question Rinaldi 09:14:40 From Pat LeDuff : Yes/ Provide a place to live for their families- only a JOB will fix this 09:15:44 From Rodneyna - Capitol Park Museum : HI everyone, I am Rodneyna Hart, a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, and now the Division Director at Capitol Park Museum. I would love to continue conversations with all of you in the near future. My goal is to open the doors wide to our community. I have to go but my cell phone is 225-229-3389 and email, rhart@crt.la.gov. Thank you for including me in this room of such amazing voices. 09:17:23 From Dominique Dallas : I appreciate this collaborative energy at the top of a FriYay! Everyone have a great weekend! Thank you! 09:17:41 From WELCH, KELLY S : Also! Applications being accepted TODAY (today is the last day to apply) for an EMBR Complex Process Technician Job. Go to jobs.exxonmobil.com to apply. Please share! 09:19:53 From Manny Patole (he/him, Co-City Baton Rough) : FYI - Many retailers are asking for remote/home-based order processing fulfillers with paid training. Indeed, SimplyHired, ZIpRecruiter have hundreds of posts. I know it isn’t a career but can help people with some temporary income 09:20:13 From Tyra, LaunchBR : I was on a call with leaders in WI and they were pointing to our prison-employment stats. LITERALLY it is a black eye on LA 09:21:05 From Leslie Clay : That is the truth. 09:21:29 From Pat LeDuff : so TRUE! 09:23:30 From Pat LeDuff : you are correct- it is what it is 09:25:07 From Kevin Guitterrez : yes, Gwen! 09:25:09 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : Absolutely! Good point, Gwen! 09:25:13 From Tyra, LaunchBR : Amen Rev. Anderson!!! And I am a fan of yours. Thanks to Rep. Ronnie Edwards for introducing us. 09:25:31 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : I miss her everyday! 09:26:07 From Pat LeDuff : Yes, for sure ages 3-5 / that’s the foundation 09:26:19 From Pat LeDuff : Yes! 09:27:16 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : That is true! 09:29:20 From WELCH, KELLY S : Note that our refineries (crude oil) still provides feedstocks to chemical and plastics plants. 09:30:38 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : Runoff Election December 5th! Please remind everyone this is important! 09:31:10 From Pat LeDuff : Early voting next week 09:31:13 From Heidi Howat Wendt : We are still doing COVID Community Testing somewhere in the region 5 days a week 09:31:38 From Tyra, LaunchBR : I agree Justin!!! 09:31:45 From Leslie Clay : I have to run. Another call. This was GREAT. Thanks so much everyone. 09:31:59 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : So proud of my neighbor! Way to go, Dustin! 09:32:01 From Tyra, LaunchBR : I meant Dustin- not sure how that happened 09:32:03 From Pat LeDuff : congrats!!! Justin 09:32:05 From Raymond A. Jetson : Much respect to Dustin!!! 09:32:16 From Casey Phillips : Welcome to the group Chris & Lindi! 09:32:28 From Girard Melancon : Great Job Dustin! 09:33:05 From Pat LeDuff : Dustin. keep going !! 09:33:46 From Dustin LaFont@FYB : Thank you for the kind words. Our youth are a driving force for good! Looking forward to building together. 09:34:12 From Kevin Guitterrez : Appreciate each of you and looking forward to continuing to engage! 09:36:24 From Kelli Rogers : Thanks everyone!! Week #32 Topic “Safe, Hopeful, Healthy with Mayor Broome" Meeting Notes Prepared by Zoe Haddad Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome We are working to capitalize on federally allocated CARES act dollars for the S.M.A.R.T. initiative. These dollars are prescribed to improve situations that have evolved during the pandemic. We must recognize the moment we’re in from a public safety standpoint and respond to it with strategic decisions that give us a long term strategy to be a healthy community. Take a comprehensive all encompassing approach to address the issues facing our community Dedicate funding as prescribed to interrupt the cycle of violence, revitalize neighbors, strengthen families, prioritize access to care, and more Target youth through mentorship programs and connect residents to neighborhood-based public benefits Address the ongoing cycle of violence by engaging messengers from 70805 and 70802 neighborhoods, areas where we see the highest rate of violence All of these efforts are informed by data from BRPD and public health data Use analytics to determine which segments of our community will have the greatest benefit from this programming in order to maximize resources Four pillars of focus: Prioritize community based public safety Stabilize youth, family, and community Expand health in all policies Create equitable community development We are meeting with leaders nationally and locally to see strategies that have worked Currently hosting community meetings centered around these four pillars Next meeting is Saturday November 7 at the River Center Library For us to succeed in a pandemic, it takes us working together! We’re seeing an uptick in crime, violence, and domestic violence and obviously there is a direct correlation to the pandemic. In the CARES funding they explicitly allocated dollars to address this violence and community impact will propel us forward. Questions Q: Casey Phillips - How does the initiative address the interconnected drivers of poverty? A: When looking at our focus with Safe, Hopeful, Healthy, we touch the areas that are part of the pipeline that affect communities negatively. One of the goals is to connect with the education system, identify and uplift physical and mental health in all policies, create equitable community development (transportation, affordable housing)....when we address these issues, it helps us develop the formula for addressing crime in our community. We desperately need the buy in of organizations like the ones on this call! We want to build on the work that many organizations are doing. We want to connect the four pillars and the dollars needed to get the work done. Q: Gwen Hamilton - Early last year, Chief Paul said something haunting - “We have got to stop growing criminals”. As we move into the next administration, early childhood education becomes a part of SPEAK so that children, who we know learn at a very early age, have the opportunity through Head Start but we must push to better coordinate to provide high quality education that begins at Pre-K. Lack of quality education has been one of the number one problems we’ve had in 70802. A: We need to improve our communication and pull in thought leaders in the process. We implemented the cradle to K program to put a spotlight on early childhood development (0-3 years). Head Start starts a little later than psychologists tell us children need that early development. We have to make sure this early development is connected to Head Start - that doesn’t happen in all of the cities across our state. We are in a unique situation to craft and improve these programs. Q: Dean Andrews - We know that D and F schools are traditionally in low income communities. How can you as mayor make a change knowing how paramount it is for communities to have quality education. You as a political leader can only do so much - we on the ground must do the work to create the desire for radical change. How can we as a coalition work towards this goal? A: As mayor, it is possible to convene meetings with stakeholders and leaders in the community to discuss education. You on the ground can break down the barriers that often exist to help us move forwards towards the common goal of quality education for all students. Unfortunately education is often politicized which does not help the students. We need a shared educational goal - for example, the Capital Area Promise informs students on higher education and career paths to elevate the academic and educational growth of our students. Q: Pastor Jeremy Pleasant - When you’re talking about Safe, Hopeful, Healthy, how can that help address food insecurity and how can the people on this call help move that forward? A: We have been addressing food insecurity through the Mayor's Healthy City Initiative as a conduit for improving the problem. We’ve received some multi-million dollar grants from some community partners which we’ve used to pilot programs to bring food to the 70805 zip code. With food insecurity we talk about our students, when they’re out of school and how they access food, our overall community being able to go to grocery stores. The faith based community has their pulse on hundreds of thousands of individuals throughout their parishes and can serve with us as a conduit for congregants challenged specifically with food insecurity. Q: Ted Holmes - Is there currently an effort being made to address the digital divide? With COVID, we are seeing the impact of the lack of internet access for our students and families. From neighborhoods with no infrastructure to families who can’t afford it, there are various obstacles that impact our PK-16 students. How can we work with your office to address this with business and industry in EBR? A: We are on a good trajectory with Telemedicine, we just have to invest and prioritize further development. Q: Connor Deloach - One of the profound things that has come from the pandemic are the calls and collaboration. How do we ensure that funding like this continues to promote these collaborative efforts and comprehensive long term approaches to address change? A: There is serious pressure to sustain long term relationships with funding. CARES helped continue efforts with Walls, Top Box, etc. We have to change cultural awareness and lean into resources, tell the truth about our constituents’ situations, and work collaboratively. We can get more results, we can share more data, and we can get more national dollars to make this work. We want to help organizations become sustainable and ourselves move towards being less of an anchor and more of a supporting arm. Q: Jan Moller - My question concerns the minimum wage. Baton Rouge and other cities are forbidden by state law from establishing a local minimum wage. But the city can set a strong example by raising the pay of its lowest-paid workers, and requiring city contractors to pay their workers a living wage with good benefits. Is that something you would prioritize in a second term? A: Getting support from the community is welcome and we need your advocacy, for instance advocacy for contractors’ wages, more than we can push the needle on our own. Move BR was brought in under Mayor-President Broome and we have successfully brought in a DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certification program and have moved up from 10% to 30%. The minority certification is so important - a lot of small businesses can’t take the time to get certified by DOTD, the state, etc. A single certification will be very helpful to spurn on business. BR Pop and Tyra Banks have worked towards DBE procurement from $12-18 million. These things are happening behind the scenes but there are some major moves being made to put money into the community and move the community forward. DBE dollars help create diverse communities, industries, businesses. Legislation around it needs to be thought about from the theory of abundance and not scarcity. Courtney Scott Safe, Hopeful, Healthy will help break down silos and connect the dots RFP of $5 million received with $3.2 million allocation of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds We have some lists and criteria from HUD due to the pandemic There’s a NOFA (Notice of Funding Allocations) with a category called Public Service Typically the cap is 10% but because of COVID, HUD has increased that allocation meaning we have more dollars to put on the ground to respond to our community. It has been increased to 100%. How do you define Public Service? Carrying out job training to expand the pool of healthcare workers and physicians Providing testing diagnosis at a fixed or mobile location Increasing capacity to target infectious disease Providing equipment and supplies to address areas outside of public service Delivery of meals on wheels and feeding services to Employment services Crime Prevention and public safety, Youth services and services to senior citizens Services for homeless citizens Community educational campaigns Community based technical programs designed to address neighborhood blight safety Resources Safe, Hopeful, Healthy Baton Rouge Panel For further information on Safe, Hopeful, Healthy - safehopefulhealthybr@brla.gov CDBG/HUD NOFA Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and Build Baton Rouge announced this week the award of a $5 million grant to implement the Plank Road Master Plan. The grant award will be administered to the City-Parish and Build Baton Rouge by JPMorgan Chase’s 2020 Advancing Cities Challenge. The five-year initiative supports comprehensive solutions to complex systemic challenges facing communities across the country. Plank Road was once a thriving commercial corridor in East Baton Rouge Parish, and unfortunately, the former epicenter of Baton Rouge has faced disinvestment. The residents deserve to live in a community marked by growth and opportunity, and our Plank Road Master Plan lays the foundation to comprehensively address the challenges facing this region of our parish. This investment from Advancing Cities moves Baton Rouge closer to achieving peace, prosperity, and progress for all of our residents. The Challenge Fund is now up to $400K!  You’re getting this information before we’ve even had a chance to update the website. The executive team is making a strong push over the next two weeks to get that number even higher.  This is the pot of money available to you, our nonprofits participating in 225 GIVES! The following are now live on 225GIVES under Nonprofit Resources: Nonprofit toolkit 10/22 Nonprofit Training Recorded Presentation Additional Value-Added Training Topics & Dates REMINDERS: Nonprofit Registration Deadline – November 5th Please thoroughly review profile pages and make edits if needed. We will be adding a training on Monday, November 23rd at 11:00 a.m. titled 225 GIVES – The Final Countdown.  This session will provide an overview of what to expect for Early Giving, Giving Day (Dec.1st), and Post Giving Day items. Get involved on social media! Follow @225Gives on Instagram and Twitter. Facebook has the most content -https://www.facebook.com/225Gives Email 225GIVES@cauw.org with questions Looking forward to November and watching #225GIVES come to life! Zoom Chat 08:37:54     From Helen Frink : https://youtu.be/dgBBYBE0l9s 08:38:07     From Casey Phillips : Thank you Helen for the link 08:40:02     From Helen Frink : safehopefulhealthybr@brla.gov 08:41:34     From Casey Phillips : Please put your questions for the Mayor in the chat 08:43:17     From Casey Phillips : Sydney you’re next 08:46:53     From Donald Andrews : While you are not directly responsible for education. As change in the economy continues to advance the need for quality educational outcomes is paramount. If we look at the location of D and F schools they are in the low income community. How do we move to uplift these schools and provide these students an opportunity for success. 08:51:30     From Coletta Barrett : Adverse Childhood Experiences impact learning.  This is the space that healthcare can enter into and work collaboratively.  The Children's Hospital and Healthcare Centers in Schools are already working in this space, MORE work to be done 08:53:12     From Jeremy Pleasant : Mayer Broome. Looking at a key indicator of poverty, food insecurity. What do you see as some of the biggest barriers of those in hunger, accessing existing services? How does Safe, Hopeful, and Healthy currently address this? How do you imagine community partners can recognize and address some of these barriers? 08:53:16     From Elizabeth Perry : The Cradle to K initiative is a fantastic program! I had several foster children go through the program. On behalf of my these children, thank you for the great work with this initiative! 08:53:32     From Tyra Banks : Excellent job Mayor! 08:55:52     From Sydney Epps, LSU : Education is politicized because uneducated people are easier to manipulate. Let's start VERY early and create a norm of college completion. 08:56:40     From Connor Deloach : Casey has built a platform(s) for continued collaboration and communication among the various different groups and people working to create change. I am curious what measures or processes the city has in place to ensure that funding like this continues to promote collaborative efforts over a single minded approach? 08:56:51     From Ted Holmes : Is there currently an effort being made to address the digital divide? With COVID, we are seeing the impact of the lack of internet access for our students and families. From neighborhoods with no infrastructure to families who can’t afford it, there are various obstacles that impact our PK-16 students. How can we work with your office to address this with business and industry in EBR? 08:58:02     From Jan Moller (he/him/his) : Thank you for your leadership Mayor Broome. My question concerns the minimum wage. Baton Rouge and other cities are forbidden by state law from establishing a local minimum wage. But the city can set a strong example by raising the pay of its lowest-paid workers, and requiring city contractors to pay their workers a living wage with good benefits. Is that something you would prioritize in a second term? 08:58:51     From Tyra Banks : I live in 70805 and we finally have fresh fruit at our corner stores and Family Dollar 08:59:13     From Adonica Duggan : I have to jump for a 9 a.m. but would love to discuss more on the digital divide issue in a future call. Thanks for the partnership of such an amazing group of community leaders. 09:01:49     From Coletta Barrett : J Daniels with Public Housing Authority would be a great conversation starter for the Digital Divide … one partner and approach... 09:02:00     From Mayor Sharon Weston Broome : I’m going to have to jump off in about 5 minutes. 09:02:52     From Casey Phillips : Thank you Mayor, if you have time to address the digital divide question that would be a gift. 09:03:48     From Rinaldi Jacobs Sr : would this include WiFi for better telemedicine for the HUD grant 09:03:49     From Mayor Sharon Weston Broome : Jan, I am focused on raising the salaries of CP workers.  I have just raised the minimum salary to $10hr.  The goal continues to be a livable wage.  Welcome your input in how we can move this forward. 09:04:08     From Judith Rhodes : Thank you and good luck! I have another appointment. Stay safe everyone. 09:04:17     From Casey Phillips : Thank you Judith 09:05:16     From Helen Frink : cmscott@brla.gov 09:05:39     From Helen Frink : copy me as well! hfrink@brla.gov 09:05:46     From Mayor Sharon Weston Broome : Broadband expansion is a top priority.  Needed to attract new businesses and sustain existing businesses. 09:06:07     From Rachelle "Ray-chel" Sanderson (she/her) : Here's the link for the NOFA: https://www.brla.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10241/NOFA-Public-Notice-2020 09:07:59     From Jan Ross - HAWF : Must disconnect - heading out to start the weekend early.  Thank you Casey.  Best of luck Mayor Broome 09:08:27     From Shavon Knighten, AMIkids : Thank you Mayor Broome for your continued Leadership! 09:12:37     From Connor Deloach : Thank you Courtney 09:13:54     From Coletta Barrett : Communicate, Collaborate and Coordinate efforts and service 09:14:23     From Tracy White : Thanks so much, Casey! Perfect example. This has been an informative call. Thank you, Mayor Broome and Courtney. 09:14:28     From Courtney Scott : definitely the way to go 09:14:56     From Ted Holmes : That’s awesome Casey. I’m glad to have been invited to this call. 09:15:15     From Tracy White : Hopping off for another call. Thanks again! 09:16:21     From Jeremy Pleasant : Gotta run to my next meeting. Thank you for the invite. 09:17:00     From Helen Frink : viyengar@brla.gov 09:17:55     From Helen Frink : kgoranson@brla.gov 09:17:55     From Coletta Barrett : BRAC is focused on Procurement opportunities for inclusive and local efforts 09:18:11     From Shavon Knighten, AMIkids : I have to hop off. Great conversation! Have a great weekend! 09:18:45     From Emanuel Boo Milton : Wow. Thats great 09:19:17     From Tyra Banks : Yes Courtney 09:19:32     From Rev. Alexis Anderson-EBRPPRC : Will that certification process be digital? 09:20:05     From Tyra Banks : Thanks for recognizing our work. It could not be done without folks like BRAC and OLOL and Blue Cross etc 09:20:30     From Helen Frink : Please copy me on any outreach to these members of the admin hfrink@brla.gov 09:21:21     From Rinaldi Jacobs Sr : very good for.a.seamless certification.  makes it easier for the minority businesses 09:23:43     From Coletta Barrett : Our community's ability to work together is unique.  The TRUST we create by connecting and working together makes current and future collaboration easier! 09:24:50     From Connor Deloach : couldn’t be happier about it! 09:25:38     From Rev. Alexis Anderson-EBRPPRC : Absolutely 09:25:45     From Rachelle "Ray-chel" Sanderson (she/her) : "you don't have to bbq together on Sunday's to get work done" 09:25:49     From Connor Deloach : 100% 09:28:18     From Coletta Barrett : You cannot give what you do not have... taking care of oneself is NOT SELFISH... it is selfless...  filling our cup lets us pour into anothers... 09:28:57     From Connor Deloach : Quick plug since Casey brought up Top Box. We are now offering 50% discount for anyone utilizing SNAP benefits on all groceries purchased for free home delivery 09:29:38     From Tyra Banks : Amen 09:29:57     From Rev. Alexis Anderson-EBRPPRC : Remind everyone that this is not the only election.  If people need to register please encourage them.  Voting is powerful in every election all the time! 09:30:24     From Elizabeth Perry : Prayers coming your way, Boo! 09:30:25     From Jen Tewell (she/her) : Grief Recovery Center offers free virtual or in-person COVID-19 support groups and we're launching a free virtual holiday series Nov. 10. www.grcbr.org/supportgroups 09:31:20     From Emanuel Boo Milton : @Elizabeth Thank you ! Receiving all of the prayers 09:31:22     From Foundation for EBR System : Yeay!!! 09:31:28     From Rev. Alexis Anderson-EBRPPRC : Yes was so excited to hear that!!! 09:31:29     From Emily Chatelain : !! 09:31:33     From Coletta Barrett : Stay Safe... 09:31:42     From Emanuel Boo Milton : Thats great! 09:31:45     From Foundation for EBR System : Big turn - thanks partners! 09:32:24     From Connor Deloach : Thank you as always Casey! Great seeing everyone. 09:32:32     From Rev. Alexis Anderson-EBRPPRC : That's wonderful! 09:32:48     From Coletta Barrett : Casey Phillips - true servant leader 09:34:43     From Sarah Walsh, IBM : I am working the polls thanks to this call! 09:34:54     From Rachelle "Ray-chel" Sanderson (she/her) : Thank y'all so much for hosting this space! This was my first meeting and it was energizing! 09:34:57     From Jen Tewell (she/her) : Y'all are incredible. Thanks! 09:36:07     From Sydney Epps, LSU : We purposely restrict voting... 09:36:20     From Emanuel Boo Milton : Helen is GLOWING !!!! Hey :D 09:36:20     From Sydney Epps, LSU : thanks everyone! 09:36:22     From Lou Guthrie : My first call too, and what an exciting group of people. 09:36:26     From Casey Phillips : Thank You Sydney! 09:36:42     From Sydney Epps, LSU : sepps2@lsu.edu 09:36:51     From Sydney Epps, LSU : see you all again soon 09:37:04     From Sydney Epps, LSU : Philly to BR! 09:37:43     From Sydney Epps, LSU : remember: cultures are not costumes 🥰 09:37:54     From Sydney Epps, LSU : take care 09:38:59     From Helen Frink : 2254275005 09:39:01     From Aishala Burgess : Thanks Casey! 09:39:46     From Foundation for EBR System : I assume United Way would have a tie with Salvation Army 09:45:03     From Foundation for EBR System : walkinCasey’s motto: “Connecting us for work, protecting us from spam“ 09:45:23     From Kelli Rogers : Thanks so much everyone! Have a great weekend!! 09:45:24     From Foundation for EBR System : great call! 09:46:01     From Karla King : Thanks everyone - next Friday! EBR Community Check-In Week #31 “Food Insecurity Coalition (EBR) Report Out" Meeting Notes Prepared by Helena Williams Katie Pritchett (Capital Area United Way) Main focus Data - utilizing data to tell the story of food insecurity Subgroups Federal & Philanthropic Funding Service Providers Data, Evaluations, & Policy Determining the why, what we’re doing, how we’re impacting the community Key data points as it relates to food What are we already collecting? What should we be collecting? Barriers Food Insecurity is the tip of the iceberg Usually additional factors Transportation Childcare Health access A holistic wrap around the people serviced Data insight tool to better tell the food insecure story Meeting 2x in Nov and 2x in Dec Jan Ross (Angelina & Huey Wilson Foundation) Workgroup A:  Federal & Philanthropic Funding As providers, how do you obtain access to funding? Data - creating evidence towards the need and the success Case for support creation What are you looking for? How can we package this info? Showing a collective action as a case for support is more attractive to multiple funders Edy Addison (Capital Area United Way) - Workgroup B: Service Providers Serving Food Insecure People Direct food distribution Services to connect to food (SNAP, etc) Growing Food Newly defining the types of people who are food insecure Not fitting into the typical programs alignments for “food insecure” What data are we all tracking and similar metrics of success What data can we commonly track, what are we willing to put forward, what new metrics can we record to show we’re doing this cohesively? How do we make buying local produce apart of the system? Manny Patole - Workgroup C: Data, Evaluations, & Policy Short term goals Understanding the overall landscape of food insecurity in BR Data we have, missing, and who’s working in this space Medium-term goals Serving as a way of finding services Securing resources to better serve the community Longterm goals Leveraging data and evaluations to make longstanding policy changes Focusing on what services are happening and who they are servicing Technical side creating a rosetta stone to develop what we’re missing in data and support to create short term solutions to get food out to people right now Tyra Banks (MetroMorphosis) - Work Group B LWS(?) purchased local convinces stores Pipeline having local growers - opportunity to connect Kelli Rogers (Geaux Get Healthy) Work Group B Top Box corner store initiative 5 stores right now Food deliveries, and transportation something continued as a focus for GGH Traci Vincent (Chef / Geaux Get Healthy) Work Group B Beyond data What’s going on in the city Policy changes to take place down the road Recognizing where the gaps are and filling them in Korey Patty (Feeding Louisiana) Work Group C Looking at longer systemic issues around food insecurity Helping foodbanks and typical systems Problems, challenges, and opportunities to address food insecurity locally Introducing the group to the large-scale programs and the policies programs like how much food they can get Recognizing all of the barriers that exist around accessing those basic needs Talking with practitioners What are you doing, where are you doing it, what data are you collecting already? Comparing group data and telling a story What’s missing from creating a more impactful story? Geography - specific zip codes focus (concentrated poverty and food insecurity) Where services are to paint a bigger picture Needing food asst. but have additional challenges Job instability, access to transportation, childcare, safe home environments, stressors, traumas, barriers to access Data around the physical and mental strain of poverty Expansion of partnerships around communication and destigmatization of food access Programming to creatively expand access in non-traditional delivery partners (schools, buses, healthcare centers) Not just for picking up food but to understand the long term impacts of the factors they are specifically monitoring AND food access Providing resources and food today, tomorrow but also how do we change the landscape around food insecurity Chelsea Morgan (American Heart Association) Work Group B Encourage by the work Longterm goals Recent discussions of short-term goals to share the need to our community Intention of the working groups have shown that and not lose focus because of how many people have the need Patrick Tuck (4-H Louisiana) Work Group C Policy around the school gardens to make sure leftover food makes it into the system Dr. Nadine Mann (EBR Schools) Work Group B Feeding face-to-face 4k - 16k meals-per-day breakfast and lunch prior pandemic 30k meals (lunch) 20k (bfast) working on a plan to target the home kids currently, they can stop by schools on Wed to take home a weeks worth of food Proposal for home delivery to the state agency 1 box once a week to get 5 days worth Emily Chatelain (Three O’Clock Project) - Work Group B Serving a few meals to a few in-person after school programs Most after-school programs are 100% virtual Not funded by the state Piloting for 8 weeks Leslie Clay (Family Health & LPHI) Oct 28 - Tele-town Hall Regions 1 & 2 Topic: COVID and the Flu Sharmayne Rutledge (EBR Schools) Highschools returned this week Virtual support program is underway 3-4 teachers extending services K-12 to help meet the needs of the virtual learners Homework flyer Reverend Alexis Anderson (PREACH) CAUW - Prison Reform Coalition Incarcerated families and persons incarcerated can take advantage of the stimulus check Jail is 85-90% pre-trial all of their bills and obligations remain For-profit places - incurring many expenses for all access Isaac Families - Using money to post bond, now responsible for raising children as parent is incarcerated Nov 21 - Flyer Adonica Duggan (New Schools For Baton Rouge) Education as a Civil Right is Tuesday March 28 - Keynote speaker John King Pat LeDuff (CADAV) Betty’s Hope Bus - Warrick Dunn Revisit the bus idea Transportation - Bringing Cats to the meetings to where stops are not working for the people Zoom Chat 08:30:46 From Manny Patole : (Pure Fun and 1980's appreciation) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOGEyBeoBGM&ab_channel=BelindaCarlisleVEVO 08:32:51 From Esperanza Zenon : Sorry I missed ya'll yesterday. 08:33:46 From Casey Phillips : No problem at all Esperanza, will give you a full download when we catch up next 08:38:34 From Casey Phillips : Good Morning Dr. Rutledge! If you have any EBR Schools updates to share please let us know - will give you the floor 08:48:21 From Casey Phillips : Myra, the FIC would love to get your farmers and community partners from Scotlandville and Mid City engaged. Can we connect to discuss, next meeting is 11/4 08:48:30 From Anna TBF : Tyra — we can talk about this! anna@topboxfoods.com 08:48:55 From Anna TBF : Talking with Baton Roots right now about how we can get local produce in the stores 08:49:26 From Kelli Rogers : Great!!  Didn't see that you were on Anna. 08:49:47 From Manny Patole : Also we are seeing that the cut-off metrics from FDA or SNAP etc do not really capture who is really food insecure either acute or chronically 08:50:38 From Chelsea Morgan : I'm encouraged by the collaboration and thoughtfulness that our leaders have taken to set up this coalition. The intention is not lost among the large number of organization at the table. Thank you CAUW, Casey and all workgroup leaders! 08:50:55 From Manny Patole : How can we properly identify who is insecure, when are they insecure, understand the underlying issues and the related issues like mental health, access to transit/mobility/ age cohorts, etc 08:51:49 From Manny Patole : @Korey, can you mention the three observations from our meeting (FIC Pearls of Knowledge) 08:54:39 From Esperanza Zenon : I have a 9am meeting so I have to leave 08:55:02 From Jen Tewell (she/her) : Can y'all share how to join the group c for this coalition? 08:55:35 From Katie Pritchett : Hi Jan, you can send me an email KatieP@cauw.org and I can add you to the roster and meeting invites. 08:55:36 From Casey Phillips : Jen, drop your email in the chat for Katie to include you in the CAUW Zoom invite. 08:55:50 From Manny Patole : @Jen (and everyone) if you are interested in joining the FIC you can let us know and your email. We can then sort you into where you like to work. 08:55:58 From Jen Tewell (she/her) : jtewell@grcbr.org - thanks! 08:58:40 From Manny Patole : The FIC is not looking to crown the market with another org doing the same thing. Rather, we are looking to help understand and bridge the gaps in erradicating FIC in EBR through coordinating work, understanding and influencing policy, and helping to destigmatize the issue. In addition we want to have a greater understanding who is being served, where, is the work being done enough for those with acute and chronic hunger issues in those areas. 08:58:43 From Casey Phillips : Themes from Work Group B: 1.       Geographic data is really key to showing the need and help paint the picture of where services are being delivered, where people live, etc. 2.       Understanding additional stressors for food insecure people and how to meet their needs with access: literacy, transportation, mental health, etc. when trying to address basic needs. Paint the whole client picture. 3.       Being able to expand partnerships and leverage non-traditional partners in elevating food insecurity and pair that with program expansion. Moving from point of understanding food insecurity is an issue only to how do we support folks supporting with these issues by providing access, resources, talking about issues, reduce stigma. 09:01:25 From Walls Project to Casey Phillips (Privately) : Patrick has his hand raised 09:04:10 From Family Health : Hey there Casey 09:04:45 From Myra Richardson : ^I’ll get with my teams and shoot you an email 09:05:13 From Casey Phillips : Thank you Myra! 09:05:54 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : What is the support system for families without POV? 09:08:38 From Casey Phillips : You’re up next Dr. Rutledge 09:10:14 From Sharmayne Rutledge : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z-Wtj7cvMZgqJRZWpaLXVL0zeki7paT4/view?usp=sharing 09:15:09 From Danielle Mack : Very helpful resource. I will along to others. Thank you for sharing Dr. Rutledge. 09:15:23 From Casey Phillips : Thank you Danielle 09:15:36 From Anna TBF : https://www.facebook.com/556364564410133/posts/3529281363785090/?vh=e&extid=0&d=n We are running a new program for SNAP users to get up to $20 off their groceries 09:16:05 From Emily Chatelain : Rev Anderson - someone linked me to this organization this week: https://lagrg.org/ "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana" 09:19:03 From Casey Phillips : Adonica, we will close with your announcement 09:20:22 From Myra Richardson : *raises hand 09:20:33 From Casey Phillips : Got you Myra 09:20:56 From Kelli Rogers : raising mine too 09:28:59 From Manny Patole : I have office hours with a student (speaking of education and making time for our students). 09:29:32 From Manny Patole : Thank you to all who are working on the FIC and those who are interested, we are ever growing and looking for folks who want to move the needle. 09:31:37 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : Yea!!!!!! 09:32:56 From Family Health : Thanks so much for hosting and per usual great call.  Have a great weekend everyone. 09:33:06 From Family Health : Leslie from LPHI 09:33:08 From Casey Phillips : Thank you Leslie! 09:35:02 From Jen Tewell (she/her) : Thank you for this work! I look for to this meeting every week. I have to sign-off. Have a good weekend y'all! 09:36:08 From Korey Patty : Excellent point, Traci. Food insecurity impacts folks across socioeconomics for myriad reasons. 09:36:18 From Tre Nelson : Great work everyone! 09:36:22 From Pat LeDuff : can we get CATS to partner with us -? let’s invite them to a future meeting- we have been working to get that stop moved since the closing of EKL Hospital 09:36:59 From Pat LeDuff : great idea!! 09:37:54 From Casey Phillips : Theo is included on every coalition invite. Would be great to have him more engaged weekly but know he is a busy human. 09:38:03 From Emily Chatelain : I have to jump off but we can help with this - storage, food, etc. - when we kicked off our delivery over summer I reached out to every food truck owner in the city as a start 09:38:15 From Casey Phillips : Thank you Emily! 09:41:52 From Casey Phillips : Betty’s Hope 09:42:13 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : What about the Council on Aging but has a tons of vans and does food delivery everyday? 09:42:34 From Pat LeDuff : yes!!!  I remember 09:42:41 From Pat LeDuff : let’s do it 09:43:18 From Pat LeDuff : it worked and the kids loved the bus 09:43:19 From edy addison- cauw : I have to hop off- have a great weekend everyone. 09:43:34 From Kelli Rogers : Thanks everyone.  Have a great weekend! 09:43:34 From Rev. Alexis Anderson : EBRPL has the mobile book truck. 09:44:37 From Patrick Tuck : Thanks all! Great meeting as always!...

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in EBR The Walls Project has been hosting weekly video calls with leaders of nonprofits, foundations, city-go