The "Seed" Concept

The seeding effort brought key community stakeholders together to implement programs to improve the quality of life for target area residents. These stakeholders included public and private sector representatives, churches, community and faith-based organizations, local colleges and universities as well as local, county and state representatives and community residents.

"Seeding" a community required collaboration at multiple levels. First, it requiredthat non-profit organizations provide essential services to the target area through training and services in employment, skill training, continuing education and health services. Second, the effort required collaboration between the diverse public and private agencies serving the target area. For example, local, county and state agencies support "seeding" initiatives with grant and loan funding. Third, the "seeding" required that the non-profits and public agencies collaborate with the private sector to leverage funds, support sustainability and increase economic opportunities for the target area.

Seeding efforts were conducted through the leadership of the Assistance for Impact Delegation (AID) Team.  The AID Team included key representatives of local, public and private agencies, non-profit community organizations and local residents that provide leadership, and resource support for the target area.  The AID Team was tasked with the creation of a "Revitalization Plan" to address the elevated risk factors and develop programs/projects identified and designed to improve the quality of life for residents in the target area.