Strategic Planning, Purpose and Investment:
As noted, herein, the Urban Renewal Coalition works from the inside out, incorporating not only “best practices,” successful models, evidence-based research, and third-party evaluations and studies, but also the employment of deliberate dialogue processes that actively engages community members in the assessment of need and the subsequent actions to be taken. In doing so, the investment protocol is addressed at the outset. T.U.R.C. values the verbal, physical, and financial support of community members and businesses—demonstrating commitment to and ownership of all projects. Our cause is grouped into three major and broad areas, in that specific services and any support—be it voluntarism, supplies and materials, financial and in-kind contributions—can further be streamlined to address specific concerns within those categories.
Our equality principles: Promoting accessibility; valuing cultural diversity; promoting participation; promoting equality of opportunity; promoting inclusive communities; reducing disadvantages and exclusion. We are committed to bringing real improvements to our community and the lives of people most in need. We have identified seven values that underpin our work: fairness; accessibility; strategic focus; involving people; innovation; enabling; governmental participation (BLF Model).
Investments in our community pan three areas: Growing Community Assets, Life Transitions and Supporting 21st Century Life, all of which focus on tackling need and addressing inequalities. Participants (those served and volunteers), local government, businesses, charitable groups, and our partners share the aim to act as an investor. This means that we take a long-term interest in the groups and organizations we are investing in and provide practical support and advice throughout the project.
21st Century Life
Our objective is to improve the quality of life by helping families most in need to deal with the challenges of family life and familiar relationships; intervening early to prevent poverty and disadvantages and giving children a better chance at educational attainment and socioeconomic success. Services strengthen family connections and relationships and help improve communities. Services support family members of all ages and help families build resilience. Additionally, communication is highly regarded, be it through standard or technological innovations—in that everyone remains “in the loop.”
Life Transitions
Our objective is to support people at key times of change, helping them make their lives better for the future. We believe that strong support at key times can help people get through expected transitions, like leaving care, academic support, counseling, employment OR stop people making unexpected transitions, like falling into debt, addiction, or incarceration. We want to put people at the heart of services to help them get the support they need. Outreach efforts intend to reach people most in need and to target those who are least likely to receive support. We seek support to fund projects which help people in real need now, as well as projects that prevent need occurring by intervening early when community members are at risk. ALL funding and other forms of contribution is utilized where it can make a difference and complement what others, especially mainstream government services and community-based programs, are doing. We have high ambitions for Life Transitions and we want to make a measurable difference—like helping individuals and families achieve obvious, concrete changes in their lives such as securing a job or a home, high school graduation and college acceptance, and etc.
Growing Community Assets
Growing Community Assets gives communities more control and influence over their own future through ownership of assets. These are usually physical assets, such as land, buildings or equipment, but may also include other types of assets such as entrepreneurial endeavors, neighborhood watch initiatives, little leagues and adult programs. We believe that the process of acquiring assets encourages people to become more involved in their communities, developing the skills, capacity and confidence they need to work together to address local needs. Encouraging ideas of the sort makes communities stronger and more sustainable by helping them to acquire, manage and develop assets, providing quality services and amenities that generate income streams. Development of these assets should improve the social, environmental and economic future of the community. As well as emphasizing financial viability, Growing Community Assets strongly underscores tackling need. The Dan River Region is seemingly plagued by continual identification of obvious needs to include: a lack of employment due to the closure of a major local employer(s) or industries, an unskilled workforce due to patterns of low educational attainment, low employability/high turnover rates due to unacceptable drug screens, and a shrinking population due to lack of opportunities for young people…and as of late, older people as well.
