24:1 Initiative
THOUGHTS ON 24:1
24:1 Initiative
Background
For 35 years, the mission of Beyond Housing has been to strengthen neighborhoods, one family at a time. Our vision is to alleviate the consequences of poverty in the families and communities we serve. The organization is producing observable successes in Pagedale and over ten years ago began developing a strategic plan to expand its programs and services throughout the Normandy School District. 24:1 embodies that strategic plan.
Context
- 24:1 is focused on the 24 inner-ring suburban communities located entirely or partly within the geography of the Normandy School District, in St. Louis County, Missouri.
- Approximately 40,000 residents live in the area, which is diverse and includes historic neighborhoods that are moderate to upper income as well as low-income communities built primarily for military families after WWII. The area is challenged by decades of disinvestment. Over 5,000 students attend Normandy School District, with 82% receiving free or reduced-price lunch.
- Understanding their shared strengths, opportunities and threats, these communities are choosing to work together as 24:1 - twenty-four communities with one vision.
The Community Speaks
In 2009, ten Mayors joined forces with Beyond Housing and each other to address the impact of the foreclosure crisis on their municipalities which were all within Normandy School District. That partnership has now grown into a community building initiative that includes each of the 24 communities touched by the school district, and is appropriately named the 24:1. As lead agency, Beyond Housing secured a five-year funding commitment to provide staffing who will facilitate the development of a community-driven plan in the vital areas of: community engagement, education, community health and wellness, commercial and residential real estate development, research and resource development. A comprehensive community engagement process is underway, which will culminate in the adoption of a shared community plan that will drive the program and service delivery of the 24:1 Initiative.
