LISC Jacksonville is in the process of expanding its approach to community development by introducing EPIC Communities: Empowering People…Inspiring Change, a holistic approach to building sustainable neighborhoods that has been successful in over 30 other cities around the country. Informed and engaged residents create healthy, vibrant neighborhoods; collaborative community partners create better environments for citizens of all ages to thrive and reach their fullest potential; and a neighborhood vision provides a unifying goal for all.

The EPIC Communities Initiative is being pioneered in two communities that have experienced successful residential and commercial development, one in East Jacksonville and one in Northwest Jacksonville. Each neighborhood process is being led by one of our CDC partners. Kevin Gay and Operation New Hope are leading the East Jacksonville process, and Paul Tutwiler and the Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation are leading the process in Northwest Jacksonville.

During the past few months our partners have been conducting individual interviews, focus groups and large group meetings. On September 29, the process will culminate with community-wide visioning meetings for each neighborhood. These meetings will provide an opportunity for all residents to discuss and agree on a vision for their respective neighborhoods and begin to develop a plan of action to achieve their respective vision.

The Jacksonville Job Corps was the host site for this community wide project.  The initial event was hosted September 29th with 3 follow up sessions that occurred in October and November.  Community partners gathered to be apart of this wonderful event.  Volunteers from the Jacksonville Job Corps Center participated with this event.  Organizers of the event was thrilled with the idea of hosting the event in the heart of the community.  Over 400 visitors participated in the 4 events

Congresswoman Corrine Brown and State Senator Audrey Gibson supported the efforts of the organization to take their community back.  Staff members from the Jacksonville Job Corps Center recruited volunteers to assist the center with it;s volunteer needs.

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