Hope Initiative Partnership
In January of 2010, Calvary began a partnership with the mayor of Tuscaloosa's Hope Initiative. This unique initiative partners faith-based organizations, as well as other community supporters, with "zones" of the city.
What is the Hope Initiative?
The Hope Initiative focuses on seven zones in the city where
the most crime calls occur. Most of the crime occurs within small, half-mile
areas within those zones.
The plan includes both short-term and long-term
recommendations for improving the neighborhoods:
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Increasing patrol officers by 20 percent
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Tracking habitual crime offenders
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Establishing an East Tuscaloosa
police precinct
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Establishing a mental health court
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Adding more green space
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Making infrastructure improvements like lighting and
sidewalks and removing old alleyways.
Faith-based organizations are a vital part of the implementation of this plan.
What are the zones?
Zone 1 Includes Creekwood Village and Hay Court Apartments
Zone 2 Includes Rosedale Court, Bonita Terrace and Meadowlawn
Zone 3 Includes Graceland Apartments and Juanita Drive in Alberta
Zone 4 Encompasses an area near John England Manor near 30th Avenue
Zone 5 Includes Downing Place on Third Avenue East
Zone 6 Includes Beech Street near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Zone 7 Encompasses Forrester Gardens near 37th Street East
What has Calvary done?
Though Calvary's first involvement in the Hope Initiative began in January of 2011 (Calvary gave out care packages to Rosedale courts), our connection to Zone 2 was cemented by the April 27, 2011 tornado that destroyed Rosedale Courts. Though a partnership with the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority, Calvary was able to help furnish the new homes of over 70 former Rosedale residents. Learn more about our tornado relief efforts here.
What is the future of this partnership?
This fall, Calvary is prayerfully seeking our next step! We are confident this partnership will be vital to our desire to be "an all-inclusive community living out the story of God.