Smokey City Community Town Hall Highlights

Authentic community change begins with hearing from authentic community voices. It begins with centering the lived experiences and perspectives of the people who live and work in that community.

That's why it was so important to have a conversation led by Smokey City residents last month about some of the biggest challenges they see in the neighborhood and how to help get them resolved. Hosted by Councilwoman Michalyn Easter-Thomas, with breakout sessions led by our team of volunteer neighborhood champions, the forum was a place for people living in the community to weigh in with their concerns around four major areas: addressing blight, boosting business prospects, retaining safe and affordable housing, and increasing mental health and education supports for community members.

The below graphic shows some of the major messages that came from residents at the town hall.

In addition, town hall attendees were encouraged to participate in our survey for prioritizing critical community needs. Their feedback, along with responses from our neighborhood champions, helped to lift up three major areas that concerned residents most: employment issues, housing availability and affordability, and reckless or potentially criminal behavior by youth and early adults.

Other important areas cited as “highly important” by survey respondents were the following:

  • Housing costs (rent, maintenance, utilities)

  • Housing quality & neighborhood blight

  • Access to mental health services

  • Life skills training for community residents

  • Bringing local faith communities together to help improve the neighborhood

  • Reducing violent crime

Whole Child Strategies