The old Jefferson Elementary School in Eureka became a place of learning    once again last Thursday night when more than 80 people attended a forum to discuss the building’s future. Only this time it was the folks standing in front of the classrooms — board members and volunteers with the Westside Community Improvement Association — who did

most of the listening, while those seated at desks and tables told them what kinds of activities and programs they wanted at the site.

As the Times-Standard has previously reported, the WCIA has secured the school building and grounds and won a $3.3 million state community revitalization grant to build a park and fix up half the building to run as a community center.
One part of Jefferson’s future has already been decided: the south wing is reserved for a charter school, ideally an elementary school with plenty of space for students living in the neighborhood.
But about 9,500 square feet of interior space and more than an acre of land remain wide open to possibilities. And last week was the community’s chance to “shape the future of Jefferson” as the WCIA’s flyer proclaimed.
There were agency representatives there, including staff from Redwood Community Action Agency, which looks to run programs at Jefferson. RCAA also helped land the big grant, and will help WCIA manage the funds and construction.
But most participants were regular folks, many living within blocks of the school or even across the street. There were straight and gay people, black, Hispanic, Asian, white, and American Indian, with ages ranging from toddlers to octogenarians.
One woman I spoke with watched her son go through Jefferson before it closed in 2005. Now she was there at the forum with her 11-year-old grandson, looking to help create programs and activities for him and his friends.
Some people came just for the free dinner but stayed to suggest ideas. Others came with programs and activities already formulated; and in some cases they had already submitted formal proposals to the WCIA. And others came with no pre-conceived notions, but found themselves inspired to dream up projects.
In the break-out group I attended, the ideas ranged from anti-bullying workshops, a tool lending library, all-ages dances, inter-generational activities, and classes in everything from art to cooking to music to Zumba.
As the list got longer and the enthusiasm grew, I was tempted to remind the group that the WCIA is only offering space, not funding or staff to run programs.
Realize any of the dreams articulated that night will require people willing to raise money, sign contracts, recruit and train volunteers, and take ongoing leadership responsibilities.
The all-volunteer WCIA board wants to help, and their financial plan will eventually support staff to manage the community center. But right now, they have a full plate of obligations.
Right away, they’ve got to make decisions about how much of the facility can be used during construction (expected to begin next year and continue until September 2014). There’s also the unenviable task of disappointing some applicants whose proposals to use the space just don’t fit their criteria.
And let’s not forget getting approval from the planning commission, finalizing designs and plans, and overseeing construction.
Some have doubted the capacity of Eureka’s Westside community to create and successfully manage a community center. The visionary spirit and robust energy shown at last week’s forum — as well as what has already been accomplished in the development process — should give even the most jaded cynic cause for hope.
Jim Hight is an independent journalist and filmmaker.

THE JEFFERSON PROJECT

click on image to enlarge

Click on image to enlarge

Prep Day was a huge success!
All  is prepped for our
Big BUILD DAY July 14.

Come early: 7:45 A.M.- VOLUNTEERS ARRIVE
registration and breakfast begin.

(for a clear image of this flyer, click on the image to enlarge)

The link below will allow you to register to help build our great new place to play.

http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/8608/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=70732

Breakfast, lunch and plenty of water will be provided. The appropriate tools and gloves will be provided for the projects that need them.
If you have any questions or suggestions please contact us:
Email:  lets.buy.jefferson@gmail.com

Phone our office:   707-444-2988     or     President, Heidi Benzonelli: 707-498-5764
To help reach the $10,000 goal needed to build the playground you can donate on line here:  http://jefferson-project.org/donate/

The California Department of Parks and Recreation awards $3.3 million to create the Jefferson Community Park and Community Center

April 12, 2012:  The Westside Community Improvement Association (WCIA) and Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) have been awarded $3,305,560 from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Local Grants and Services. The funding from the Statewide Parks Program of Proposition 84 will enable the development of the Jefferson Park and Community Center located at 1000 B Street in Eureka, CA. This will enable WCIA to pay for the purchase of the parcel, and for RCAA to manage the construction of a playground, community garden, walking paths, basketball court, bocce court, open space and landscaping, and ADA-compliant restrooms and parking. It will also allow for the renovation of existing buildings into a community library, multi-purpose room, infant/toddler center, community recreation room, kitchen and restroom.

WCIA board president Heidi Benzonelli said “Westside Community Improvement Association is grateful to have the opportunity to make such a difference in our community.  A new public park and community center will restore common-ground to the Westside.” The Westside Community Improvement Association grew out of a citizen’s group known as the Jefferson School Committee. WCIA spent six years developing broad community support to restore the abandoned Jefferson Elementary School to once again become the hub of the Westside neighborhood.

RCAA executive director Val Martinez said that: “We are very pleased that the Parks and Recreation Department recognized that this is a necessary and important project for Eureka’s citizens, and in particular the residents of the Westside community.”

The Westside Community Improvement Association and Redwood Community Action Agency wish to thank First District Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro and State Senator Noreen Evans of the 2^nd District for their support and shared vision for this project.  Chesbro, a former member of RCAA’s Board of Directors said, “This project is a tremendous example of how community partnerships can work for the greater good and demonstrates how community action agencies are leaders in creating these solutions.”