Community Collaboration Network (CCN)

Collective Work and Responsibility is a cornerstone of the Genesis Community Collaboration Network. It is one if the Nguzo Saba, which are the seven principles developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga. The definition he provides for collective work is “to build and maintain our community together and make our sister’s and brother’s problems our problem and solve them together.” To be successful at collective work, we need to understand what it is and focus on the key ingredients. They are:

• Culturally Appropriate Models – The way in which people work together must reflect diverse cultures and values
• Effective Communication – Communication is the first level of Co-Work for a reason; if Effective communication is not established then the rest of the work cannot occur.
• Effective Leadership – Any Social Change Movement is fueled by effective leaders with skills, vision and effective leadership styles.
• Self & Group Reflection – As the saying goes, “I am because we are, and because we are I am.” We must reflect “Who I/ We Am/Are” and how and whether our individual actions contribute to the whole.

CCN PROJECT TEAMS

Youth Development

Asset Focused Leadership; Youth-Led Social Change; skills, opportunities and recognition; design experiences with a special emphasis on technological fluency.

Substance Abuse Prevention and Health Promotion
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs; HIV/AIDS/STDS; Cancer; Heart Disease; High Blood Pressure; Diabetes; Hepatitis; Obesity; and Stress.

Workforce Development
Occupational and Vocational Training; Job Development; Job Placement and Supportive and Follow Up Services for the unemployed, under employed and disadvantaged populations.

Serious and Violent Offender Re-entry Initiative
State-wide Faith-based Involvement in the Continuum of Care for Offenders and Families.

Training and Technical Assistance
Training of Trainers; Strategic Planning; Organization Development; Capacity Building; Community Mobilization; Sustainability, Faith-based Prevention; Grant Writing; Proposal Development; Prevention Credentialing; Research and Evaluation; Youth Leadership; Program Development and Implementation; and customized training as requested.

Operation R.I.D.(Reduction In Drugs)
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Drug-Free Communities grant increases community mobilization and capacity building to further our efforts in substance abuse prevention. The coalition strategy is to forge new partnerships to create a blend of individual and environmental prevention interventions to influence individual behaviors, community laws and norms. Other programs include: Community Safety Initiative funded by the Enterprise Foundation; The Commotion Youth-Led Social Change Initiative funded by the Alliance for Justice; and Coalition Development Initiative supported by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA).