Acts of neighbouring: Socially-engaged Urban investment and youth violence prevention

Fresh Youth Initiatives (FYI) is an organization that promotes community service, including organizing to fight violence, in Washington Heights, New York. In 2003 FYI proposed building a new headquarters in a troubled section of the neighbourhood. In order to assess the impact of this building on the local environment, the Community Research Group - part of the CDC-funded Columbia University Center for Youth Violence Prevention - worked with FYI to develop a study that compared the evolution of the FYI block with two nearby blocks. The three blocks were regularly observed from the period before the building went up to several years after its completion. These visits were documented qualitatively with photographs and field notes; and quantitatively with a street intercept survey documenting block conditions. In addition, after the move, staffat FYI regularly shared what they were doing to create connections on their block. A profound transformation was observed on FYI's block. These changes included: renovations of buildings, removal of graffiti and trash, diminution of drug sales during hours when youth are going to and from school and the youth centre, and increased surveillance. FYI introduced their programme as an alternative to negative behaviours. Landlords invested in their buildings. Tenants organized to acquire and repair the most distressed building, turning it into an att ractive and safe dwelling. Changes in a positive direction, although not of the same magnitude, were observed on the comparison blocks. We note, however, the citywide decline in violence and the upswing of gentrification were powerful forces affecting the neighbourhood. Investment by FYI triggered others to invest their time and money in making a safer neighbourhood. This progress, however, cleared the way for displacement of the poor, an unintended consequence that requires further consideration. Funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under a Cooperative Agreement with the Columbia University Center for Youth Violence Prevention supported this research project.