South Bend Announces Changes To Love Your Block Program

Press release from the City of South Bend:

May 8, 2020

The City of South Bend announced changes to the 2020 Love Your Block program, in an effort to address new needs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year the mini-grant program that traditionally works to improve blight in low-income neighborhoods will make available new Acts of Kindness grants, ranging in size from $250 to $350, to go toward residents or organizations nominated to develop new programs, like communal garden spaces.

“The spirit of Love Your Block has always been one to honor grassroots community efforts to promote change in low-income neighborhoods. The bright spot of this pandemic continues to be how neighbors continue to support one another during times of crisis,” said City of South Bend Director of Engagement & Economic Empowerment Alkeyna Aldridge. “I’m proud of our team for pivoting the programming so quickly, but even more proud of the many ways that resident leaders are staying connected and organizing to impact change during this time.”

Love Your Block 2020 will also make available funds for neighborhood organizations to improve their digital engagement with residents, through training on remote communications software and devices for improving video quality.

Love Your Block is funded through Cities of Service, a nonprofit organization that provides grants to build stronger and more vibrant cities.

Apply for an Acts of Kindness grant at https://bit.ly/LYBKindness. Apply for a Digital Communication grant at https://bit.ly/lybDigComm.

This press release was produced by the City of South Bend. The views expressed here are the author’s own.