Community development
One goal of the Carver-VCU Partnership has been to increase the availability of affordable and quality housing. Additionally, the hope is to engage the community and the university in learning about and understanding community issues, while working toward the long-term sustainability and well-being of the community.
Select:
- Community programs space
- Health and housing fair
- Neighborhood Network
- ‘Sheep Hill Memories, Carver Dreams’
- ‘In Peace and Harmony: Carver Portraits’
- Master plan
- Legislation
Community programs space
In summer 2001, a new community programs space opened to serve the Carver neighborhood. This space, located at 1103 W. Marshall St., features a multipurpose room, a computer lab and a suite of offices to support community outreach programs, such as tutoring sessions for school-aged children. Learn how to get involved in this program, including how to reserve the community space.
Health and housing fair
An annual spring health and housing fair at the Commonwealth Cancer Institute in the Carver Community brings together VCU faculty, staff and students; community members; and area service providers. Learn more.
Neighborhood Network
The Neighborhood Network was a personal development, leadership and community-building program for the Carver Newtowne-West residents. The program took place during the spring and summer of 2004. It provided an opportunity to develop leadership skills that could prepare participants for leadership roles in the community. Over the course of the program participants were able to play an active role in the community through advocacy and relationship building with neighbors and city officials. They also were assigned to be leaders for specific blocks in Carver, in order to distribute information and plan events in a more efficient manner.
‘Sheep Hill Memories, Carver Dreams’
The neighborhood recaptured its unique history with the production of “Sheep Hill Memories, Carver Dreams.” Written by Laura Browder, Ph.D., in the VCU Department of English, this play is based upon interviews with Carver residents as well as research conducted by VCU students and Carver residents. The play was produced by VCU’s Department of Theatre and the Richmond Community Theatre Guild, a community-based production group. The original production was performed in November 2000 at VCU, with encore performances in February 2002 at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies in the Carver community.
‘In Peace and Harmony: Carver Portraits’
The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (formally the Hand Workshop), Carver Elementary School and the Carver-VCU Partnership coordinated efforts with Wendy Ewald to develop “In Peace and Harmony: Carver Portraits.” Seventeen 8-by-10 foot banners were hung on VCU buildings, private residences and Carver Elementary School as well as at local businesses.
The opening of this yearlong public-art installation was called “Celebrate Carver,” a daylong event that took place on May 8, 2004. This event included a cook-out, a walking tour of Carver and performances by The Richmond Boys Choir, The Moore Street Church Choir and the Carver Elementary School African Dance and Drumming Troupe. The banners were showcased until September 2005.
Wendy Ewald and Ashley Kistler, of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, were awarded the Currents of Change Award for their contribution to the Carver Community during the Community Dinner in May 2005. Local political leaders, William Harrell and Councilman Bill Pantele, joined VCU President Eugene P. Trani in opening the ceremony. The awards reception was followed by a dinner for the community at the VCU Schafer Court Dining Hall.
Master plan
Community residents, along with students and faculty in VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs have created a master plan [PDF] for the neighborhood. Studies by VCU faculty and students, which contributed to the creation of the neighborhood plan, include “Addressing the Vacant Property Problem in Carver;” “Revitalizing Carver: Preliminary Analysis of Issues and Opportunities;” and “The Broad Street Corridor.” The neighborhood plan was submitted to the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Development for approval to incorporate into Richmond’s master plan.
Legislation
As a result of the study on vacant property in Carver, new legislation, which reduces the number of years before cities can take action on abandoned properties was passed by the Virginia General Assembly, this bill was introduced by former Virginia House of Delegates member Viola Baskerville who represented the 71st District, which includes the Carver neighborhood.