NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES COORDINATION

City Hall
306 Cedar Road
Post Office Box 15225
Chesapeake, Virginia 23328
Phone: (757) 382-6456
Fax: (757) 382-8555

Field Offices
Police Department 2nd Precinct
(South Norfolk)
1209 20th St
Chesapeake, VA 23324
Phone: (757) 963-0945
Fax: (757) 963-2302

Landlord Training Workshop
July 29, 2008   Pictures >>

Dunedin "Build Your Future"
July 17, 2008   Pictures >>

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Neighborhood Enhancement Grants

Neighborhood Coordination 2003-05 Report of Activities

Download the Directory of Civic Leagues

Neighborhood Services Department

Neighborhood Services Coordination

MISSION

The Chesapeake Neighborhood Services Coordination Division coordinates revitalization efforts and connects residents to services and information to enhance the quality of life in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia.

VISION

The Chesapeake Neighborhood Services Coordination Division shall be a national model for its innovation and empowerment of communities to actively develop, revitalize and maintain healthy neighborhoods.

GOALS

• Develop, revitalize, and sustain healthy neighborhoods.
• Support established neighborhoods by keeping housing and infrastructure up-to-date.
• Enhance community involvement
• Improve access to information and resources that support the Community.

Capacity Building Services (Self-help)

• Technical assistance in the form of leadership training, recruiting strategies, newsletter formation, meeting organization, event planning, and project development.
• Assistance and guidance in accessing City services to address neighborhood needs.
• Generate neighborhood action reports to follow-up on issues raised at community meetings or called in by neighborhood groups.
• Disseminate information about City services and programs to neighborhood groups.
• Assist in organizing civic leagues and neighborhood associations.

Programs and Services

Neighborhood Leadership Program

Established in 2004, this program strives to increase the knowledge and skills of residents to lead and contribute to the success of neighborhood improvement groups and improve the effectiveness of neighborhood organizations through strategic planning and partnerships. Classes are held in the spring and fall.

More about the Neighborhood Leadership Program >>

Quality of Life Study

The Quality of Life Study represents an innovative and practical policy tool to guide the measurement of neighborhood-level quality of life conditions across the city. The goal of the study is to increase public awareness and understanding of critical quality of life issues and challenges facing the City of Chesapeake; and to foster collaboration and discussion around finding solutions. By working together, citizens, elected officials, businesses, community groups, and staff can create stronger neighborhoods throughout Chesapeake.

For statistical purposes, the City was divided into 172 Neighborhood Statistical Areas (NSAs). Neighborhood Statistical Areas are defined as communities of interest consisting of one or more neighborhoods or subdivisions. After analyzing Crime, Social, Physical & Economic data, the Study classifies each of the NSAs as Developing, Sustaining or Revitalizing. The use of the Developing, Sustaining, and Revitalizing framework aligns NSAs with other communities facing similar challenges and dynamics.

More about the Quality of Life Study >>

Annual Neighborhood Symposium

Provides a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and share best practices that have been successful in developing, revitalizing and sustaining healthy neighborhoods. The Symposium brings together residents, civic leagues, businesses, places of worship, and government and agency officials to address quality of life issues.

World Changers – Home Repair

Sponsors World Changers home repair project. Youth volunteers, along with adult leaders, visit Chesapeake for a one-week experience resulting in improved housing conditions in stressed neighborhoods.

More about World Changers >>

Grants

The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program awards grants to neighborhood based organizations for projects that will make their neighborhoods better places to live, work, play and shop. Funds granted by the City of Chesapeake must be matched with contributions of volunteer time, cash, or in-kind donations of goods and services. Grants up to $500 are awarded once a year and announced at the Annual Neighborhood Symposium.

Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program/Application >>

Civic League

List civic leagues and neighborhood associations registered with the City.  The directory facilitates communication between the City and civic groups about activities, programs and services aimed at improving the quality of life for all residents.  The directory, updated annually, is available in print and online.

More about Chesapeake Civic Leagues >>

Emergency Preparedness

Identifies neighborhood contacts and informs residents of locations to receive information about basic needs and essential services when traditional communication channels are not available due to a natural disaster, such as a hurricane.

Communications

Chesapeake Neighborhood Connections provides practical information and resources for addressing neighborhood quality of life issues and conditions.  Sections of the newsletter focus on Neighborhood Coordination programs, city government services, civic league events, and best practices for community improvement.

More about the E-Connections Newsletter >>

OMBUDSMAN SERVICES

• SELF-HELP - Increase the capacity of neighborhoods to prevent, identify and solve problems at the grass root level.
• ADVOCACY - Advise and advocate ways to enhance and improve City services based on neighborhood and community dialogue and feedback.
• DISPUTE RESOLUTION - Serve as quasi "ombudspersons" to help resolve community issues, concerns and complaints regarding City services.
• INFORMATION - Provide "direct point of contact" services for the community when the appropriate agency contacts are unknown.
• ACCESSIBILITY - Lead efforts to increase accessibility to City services and to decision-making processes.