MCCA Executive Director: ‘There are all kinds of successes’ when looking back on Jefferson House

Posted on June 24, 2019

 

Mid Central Community Action Executive Director Deborah White (right) spoke at a press conference on Monday highlighting success stories from the Jefferson Street Community House, and relations with Bloomington Police.  (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas / WJBC)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – After serving as a liaison between Bloomington Police and residents to improve community relations and enhanced public safety, the Jefferson Street Community House will soon be for sale.

The Jefferson Street Community House located at 828 W. Jefferson St. has allowed members of the community to voice their opinions with BPD for over two years. Acquired from state grants, the Jefferson House is one of 13 homes that Mid Central Community Action has purchased to revitalize the west side of Bloomington. MCCA Executive Director Deborah White said those homes had made a significant impact.

“We wanted to address community relationships, neighbor to neighbor, neighbor to nonprofit, neighbor to police.” said White.” The Jefferson Street Community House started in June of 2017. We held 21 events; we had 39 volunteers who donated 431 hours of service. We had 630 individuals attend these events. BPD Officers were also present at Jefferson Street Community House. They spent 93 hours and an average time of 43 minutes per visit. So we appreciate our Bloomington Police Department partners for that effort.”

White added that the goal of MCCA is to continue to grow relationships from residents to police and to revitalize the west side of Bloomington.

“We have sold seven homes so far for a total of $566,800. We have the remaining six homes on the market,” added White. “Mid Central Community Action is committed to continually improve living conditions and enhancing the quality of life for people in our community,” said Mid Central Community Action Executive Director Deborah White. “We remain committed to doing that in our partnership with WBRP (West Bloomington Revitalization Project), Habitat for Humanity of McLean County, and our other partners. What’s next? It’s up to residents because the most important people in this collaborative are the residents. We want to listen to their vision and their needs.

“There are all kinds of successes it is hard to choose just one,” added White.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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