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Highland Neighborhood Response Effort (HNRE)
The Highland Neighborhood Response Effort, or NRE, began in the spring of 2001. See the Introduction to the NRE for general information about this community effort.
During the months of May and June in 2001, neighbors were asked to share their issues and concerns through a series of community action meetings. These forums gave residents and others involved in the neighborhood an opportunity to meet, share concerns and opinions about the neighborhood, and get information about what is currently happening. In addition, surveys were mailed to every household, business, and property owner in Highland. The North Neighbors Community Progress Team played a large role in organizing and publicizing this endeavor. With their assistance, much energy was directed toward reaching as many people as possible. The feedback garnered from the forums and surveys was compiled into the vision, values, objectives, and goals voiced by Highland neighbors.
It's through identifying the issues that action can take place with the help of the community to enhance the quality of life in the Highland Neighborhood.
Highland NRE Goal
Raise the voices of the people who live, work, and have vested interest in the area; determine neighborhood priorities and develop correlating action plans; and engage neighborhood and community resources to implement plans and address priorities.
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The Highland NRE Steering Committee is currently engaging the rest of the neighborhood to focus on five specific projects:
Porch Light Campaign
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Designed to "light the night", the porch light campaign includes distribution of light bulbs, leaflets, and posters, and word-of-mouth encouragement to make Highland a safer and more welcoming neighborhood during evening hours.
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Landlord and Tenant Training
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As one mechanism to address blight, the landlord/tenant training includes the identification of problem properties and special invitations to associated landlords and property managers to participate in a free training to learn about proper screening, local laws and ordinances, and specific resources to address their unique situations.
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Summer Concerts
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In its eighth year, the Highland Summer Concert Series is a way for neighbors to enjoy one another's company and some quality entertainment close to home. The NRE is working to support and enhance these concerts by engaging more sponsors, adding a food vendor, and providing greater marketing and publicity.
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Community Centers
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The Highland neighborhood boasts three distinctly different community centers: Highland Elementary School, the Salem Senior Center, and the new North Neighborhood Resource Center, which opened in January 2002. The NRE is working to enhance these centers and make greater connections between people, programs, and services.
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Youth
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While school district boundaries shifted this past year and Highland Elementary School's enrollment was nearly cut in half, the neighborhood has a strong interest in its youth. The NRE is working to engage families and other adults with children and youth in public and private schools, churches, and youth groups within the neighborhood to showcase specific programs and identify the ways in which each entity could support additional adult involvement with youth.
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Objectives
From the neighbors' input through forums and surveys (see below), we established eight issues of concern to our neighborhood. The stakeholders then developed the objectives necessary to focus our concerted action and against which to measure our success:
Educate and engage landlords and tenants. Reduce high speed traffic and congestion. Reduce crime and increase the feeling of safety. Raise the pride and image of the Highland neighborhood. Increase communication and connections throughout the neighborhood. Increase family and community involvement with kids and youth in Highland. Improve the conditions of streets and sidewalks. Reduce noise disturbances in the neighborhood.
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Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Neighborhood Right Now:
Turn on your porch light. Walk around the block. Drive slowly in the neighborhood. Make a list of the names and phone numbers of the neighbors on your block. Make a list of landlords in your area. Meet the youth who live on your block. Pick up the litter near your home, even if you didn't put it there. Report crime promptly. Report nuisances and other non-criminal problems promptly. Take away the opportunity for crime. Help your SESNA neighbors make the Neighborhood Response Effort a success! Just like this "Top 10" list, don't stop at 10 items.
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Newsletter
The Highland Neighborhood Response Effort publishes a quarterly bilingual (English and Spanish) newsletter to neighbors and other interested citizens. This four-page publication features updates on NRE achievements and needs, as well as other neighborhood information.
If you would like to receive this newsletter, contact Jessica Loewen Preis in Community Services.
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Contact Us
The Highland NRE meets the second Wednesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meetings are held in different neighborhood locations; contact Pam Wittman for the location of the next meeting. The public is welcome to attend.
Jessica Loewen Preis
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department
555 Liberty Street SE, Room 300
Salem OR 97301
503-588-6261 / 503-315-2567 fax
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