Cities, towns and villages nationwide are grappling with an uncertain economic future. To meet these challenges, local leaders are taking an active role in helping residents achieve economic mobility through access to basic needs, housing, and job training and placement services. These municipalities, in conjunction with nonprofit organizations and community groups, form a network of service providers to strengthen their communities through improved economic stability, social cohesion, health outcomes and access to opportunities.
To support the network of service providers, municipalities are launching “Community Resilience Centers” or CRCs. While most, if not all, municipalities provide economic resilience supports to their residents, the CRC model streamlines these programs to provide more effective and efficient services. CRCs consolidate multiple service providers into a single location, connecting residents to much-needed programs and services. Through this consolidation, residents can access myriad services and programs in one place, minimizing barriers and improving access and uptake. The CRCs, often situated in repurposed buildings or existing community spaces, serve as venues for residents to engage with local government as well as other service providers outside of City Hall and other official government buildings. This “one-stop shop” connects residents with wraparound social services that touch on a multitude of resident challenges. Due to the unique circumstances across municipalities, Community Resilience Centers vary in shape, size and scope.
National League of Cities supports the enhancement of municipal Community Resilience Centers (CRC) through the Building Economic Resilience in Communities (BERC) program. This program’s cohort explores the power of CRCs, and how they can support residents and their economic resilience. This nine-month engagement connects four cities with peer-to-peer learning opportunities, technical assistance, and expert-led exploration of best practices and models. Communities participating in this cohort include:
NLC awarded grants of $25,000 to Dallas, TX; El Paso, TX; Louisville, KY; and Tempe, AZ to support their CRC programming through improved community engagement strategies, increased internal alignment, development of narrative strategies and sustainability campaigns, or novel research and data collection tactics.
Upon completion and in conjunction with the cohort program, NLC will create resources and share findings from this program to improve to help cities nationwide support the long-term economic resilience of residents and communities.
For more information about NLC’s Building Economic Resilience in Communities program, email us.
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