Apr 3

To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.
Click here to return to previous page
Article published Apr 3, 2006

Apr 3, 2006

Finding workable solutions is Common Pathways’ goal

AS I SEE IT

By Clara Savage

The role of Common Pathways is simple: To bring together people who live and work in Worcester, to discuss and address issues that they share in common. Common Pathways alone is not going to leverage Worcester’s strengths to solve its problems.

However, we can be a catalyst to get Worcester’s leaders, who possess the technical resources (i.e., money, staffing, technology) to join with the people who comprise our city’s neighborhoods and work force, to come up with solutions that work well for everyone.

In short, Common Pathways can act as a bridge and a promoter — and sometimes, even a peacemaker.

A good example of how Common Pathways can function is the recent get-together that we convened between Worcester small-business owners, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and UniverCity Partnership. They talked about ways that they can all work together, to create more opportunities for small businesses in Worcester. They also committed themselves to keep their conversation going.

Common Pathways also recently brought together the Family Health Center, the Great Brook Valley Health Center and the Harvard School of Public Health, to discuss ways to address more effectively cancer-disparity issues in Greater Worcester.

Sometimes, conflict is the result of lack of communication or misunderstanding between parties. Common Pathways is not afraid of — indeed, it welcomes — conflict as long as it is positive and constructive.

Common Pathways is part of a growing trend of “healthy communities” initiatives nationwide, including ones in Boston, Providence, Baltimore and Denver. “Healthy” refers to all aspects of a community’s quality of life — not just health care.

Here is Common Pathways’ vision: “Greater Worcester is a great place to be born, grow up, learn, live, work, raise a family, grow old and participate in community life.” Our mission is “to promote shared learning, reflection and broad engagement that improve community decision-making and quality of life for residents of Greater Worcester.”

During a Community Forum held Nov. 30 at the YWCA in Worcester, attended by more than 150 participants, as well as in one-on-one interviews conducted last summer and fall, people shared hundreds of their most important likes, concerns and desired improvements regarding Worcester.

The specific comments addressed 12 general themes:

• City Governance: Responsiveness and community input; leadership and inclusion.

• Culture and Recreation: Availability of accessible cultural and recreational institutions/events.

• Diversity and Multiculturalism: City’s composition and the rich multicultural population and the responsiveness that is given to this diverse population.

• Economic Development: Represents economic factors such as employment opportunities, access to shopping, vibrant downtown, presence of abandoned buildings, business friendly — especially small businesses.

• Education: K-12, post-secondary education, lifelong learning, and English as a Second Language.

• Environment: Geographical location, green space, attractions, surroundings.

• Housing: Affordable and available housing.

• Medical and Social Services: Availability and access to social and medical facilities; quality of services and health-insurance coverage.

• People and Social Environment: Focus on people, the strength of the neighborhoods, and diversity.

• Public Safety: Police visibility and response, drugs/violence issues, the desire to feel safe, and impact on diverse/low-income populations.

• Transportation: Access and effectiveness to public and private transportation (air, bus, car, train, pedestrian) and the impact it has on employment/economic development, access to health care.

• Youth: Youth employment, after-school activities, child care, youth involvement in community/activities.

Common Pathways will hold a follow-up Community Forum 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Clark University in Worcester. The facilitated event will take place in Tilton Hall in the Higgins University Center, at Main and Mayfield streets. Child care and a light meal will be provided.

During this week’s forum, we will review the results of the November forum. Participants will be asked to identify which of the 12 themes are most important to them and discuss three questions regarding that theme that is of the greatest interest to them: 1) What needs to be done about the issue? 2) Who’s already doing something about it? and 3) What will success look like regarding the theme? We will preview the next action steps for Common Pathways.

To learn more about Common Pathways, visit www.CommonPathways.org, which contains links to “healthy communities” initiatives elsewhere in the U.S. The site also contains a registration form for Wednesday’s forum and information about volunteering to work for Common Pathways. Audio, photos and news-media coverage of the forums are online at www.BestRateOfClimb.com/CommunityForum-Followup-Main.htm.

For more information on Common Pathways and the April 5 Forum, call (508) 438-0515 or e-mail csavage@cmchc.org.

In 2006 — and beyond — please join us in bringing the community together to build a common pathway to a better Worcester for all.

Clara Savage is Common Pathways coordinator.

Order the Telegram & Gazette, delivered daily to your home or office! www.telegram.com/homedelivery