LANCASTER – The City of Lancaster will be hosting “pre-application sessions” which will provide an overview of the UNITE Lancaster (Uniting Neighbors in a Team Effort) Program and equip participating applicants with the tools they need to write a strong application.
The “pre-application sessions” will take place on Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 1st at 9 a.m. Both meetings will be held at Lancaster City Hall Council Chambers (44933 N. Fern Ave).
“Individual citizens and local organizations have the opportunity to partner with the UNITE Program to improve their communities,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Your vision of strengthening your community, enhancing public safety and beautifying your neighborhood, can be made a reality by partnering with the City of Lancaster’s resources and funds.”
This year’s UNITE program will adopt a targeted approach in an effort to increase the impact of the program in a specific target area. Projects within the Mariposa and Desert View neighborhoods (which encompass the area from Avenue H to Avenue I and 20th St. West to Sierra Hwy) will be given preference. However, the program is open to all neighborhoods within the limits of the City of Lancaster. Those with outstanding project ideas for areas outside of the targeted Mariposa and Desert View neighborhoods are also encouraged to apply.
Project applications may be submitted in any of the following categories: community strengthening (including mentorship programs, youth programs, and cultural programs); public safety (such as traffic issues, lighting, and defensible spaces); and beautification (such as façade improvements, green spaces, and murals).
They will be judged based on six criteria, including:
- Self-reliance;
- Neighborhood involvement;
- Sustainability;
- Community benefit;
- Partnership building; and
- Innovation.
Projects located within the targeted Mariposa and Desert View neighborhoods will be assigned additional points during the judging process. Projects selected to receive resources and funding will be announced at the LNVC meeting on August 6. All selected UNITE projects will take place on Saturday, September 21, 2013.
Applications for this UNITE program are available on the City’s website at www.cityoflancasterca.org/unite. All applications must be received by Friday, June 14 at 5 p.m. postmark dates will not be accepted).
For more information regarding the UNITE program, please visit www.cityoflancasterca.org/unite, e-mail unite@cityoflancasterca.org, or call (661) 723-6072.
