This column was originally published in the March 10 issue of The Herald Dispatch, www.herald-dispatch.com.

Over the next ten days, Create Huntington will begin work on two projects to address some of our communities most difficult problems. We will launch a partnership to help build stronger, safer neighborhoods and we will introduce a lecture series to help those living in poverty and those who are more affluent communicate and work together. Both of these efforts are grounded in the belief that we will only address big issues such as poverty, crime, drugs and hopelessness if we come together as neighbors, neighborhoods, city and region.

Create Huntington is partnering with the Neighborhood Institute, the United Way, and the West Virginia Center for Civic Life to launch a project that we hope will enable us to ultimately build stronger, safer neighborhoods in Huntington.

This Project will include a series of community forums, held throughout the area, in April. In these forums, small groups will meet to openly and constructively discuss ideas for what we can all do to make our neighborhoods safer and community stronger.  In May, we will convene a city-wide “action summit” for the individual groups to share their ideas and to discuss ways we, as a City, can work together to make Huntington a great place to live.

We need your help to do this. There are two opportunities for you to get involved in the project.

1.         You can volunteer to moderate community forums: We are seeking volunteers to serve as moderators for the community forums. This is a valuable opportunity to learn how to lead a productive, non-combative and effective conversation on any issue. We think you will find that the skills you learn during the training can be applied in your family, community and work life. The trainings will be held at the United Way, 820 Madison Avenue in Huntington, on March 16th. The first session will be from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. A light lunch will be served. The second session will be held in the evening from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm with a light dinner served. This training is free.

2.         Your group can host a community forum: If you are involved in a community group, faith-based organization, school or neighborhood association, you are invited to host a forum that will help you bring people together to constructively discuss ways to make our community stronger and safer.

Create Huntington is also partnering with Huntington’s Community Gardens and the City of Huntington’s Weed and Seed program to hold a lecture series entitled “Building Bridges, Building Communities.” The first part of the series deals with poverty and opening honest communication between those in poverty and those who are affluent.

The first lecture will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 20, at Empire Books and News at Pullman Square. It is based on the book, “A Framework for Understanding Poverty,” which seeks to provide those living in middle class and wealth with a better understanding of the challenges that face those living in poverty. Having sold over 1 million copies, it is described as a “must read for educators, employers, policy makers, and service providers.” The cost to participate is $5. All proceeds will benefit the Huntington Community Gardens.

If you have any questions or are interested in getting involved in either of these projects, please e-mail Create Huntington at createhuntington@gmail.com. To learn more, you may also go to www.createhuntington.com or join us at a Create Huntington Chat ‘n Chew, held 5:30 – 7:00 pm every Thursday in the lobby of the Frederick Building.