Programming

• Safe Takoma has run a Neighborhood Perspectives program consisting of 1) periodic assessment of physical conditions in the Old Takoma commercial corridor (4th Street NW, Carroll Avenue, and Laurel Street NW, and Laurel Avenue) and nearby residential blocks; and 2) periodic assessment of safety perceptions and stakeholder-identified vulnerabilities. Both elements are designed to identify problem, get them fixed, and measure progress over time. The assessments of physical conditions were be conducted in cooperation with the police. We are looking for volunteers to help us continue this work.
• Safe Takoma ran youth-development programming in 2008-9 and is planning a reprise for 2010, starting in late spring. This is expected to consist, once again, of "rites of passage" program for boys and for girls aged 13-17 and for young men and for young women aged 18-22.

  We sponsored "pre-apprenticeship" training in cooperation with the Carpenters Union in the summer of 2009, to teach older youth job and life skills to help them transition into productive employment.

• Safe Takoma promotes conflict resolution and peer mediation in the form of Help Increase the Peace Program (HIPP) training. The five-day HIPP course for community members and officials is held in a one-week block or split into two weekend sections. The most recent course was in November 2009. We expect to reprise the course in the spring of 2010 and the early fall of 2010 with a focus, given funding, on Washington DC residents. Takoma Park, MD stakeholders may participate for a fee. Please see the past program announcement and if you are interested in participating, view the program registration form for informational purposes.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

The intention of Safe Takoma's Board of Directors is to meet monthly, aiming for the first Thursday of each month. Meetings are open to the public except for discussions of sensitive/confidential information. Please contact us for information.

Meetings of the Advisory Committee

Safe Takoma aims for its Advisory Committee to meet twice yearly. We could on community input to help us create and conduct programming, and the AC is a means of welcoming regular community participation with less of a commitment than board service entails.