April 2020
Community Building Resources
The Mel King Institute is here to support all Community Building efforts, especially during the current global pandemic that is impacting all of us in various ways.

Below are a list of resources that can help you or your organization continue to cling to what life was like a month ago as you meet over Zoom, or reply in long email chains. There are also resources that will provide you with general information about COVID-19.

Please let us know what we can add to this list and be sure to share how you feel the Mel King Institute can support you during these difficult times.

Remote Work and Community







Racial Equity



COVID-19

~ Mel King Institute Fellowships ~
JOIN OUR TEAM!
The Mel King Institute is Hiring! The Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) and the Mel King Institute have a strong commitment to building the community development pipeline with young people who have a natural passion for the work. We support other's in this work and also seek young people to enrich our own staff. Register today for positions at MKI that will offer a deep dive into the world of community development.
The Community Development Mentoring Program, managed by MACDC and CHAPA is designed to promote and support a culture of learning and mentoring within the community development field. The 2020 - 2021 Mentoring Program cycle will be focused on those who have or are pursuing a career in Housing.

If you are a potential mentor or mentee in the following areas we encourage you to join the program: Housing Development, Property Management and Asset Management, Housing Counseling and Housing Rehabilitation.

This information session will answer questions on how to be a part of this program and the application process.
Featured Event

~ Instructor ~
Elana Brochin , MACDC Program Director for Health Equity
Michelle Wiener , Dorchester Bay EDC
The intersection between Health Equity and Community Development are at the forefront of conversations in many CDCs today. This introductory training will give you the chance to explore the connections between health disparities, housing, and other structures that have been defined by racist policies and practices.

This training is geared toward  community development professionals, planners, and housing advocates,  with little or no formal training in health equity or public health. You may be interested in attending if you:

  • Are curious about how to incorporate a health equity lens into your work
  • Would like to think critically about the connections between community development, racial equity, and health outcomes
  • Want to learn more about existing partnerships between CDCs and health care institutions
Upcoming MKI Events
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Housing Training Program is focusing on information-sharing and fostering connections among residents to address isolation. We are convening weekly Zoom meetings which have reached about 50 residents thus far. Through these calls we have helped residents understand DHCD’s guidance around staffing, maintenance, laundry rooms, and more so that they may better advocate for safe practices at their housing authorities. In addition, we are training “Peer Connectors”; i.e., residents who are calling each other to provide wellness checks and a friendly hello. Some residents are calling through Mel King’s list, while others are being trained to call residents in their own developments. Later in the month, we will also offer online versions of our Resident Leader and Resident Board Member trainings.

The Resident Leader Training is a free training for any  resident of public housing who would like to enhance their leadership skills, learn about new state regulations, or get involved in a tenant group. Leaders of Local Tenant Organizations, “Task Forces” and other tenant groups are highly encouraged to attend.


This training helps participants handle challenges unique to their particular role as both a resident and a  Board Member of a public housing authority.  Participants learn about the role of the Board Member, take an in-depth look at budgets and capital improvement plans, and receive a free resource binder. 

Upcoming Training Opportunities:
Partner Events
Similarly to Mel King Institute Events, many of our Partner Events have also been postponed or cancelled for the months of April and May. Please check our calendar to see the events specifically marked postponed and check out the events happening online or later in the Spring below. As we hear about new program dates, we will update the MKI Calendar.

Community Organizing & Planning






Nonprofit Governance











Racial Equity




Economic Development


Real Estate Development








Other



Application Deadlines








Conferences
Share Your Programming with Us!
Do you have a training, conference, or program application you'd like us to promote in our next Newsletter? Send it our way to melkinginstitute@macdc.org .
In the subject line please include: MKI Newsletter Programming
Join us for our annual Stand Against Racism event! We’re going virtual! 

The MKI Alliance for Racial Equity , presents a panel and presentation about the importance of engaging youth in our efforts to advance racial equity in our communities and nurture a pipeline of professionals for the field. We’ll look at youth and young professionals of color and their accomplishments in community development.

Featured Resource
This report presents the evolution of TSNE MissionWorks' What’s Next: Leading a Thriving Transition program. It points to the need to evolve the traditional models for transition and succession planning which are not enough to support the long-standing issues that have plagued the nonprofit sector for decades. 
~ What We're Reading ~
by Diana Budds

We hope you're spending any extra time you would usually be outside on you TBR (To be read) list like we are! This month we're digging deeper into the topic of affordable housing in the United States. These five books suggested by Diana Budds explore the complicated history of housing policy in the U.S. Explore her list HERE!