Smoketown-Shelby Park Makeover, A Post by Steve Leach

The word of the Lord, spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, encouraged the Israelites exiled in Babylon to “settle down…and seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.” (Jer 29:7).  In his first epistle, Peter identifies Christians as “sojourners and exiles” and as such, we share in the command to seek the good of our neighbors and peace of our city (see also, Mt 5:14-16, Lk 10:25-37, Rom 13:1-10, Heb 13:16, 1 Pet 2:13-17).  Sojourn, and especially SEED, has a particular heart for the Germantown-Shelby Park area.  Through Mercy Mondays, the Fall Festival, medical clinics and more, we seek to minister to our neighbors through word and deed.  The recent Smoketown-Shelby Park Makeover visioning session offered some practical ways for Sojourners to get involved.  Held at Meyzeek Middle School, the event kicked off with a free breakfast and then moved to the auditorium, where a short film about the neighborhoods was shown.  The over 100 residents in attendance then narrowed down the results of a previous survey to identify the five most important issues requiring attention.  Focus-groups were formed around these issues, with residents offering input as to how to improve these areas:

Housing (upgrade, while maintaining history/character/diversity of neighborhood)

• plans for revitalizing abandoned properties
• accessible housing for elderly/handicapped
• clean-up partnerships

Safety

• utilize community centers for youth
• appropriate use of park
• greater police presence
• Neighborhood Association/Church involvement

Jobs

• youth mentoring
• local vocational directory (mechanics, vocal instructors, etc)
• jobs/training for felons
• reinvestment…keep time, talents, assets here

Economics

• no vacant properties (reduces perception of danger)
• local ownership
• business mentoring

Education

• tutoring/mentoring
• increased GED rates for dropouts
• community involvement (including extracurricular activities)

Several of these areas have structures in place which need support, starting with the neighborhood associations.  It took the Shelby Park neighborhood association 10 years to convince the city to install lighting in the park.  Meyzeek Principal Chris Burba has a vision where neighborhood residents tutor students from 2:30-4pm weekdays after school, especially in literacy (books are also needed).  Making Connections, a local agency, has provided $1000 stipends for sub-committees based on the five areas above, which will meet 4-5 times over the next few months.

Prayerfully consider how you can be salt and light in these endeavors, bringing encouragement to flagging sprits, vision to upstart campaigns and guidance to our youth, all to the Glory of God, upon whom all renewal depends.  In prophesying about the coming Messiah, Isaiah proclaimed, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor” (Is 9:2,4).  That light, of course, is Christ.  May his light shine in Shelby Park, in Germantown, in Louisville and throughout all of creation!  Amen.