C4 Conference: Beyond Barriers
On February 21, 2017, the Cornerstone Initiative held the C4 Cornerstone Conference for Community Compassion at the Jackson Center in Huntsville, Alabama. We had the opportunity to participate in this conference whose purpose is to “empower individuals and communities through collaboration for education, employment and enrichment”…and what an inspiration it was!
The year’s conference was titled “Beyond Barriers”, and focused on how we, as a community, can mobilize, equip, and facilitate collaboration among ourselves and other willing partners in order to bring about community development. Speakers Greg Ealey and Tom Bassford of the organization Significant Matters, discussed the a sustainable approach to community transformation.
Three important pieces to the puzzle on how to change the quality of life in a community and that are key to sustaining it are:
- RELIEF: focusing on the acute needs in times of crisis
- INDIVIDUAL BETTERMENT: improving upon one’s abilities, capacity and exposure
- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: access, ownership, and environment
Community development is one of the most important aspects in sustainable neighborhoods. Rather than focusing on a single family or person, the ability to transform and improve the quality of life in a community is crucial to creating neighborhoods where people want to live, not where they want to leave.
The 4 big buckets of community development are: mixed income housing, economic development, education, and health and wellness resources. We, at Nexus Energy Center, are proud to say that we have a hand in filling up each of these 4 buckets within our community.
Working with homeowners from all classes and backgrounds, we are able to improve their quality of life of individuals and families within our neighborhoods. Our vision and mission is to alleviate some of the pressure placed on families that cause them to forego necessary items, or spend all of their time working in order to pay their utility bills.
Additionally, promoting education for homeowners and other members of the community on conservation, energy efficiency and renewable generation is crucial to our overall goal.
At Nexus Energy Center, one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do is being able to provide a substantial improvement to residents’ overall health and wellness. We accomplish this through replacing insulation, improving ductwork, and reducing the amount of heat or air-conditioning lost through windows and other leaks. Nexus Energy center is honored and grateful for the opportunity to assist an individual or an entire family through our Comfort Project and AlabamaWISE. These programs provide them with home improvements that allow the freedom to afford their medications and have a positive effect on their overall health.
Finally, we were challenged to apply “Blue Sky Thinking” and put our organizations and ideas outside of reality by asking the question “WHAT IF?”. Local community representatives were Conference Panelists and provided unique applications and insights on different areas of work in the community. Conference Panelist members were:
- Devyn Keith– Councilman District 1, City of Huntsville
- Alana Parker– Owner, Rocket City Drywall; 2017 40 Under 40 Winner
- Michelle Jordan– Director of Planning and Community Development, City of Huntsville
- Sarah Niemitz– Director of Community Development, Southwood Presbyterian Church
- Roger Martin– Missions Coordinator, Westside Community Church
Moving forward, we are so appreciative of this conference put on by The Cornerstone Initiative. A special thank you to Greg Ealey, Tom Bassford, and the Panelist Participants for allowing us to take part in such positive conversations; putting us one step closer to achieving and promoting community development and creating a smart energy future in Alabama!
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