The 5th ward has many problems.   For example, crime, prostitution, unkept parks, empty lots, drugs and list goes on. This is something that every resident of the 5th ward can tell you.  But in order to solve these problems,  we need a strategy not regurgitation of what the issues are.  That strategy is collaboration.  Please take a look at the Community Collaboration Model below.

Collaboration is key to all of the community’s activities.  As you can see, it is the base of the Model and therefore it is crucial for this model to be successful.  Collaboration is characterized by multi-way relationships in which the community stakeholders form partnerships to yield mutually beneficial outcomes.  Community stakeholders include residents, Non-profit organizations (Churches, schools, etc), government agencies , and businesses. By bringing all stakeholders together to listen and work on solutions to problems that affect us all, we are able to engage the community to identify priorities, expectations and attitudes; build relationships which is about creating long-term partnerships; this will lead into community development which is about implementing initiatives and responding to the needs of residents, Non-profit organizations, and businesses; while at the same time, contributing to the economic, social, cultural and sustainable development of the 5th ward and the city of Paterson.  This will foster a sense of community ownership – Paterson is our home and we want to take care of it.

Don’t think for a second, however, that the Community Collaboration Model implies that creating a sense of collaboration and therefore community development is a simple task to accomplish.  It takes dedication, responsibility,  determination, accountability, professionalism, integrity and ENERGY.  This is what is lacking in the 5th Ward, what we need and what I plan to bring to our city via our collaborative efforts.