Promoting a Safe and Clean Community

African American Mental Health and Wellness (AMEN) team is collaborating with KAZI FM 88.7 in producing a radio series to highlight the importance of addressing mental health and physical wellness in the African American community. The monthly series will feature AMEN team members from the School of Nursing, leaders from Mt. Zion Baptist and Rehoboth Baptist churches, and community organizations who provide mental health resources and support in Travis County. 

Promoting a Safe and Clean Community Where All Residents and Visitors can Thrive

Co-moderators Shannon W. Jones and Jacki Hecht interviewed Barbara Scott, the President of the Colony Park Neighborhood Association and longtime resident of Colony Park.

Colony Park, Lakeside Hills, and LBJ neighborhood residents have advocated for increased investments, services, and amenities in these neighborhoods since the 1970s. To achieve this mission, the Colony Park Sustainable Community has identified 8 pillars of need. These pillars include improving access to: healthy food, healthcare services, mobility, connectivity, safety, open spaces and active parks, economic vitality, quality education, and affordable housing.

Ms. Scott adds that the Colony Park Neighborhood Association’s 8 pillars serve as the “blueprint” for making improvements within the community. The Association strives to improve access to healthcare and services in the area by partnering with Central Health Administration to build a Central Health facility. Austin Public Library is also supporting this effort. The Colony Park Neighborhood Association aims to improve access to healthy food resources by constructing a full-service grocery store within the area.

Continually striving to build up the community has significantly improved the economic vitality of the neighborhood. Ms. Scott notes that she would like to see “greater city and county investment” in the community and that these changes are essential to help make the Colony Park Neighborhood a walkable, safe, and flourishing community for its residents and those who visit.

For more information about improvements underway in Colony Park, please visit the City of Austin: Our Community and Colony Park Neighborhood Association websites.

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