OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
City of Promise is creating an ecosystem of support for children in one of Charlottesville’s most under-resourced communities.
This focus on a targeted area represents a significant investment in the well-being and long-term thriving of the entire neighborhood. Staff members go door to door enrolling children, and neighbors know they are welcome to stop by our office, a home located right in the neighborhood. Building relationships and inviting parents into the process of uplifting the community is our way of ensuring children grow up in a safe, enriching environment, surrounded by positive role models.
The Need
Based on data collected in 2012, before City of Promise began,
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Our neighborhoods were the most academically challenged areas in Charlottesville, with the highest levels of juvenile justice involvement and student disengagement and failure.
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55% of neighborhood children were absent from school more than 10 times during the 2009-10 school year – with an average of 22 absences per child.
Neighborhood Demographics (2010 Census)
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991 people live in the City of Promise, 291 under age 18.
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There are 179 K-12 students from CoP enrolled in school, 87% of them classified as “economically disadvantaged”.
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About 25 babies are born to the neighborhood each year.
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About 64% of the residents are African American, compared to 18% in the rest of Charlottesville.
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80% of neighborhood children are African American.
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16 children had limited English proficiency, from eight different countries and eight languages.
Economic Challenges
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87% of City of Promise students are classified as economically disadvantaged
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65% of the neighborhood’s families live in public housing
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75% of the children live in single-family households.
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94% of City of Promise students are eligible for free/reduced price school lunches.
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Located between downtown and UVA.
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Home to the historic Jefferson High School.
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Originally named Starr Hill because so many educated and wealthy black families, or "Stars" resided there.
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A 10-acre public housing site built in 1960 to relocate residents who lived in Vinegar Hill.
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Houses 126 families and is included as part of the 10th and Page neighborhood.
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Named after John West, a former slave who grew to prominence as a wealthy land owner in Charlottesville.
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Named for an intersection near the center of the neighborhood.
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One of Charlottesville's most compact neighborhoods, consisting of 83.86 acres.
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City of Promise offices are located at 708 Page Street in a renovated home.