Communities Helping All Neighbors Gain Empowerment (CHANGE) is a grass-roots organization in Winston-Salem, NC, that seeks to provide a space for residents of Forsyth County to participate in our democracy and public life. CHANGE is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is nonpartisan, interfaith, multi-racial and multi-ethnic. We come from all economic backgrounds and a diversity of locations within Forsyth County. Our membership is comprised of 45 dues paying congregations, neighborhood associations, and other interested groups; giving our organization an estimated network of more than 18,000 members. Since 2002, we have been organizing to effect change in the areas of: healthcare, education, jobs and economic development, neighborhoods and housing, and local government. Some of our accomplishments include:

• (2003) CHANGE leaders conducted neighborhood audits in 15 areas of the city and documented over 1,000 items that needed attention by City of Winston-Salem departments. As a result of our work, the City of Winston-Salem instituted a process by which citizens can report issues that need attention in their neighborhoods. There is now a link on the front page of the city website, where citizens can report problems or request a service.
• (2004) CHANGE identified 56 health and safety violations in our county-wide school audit for which Superintendent Don Martin took action to correct. Leaders worked with school officials in 2006 to craft a more equitable bond that met our standard of 50% for renovations/ replacements for older schools. As a result, a $250 million school bond was passed by voters. Some of the schools identified in our audit that would not have been attended to until 2009 in the first proposed bond, are now slated for renovation or replacement in 2007-2008.
• (2004) CHANGE conducted audits of 30% of the voter precincts sites during the primary election in 2004. We identified problems with signs, visibility, parking, accessibility, and with voting procedures. Leaders met with the Board of Elections officials who worked with us to address the problems before the November election.
• (2005) CHANGE, in partnership with city government and the business sector, worked to bring the Dell Corporation to Winston-Salem. This venture was not only good for business for the city but also allowed for the creation of 1,700 new jobs.
• (2005) CHANGE worked with a coalition of organizations to maintain funding for the Downtown Health Plaza (DHP). Through letters to the newspaper editors, meetings with County Commissioners, and speaking out at public hearings, we were successful in winning an appropriation of $800,000 for the Downtown Health Plaza to maintain its operations.
• (2006) CHANGE worked with Forest Ridge Neighborhood Association, Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods and the Ministers Conference to get HUD and the city to inspect 150 substandard apartment units. This action resulted in a management change, $50,000 in utility check and relocation reimbursements, and relocation of residents to new residences.
• (2006) CHANGE participated in discussions with the City of Winston-Salem that resulted in $100,000 from Community Development Block Grant funds being provided to the Urban League for a summer youth employment program.

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Last Revision: 8.30.07