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Show from Westside can "You Residents Wil ave Visitors build a better life for yourself, Westside residents of Salt Lake may expect visitors within the next four months. These visitors, representing the Westside Community Council, will be polling residents in an attempt to gain their feelings about the advantages and disadvantages of living on the westside and encouraging positive action in solving community problems. if you want to . . of the Model Cities neighborhood. Within two months of his move, Mr. Blessing was making something of his situation. According to him, "sometimes things happen to you and you come out better for it." One thing led to another, and now Mr. Blessing is on the Model Cities Housing Task Force, the People's Freeway, Inc. Council, the Community Organization Operation Program Salt Lake (CO-OP- Housing ), the Authority permanent physical disability from World War II, suffers from trouble and must walk with a cane, had the problem with his house and has had an battle over his veteran's benefits. In spite of what comes up, Mr. Blessing keeps on with his work. He trys to get others interested, to share what he has with them. He even distributes the Model Neighborhood News to the people in his hotel. While his volunteer work is a recent thing, Mr. Blessing has always had his eye on what was happening. His hotel room is stacked halfway to the ceiling with books. Books on law, religion, politics, history and a wide range of other subjects. George doesn't claim to have read them all but "its something to look forward to." Over the years more than fifty "letters to the editor" signed George Blessing have appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune and the leg elected American in this century to the Presidency ever ran for a second term." This Vice-Preside- nt letter was dated January 14, 1 968. A short ti me later President Johnson announced hewouldnot seek a second term. George Blessing keeps on trying. He would like to share the following thoughts with you: "It isn't what happens to you, its how you take what happens to you. You can become bitter about life and living or you can charge it up to experience and then go forward and ahead by building a better life for yourself. "You can affiliate yourself Lyndon B. with people, groups and organizations that are to community and help build a better community, state, nation and world by having lived upon this earth. Its just up to you, what you will do with your life now and in the future." I encourage involvement of disseminate information community residents concerning present services, but only a positive response on behalf of the community residents can the in Council and other community organizations. The staff, consisting of both employed and volunteer three months," endorse prospective future action." members, will be coordinated by Jay Greenan, newly appointed Executive-Secretar- Westside Community Council. Greenan, backed by a commendable list of references in the area of public relations and community organization, feels that this project can contribute substantially to better living conditions in the westside community. OUTREACH AIDES Several outreach aideswil be I traveling MAJOR EMPHASIS of the y door-to-doo- r asking resident opinion concerning their westside community, and disseminating information. It is important to note that many already existing facilities are not being utilized to the limit of their capacity. "This," states Greenan, "is not reflective of Major emphasis will be put on involving westside residents in their community. "Only through resident involvement can their community have a voice in their own behalf," Greenan said. "I am convinced that community residents will contribute time and effort in helping to accomplish worthwhile goals of community interest, if they see they can be effective in solving problems. This project will concentrate on developing this communication and action. Once the residents can effectively voice their needs through the proper channels, they will be listened to and receive a response from the sources of power." RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO COOPERATE I in thiough the latter part of April. "We are planning to civic-minde- d Advisory Committee and other community organizations. "All of this work is volunteer. It keeps me active. If didn't do it, wouldn't be around the westside shall continue present community needs, and to by Model Cities, was established on January 1 , and was Deseret News. Some of the letters have shown remarkable insight such as the letter stating "no a lack designed to inform residents of already available services, to solicit new opinions concerning This westside project, by Tim Funk cf information disseminated to the community." Greenan continued saying that they had hoped to act as a catalist between presently existing facilities and potential recipients of these services. This informative project in interest, but rather The results shall provide a standing record of the needs of westside residents. "Results from this project, cautioned Greenan, "can only be in proportion to the feedback received from the residents." funded George Blessing is a busy man these days. He belongs to several civic action groups, is affiliated with two veteran's outfits, reads voraciously and sends an occasional "letter to the editor" when he has time. About a year ago that wasn't all true. Then Mr. Blessing lived alone in his home. He got out some, but wasn't too active. When evicted from his house because he couldn't keep it up, he moved into a hotel in the center Page 4 says Mr. Blessing. His volunteer work has brought Mr. Blessing into contact with Model Cities residents and Jefferson Free School staff members. "Pete 1071 S. West Temple (Director of the Model Cities Agency) is quite a fellow. met him while working with the Housing Task Force," Mr. Blessing said. "We talked about the way things are, the needs of the community." "I'm in a training program now. I've already spent six days in Cedar City for one training session and three days at Park City for another. My work gets me around, keeps me busy and lets me meet people." Things haven't been easy for George Blessing. He has a Grundfossen, I -- . Offering classes in Basic Math, Advanced Math, General Science, English as a Second Language, Bookkeeping, Basic English, Advanced English, Social Studies, History, Psychology, Reading Improvement and Health. are free. High School credit is offered as well as Basic Skills. Child care is provided. All classes Call 359-496- 9 for information. The staff would like to encourage residents to cooperate with this project. Only through their cooperation can this project be a success. is need news from all areas of the Model Neighborhood. We Call 467-801- 4 and we'll send a reporter and photographer to cover your meetings and programs! At the present time, the staff being housed at the Glendale Junior High School, 1430 Andrew Avenue. If you, as residents have any questions or comments; or would like to aid the staff members in any way, you are welcome to call them at 485-- 203. "This project is functioning to help westside residents become involved with their community. Only with their help can we be successful in our efforts," concluded Greenan. 1 |