CITY OF JAMESTOWN

A COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT

BY ROBIN FERRARI

OCTOBER 24, 2010

MAP OF AREA ASSESSED

We assessed the downtown area of Jamestown on a Sunday afternoon. Not a lot of people were out and about. It was a nice sunny day but being a weekend the downtown area was very quiet.

City Of Jamestown Information

Breakdown Of Population:Whites: 39,996Blacks: 1,117

Hispanic: 1,666Other: 390 apx

Home of Lucille Ball!!!

Jamestown is the home of Lucille Ball!

There is museams and theaters all in honor of her.

Top tourist attraction in this area.

Lucille Ball Little Theater

This theater is an excellent resource for the community.

Started in 1936 Lucille Ball started

acting in this theater

MOST HOMES WERE BUILT

BEFORE 1930 IN THIS AREA.

10,652 HOME OWNERS

7,299 RENTERS

©2010 MapQuest Portions ©2010 NAVTEQ

HOUSES

Jamestown Houses in this area usually sell for $25,000 to $50,000

Considered the poorer side of town

Where most of the Black Community resides

Most of these are apartment buildings although some are single family

Housing Continued

In this particular neighborhood a lot of houses need cosmetic work

The Jamestown Development Co. is now developing programs/initiatives for homeowners to fix up the outside of their homes

PARKS AND RECREATION

IN THIS PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT PARKS THAT ARE CONTINUOUSLY UPKEPT FOR THE RESIDENTS

ONE OF THESE PARKS EVEN HAS A SKATEBOARD RAMP.

IN THE SUMMER THERE IS ALWAYS PROGRAMS FOR THE KIDS HERE

Parks cont.

THIS PARTICULAR PARK IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

THESE PARKS ARE ALWAYS WELL LIT FOR SECURITY

PRENDERGAST LIBRARY

Prendergast Library is a community free library

It is funded through donations

Has a huge assortment of books/children's room with storytime and an up to date computer lab.

SHOPPING AREAS

CONVENIENCE STORES

ONE COFFEE SHOP

DOLLAR GENERAL FAST FOOD

RESTARURANTS: ARE ALL EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY FOOT IN THIS AREA

SHOPPING CONT:

AT THIS PARTICULAR WILSON FARMS STORE THERE ARE ADVERTISMENTS

FOR TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL ALL OVER INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.

WITH THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF UNDERAGE DRINKING AND TOBACCO USE THIS

IS DEFINITELY AN AREA THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THERE ARE

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT ARE GEARED TO REDUCING THE MEDIA

THAT PROMOTE THESE BEHAVIORS.

SCHOOLS

IN THIS AREA THERE IS ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SAMUEL G. LOVE SCHOOL. 30 TEACHERS TO 312 STUDENTSHAS PRE K TO 4TH GRADES

LOVE ELEMENTARY

JAMESTOWN HIGH SCHOOL

Serves 1600 students in the Jamestown Area

9th thru 12th grades Only area high

school Renowned Marching

band and Acapella choir that has travelled internationally

Schools Cont.

In Jamestown there are a few private, religious schools. In this area there is only one and it is a catholic school. St. James. It serves elementary

aged children. After 8th grade these children go to the high school.

All of the school grounds are well kept and free of grafitti and trash.

There arent any school busses in this area, all kids walk to and from school. All crosswalks do have crossing gaurds though for the elementary school.

TEAM PROGRAM

This building houses the TEAM Program.

Teenage Education and Motherhood.

Allows teenage mothers to remain in high school while getting a quality education and caring for their infants.

Walking distance to the area high school

RELIGION

THERE ARE MANY CHURCHESIN THIS AREA. MAIN RELIGION IS CATHOLIC AND CHRISTIAN

ST JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

ST PETER AND PAUL

ST LUKES

FIRST LUTHERAN

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

ST PETER AND PAUL

Catholic churches are very popular in this area. In Jamestown alone there are four different ones.

These are not only for worship but also family gatherings, weddings, and community meetings

FLOWING RIVERS WORSHIP CENTER

There are also community worship centers that are inside of apartment complexs like this one. This one is mainly a Hispanic church. Not a lot of activity was seen here on this Sunday afternoon.

Immanuel House and the JNP

The Joint Neighborhood Project (JNP) is a community agency that has just celebrated 45 years.

United Way Agency Runs a Food Panty Hispanic Outreach Teaches English as

a Second Language

Human Services

This is the community clinic which serves the greater Jamestown area. This is a free clinic that specializes in maintaining health and promoting wellness. Offers free birth control and STD screening.

Human Services cont:

WCA hospital is the only hospital in this area. There is two locations, however. The main location is a full service hospital that specializes in obstetrics and emergent care.

This was the groundbreaking for the new ED.

WCA Mission Statement

WCA's Mission Statement:

To improve the health and well being of the people of Chautauqua County and the surrounding area in a way that includes compassion, dedication, and a

commitment to quality, while maintaining economic viability and a vision for the future.

Human Services Cont:

There are also numerous physician offices, dentist offices, and even alternative treatment centers.

For ex:body beautiful (which specializes in body

rejuvination)Acupuncture

Chiropractic CentersHerbal Centers

Human Services Cont.

There is also a lot of community agencies such as WIC (women, infant and children)

Welfare Offices

Transportation

Unfortunately there is not much in terms of public transportation. There are busses that do run

occasionally from Jamestown to surrounding areas, but these are only at certain times of the day and

there is only one bus terminal.

Transportation

As you can see in this picture. The streets are generally free of clutter, but there is ongoing construction at different parts of town in preparation for the winter months.

They almost are all paved and easily passable.

Protective Services This is the city

Police Department. It serves all of the Jamestown Area. Attached to it is the Jamestown Fire Dept.

Both of these agencies work to ensure peace and safety in the cultually diverse population of Jamestown

Crimes

2009 Murder.... 1 Rape..... 20 Robbery..... 26 Aggravated

Assault......105

2008 Murder.... 3 Rape.... 20 Robbery... 40 Aggravated

Assault........ 121

Neighborhood Watch

There are many different neighborhood watch programs in Jamestown. In this particular

neighborhood of Jamestown there is a strong sense of community and this particular area has noticed a

sharp decline in the crime rate due to the watch program.

NEIGHBORHOOD LIFE

On this Sunday afternoon there werent any stray animals noticed. None of the houses have any security systems in place. This shows that the

residents feel safe in this neighborhood. I did a few residents out sitting on their porches

talking amongst each other.

Conclusion:

Jamestown is a city that is alive with culture.

Rich with human services that support the community

Safe for our children to grow up and live a healthy life.

Conclusion cont.

This community is fortunate to have a lot of community outreach services such as the TEAM program, WIC program, JNP, many thrift shops, food pantries, free health clinic, parks with free

recreational activities for children and the YMCA and YWCA.

IMPROVEMENTS:

One area where I feel could use some improvement is in health promotion. There isnt any low cost

exercise clubs in this neighborhood. The YMCA does have a great workout facility but it generally is too expensive for people in this neighborhood to afford. I would like to see income guidelines and scholorships available for these residents. As well

as more health promotion clinics offered to this community.

Windshield Survey:

Robin FerrariCommunity Health Nursing

Empire State College