Beverly Resource Group
The Beverly Resource Group is a community-organizing initiative born out of a need to address poverty and crime facing residents in the neighborhood of Gloucester Crossing in Beverly. Located between two rail lines, this historic neighborhood was built for workers of the adjacent United Shoe Factory. With the closing of the factory in the 1980s, and due to its isolated location, the neighborhood became neglected and has since battled high levels of poverty and crime. Working with community members during the planning phase of Holcroft Park Homes, neighborhood residents expressed concerns over crime on their streets, the ability to obtain secure employment, and the need for basic services, such as fuel assistance and child care. In response, the North Shore CDC spearheaded the Beverly Resource Group, which is a collaborative of agencies that brings together resources to address issues facing Gloucester Crossing residents. Founded in 2007 by the North Shore CDC and the the North Shore United Way, this dynamic collaboration of local and regional agencies is now led by both founding organizations and Beverly Bootstraps Community Services, which are joined by over 25 participating agencies. |
|
Throughout the process of housing development and neighborhood revitalization, the Beverly Resource Group connects residents with programs and services through regular community meetings and n
eighborhood-driven events and activities. Participating agencies further engage the community through the Gloucester Crossing Survey, an annual survey designed to identify the most pressing needs facing the community. The collaborative of agencies then works to devise strategies for better meeting the needs of the community. The lead agencies continue the collaborative’s work by maintaining close relationships with community members through neighborhood-wide meetings, resident newsletters, and one-on-one communications.
The successes of providing quality housing and helping to stabilize residents through the Beverly Resource Group have allowed residents the support to get more involved in their neighborhood. The North Shore CDC works with Gloucester Crossing residents to raise awareness and garner support for neighborhood revitalization from the greater Beverly community. This collaborative effort will advance a model that can be replicated (as we further our work in other neighborhoods) by other housing and community development organizations in our region.
Community Events
Community-driven events are an important part of engaging the wider community with the important work that we do. Click here to learn more about our upcoming and past community events.