Community advocates Mid-City CAN danced to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” in the park next to the City Heights Weingart Library on July 1 to celebrate their 25th year and express their happiness of becoming an independent organization. | Video Credit: Brian Myers, Media Arts Center San Diego
By Brian Myers
Questions and responses have been lightly edited for clarity:
What’s Mid-City CAN so “happy” about?
Adam Ward, Mid-City CAN Media Specialist: As Mid-City CAN prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in the fall, the collaborative is making changes to support its mission.
Jeanette Neeley, Mid-City CAN Coordinating Council: We are forging new partnerships that allow us to embrace technology and collaborate with other City-Heights focused organizations.
Adam Ward: One change is a new meeting space in City Heights, shared with the AjA Project, a photography-based educational program.
Diana Ross, Mid-City CAN Collaborative Director: [The AjA Project’s office, a City Heights building at 4089 Fairmount Ave.] will strengthen our connection with young people and residents.
Any big changes to the organization’s structure or mission?
Diana Ross: All major projects, momentum teams, and the Building Healthy Communities Initiative, will continue as usual.
Adam Ward: The initiative is an effort to change the way that health happens in 14 communities throughout California, including City Heights.
Cloud-based systems, including phones, will enhance collaboration and reduce paper consumption. Mid-City CAN staff will have a new main phone number – (619) 272-7582 – beginning July 1. The website and email addresses will remain the same.
Diana Ross: Please be patient with us as we make these transitions. With technology there can always be the unexpected.
Adam Ward: Mid-City CAN is partnering with Mission Edge San Diego to improve, accelerate and innovate as it grows. Mission Edge will be Mid-City CAN’s fiscal sponsor starting July 1. Fiscal sponsors provide support services.
Ken Davenport, Mission Edge San Diego CEO: Mission Edge’s heart is with grassroots organizations, such as Mid-City CAN.
Melanie Nally, Mid-City CAN Coordinating Council Member: [The collaborative] would like to thank SAY San Diego for its support of Mid-City CAN for the past 25 years. The unique relationship between Mid-City CAN and SAY San Diego has contributed to Mid-City CAN’s success.
What’s the future of Mid-City CAN hold? Any exciting ongoing projects or new projects down the pipeline?
Adam Ward: Mid-City CAN will launch a 25th anniversary rebrand and, in the fall, it will celebrate the milestone. The celebration will highlight partnerships and the City Heights community.
[About $1.75 million has been secured to fund a skate park in City Heights] thanks to the advocacy work of Mid-City CAN and its Youth Council.
In mid-July, Mid-City CAN will release a report that looks at the health landscape in City Heights in conjunction with Human Impact Partners.
In late July, young men and women in the Mid-City CAN Youth Council will travel to state-wide leadership camps to meet with other young people in the 13 other Building Healthy Communities sites.
[Disclosure: Mid-City CAN receives funding from The California Endowment. Speak City Heights is funded by The California Endowment but operates as an independent news collaborative.]