The Self-Reliant Communities Initiative (SRCI) is an example of Provident’s new comprehensive approach to service delivery. SRCI focuses on promoting neighborhood involvement, improving family and youth outcomes and cultivating the next generation of grassroots leadership.

SRCI is a dramatic departure from anything attempted in Provident’s 149-year history. SCRI represents a shift from programs focused solely on individual outcomes to programs that facilitate community-wide change and impact the families and neighborhoods in which individuals live.

History

Over the past 15 years, Provident has partnered with local residents in the Penrose and O’Fallon neighborhoods to address the serious problems of youth drug abuse, teen pregnancy and juvenile delinquency.

In 1994, with the community’s support, Provident opened an after school program for youth at the Shreve Neighborhood Community Center. The Shreve Neighborhood Center remains a safe haven for 300 young people (ages six through 18) that focuses on developing young people’s social and academic skills through structured activities guided by caring adult role models.

Future

Provident would like to expand its work with youth and adults in the Penrose and O’Fallon neighborhoods in order to raise high school completion rates, decrease juvenile delinquency incidents, improve community health, and increase employment opportunities.

Provident seeks to accomplish these goals through the Self-Reliant Communities Initiative.

SRCI is a comprehensive community initiative model that will involve important stakeholders from a broad range of agencies within the Penrose and O’Fallon neighborhood: faith based organizations, schools, social service agencies, political leaders, government, private donors, foundations, and neighborhood leadership and residents.

Read more about SRCI and Comprehensive Community Initiative Models

Read more about the importance of Inter-Agency Collaboration