Started over 40 years ago the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association gained its 501 c 3 status in 1999. Since its inception this resident-created, resident-lead organization has been diligently working on addressing the negative social determinates of health for fellow residents and others in the broader community. Social determinants of health reflect social factors and the physical conditions in the
environment in which people are born, live, learn, play, work and age. Also known as social and physical determinants of health, they impact a wide range of health, functioning and quality of life outcomes. Examples of social determinants would include (summarized list):
Availability of resources to meet daily needs, such as educational and job opportunities, living wages, or healthful foods
Social norms and attitudes, such as apathy
Exposure to crime, violence, and social disorder (such as the presence of graffiti and trash)
Socioeconomic conditions (such as concentrated poverty)
Public safety
Public Policy
The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association lead the US Department of Justice Weed & Seed Strategy efforts in the Sunnyside and Southside neighborhoods for 12 years (1999 through 2011) receiving national recognition for the innovative way(s) in which residents were engaged and empowered to create positive change in their neighborhoods. In 2010 and 2011 the Sunnyside-Southside Weed & Seed Site was the top Weed & Seed Site in the nation (out of 379). Sunnyside’s Weed & Seed Site was considered unique in that it was the ONLY resident-run site in the Nation. In 2005 the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association was named “Organization of the Year” by the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper. “As for the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, there is no better example of local residents taking charge of the quality of their daily lives through grassroots programs in education, redevelopment, job creation and cultural revitalization.” (The AZ Daily Sun, p. A6, Sun., 1/1/06)
For general information regarding the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff, Inc. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff, Inc. Board of Directors meet the 2nd Thursday of every month at 6pm at 2304 N. Third Street (please use the north side entrance to access the building) EXCEPT for July (no meeting) and December (Annual Holiday Mingle, at the Market of Dreams). Everyone is invited to our Board Meetings. You do not have to live in the Sunnyside Neighborhood to be “Sunnyside Up”
A Summary of Current Programs of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff Inc. includes:
The Market of Dreams (Mercado de los Sueños) - The Market of Dreams/Mercado de los Sueños is a community cooperative multi-cultural market and small business/micro-entrepreneurship center. Not an economic project and not a cultural project, but an ambitious endeavor designed to weave together both in a collaborative way. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/MarketofDreams/. RadioSunnyside - RadioSunnyside 101.5FM provides residents greater access to information concerning the Sunnyside neighborhood and greater Flagstaff area (for example information regarding neighborhood meetings and special/culture events, areas of construction, promotion/location of area businesses, etc.). RadioSunnyside is a multi-cultural, neighborhood station that provides programming in English, Spanish and Navajo. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/radiosunnyside/. The Coconino County Mentorship Program for Probationers - Through a partnership with Coconino County Probation we run a Mentoring Program to train volunteers to provide mentoring to individuals who are on probation. The majority of the mentoring that will be provided by the volunteers to probationers is done online/in a virtual setting. This program is unique in that there is nothing like it in the country. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/COPEcoconino/. The Wood-for-Winter Warmth Program provides firewood for free to residents of Coconino County who are disabled, senior citizens, single parents and low-income. The purpose of the Wood-for-Winter Warmth Program is to ensure that individuals who are in need are able to heat their homes during the cold winter months. Coconino County has one of the highest rates of poverty in comparison to other counties within the State of Arizona. Providing firewood to individuals who are unable to pay for firewood or heat their homes in the winter any other way is the direct public service/public benefit that this program provides. Eligibility criteria is: residents of Coconino County who are disabled, senior citizens, single parent and/or low-income. For more information or for wood please call W4WW Project Director Joe Ray at 928-699-0298. The Newest Program of Sunnyside is the Sunnyside Longevity Project (SLP). SLP is a community-based project, will create a longevity zone by raising capacity for greater health and longevity in Flagstaff. The SLP will promote health as a human right through initiatives to train Community Health Workers (CHWs) or are acting health care professionals who serve underrepresented groups. We developed the SLP to respond to articulated needs and responses from community-engaged projects in the area over the past 10 years. People residing in Sunnyside include 50% Hispanic and over 25% American Indian mostly low income individuals and families. National health data indicate higher disease burdens and shorter lifespans associated with economic stress. American Indians are also more likely than others to experience chronic disease. Over the past 10 years we have conducted in-depth research in Sunnyside on local needs and goals through academic-community partnerships. Findings and outcomes show a foundation for a project that lives in Sunnyside and is designed to build capacity within existing communities rather than relying on external education and resources. Capacity building among local residents provides the opportunity for multiple levels of resilience and sustainable change toward greater health and wellness. The SLP is designed to raise health equity and operate from the concept that Health is a Human Right. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/sunnysidelongevityproject/.
