
By Mike Hazlip–
Several hundred residents on Monday attended a community potluck at the Citrus Heights Community Center, which featured a speaker from Rancho Cordova who praised the city’s neighborhood model for community engagement.
During the March 11 event, Councilman Tim Schaefer noted an increase in attendance from the previous year and highlighted the importance of community building. Asking for a show of hands, Schaefer pointed out the number of first-time attendees.
The event was hosted by the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (REACH), which serves as the umbrella organization connecting 11 neighborhood areas in Citrus Heights that collectively make up the city’s entire geographic footprint. Unlike fee-based homeowners’ associations, the city’s various neighborhood associations have no required dues — and anyone residing, working, or owning property within the neighborhood’s boundaries is able to be involved in the association.
Originally called Neighborhood Associations, community leaders are now using the term Neighborhood Areas to avoid an often-negative connotation many people have with neighborhood associations. Over the years, some of the 11 areas have combined, while others are restarting after becoming inactive, according to Natalee Price, president of REACH. Area One, Northwest, is becoming active again through the efforts of Area President Elijah Wilbur.
The city has also taken a more proactive role in recent years to encourage involvement in the various neighborhood organizations, noting that areas help create a sense of community, address common concerns, make neighborhoods safer, create a stronger city-neighbor relationship, and provide a place to gather.
During the event, Price urged Citrus Heights residents to get involved, saying it takes “good-hearted people to look around and say, ‘hey, I can help.’”
Community Engagement Manager for the City of Rancho Cordova, Lorianne Carl, gave the keynote address, said her city aims to emulate Citrus Heights’ neighborhood area model. Carl last spoke at the 2019 potluck, she said.
Carl is working to build stronger communities in Rancho Cordova, saying the neighborhood area model in Citrus Heights was not originally part of her city’s incorporation plans. Now, Rancho Cordova is establishing neighborhood areas using boundaries defined by the residents themselves, Carl said.
“There’s one thing that you all have that we do not have is amazing residents that already have very structured neighborhoods that are very engaged.” Carl said “I really am envious of this group because this is what we’re trying to incorporate in Rancho Cordova.”
Focusing on the positive assets in the community is something Carl said she is encouraging in Rancho Cordova.
“What we try to do is focus on: what is the asset in your neighborhood,” she said. “We don’t talk about what is it that you need, because if you talk about what you need, you’re going to be spiraling downward and you’re never going to get out of what the needs are. So we try to keep it on the positive.”
In an interview for this story, Carl said her city is working to identify community leaders that could take on roles similar to the neighborhood association presidents and REACH in Citrus Heights.
“What I love about Citrus Heights is they already have neighborhoods established and they already have community leaders that are reaching out saying that they want to be engaged and involved,” Carl said.
Local businesses provided gift baskets as raffle prizes, including Half Price Books and Taste of Tuscany. Lowe’s provided flower centerpieces that residents were able to take with them, and Sunrise Christian Food Ministry provided candy for about 40 children’s baskets, Price said.
Additionally, the event featured live music and photos with the Easter Bunny, and local businesses, organizations, and neighborhood areas donated items to the event, Price said. The city also provided the room at no charge, and attendees brought potluck dishes to share.
More information and a map of the city’s neighborhood areas is available on the city’s website.
By Mike Hazlip--
Several hundred residents on Monday attended a community potluck at the Citrus Heights Community Center, which featured a speaker from Rancho Cordova who praised the city's neighborhood model for community engagement...
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