On August 4th, HACAP’s Community Development, Family Advocacy, and Youth Initiative Programs worked together to sponsor a National Night Out event held at Inn Circle. It was the 26th year for National Night Out, but the first year an event was sponsored by HACAP at Inn Circle.
According to the website (www.nationalnightout.org), National Night Out events are designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Staff members with three of HACAP’s newest programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act coordinated many activities for children and families to take part in. Included in the festivities were games and craft activities, a bouncy house, and a meal.
Over 100 residents from the 6th Street area in south west Cedar Rapids participated in the activities and shared the evening with local police officers, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Sparkles the Clown, Ricochet (the Rough Riders mascot), and many HACAP staff members.
The event, which was featured live on the evening news on KWWL, was a great success and a true example of HACAP programs collaborating to deliver our mission of “helping people develop skills to become successful and build strong communities”.
Congratulations and thank you to all who were involved in planning and carrying out this event! Your efforts have not gone unnoticed by your colleagues and, most importantly, the people you serve.