The Center for Collaborative Change

Description

Newark, New Jersey, is a city on the rise. Once considered the most dangerous city in the nation, crime rates in Newark are steadily and dramatically decreasing. Many indices of child and family well-being show positive trends as well, including decreased infant mortality and increased graduation rates. After decades of disinvestment, millions of philanthropic dollars are pouring into the city, and companies are choosing to relocate here and hire locally.

These trends - along with recent widespread attention garnered by the city's charismatic political leadership, and today's renewed federal commitment to urban affairs - make this a critical time for Newark. This moment presents a unique opportunity: to bring, build and nurture a critical mass of proven policies and programs; harmonize them with existing structures and resources; and, in so doing, give rise to a new national touchstone for urban revitalization.

The Center for Collaborative Change is a nonprofit consulting firm and "idea broker" being developed in close partnership with Mayor Cory Booker to build and sustain partnerships among decision-makers, constituents, and civil servants around local program and policy development.