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REPORT OF THE LOCAL COALITION DIVISION
TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
December 16, 1968
I. Accomplishments of Coalitions
The "older generation" of coalitions, with increasing frequency, is -
showing tangible and substantial results; the younger coalitions are,
in many instances, consumed by organizational problems. Some illus-
trative accomplishments are listed:
- The Miami Coalition, in collaboration with the United Black
Federation, a black organization formed with the encourage-
ment and cooperation of members of the coalition, has taken
significant steps to ease police-community relations. It is
currently formulating programs in other fields identified
as key to Miami's needs.
Ten (or more) coalitions are aggressively creating entrepre-
neurship opportunities for minorities. The New York Coalition's
Venture Capital Corporation has just made its first loan, in
cooperation with the Harlem Commonwealth Council. The comple-
mentary Coalition Development Corporation has begun with a ,
case load of 203 entrepreneurs seeking technical assistance.
Plainfield and Racine have helped establish small companies.
REC Industries, a small manufacturing company established by
the Racine Environment Committee now employs and is training
35 "hard core" youths. Both the Philadelphia and New York
coalitions have active programs designed to enhance the
capabilities and opportunities of minority contractors.
Most coalitions are striving to relieve unemployment, consis-
tently in collaboration with the local NAB efforts. The New
Detroit Committee has found 50,000 jobs; Minneapolis has
promoted coordination of NAB efforts with other organizations;
Fresno has established a Management Council for Merit Employment;
Riverside has formed a Job Opportunities Council; and Tacoma has
established a ghetto area employment office which has placed
300 hard-core unemployed. J
The Winston-Salem Coalition has established a Housing Foundation
(with a million dollar budget), and has helped finance a housing
project for the elderly. Other coalitions with strong housing
activities include Detroit, Fresno, Lima, Minneapolis, New York,
Philadelphia, and Tacoma.
The New Detroit Committee is pressing legal action to get more
adequate resources for core-city schools. Bridgeport, Minneapolis,
and Racine are concentrating on scholarships for deserving
minority college students. Detroit also has stimulated the
formation of partnerships between schools and major companies,
Le; Dine. Report Page Two
and Newark has proposed private sector construction and oper-
ation of schools. New York has helped find sponsors for 15
Street Academies, whose contributions will amount to $600,000
annually. New York also has attempted to come to grips with
the city's decentralization crisis through public education and
offers of mediation. The Philadelphia Coalition is launching
an employment training program by establishing "academies" in
high schools which are sponsored and operated by major companies.
Three academies are being organized in Office Management, Banking
and Finance, Aviation and Aerospace, and in Electronics.
= Coalitions in Detroit, Newark, New York, Baltimore, New Orleans,
Philadelphia, Plainfield, Racine, and Saginaw are promoting legis-
lative activity either at the local, state or Federal level.
II. Established Coalitions
New Bedford, Massachusetts established a coalition in late November;
this brings the total of established coalitions to 40.
III. Housing Conference for Coalitions
During 1969 the Urban Coalition, with the help of the National Institute
of Public Affairs, will provide a series of conferences to help coalitions
develop effective strategies in particular substantive areas. The first
of the series, To Improve a City's Housing, will be held on February 6
and 7 in Washington. This conference is specifically designed to help
the staff and housing task force members of coalitions to identify their
role and strategies in improving the local housing situation.
IV. Organizing Efforts
Efforts are currently underway to establish coalitions in 33 cities.
This total includes Chicago, Illinois and Durham, North Carolina. Coali-
tions are expected to be announced soon in San Francisco, Kansas City
and Dayton. -Mr. Walter Reuther has scheduled a luncheon on January 9 to
advance organizing efforts in Michigan cities.
At the November meeting, the Steering Committee resolved to aid in the
formation of local coalitions. All 38 members were contacted by letter
as a consequence, requesting assistance in relation to specific cities.
Ten members have responded to this request; seven members have provided
the names of individuals who can assist in a total of twelve of the
target cities.
Since the last meeting on November 13, the following Steering Committee
members have made or will make speeches:
Mayor Naftalin - Cleveland, November 21
Mr. Close - Corpus Christi, January 28.
TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
December 16, 1968
I. Accomplishments of Coalitions
The "older generation" of coalitions, with increasing frequency, is -
showing tangible and substantial results; the younger coalitions are,
in many instances, consumed by organizational problems. Some illus-
trative accomplishments are listed:
- The Miami Coalition, in collaboration with the United Black
Federation, a black organization formed with the encourage-
ment and cooperation of members of the coalition, has taken
significant steps to ease police-community relations. It is
currently formulating programs in other fields identified
as key to Miami's needs.
Ten (or more) coalitions are aggressively creating entrepre-
neurship opportunities for minorities. The New York Coalition's
Venture Capital Corporation has just made its first loan, in
cooperation with the Harlem Commonwealth Council. The comple-
mentary Coalition Development Corporation has begun with a ,
case load of 203 entrepreneurs seeking technical assistance.
Plainfield and Racine have helped establish small companies.
REC Industries, a small manufacturing company established by
the Racine Environment Committee now employs and is training
35 "hard core" youths. Both the Philadelphia and New York
coalitions have active programs designed to enhance the
capabilities and opportunities of minority contractors.
Most coalitions are striving to relieve unemployment, consis-
tently in collaboration with the local NAB efforts. The New
Detroit Committee has found 50,000 jobs; Minneapolis has
promoted coordination of NAB efforts with other organizations;
Fresno has established a Management Council for Merit Employment;
Riverside has formed a Job Opportunities Council; and Tacoma has
established a ghetto area employment office which has placed
300 hard-core unemployed. J
The Winston-Salem Coalition has established a Housing Foundation
(with a million dollar budget), and has helped finance a housing
project for the elderly. Other coalitions with strong housing
activities include Detroit, Fresno, Lima, Minneapolis, New York,
Philadelphia, and Tacoma.
The New Detroit Committee is pressing legal action to get more
adequate resources for core-city schools. Bridgeport, Minneapolis,
and Racine are concentrating on scholarships for deserving
minority college students. Detroit also has stimulated the
formation of partnerships between schools and major companies,
Le; Dine. Report Page Two
and Newark has proposed private sector construction and oper-
ation of schools. New York has helped find sponsors for 15
Street Academies, whose contributions will amount to $600,000
annually. New York also has attempted to come to grips with
the city's decentralization crisis through public education and
offers of mediation. The Philadelphia Coalition is launching
an employment training program by establishing "academies" in
high schools which are sponsored and operated by major companies.
Three academies are being organized in Office Management, Banking
and Finance, Aviation and Aerospace, and in Electronics.
= Coalitions in Detroit, Newark, New York, Baltimore, New Orleans,
Philadelphia, Plainfield, Racine, and Saginaw are promoting legis-
lative activity either at the local, state or Federal level.
II. Established Coalitions
New Bedford, Massachusetts established a coalition in late November;
this brings the total of established coalitions to 40.
III. Housing Conference for Coalitions
During 1969 the Urban Coalition, with the help of the National Institute
of Public Affairs, will provide a series of conferences to help coalitions
develop effective strategies in particular substantive areas. The first
of the series, To Improve a City's Housing, will be held on February 6
and 7 in Washington. This conference is specifically designed to help
the staff and housing task force members of coalitions to identify their
role and strategies in improving the local housing situation.
IV. Organizing Efforts
Efforts are currently underway to establish coalitions in 33 cities.
This total includes Chicago, Illinois and Durham, North Carolina. Coali-
tions are expected to be announced soon in San Francisco, Kansas City
and Dayton. -Mr. Walter Reuther has scheduled a luncheon on January 9 to
advance organizing efforts in Michigan cities.
At the November meeting, the Steering Committee resolved to aid in the
formation of local coalitions. All 38 members were contacted by letter
as a consequence, requesting assistance in relation to specific cities.
Ten members have responded to this request; seven members have provided
the names of individuals who can assist in a total of twelve of the
target cities.
Since the last meeting on November 13, the following Steering Committee
members have made or will make speeches:
Mayor Naftalin - Cleveland, November 21
Mr. Close - Corpus Christi, January 28.