who we are
About Houghton Jones Neighborhood Association
Houghton-Jones Neighborhood Association officially organized and incorporated as Houghton-Jones Neighborhood Task Force, Inc., (HJNTF) in the fall of 1992. We are a non-profit, tax-exempt neighborhood improvement organization whose mission is to ‘Foster a Sense of Community’: increase educational and employment opportunities and empower residents and stakeholders to restore the neighborhood to safety, beauty and comfort. HJNTF established the following goals to achieve its mission:
- Academic support and enrichment programs directed at youth
- Community outreach / Family empowerment
- Healthy eating, healthy living
- Safe and viable community
The organization is run by a volunteer board of directors, a part time staff consisting of an office manager and a program manager, as well as other faithful volunteers and those recruited as needed for various projects. We operate out of our “Christina Jones Resource Center” located at 1708 Johnson Street. The facility provides space for activities not only for HJNTF, as other organizations, including the City of Saginaw also make use of the space. Our activities include after school and youth summer academic and enrichment programs, bi-monthly community meetings and garden activities. In addition, other organizations use the building for meetings, and city activities such as “Light Up the City” and “Arson Watch”.
Over the years HJNTF has continued its mission, tweaking our programs as time and conditions require. We give attention to many needs of the community; safety, beautification, health, and education. Representatives attend meetings and participate in the citywide Neighborhood Association, the “Friends of Morley Park” group, the Downtown Saginaw Farmers Market, the Ezekiel Project, City Council as well as the Saginaw Public School. We maintain the Resource Center, two community gardens, and other surrounding properties as part of our dedication to community health, safety and beauty.
PROGRAMS/PROJECTS
Youth Enrichment:
Our after-school program features Lexia (a computer reading program), Kahn Academy (focus on math) and intense work on completion of a science project. It also includes sewing instruction and other activities to enhance personal growth.
We continue our commitment to youth with a four day, 6-week summer academic and enrichment program. Up to 40 youth are provided activities designed to reduce academic losses typically experienced during the summer months. We offered 1-2 week sessions of food exploration that included food science, some food prep, and lessons in gardening and nutrition.
Urban gardening:
We plant and maintain two gardens that provide produce for association members, the Saginaw Rescue Mission (partners in managing the gardens) and are used as a resource for lessons in food and nutrition for summer enrichment participants.
Participation in City wide programs:
- Light Up the City
- Arson Watch
- N.A.A.G.
Our mission
“To Foster a Sense of Community” to the youth, families, and individuals our community center serves each and every day!
Our vision
Our vision is to inspire residents in this community to expand their vision, encourage the setting of realistic goals and promote positive decision making. By using the neighborhood concept, we strongly believe that we will see our vision take shape and flourish within this community.
Our story
To achieve our mission and vision, we provide Enrichment programs targeted toward youth and families in the Houghton-Jones neighborhood located in the east-central area of Saginaw, Michigan. We sponsor an “All Around the Neighborhood Program” which includes an After the Bell/Tutoring Program, Summer Youth Enrichment Program, Urban Gardening, and Community Meetings.
What we Do
Our primary causes
The “All Around the Neighborhood” project is an implementation of our mission statement to “Foster a Sense of Community”.
We provide student enrichment afterschool and throughout the summer to achieve addtinal academic support, digital leteracy, physical activities, and exposure to STEM, Arts, and crafts.
The community garden creates a unique “learning garden” where participants will learn about social responsibility through sustainable living. Residents will be able to plant and grow their own fresh organic foods.
Neighborhood empowerment
We are continually developing strategies and programs to motivate in thi community to live indipendently and gain self-sufficiency and control over their lives.
Community Outreach
Houghton-Jones Neighborhood Association provides eductionla nad social events for the community freely and openly that do not have access to those services to meet the needs of those underserved populations. In terms of sustainability, our community outreach allows residents opportunites to get involved with their city in ways that make it possible for them to choose and act upon the ways in which they believe are most fulfilling to themselves and their neighborhoods.
Community Enrichment
We have community meetings every other month on the 2nd Thursday of that month at 6pm. Meetings will be posted on our event calendar for the year. All residents are invited to discuss the needs and safety of our community. We have various guest speakers and there are representatives from the police and fire departments. Very important information is provided by all and answers to questions. We also have various programs and activities throughout the year. We host picnics, community clean-ups, and neighborhood safety patrols. Lastly, we offer a computer lab open to the public for job searches, learn computer skills, send emails, and etc.
Community Garden
We have two community gardens that families in the neighborhood help garden. Through the garden project we teach gardening skills and expose families to healthier foods. This promotes pride in self-accomplishment and encourages community involvement. Participants explore the garden to understand the relationship between people, the environment, and growing food. We also partner with the City Rescue Mission of Saginaw. The community garden could not exist without the sweat equity (volunteered time and effort) of the community and is always happy to welcome more individuals to come and donate their time so that the garden can be bountiful and shared amongst the community.
Summer Youth Enrichment Program
Every Summer we host a day camp for children ages 6 through 3 designed to reduce the “summer slide”. The youth participate in academic activities, gardening, technology, poetry, crafts, creative dance, field trips, and so much more! We partner with organization such as READ Program, MSU Extension, TMCA, First Students, Saginaw Public Libraries, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and a whole lot more to provide additional enrichment and education. We feel, our free summer youth program is the best in the city!
Sister Lois A. Sheaffer After School Enrichment Program
We improve learning skills of youth by helping with homework, providing additional practice and instruction in all core academic areas with emphasis on reading. Through this program, students also learn about non-academic subjects like nutrition, cooking, character building, sewing, computers, and so much more!
Join our mission. Volunteer, Donate, Advocate. Get Started Today.
Email: info@houghtonjones.org
Call Anytime: (989)-752-1660