For Our City-Maricopa building community unity through service

CARE, Inc., in collaboration with Mayor Anthony Smith, introduced a citywide initiative called For Our City-Maricopa to various community leaders last week.

Residents from the business, government, volunteer and faith-based sectors of the city met to discuss some of the city’s needs and how to respond to them.

Jon McHatton, former chaplain of the state legislature and president of CARE, Inc., presented background on the types of initiatives undertaken by cities like Page, Sedona, Tempe and Chandler. According to McHatton, each city has its own particular focus, dependent on the passions of its leaders.

The vision of For Our City and its intent is the support of existing programs and organizations while looking at community endeavors that require innovative programs and solutions to respond to residents’ needs, or, as McHatton mentioned, “whatever need has fallen through the cracks.”

“We have lots of rooftops, roads and infrastructure,” said Mayor Anthony Smith, “but we don’t have places for people to mix and socialize. It’s the social and community environment that really makes a place thrive.”

“This is about neither religion nor politics,” said McHatton. “It’s a civic collaboration, based on passion and vision for services to all people.”
 
Maricopa Police Department Chaplain Ernest Whitehead will serve as the director of For Our City-Maricopa. “Particularly in these economic times, there is no better time to work together to meet the needs of our community,” he said.
 
The next step is the establishment of a functioning host committee. Leaders from throughout the community are invited to meet Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Maricopa, located at 18705 N John Wayne Pkwy. to consider ideas and possible action plans. If you are interested in being a part of this initiative, please RSVP to [email protected] or call Whitehead at 520-705-9100.

“We want to work to increase volunteerism in Maricopa and collaboration among residents from all neighborhoods,” said Whitehead. “We hope to provide an opportunity for people to come together for the greater good: one Maricopa.”

Photo by Joyce Hollis