CITY OF JAMESTOWN
A COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
BY ROBIN FERRARI
OCTOBER 24, 2010
MAP OF AREA ASSESSED
We assessed the downtown area of Jamestown on a Sunday afternoon. Not a lot of people were out and about. It was a nice sunny day but being a weekend the downtown area was very quiet.
City Of Jamestown Information
Breakdown Of Population:Whites: 39,996Blacks: 1,117
Hispanic: 1,666Other: 390 apx
Home of Lucille Ball!!!
Jamestown is the home of Lucille Ball!
There is museams and theaters all in honor of her.
Top tourist attraction in this area.
Lucille Ball Little Theater
This theater is an excellent resource for the community.
Started in 1936 Lucille Ball started
acting in this theater
MOST HOMES WERE BUILT
BEFORE 1930 IN THIS AREA.
10,652 HOME OWNERS
7,299 RENTERS
©2010 MapQuest Portions ©2010 NAVTEQ
HOUSES
Jamestown Houses in this area usually sell for $25,000 to $50,000
Considered the poorer side of town
Where most of the Black Community resides
Most of these are apartment buildings although some are single family
Housing Continued
In this particular neighborhood a lot of houses need cosmetic work
The Jamestown Development Co. is now developing programs/initiatives for homeowners to fix up the outside of their homes
PARKS AND RECREATION
IN THIS PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT PARKS THAT ARE CONTINUOUSLY UPKEPT FOR THE RESIDENTS
ONE OF THESE PARKS EVEN HAS A SKATEBOARD RAMP.
IN THE SUMMER THERE IS ALWAYS PROGRAMS FOR THE KIDS HERE
Parks cont.
THIS PARTICULAR PARK IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
THESE PARKS ARE ALWAYS WELL LIT FOR SECURITY
PRENDERGAST LIBRARY
Prendergast Library is a community free library
It is funded through donations
Has a huge assortment of books/children's room with storytime and an up to date computer lab.
SHOPPING AREAS
CONVENIENCE STORES
ONE COFFEE SHOP
DOLLAR GENERAL FAST FOOD
RESTARURANTS: ARE ALL EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY FOOT IN THIS AREA
SHOPPING CONT:
AT THIS PARTICULAR WILSON FARMS STORE THERE ARE ADVERTISMENTS
FOR TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL ALL OVER INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
WITH THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF UNDERAGE DRINKING AND TOBACCO USE THIS
IS DEFINITELY AN AREA THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THERE ARE
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT ARE GEARED TO REDUCING THE MEDIA
THAT PROMOTE THESE BEHAVIORS.
SCHOOLS
IN THIS AREA THERE IS ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SAMUEL G. LOVE SCHOOL. 30 TEACHERS TO 312 STUDENTSHAS PRE K TO 4TH GRADES
LOVE ELEMENTARY
JAMESTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Serves 1600 students in the Jamestown Area
9th thru 12th grades Only area high
school Renowned Marching
band and Acapella choir that has travelled internationally
Schools Cont.
In Jamestown there are a few private, religious schools. In this area there is only one and it is a catholic school. St. James. It serves elementary
aged children. After 8th grade these children go to the high school.
All of the school grounds are well kept and free of grafitti and trash.
There arent any school busses in this area, all kids walk to and from school. All crosswalks do have crossing gaurds though for the elementary school.
TEAM PROGRAM
This building houses the TEAM Program.
Teenage Education and Motherhood.
Allows teenage mothers to remain in high school while getting a quality education and caring for their infants.
Walking distance to the area high school
RELIGION
THERE ARE MANY CHURCHESIN THIS AREA. MAIN RELIGION IS CATHOLIC AND CHRISTIAN
ST JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
ST PETER AND PAUL
ST LUKES
FIRST LUTHERAN
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
ST PETER AND PAUL
Catholic churches are very popular in this area. In Jamestown alone there are four different ones.
These are not only for worship but also family gatherings, weddings, and community meetings
FLOWING RIVERS WORSHIP CENTER
There are also community worship centers that are inside of apartment complexs like this one. This one is mainly a Hispanic church. Not a lot of activity was seen here on this Sunday afternoon.
Immanuel House and the JNP
The Joint Neighborhood Project (JNP) is a community agency that has just celebrated 45 years.
United Way Agency Runs a Food Panty Hispanic Outreach Teaches English as
a Second Language
Human Services
This is the community clinic which serves the greater Jamestown area. This is a free clinic that specializes in maintaining health and promoting wellness. Offers free birth control and STD screening.
Human Services cont:
WCA hospital is the only hospital in this area. There is two locations, however. The main location is a full service hospital that specializes in obstetrics and emergent care.
This was the groundbreaking for the new ED.
WCA Mission Statement
WCA's Mission Statement:
To improve the health and well being of the people of Chautauqua County and the surrounding area in a way that includes compassion, dedication, and a
commitment to quality, while maintaining economic viability and a vision for the future.
Human Services Cont:
There are also numerous physician offices, dentist offices, and even alternative treatment centers.
For ex:body beautiful (which specializes in body
rejuvination)Acupuncture
Chiropractic CentersHerbal Centers
Human Services Cont.
There is also a lot of community agencies such as WIC (women, infant and children)
Welfare Offices
Transportation
Unfortunately there is not much in terms of public transportation. There are busses that do run
occasionally from Jamestown to surrounding areas, but these are only at certain times of the day and
there is only one bus terminal.
Transportation
As you can see in this picture. The streets are generally free of clutter, but there is ongoing construction at different parts of town in preparation for the winter months.
They almost are all paved and easily passable.
Protective Services This is the city
Police Department. It serves all of the Jamestown Area. Attached to it is the Jamestown Fire Dept.
Both of these agencies work to ensure peace and safety in the cultually diverse population of Jamestown
Crimes
2009 Murder.... 1 Rape..... 20 Robbery..... 26 Aggravated
Assault......105
2008 Murder.... 3 Rape.... 20 Robbery... 40 Aggravated
Assault........ 121
Neighborhood Watch
There are many different neighborhood watch programs in Jamestown. In this particular
neighborhood of Jamestown there is a strong sense of community and this particular area has noticed a
sharp decline in the crime rate due to the watch program.
NEIGHBORHOOD LIFE
On this Sunday afternoon there werent any stray animals noticed. None of the houses have any security systems in place. This shows that the
residents feel safe in this neighborhood. I did a few residents out sitting on their porches
talking amongst each other.
Conclusion:
Jamestown is a city that is alive with culture.
Rich with human services that support the community
Safe for our children to grow up and live a healthy life.
Conclusion cont.
This community is fortunate to have a lot of community outreach services such as the TEAM program, WIC program, JNP, many thrift shops, food pantries, free health clinic, parks with free
recreational activities for children and the YMCA and YWCA.
IMPROVEMENTS:
One area where I feel could use some improvement is in health promotion. There isnt any low cost
exercise clubs in this neighborhood. The YMCA does have a great workout facility but it generally is too expensive for people in this neighborhood to afford. I would like to see income guidelines and scholorships available for these residents. As well
as more health promotion clinics offered to this community.
Windshield Survey:
Robin FerrariCommunity Health Nursing
Empire State College