The Texas Southmost College of the University of Texas at Brownsville/ (UTB/TSC) is developing a Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) to serve low-income residents of the Old Town/Downtown area of Brownsville, Texas, particularly Buena Vida, Old Town/Downtown's residential neighborhood. Brownsville has one of the highest rates of poverty in the nation, ranking 3rd of all metropolitan statistical areas. Over 90% of its population is Hispanic.
Old Town/Downtown was historically the booming and thriving center of the City, but has become a poor and decaying neighborhood. Recently, projects have been initiated by both the City and Cameron County to revitalize and restore historic buildings in the area. However, the process is a fragmented one. Buena Vida has a high rate of rental properties in poor condition, residential overcrowding, a lack of green space, and is within a commercial district that lacks any cohesive design. Two-thirds of Buena Vida's 8,000 residents live below the poverty level.
Overseeing and supporting the projects of UTB/TSC's Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC), the Center for Civic Engagement functions as a common space and starting point for the University and its private sector, community, and government partners in conducting revitalization projects for the community. The CCE also serves as an information and linkage resource point for community members with regard to the operation and progress of UTB/TSC's COPC.
UTB/TSC's curriculum development in support of community outreach is a central focus of the Center for Civic Engagement, providing an opportunity for the development of new skills and capacity for addressing community problems. The CCE works with other departments at UTB/TSC to integrate community outreach into existing course practica, field study, and internships.
Community outreach is promoted through the CCE in a number of ways: helping citizens, community-based organizations, and private and public sector agencies connect with UTB/TSC faculty, staff, classes, departments, and centers; serving as an information clearinghouse for existing and new outreach partnerships; and conducting and arranging workshops on community outreach topics.
The CCE acts as a local resource center for the community, providing individuals with information, counseling, and referrals about sources of services available in Cameron County. The CCE also serves as an information clearinghouse of current statistics for agencies that are applying for grants, conducting research, and developing reports.
