| The Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) at the University of West Florida (UWF) in Pensacola is a collaboration of five UWF academic departments, three centers, and numerous community-based organizations in the neighborhoods of Brownsville, Morris Court, Belmont-Devilliers, and Eastside. The COPC target neighborhoods reflect traditional urban problems of poverty, low income, high unemployment, high crime rates, and the need for fair and affordable housing. Through research and outreach, the university's COPC delivers and coordinates empowerment activities, organizational training, applied research, and other technical assistance. Before receiving their COPC grant, UWF was engaged in piecemeal, albeit well intentioned, programs designed to support narrow elements of the community. Through the COPC, UWF is focusing and coordinating these and other community-building efforts in clear and effective directions. Local visioning efforts and changes in local government have created a perfect opportunity for such a university-community partnership. COPC activities focus on community organization and revitalization, economic development and entrepreneurial encouragement, affordable housing, community development, education, and crime prevention. Partners in these efforts include the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, the United Way of Escambia County, the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, the Brownsville Resource and Outreach Center, Community Equity Investments, Inc., and Habitat for Humanity.
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