For years, various groups and organizations have tried to help the residents of Tallahassee's poorest zip code. Now Leon County government is advancing a new push to combine and coordinate those efforts.
It was an all-day "32304 Summit" at the New Mount Zion AME Church on Old Bainbridge Road. The purpose was to inventory what services are now available and what else might be needed to reach those living in what's called Tallahassee's most impoverished zip code. Cecka Rose Green who heads the Children's Services Council says many of those residents are already connecting with organizations like hers.
"32304 is one of our target neighborhoods and I'm also happy to say that last fiscal year, more than 30% of our participants came from 32304."
But those at the Summit agreed that more needs to be done. Council on the Status of Young Men and Boys Director Royle King says it's critical that more children, especially male children, get support.
"The choices you make today with the resources the community has made available to you can change generations of your family."
Generations, he says, which have struggled with poverty, housing, food insecurity and educational disparities.
