Understanding Community Needs: The Berwyn Collaborative Initiative
The Berwyn Collaborative: Understanding Community Needs is an innovative initiative led by News Ambassadors in partnership with local organizations like Cicero Independiente and WBEZ. The project aims to actively engage residents through surveys and events to better comprehend their local news coverage needs.
Engaging the Community
Hugo Balta, publisher of ILLN, described the approach, saying, ‘We don’t see the public as an audience. They are collaborators who help shape our news coverage. This project assists us in better understanding what issues matter most to the impassioned people of Berwyn.’
In this initiative, residents are encouraged to voice their opinions and share their insights to create a more transparent, relevant local news landscape.
Mission of Solutions Journalism
The philosophy behind this project centers around Solutions Journalism (SJ), which emphasizes reporting on how communities are responding positively to challenges. Shia Levitt, director of News Ambassadors, explained, ‘Solutions journalism stories are rigorous evidence-based stories on how a response to a problem is working.’
The collaborative aims to produce solutions-based stories that effectively address community issues, creating a more engaged and informed public.
Addressing Local Concerns
During community listening sessions, Berwyn residents expressed significant concerns about issues such as a perceived culture of corruption among local officials and a desire for greater transparency regarding government spending. ‘The vast majority of Berwyn residents are working class folks, and they don’t have time to go to city council meetings,’ stated Tomasa Ambriz, a local trustee.
Residents also brainstormed ways to leverage grassroots efforts to improve representation and address challenges within their community.
Next Steps for Berwyn Collaborative
With preliminary survey results highlighting the need for more bilingual resources and detailed financial transparency, the Berwyn Collaborative is set to continue its efforts into the new year. Local reporters will use the feedback gathered to pitch and produce well-informed and solutions-focused journalistic pieces.
This project demonstrates a commitment to fostering an inclusive dialogue within the community and ensuring that the voices of Berwyn residents shape the local news narrative.