Neeraj Mehta

Tornado Response

Neeraj Mehta — Sun, 29, May 2011 7:35

In the aftermath of the devastating tornado last Sunday, a partnership of more than 30 community based organizations formed to quickly and effectively met the immediate needs of residents in our community. The efforts by so many people in my community is a testament to the strength and beauty that exists in north Minneapolis and that will carry us through our recovery.

Road Rage

Neeraj Mehta — Wed, 16, Mar 2011 20:42

In the past few weeks, in a variety of settings, the following question, as it relates to community development goals, in some form or another has been asked, "What does success look like to you?"

A manifesto for the inside.

Neeraj Mehta — Fri, 2, Jul 2010 19:47

Over the past half century a variety of strategies have been designed in search of solutions to the multiple and deeply rooted problems of America’s central cities.

Northside Women's Space

Neeraj Mehta — Fri, 29, Jan 2010 4:0

A few blocks from my house there is a street where violence intersects with trauma. It’s a corner where women involved in trading or selling sex spend their time waiting. I don’t know the back story of these women, but for most I know what brought them to this intersection is more complicated than I could every dream or imagine. Most of these women experienced significant pain, abuse and violence before ever arriving to the intersection.

Maladjusted

Neeraj Mehta — Sat, 23, Jan 2010 9:30

Wouldn’t you agree that there are some things that we should all get angry about? When a country brutalized by poverty like Haiti is hit by a natural disaster, we should be angry. When a teenager walking down the street in the middle of the day is shot dead, we should be angry. No matter where we live, no matter how comfortable our life is, no matter how rich or poor we are, these realities should shake us, should affect us, should push us to live for and strive for something different.

Hawthorne Eco-Village

Neeraj Mehta — Wed, 6, Jan 2010 18:21

In 1831 a French count, Alexis de Tocqueville, visited the United States. The account of what he experienced and thought can be found in his book, Democracy in America. More than 200 years later, this small book has become standard reading in the fields of political science, history and social science. In his commentary of this newly forming society, he notes the uniqueness and power of small groups of citizens coming together to form organizations that solve problems.

New decade will bring a miracle baby

Neeraj Mehta — Sun, 20, Dec 2009 13:9

Every Thursday for three years my mom has watched my children at her house. The routine we have is simple and consistent, with my wife Erin dropping them off in the morning, and me picking them up in the afternoon. So on Thursday July 9th, 2009, I wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary when I drove from work to my mom’s house to pick them up. It seemed just like every other Thursday.

What's next? A brighter future for some, or all?

Neeraj Mehta — Fri, 11, Dec 2009 10:6

This month I watched as folks in Washington D.C. celebrated the dip in our national unemployment rate to 10%. At the same time it was reported that the unemployment rate for African Americans in our country was twice that of the national average. Reading both statistics made me cringe knowing that the unemployment rate in my neighborhood in Minneapolis was twice that 10% number BEFORE the economic downturn and foreclosure crisis. And the real unemployment rate for African Americans today (and my neighbors back then) is probably much higher since reported unemployment percentages only reflect those that are still looking for work.

The Game of Life

Neeraj Mehta — Tue, 8, Sep 2009 22:57

For many Americans our current housing crisis, banking meltdown and global recession is increasing their risk of falling into poverty. You can’t turn on the television without hearing both about who is being impacted and why they are being impacted. What I find interesting about these discussions is the consistent emphasis on the failure of the ‘system’. We’re not blaming the everyday American for his or her current situation, but instead putting a lot of attention on the systems that have changed the world around us.

Our Hidden Welfare State

Neeraj Mehta — Sat, 22, Aug 2009 22:1

I’m not sure I completely understand the health care debate. But I’m going to take a shot and put down my thoughts and would love additional education, feedback and thoughts as well.

Eat That

Neeraj Mehta — Fri, 14, Aug 2009 13:18

I went to the grocery store at midnight the other night.

Side by side

Neeraj Mehta — Fri, 17, Jul 2009 12:48

Even from 38 floors up, the people below can look like ants.
I sometimes wonder if from so high you might even forget they are people.

Why are people poor?

Neeraj Mehta — Mon, 22, Jun 2009 23:4

“Why are people poor?” I remember being asked this question ten years ago while at a training for a program I was a volunteering with. Back then, just out of college, I had little to no first hand knowledge or experiences with poverty in America and felt completely ill equipped to answer the question. The only poverty I knew was what I saw visiting India, where it seemed poverty was blamed mostly on systemic failure and karma. In America, it seemed like poverty was mostly blamed on the individual and their individual choices and behavior. In India, your caste had the power of determining your place in society, in American it seemed your race had similar effects.

Go Northside Go!

Neeraj Mehta — Mon, 1, Jun 2009 22:10

Saturday was a great day to enjoy the best of north Minneapolis. My family and I awoke to beautiful weather, threw on our bike helmets and rode down to North Commons Park to cheer on hundreds of runners participating in the third annual GO! Northside 5k Run/Walk and Finish Line Festival put on by the PEACE Foundation and Urban Homeworks. The event drew hundreds of participants and created a positive, fun-filled day for people in north Minneapolis.

Equitable Development

Neeraj Mehta — Fri, 22, May 2009 13:24

A standard definition of community development often goes something like this: Community Development is asset building that improves the quality of life among residents of low to moderate income communities, where communities are defined as neighborhoods or multi-neighborhood areas....

Place Matters

Neeraj Mehta — Tue, 19, May 2009 6:41

Would you agree that where we live makes a big difference in the quality of our lives? Or what would you think if I said that some people live in neighborhoods that provide them with all sorts of advantages; while others live in neighborhoods that impose on them numerous disadvantages? I would argue that place has a very powerful effect on people’s lives.

More about Neeraj Mehta

Neeraj Mehta — Fri, 8, May 2009 12:25