Mission: To develop street level networks that are willing and able to work together.

Strategic Vision: To plan and implement physical improvement projects that promote social interaction and help develop leadership skills.

Guiding Principles: We believe:

• That Neighborhood Associations are key partners for the success of our mission.
• That Neighborhood Association partners are committed to creating and sustaining these networks over time.
• That the use of Student Organizers for Building Blocks Projects is first a choice of the Neighborhood Association and then a mutual agreement between the Association and the Kalamazoo College Representative.
• That a key organizing principle is to engage residents according to their strengths and abilities, i.e., “Do not do for residents what they can do for themselves.”
• That, beyond the minimum Neighborhood and Building Blocks requirements, project participants need the freedom and flexibility to meaningfully shape the project and “own” the results.