Changing the Climate of Our Community
Since 1991 The Greater Four Corners Action Coalition has been working to change the climate of this community! For years the Coalition fought to bring equality to the four corners area by forcing public investment and attracting private capital to a neighborhood that had been long over looked and neglected. We did this by educating and organizing neighborhood residents to demand equal service in regards to transportation, city services, and other amenities that some neighborhoods take for granted.
Four Corners is a primarily Black community with incomes ranging from low to moderate. The area was once a thriving Jewish community then transitioned in the 70's as Blacks moved in and whites moved out. As businesses left and many people in the area were victims of the mortgage scams of the 80's, the neighborhood became dotted and abandoned properties, vacant lots, and closed shops. Tie these conditions with the lack of economic opportunity you have the perfect breeding ground for crime and that's what happened in Four Corners.
Drug gangs were everywhere. Also there were environmental and environmental justice issues. The vacant lots became dumping grounds and there were a number of auto body shops that used unsafe practices and exposed their workers and the surrounding community to hazardous conditions. Public Transit was totally inadequate. With the help of community members and in collaboration with other organizations Four Corners is now a safer, more established community with many amenities to offer in the surrounding area.
