South Alabama Community Network
The South Alabama Community Network provides one place where people converge who share a common interest in building a stronger community through information sharing, advocacy and collaboration.
The need for a community network became apparent after the hurricane season of 2005. The concept for an internet-based information system emerged that would connect organizations to each other and the individuals they served. Thus the idea for the South Alabama Community Network was born.
The South Alabama Community Network will connect people, information, and ideas so we can better meet the needs of our residents. It will promote community driven information and knowledge that can be used to understand issues and identify solutions to solve community issues.
The web-based information clearing house will collect vital data and studies that can be used by leaders and citizens to frame public policy priorities, engage in informed debate and deliberative democracy.
The Community Foundation of South Alabama was one of 21 winners nation-wide in the first round of the Knight Community Information Challenge, a five-year, $24 million initiative to help community foundations find creative ways to use media and technology to keep communities informed.
The South Alabama Community Network received approval in 2009 as an AmeriCorps VISTA program. The Corporation for National and Community Service provided Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) to assist with building the community network. The VISTA members are serving their community by assisting local nonprofit organizations and helping with community outreach on behalf of the South Alabama Community Network.
The project has been made possible by The Community Foundation of South Alabama, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, J. L. Bedsole Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and The Corporation for National and Community Service.
Testing of the South Alabama Community Network has begun and the Foundation is working with partner organizations to refine this resource.
The South Alabama Community Network will be free and open to all citizens of the eight counties of South Alabama (Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties).
