Community Development
Programs designed with the community in mind
NATHA's community development programs build individuals skills, encourage good health and nutrition habits, facilitate self-improvement, and organize community action.
Building individual skills
This includes classes in technical and individual growth areas. In recognition of the diversity of its service area, for example, NATHA has offered beginning and intermediate English and Spanish as a Second Language courses. Its computer courses have ranged from basic concepts through advanced classes in specialized software.
Providing opportunities for self-improvement
Community Health Promoters (CHP) receive training to help their neighbors. Parents benefit from the Nutrition Network presentations, prepare healthful snacks daily for the after school program and participate in the youth program as mentors and assistants. The youth program offers children a multitude of opportunities for personal growth.
Organizing community members for community action
Volunteers set NATHA’s priorities, staff its programs, help raise funds, disseminate information to residents and perform community service. They participate on committees, task forces and action teams. NATHA has, for example, worked with the City of Pasadena to install street lighting in a particularly unsafe area and to clean up parkways as part of its community beautification plan.