Community Development Plans

NATHA has ambitious plans for community improvement

Drug-Free Community Strategy

Through a generous Drug-Free Communities Grant from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), the PHAT is currently working on the implementation of a drug-free community strategy that addresses issues of drug and alcohol abuse in the Lincoln Village community. This strategy focuses on community-led anti-drug advocacy and collaboration with City of Pasadena enforcement agencies in order to ensure strict regulation of new alcohol Conditional Use Permits, among other policy concerns. Other components of the strategy include ongoing youth and community education on the dangers of alcohol and drugs, engagement of community youth in the creation and enforcement of drug-free zones, and public events that promote substance-free lifestyles and community bonding.

See what our youth are doing to drive their drug-prevention outreach campaign at John Muir High School!

Please assist us in guiding our drug-prevention work for the next five years by filling out our survey, which will be instrumental in informing the strategies that we design.

Capital Campaign

As NATHA continues to expand in programming and number served, our facility no longer provides adequate space for our needs. In response, we recently acquired an adjacent property — and we now urgently seek the philanthropic investment of friends like you to renovate and convert this space to meet our community’s needs.

Our renovation will be conducted in keeping with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines. “Going green,” in this case, makes both environmental and business sense, as it will allow NATHA to realize significant cost savings over time. Our plan also includes the use of non-toxic paints, sealants and other products, in order to create a more healthful and comfortable environment for community residents with asthma or allergies. To accommodate community residents with mobility or other disabilities, we will also ensure that the facilities meet all Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Urban Walking Trails

The Department of Health and Human Services has recommended for approval a grant that would enable NATHA to develop:

An urban walking trail to encourage exercise and community gathering.
A farmers’ coop and market to encourage new gardeners, create an outlet for home gardeners to sell their excess produce and provide gardening tips and assistance, recipes and nutrition information.
A monthly 30-minute show for airing on local cable access that will combine the What’s cooking? class and the DigiCrew cable access news segment to provide nutrition and health information, news about local opportunities for healthful activity and segments on healthy living.

Fallen Fruit Initiative

The youth have been engaging in community walks to identify the types of trees in the Lincoln Village, which is part of a larger effort to map Pasadena’s trees. NATHA is taking part in the Fallen Fruit initiative, which aims to map all edible urban landscapes in Los Angeles County for the benefit of all. Particular focus is being placed on lemon trees in order to support the Lemonade Brigade, which is our teen-run homemade lemonade business.

NATHA has a 17-year track record of commitment to community; collaboration with individuals, businesses, community organizations and government in Northwest Pasadena; and sustaining programs that address area needs. It is committed to creating well-rounded, educated, activist community members who can improve their lives and to helping youngsters succeed in school, in their families and in their community.

If you would like to join NATHA'S Community Development Programs, please call the Projects Coordinator at (626) 794-5889 ext. 204.