Executive Director's Corner

Fighting Back Partnership has been a Vallejo non-profit, social service agency for 20 years. Great people have helped Fighting Back Partnership through rain, sleet and hail. We have seen some great times, we have seen some very hard times, but we have survived. I truly believe that even though the City of Vallejo declared bankruptcy in 2008 that our City and our school district will also survive. Our goal is to help Vallejo get back on it's feet.

Fighting Back Partnership’s first step is to deal with neighborhoods. After bankruptcy a ripple affect then began with cuts in services, increased crime, blight and urban decay became serious issues. In polling neighborhoods about their biggest concerns, crime and blight topped the list. They also spoke of helplessness when calls to the City were made for assistance with neighborhood issues. Fighting Back Partnership has retained trained and experienced personnel in the fields of neighborhood revitalization, social services, crime prevention and neighborhood watch programs. In the summer of 2009, we decided that the Neighborhood Watch Program should become part of our Neighborhood Revitalization Program. We surveyed the City and located only 10 Neighborhood Watch Groups. To date with training from Fighting Back Partnership, there are 83 Neighborhood Watch Groups that are active with “neighbors helping neighbors.” The majority of these neighbors will also participate in the National Night Out Against Crime Event on August 3, 2010.

Our programs working together are the key to success. A majority of neighborhoods are also involved with our Federal Weed and Seed Program. This program aims to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for its residents. It uses two concepts; community engagement and problem solving to foster a sense of responsibility in addressing crime problems. Weed and Seed funds are being used to have Vallejo Police Cadets patrolling the target neighborhoods. The cadets are dealing with abandoned vehicles, parking violations and preventive patrol. This is what community safety is all about.

Our Family Resource Center is dealing with family problems throughout our City. In 2009, the four Centers, located in different areas of the City, provided assistance to 3,941 families. These are families in need with children who benefit from the support of our Centers.

The Vallejo Graffiti Paint-Out Program has worked well in neighborhoods painting out graffiti in over 500 locations throughout Vallejo. We are always looking for more volunteers and the paint-outs are scheduled the third Saturday of each month.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported Fighting Back Partnership. Without your help our programs would not be successful. Please visit the other programs listed on our Website. And please consider a financial donation to our organization. Every little bit helps to keep us alive producing positive results for our City!

Tony Pearsall
Executive Director
Fighting Back Partnership

"Work like you don't need money"
"Love like you've never been hurt"
"And dance like no ones watching"
-Anonymous Author