The New Communities Initiative was initially conceived to address the needs of returning prisoners and to improve conditions which contribute to criminal behavior.  The geographic area which was identified, matches the neighborhoods where the majority of Sedgwick County (Kansas) offenders live prior to their incarceration, and the neighborhoods to which they return.  These neighborhoods were also found to have a higher than average number of blighted properties and unemployment rates, as well as lower than average academic achievement among high school students. 

Thus, a focus map was created with the following boundaries:  Central (south), Hillside (east), 21st Street (north) and Topeka to Murdock to Mosley (west).  Following is a link to a map of the area: 

NewCommunities-new7'07.pdf

It is the Initiative's ultimate goal to support and enhance successful families and sustain the communities in which they live within Sedgwick County.  Therefore, successful strategies of the New Communities Initiative approach to comprehensive neighborhood revitalization will be replicated in other neighborhoods in Wichita over time.