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Pictured at left: CEITA instructor Gary Roth shows mappers a GPS receiver. From left to right: Gemayel Melton, Dwight Laster, David Bowers, Alan Roth . Photo by Dan Bowers. The idea for the program grew out of an earlier connection between the Center for Environmental Information and Technology Applications ( CEITA- Eastern Michigan University) and the Greater Eastside Community Association ( GECA ) . As a newly formed community, nonprofit GECA easily identified neighborhood revitalization as a priority. How to go about that goal , however, was a bit more complicated . It was decided that in order to get rid of blight , we needed to know the exact locations and extent of the problem . We decided to create a multilayer GIS map of data (at the parcel level ) with an exterior physical F inventory and assessment of buildings and property . After designing an assessment tool and conducting the inventory, we then created a database of property conditions and contracted with CEITA to provide the digitized maps and link our data to the maps . r Through this process we discovered that t .t CEITA had utilized a National Science Foundation grant to create a program called Work /Site Alliance . Their project involved creating a curriculum for high school faculty and students in which they learned how to become proficient in GIS technologies. Luckily for us , CEITA was now in the third year, or replication phase , of this grant, and they were willing to use the Flint community in order to duplicate the program . Other community partners came onboard as we sought to combine resources and build the program . Mott Community College offered the use of their new computer labs, ESRI provided ArcView GIS software and licensing rights, program funding came from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint , the Goggins Family Foundation , and Mott College " Foundation . Another area nonprofit organization , the Spanish Speaking Information Center, contributed in-kind funds and assistance with youth recruitment . CEITA designed and conducted an intensive two-week Summer Science Camp with the objective of "learning how to utilize GIS in a real -world setting by 1 i ' l � mapping EPA designated Brownfield sites in the City of Flint, Michigan , using a variety t of spatial analysis techniques as well as I developing and applying scientific problem-solving skills in the field ." GECA y t provided the overall program _ development and project management. rf Twenty youths (ages 14-22 years old ) were 00, s � Sllk ! i recruited by flyers distributed in neighborhoods and high schools . It was a 1 diverse group : 14 males and six females , six ` Hispanic , 10 African-American , and four it r. Caucasian . Two were 14 years old , five 205 GIS Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan Chapter 1 - Departmental GIS Needs Assessment