Welcome to Southern Echo. Here we invite you to learn who we are, what we do, and why we do it. We work hard to provide our visitors with the information, data and challenging analyses that bring to life the key public policy issues facing our communities. Learn about the communities and organizations with whom we partner to achieve our goals, stay up-to-date with our work, and find out how you can get involved or support our work whether you live in the Delta or on the other side of the world. Our continued success not only strengthens our own communities, but the larger world community in which we all live.
Let us know how we can improve the site and what additions you might like to see. Visit often, check out the photos and videos from our events, and keep up with the news below. We're looking forward to working with you. As always, we are proud to work for you.
Echo Announces Mott Community Organizing RFP
April 20th, 2012
Southern Echo, Inc. is now accepting applications for our small grants program for mature grassroots community-based organizations engaged in community organizing work.
The primary purpose of this program is to strengthen low-income communities and neighborhoods by investing in the development of local leaders through the community organizing process.
Grants of up to $20,000 (note that the average grant size is $15,000.00) are awarded, supported by training and technical assistance, to strengthen community organizing groups and help them to connect to networks and coalitions.
Click HERE to access the cover sheet for the grant application. Click HERE to access the application and guidelines.
Echo Announces Mott-ISO RFP
April 20th, 2012
Southern Echo, Inc. is now accepting applications for our small grants program for mature grassroots community-based organizations engaged in community organizing work.
The primary purpose of this program is to strengthen low-income communities and neighborhoods by investing in the development of local leaders through the community organizing process.
Grants of up to $20,000 (note that the average grant size is $15,000.00) are awarded, supported by training and technical assistance, to strengthen community organizing groups and help them to connect to networks and coalitions.
Click HERE to access the cover sheet for the grant application. Click HERE to access the application and guidelines.
All applications must be postmarked by May 22, 2012.
Echo and Roundtable Release Charter Schools Opposition Analyses
March 30th, 2012
Earlier this week, Southern Echo and the Mississippi Delta Catalyst Roundtable released critical analyses of the Mississippi Senate’s charter school bill to express opposition. Included in its analyses are crafted amendments to make the bill better in the event a bill should be passed. Click here to access the document.
Mississippi’s House of Representatives’ charter school bill was never put forward on the floor of House and has died. For more of Echo’s analyses and other resources on charter schools, click here.
Echo Releases “Why Charter Schools are not the Answer”
March 7th, 2012
Southern Echo and the MS Delta Catalyst Roundtable released the following position paper on charter schools. The paper highlights that most charter schools do not outperform traditional public schools; that massive amounts of state funding would be diverted from traditional public schools into privately-owned, privately-governed public-funded charter schools; and that MS proposed charter schools bills do not provide any meaningful parental engagement in the creation of the schools, the governance of the schools, policy formation and implementation in the schools, or meaningful participation in the development of the culture of the schools. The paper also highlights recommendations if authorizing charter schools cannot be avoided. You may access the paper by clicking here.
