Hearing the name "Rosalind Randle" brings forth warm feelings in many people. A community activist, leader and mentor, "Roz"--as she is affectionately known--has lived and worked in North Richmond and Richmond for more than 50 years. Her roots in the community run deep.

Ms. Randle's interest in the Maritime Center restoration is personal. The Maritime Center, located at the corner of Harbour Way South and Florida Avenue, was one of the first child development centers in the country, started as a place for the children of women who worked in the Kaiser Shipyards during World War II. Following the war, it continued to operate as a school for more than sixty years. Ms. Randle's grandmother worked in the Kaiser Shipyards in the 1940s. Her niece attended school at the Maritime Center in the 1970s. Her granddaughter now attends kindergarten at Richmond College Prep Schools (RCPS), a public charter school located on the site that serves primarily students from Santa Fe, Coronado, and Iron Triangle neighborhoods.

While Ms. Randle's commitment to the Maritime Center renovation comes as no surprise, the way she got involved in the actual rehabilitation is unusual. Rosalind Randle balked at conventional retirement after serving 15 years as a Recreation Specialist for the City of Richmond. In the vein of another "double-R" name, (that is, "Rosie the Riveter,") she became a construction worker at the Maritime Center. "I wanted to change my career field, and use my skills in building to be creative," she stated. "I was excited to work with my hands."

It's not often that one hears a principal engage terms like "cultural capital" in a parent meeting. But the parent meeting at Nystrom Elementary in the Coronado neighborhood of Richmond is different from most.

Imagine a safe, diverse and thriving community where kids walk to quality schools, people of all ages enjoy parks, community facilities, and winding trails, and quality housing - regardless of income - meet the needs of all families.

This vision is becoming a reality through the Nystrom United Revitalization Effort (NURVE). With a focus on improving the quality of life for youth and families, NURVE is a collaborative effort between the Richmond Community Foundation and various City, County and community entities. NURVE aims to revitalize the economy and improve quality of life in southern and central Richmond through building projects, initiatives and community partnerships, and greater connections between stakeholders.