Community Services

The City of Alexandria, along with the Rapides Parish School Board, offers an After School Program for students in grades 1-8. The free program will start Sept. 19, 2022, and run until the end of the school year in May of 2023. The program, which will be offered from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, includes homework help, tutoring, computer access and snacks for participants. Activities will be held at the Youth and Teen Center (former Boys and Girls Club building) at 1801 Sylvester Street, the Broadway Resource Center at 712 Broadway Avenue, Martin Community Center at 2301 Mill Street and the Bolton Avenue Community Center at 315 Bolton Avenue. Registration is required. Click here to download a registration form. Completed registration forms should be mailed to After School Program, P.O. Box 71, Alexandria, LA 71309 Attention: Community Services. Completed forms may also be dropped off at City Hall at 915 Third Street in downtown Alexandria during regular business hours (8-5 Monday-Friday).

After School Program Graphic

Mission Statement

In accordance with Section 4-11 of the City Charter, the Mayor proposed a reorganization plan to the Alexandria City Council to streamline several city departments and offices in order to create the Division of Community Services. In March 1999, the City Council adopted the reorganization plan. This Division's stated goal in the Charter, adopted in 1974, was modified and expanded to reflect the change from a Department to a Division and is as follows:

To enrich individuals and the community through the provision of services and effective coordination of programs in the following areas:

1. Regranting
2. Arts and Culture
3. Alternative Youth and Adult Recreation Activities
4. Education Advocacy
5. Community Building
6. Special Events And Projects

Function Description

All existing functions of the Division were assessed and new programs were and are developed based on those evaluations as well as current needs of the community. Division functions were and are streamlined to be more cost-efficient and responsive to other needs of the community, and to include citizen input when possible.

The Division of Community Services collaborates interdepartmentally and with other community agencies to fulfills its stated goal through the following existing or new/developing programs:

Worldwide Day of Play
Back to School Bash
How My City Works (school field trip)
Holiday Family Fun Night
Summer Splash
Community Events Calendar
Spring and Fall Outdoor Concert Series
Dinner on the Bricks
Holiday Magic
12 Nights of Christmas
Rock the Red on the 4^th of July
Downtown Arts Collaborations
Youth Summer Camps
Holiday Art Camps
Family Fun Nights
Underwater Easter Egg Hunt
Youth Job Fair
Festivals
Holiday Art Camps
DownTown Rocks concerts
Homework Assistance Program

Community Partnership Request

Community Partnership Request Letter (pdf)

To request funding, in-kind services and/or use of city property please use the Community Partnership Request form below.

This form, completed in its entirety, provides the City of Alexandria a method by which to determine whether a program, event or function meets the strict criteria put forth by state law.

This form should be completed at least 90 days before your event, program or function to allow for proper review, preparation and/or legal agreements if deemed necessary.

Date Submitted

Sat, Apr 01, 2023

Section I.

Applicant Information and Other Funding Source Attempts.

Name/Organization *

Address *

City *

State *

Zip *

Phone *

Fax

Contact Name *

Contact Email *

Non-profit? *

If non-profit, attach copy of IRS exemption letter.

Are you a Governmental Entity? *

Event *

Date of Event *

Month

Day

Year

Organization's Mission *

A Brief Statement

Type of Program/Activity *

Describe in two or three sentences.

Event Sponsors

Identify other event sponsors and the amount (or value, if in-kind) of the funding commitment. (Supporting documentation required.)

Other Funding

Identify other attempts to gain funding or support from private, volunteer, or other entities and their responses. (Supporting documentation required.)

Section II.

Nature and/or Description of Public Funds or Property Needed.

Amount Requested *

Property Requested

In-Kind Service Requested

Section III.

Funding Category and/or Basis for Request.

This section seeks information concerning the basis in law for your request under the limited potentially permissible purposes for the City of Alexandria—which may include athletics; recreational activities; cultural or educational activities, such as collaborations with learning institutions, libraries, concerts, art museums and exhibits; parks and playgrounds; and other leisure time and cultural activities and functions of the city. Economic development and advertising/marketing Alexandria or this region is permitted generally only when the activity brings tourism or business to the area which did not already exist or significantly expands activity already in existence.

Funding Category *

Section IV.

Public Purpose and/or Goal of Request .

This section seeks information about whether this event is for a “public purpose,” a requirement by the state constitution before any action involving public funds or property can be given or pledged. This means a benefit solely of a private nature—such as to private clubs, organizations, and so forth, not tied to performance of a public need or program—are presumptively disallowed by state law and can subject public officials to criminal sanction. Your request should be tied to open public participation.

If not open to the public, your request may not be allowed. The City is concerned with its goal to benefit all citizens to the extent possible although benefits for a class of persons may be permissible, such as for the needy. The City must examine the governmental action it takes to ensure pledges of its assets or funds do not benefit one person or private entity disproportionately to the benefit to the overall community.

If you are a for-profit applicant, what is the expected private benefit to you, your partners, or members of a club if any part of any fundraising goes to an organization and part to some charitable cause? What is percentage breakdown shown in actual projections?

What is (are) the goal(s) of this project? (In one sentence) *

If a governmental entity, is the cooperative endeavor or intergovernmental agreement sought pursuant to local services law, joint emergency preparedness, exchange of surplus property for public safety purposes, or other? (State “other” reason.)

If the use of public funds or property is for social welfare for the aid and support of the needy, how are targeted candidates screened? If not screened, how are they targeted for participation?

Section V.

Benefits to the City.

Proportionality is critical for a public body to give its funds or property. Since this involves taxpayer money, the City of Alexandria has a fiscal responsibility to ensure fairness to all. The City cannot engage in a mere gratuity or giving away of services without a return benefit; however, it may help with your request if you produce a measurable result to the City approximating its gratuity to you.

Does your request or endeavor involve a nearly equal benefit to the citizens you seek to serve when compared to the money or property expended or sought to be used by the public entity? If so, how? *

If you cannot show a fair market value dollar-for-dollar match, does your plan or request involve a continuing program or relationship which has a future value attached? How so?

What are your real and substantial obligations to achieve the proportionate return to the City of Alexandria at some point in the future? *

What is (are) the expected outcome(s) or benefits(s) to the public from the event to be funded? Specify the number of persons anticipated to be served and the service(s) to be provided. *

Describe the history of this program and its success. *

Economic Development Projections

If your category was “Economic Development and/or Advertisement,” provide the following:

Projected number of out-of-town participants and guests

Identify broadcast, web and regional print promotions to be utilized

Average number of days stay by out-of-town guests to this event

Help us estimate the projected economic impact on the City by providing the number of people you expect to attend and how you arrived at this conclusion and the number of days your event lasts. (The City will fill in the “multiplier” based on your previous responses.)

Number of People

Number of Days

The City of Alexandria adheres to La.Const. art. VII, § 14, and its requirement that the funds, credit, property, or things of value of the City shall not be loaned, pledged, or donated to or for any person, association, or corporation, public or private, except that the use of public funds or property for programs of social welfare for the aid and support of the needy may be allowed if for a public purpose. Also, the City of Alexandria may engage in cooperative endeavors with other political subdivisions, the State of Louisiana or its agencies, with the United States or its agencies, or with any public or private association, corporation, or individual, if—(i) the expenditure or transfer of public funds or property is based on a legal obligation, duty, or foundation in law giving rise to the ability to legally contract (e.g., a valid statute, ordinance, charter or contract); (ii) the expenditure is also for a public purpose; and (iii) the expenditure creates a public benefit proportionate to its cost (i.e., the amount expended by the City is met with a comparable return or real and substantial obligation to create a future return).

Signature *

I certify that the information provided in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Date *

Month

Day

Year

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP REQUEST FORM(pdf)

You may download a form fillable pdf version from the link above. If you choose to fill it out by hand, please PRINT clearly. You may also type the application separately but must refer to the section number and letter for each question when responding.

Once you have completed the application, please make a copy for your records, and forward the original along with supporting documentation to:

City of Alexandria
Attn: Office of Community Services
P.O. Box 71
Alexandria, LA 71309

Community Services