Across the country, NeighborWorks America network organizations celebrated the 39th annual NeighborWorks Week in ways that empowered communities and brought community members together. In some places there were classes. In others, clean-ups, as volunteers and staff worked side by side to repair homes and improve outdoor spaces.
NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley celebrates with new homeowner Rakema Williams.
In Woonsocket, the newly rehabbed house on Front Street was a cause for celebration – for staff at NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, (NWBRV) and for Rakema Williams, who closed on the house this spring. Staff held a ribbon-cutting at Williams' home as part of the organization's NeighborWorks Week celebration. The theme for the week, held this year June 4-11,was "Empowering Communities for Success." Creating affordable homes is one way to do that.
Williams had been searching for a home since 2021 when the mayor drew her name from among those pre-approved for a mortgage via a lottery. Williams and her son live in one part of the $165,900, two-unit property; her mother, brother and sister live in the other. At the event, Williams told those gathered that she couldn't believe the number of people who worked to make homeownership possible for her. The home, she says, is a dream.
NWBRV staff also spent the week painting a stage for a summer concert series, shares Meghan Rego, director of resource development and communications, "It's a true testament to the team and the power of teamwork at NeighborWorks organizations that everyone is willing to roll up their sleeves and do whatever we can to empower communities for success, You really see it during NeighborWorks Week. They all come out to support one another and to support the communities."
At
Montgomery Housing Partnership, staff and volunteers worked on a new outdoor space. "The Butterfly Project is one way that MHP empowers residents to enhance and take ownership of their community," says Chris Gillis, Policy and Neighborhood Development Director.
Staff and volunteers at Glenville Community Center worked to create a welcoming space that will promote outdoor enjoyment. The new design features art and handprints conceived and created by
Montgomery Housing Partnership worked on an outdoor space.
young residents. Students put finishing touches on their space by painting rocks – a display of public art that incorporates their unique artistic styles while remaining grounded in nature, Gillis says.
Empowering community with NCALL!
NCALL held virtual and in-person events throughout NeighborWorks Week that included a community clean-up, a healthy cooking demonstration, a Zumba class, a kids' craft night and more. They also provided a forum to learn about local resources available to help with mental health and opioid addition. Staff participated in a Habitat for Humanity build day and prepared and hosted a dinner at a local men's shelter. "All these activities impact the community by bringing people together, teaching them something new, embracing the challenges, and encouraging the community to know that we are stronger together— a perfect combination of empowering communities for success," says Jennifer Lawson, marketing and communications director.
NeighborWorks organizations found a variety of ways to celebrate the week.
Mutual Housing of Hawaii, NeighborWorks Week featured a workshop on credit building, and taught residents at one of their developments about a new rent reporting program. The program is already in place in other Mutual Housing properties.
NeighborWorks Columbus held a fundraising campaign with a goal of $5,000.
Suncoast Housing Connections in Clearwater, Florida, worked on a social media campaign focusing on the organization's "We Teach. We Lend. We Build" philosophy. They also sent a mailing to 1,000 stakeholders, focusing on their partnership with NeighborWorks – and what they were able to do in the community as a result of that partnership, says Ellen Stoffer, vice president of operations.
While the ways organizations marked NeighborWorks Week were different, the goals were the same: Empowering communities. Check out the snapshots below for more.
At Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA), Massachusetts families who participate in CBA's YES! afterschool program came out to AcreFest for the ice cream and fun.
RuralEdge staff in Vermont worked with volunteers on a clean-up day at Derby Line Gardens. Volunteers cleared brush, planted flowers, and constructed five community garden boxes, including two elevated beds for those with mobility impairments.
At Homeport, a NeighborWorks network organization in Ohio, neighbors and volunteers from Columbus Commercial Industrial Investment Realtors (CCIIR) spent the week working at American Addition, a historically Black subdivision that Homeport has been helping to revitalize.
At Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, the focus was on community leadership. The network organization held a luncheon for alumni of the NeighborWorks Community Leadership Institute, Each ANDP CLI class, from 2015 to present, was represented.
The Pay-It-Forward event at NeighborWorks Pocatello featured a barbecue. Residents received a free potted plant or herb in exchange for making a pledge to Pay-It-Forward to their community and neighbors.
