Resident leaders doing "the work"

What does it take to be a resident leader? "Confidence," offers Gloria Cartagena, a Dorothy Richardson honoree in 2017. "Passion, too," she adds. "And you've got to have the ability to listen." Cartagena uses the expression "desahogarse," which means "to get it off your chest" in Spanish. That's what she encourages community members to do when she reaches out to them, assisting in everything from cleanups and beautification to resources and food. A leader in her neighborhood, Cartagena works with New Kensington Community Development Corporation as a community connector.  

Paul J. Lopez, a 2010 honoree from Chicago, also says listening is key. "I've always known the importance of change being resident driven," relates Lopez, vice president and community development manager at First Midwest Bank, who grew up in the community he serves. "I don't go into a neighborhood thinking I know and have the answers. Tell me what you need, and I'll see if I can find a way to help." 

NeighborWorks  helps network organizations support resident leaders through training, grants and its Community Leadership Institute. The newest honorees, to be named on March 30 in a virtual ceremony to be held at 6 p.m. ET, represent a range of regions – and a range of work. 

"The Dorothy Richardson Awards give us a chance to recognize leaders who are creating positive change," explains Paul Singh, NeighborWorks' vice president, Community Initiatives. "The honorees are addressing critical issues in their communities, and the awards lift up their efforts. It's our hope that the awards provide inspiration for others to become involved and continue the work for years to come." 

That's certainly been the case for Cartagena, who has attended the CLI and has only become more involved in her community over the years. She brings her husband and children into her projects, and others as well. Singh sees this example time and time again. 

"We'll often find that when resident leaders start on a project, they bring their friends and neighbors with them," he says. "The work spreads through the community as neighbors build momentum and excitement. Early, small wins can set the stage for long-term, large-scale results." 

Lopez worked with Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago for 26 years,with 19 on the board. His work brought about the first bilingual NeighborWorks Homeownership Center, and he continues to be involved with the Peace and Education Coalition of Back of the Yards, a nonprofit he helped found that works with youth groups and provides alternatives to gang activity. 

"People come up to me and say, ‘Hey, Paul: We need this in our neighborhood. How can we work together?'" he says. The award gave him more confidence and came with some pressure – in a good way. "I have to live up to an extremely high standard," he says. This year's honorees, who will share their stories at the ceremony, meet that standard.  

Hear what drives resident leaders at this year's Dorothy Richardson Awards for Resident Leadership ceremony on March 30 at 6 p.m.