| |
Residents of the Saint Monica’s neighborhood
and Swillburg shared an educational weekend with hundreds of
community leaders, residents, and volunteers from eight
states, all of whom participated in a three-day Community
Leadership Institute in Boston recently.
The Community Leadership Institute helps emerging leaders
learn new techniques and sharpen their skills to address
specific issues affecting their communities. During the
three-day conference (October 25-28) attendees had the
opportunity to participate in over 40 professionally led
workshops on topics ranging from coalition building,
protecting communities against predatory lending, and
marketing neighborhoods. Participants interacted with
resident leaders from 56 communities in the states of
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the U.S.
Territory of Puerto Rico. Many of these leaders face similar
challenges.
“The combination of skills and planning learned at the
Institute will positively affect these neighborhoods for
months and years to come,” said Kim Brumber, Executive
Director of NeighborWorks® Rochester.
One Rochester resident received an award for his energetic
community leadership in Swillburg. David Chappius, president
of the Swillburg Neighborhood Association, was honored as
one of only two Dorothy Richardson Award nominees recognized
at the Community Leadership Institute. The Dorothy
Richardson Award represents the highest standard in
exemplary leadership and commitment to neighborhood
improvement.
“I was honored to receive this award in front of 500 other
community builders from all around the district. I volunteer
because I love helping my community, but it is nice to be
recognized for the efforts you put in,” said Chappius. “I am
proud of the partnership that Swillburg has built with
NeighborWorks® Rochester and hope to continue working
together to make Swillburg a neighborhood of choice.”
The Community Leadership Institute is hosted every two years
by NeighborWorks® America, a national nonprofit organization
established by Congress to provide financial support,
technical assistance and training for strengthening
communities across the nation. NeighborWorks® Rochester is
an affiliate of the national organization.
“We know that resident participation is vital to the healthy
and vitality of communities and an essential ingredient in
any revitalization effort,” said NeighborWorks® America CEO
Ken Wade. “The Community Leadership Institute builds the
skills of everyday heroes who transform their neighborhoods
into vibrant places all are proud to call home.”
NeighborWorks® Rochester, www.nwrochester.org, is a 28-year
old community development financial institution working in
the City of Rochester. It promotes homeownership and
healthy, sustainable neighborhoods through low-interest home
rehabilitation loans, first mortgages, homeownership
education, lead testing and remediation services, and
neighborhood revitalization initiatives.
Rochester resident David Chappius was
recognized in Boston for his exemplary neighborhood
leadership. Diane Stafford, right, of Roxbury, Massachusetts
was also recognized for her years of service and leadership
to her Boston community
|
