Dorothy Richardson Awards for Resident Leadership

About the Resident Leadership Awards | 2012 Award Winners | Past Winners | Nomination Information

Congratulations to the 2011 Resident Leadership Award Winners!


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Joseph Bryant, Home HeadQuarters, Syracuse, N.Y. While many young adults choose to leave Syracuse for opportunities elsewhere, Joseph Bryant has decided to stay, and work to create opportunities in his hometown. His ability to bring together stakeholders has led to an impressive list of developments: the South Side Communication Center, green infrastructure developments, free wireless access to neighborhood businesses, and, most significantly, the development of a community-owned grocery store. Joseph is a champion of the Southside neighborhood's rebirth and revitalization, raising the hopes of its residents in the process.

 

Denese Meteye James, CDC of Tampa, Fla.
As a board member for the CDC of Tampa and other organizations, Denese Meteye James is a vocal advocate for the revitalization of the East Tampa Community. Her advocacy has helped create more than $30 million in development projects. She also led the creation of an annual tree lighting celebration, which in 2010 resulted in more than 100 bikes and backpacks being given to local youth.Her volunteer commitment follows a 32-year career in healthcare, where she fought to ensure that residents receiving services at the health department were treated with respect and dignity.

 

Sophia Jeffrey, Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services
Springfield, Mass. Sophia Jeffrey is the first and only board president of Springfield NHS. As the organization has evolved, expanded and changed its name, Sophia has been a constant, for 33 years. During this time, Sophia has been committed to working with others to give a voice not only to the members of her community but to all residents of the city of Springfield. Her efforts were even recognized by President George H. W. Bush, who named her as one of the Thousand Points of Light. Sophia Jeffrey personifies leadership, dedicating her life to improving the lives of her neighbors.

Kris Kumaroo, Montgomery Housing Partnership, Silver Spring, Md
Frustrated with the level of crime, foreclosure and lack of resident involvement in his community, Kris Kumaroo decided to take action. With the assistance of Montgomery Housing Partnership, he formed the Greater Glenmont Civic Association in 2008 to organize neighbors and explore solutions. In a few short years, the group has tripled in size, and the crime rate in some areas has dropped by 40 percent. The group has also tackled foreclosures and loan scams, and under Kris’ guidance, residents have a heightened awareness that they can solve problems and improve their community.

Wing Hoo Leung, Chinatown CDC, San Francisco
When the new owner of his apartment building announced plans to evict the building’s residents and remove the building from the rental market, Wing Hoo Leung and other tenants decided to take a stand. Leung emerged as a leader, uniting the tenants and motivating them to fight. With support from the Community Tenants Association and Chinatown CDC, they won their fight and were able to remain in their homes. That struggle inspired him to continue to fight on behalf of others in his community. Under Leung’s leadership, volunteers are sharpening their community organizing skills and serving as advocates for the city’s most vulnerable immigrant populations.

 

Keith Pamperin, NeighborWorks Green Bay
Keith Pamperin’s passion for housing and community development has led him to a life of service. He is the founder of NHS of Green Bay, now known as NeighborWorks Green Bay. He has served on the organization’s board for almost 30 years and has been involved in every one if its programs and projects over that time. Keith is known for experimentation and promoting new ideas. He was an early advocate of environmental conservation, equal access for those with disabilities, housing choice vouchers and grooming neighborhood residents for board positions. Many advances throughout the city of Green Bay can be credited to Keith’s innovative thinking and persistence.

 

Tiffany Sandberg, NeighborWorks Salt Lake, Salt Lake City
When Tiffany Sandberg sees a problem, she steps up to fix it. She’s been instrumental in bringing in a millions of dollars of development, while rallying her neighbors against businesses that are detrimental to community stability. She has consistently taken leadership roles within the agency and in the broader community, and routinely engages young people to get involved in advocating for their community. After attending a CLI, she and her group formed a storytelling initiative called the Urban Pioneers. The group was invited to Athens, Greece, to share their concept, showing that the principles of grassroots community leadership resonate with people worldwide.