For Immediate Release
Date: August 18, 2005
Contact: Bill Grassano, 202-220-2360 bgrassano@nw.org
NeighborWorks America Honors Eight Local Heroes
For Community Building and Transforming Neighborhoods
National Organization Celebrates 14th Annual Dorothy Richardson Award Honorees
Washington, D.C. – NeighborWorks America is honoring the work of eight community leaders representing communities from all over the country who exemplify dedication and commitment to community building and bringing people together in a way that transforms and enriches their neighborhoods and the lives of residents in those neighborhoods. An awards ceremony honoring this year’s leaders will be held Monday August 22 in Washington, DC.
“These are local heroes whose work has national importance,” says NeighborWorks America CEO Ken Wade. “Community organizers like these eight are revitalizing communities all over the country, restoring the housing stock, working with youth, the elderly and young families. It is particularly important today that they are helping to create affordable housing at a time when families are devoting more and more of their income to safe, decent housing,” says Wade.
“We often see in the movies how the little guy overcomes big odds to triumph over whatever situation confronts him or her. Here we have eight people who in real life persisted and struggled to overcome many obstacles and go on to achieve great things for their neighborhoods,” says Wade. “Here we have eight local heroes whose sheer will motivates those around them and points those of us on the national level in the direction of positively transforming our communities,” adds Wade.
The eight individuals and the NeighborWorks Organizations which nominated
them are:
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Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services |
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Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. |
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Homewise, Santa Fe, NM |
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Oak Hill Community Development Corp. Worcester |
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Kalamazoo, MI, Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. |
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Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services, Puerto Rico |
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Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc |
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Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc. |
These individuals have worked to achieve many accomplishments over years of community building and participation. Their achievements range from finding new money to fund affordable housing, developing partnerships with governmental and private organizations, mentoring youth, working with elderly residents, holding leadership positions in local community organizations, resurrecting abandoned housing and filling many other needs.
Each has become a leader in his or her community, and emulates the characteristics of Pittsburgh, PA-native Dorothy Richardson, whose work in that city served as the model for the NeighborWorks network.
Reporters are invited to attend the award ceremony and talk with our local heroes.
Monday August 22, 6-8 p.m.
Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington DC
About the Dorothy Richardson Award
Created in 1991, the Dorothy Richardson Award celebrates neighborhood leaders in communities throughout the U.S. who foster relationships with private- and public-sector organizations, while at the same time motivating activism in their fellow residents to create improvements and self-sustaining enrichment in their neighborhoods. Each year, the NeighborWorks network honors a resident from each of its eight districts who exemplify the qualities of Dorothy Richardson.
About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America provides financial support, technical assistance and training for communities across the nation, including the NeighborWorks network – a nationwide network of more than 235 community development organizations working in more than 2,700 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.
