News Release

Washington, D.C. – July 13, 2010

Contact: Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org
Danielle Adams, 202-220-7087, dadams@nw.org

NeighborWorks America Chooses Fifth Class for its High-Impact Organizational Development Program, Achieving Excellence

Washington, D.C. –NeighborWorks America, the nation’s leading trainer of community development professionals, proudly invited 49 seasoned executives to participate in the fifth class of its NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence in Community Development Program, offered in collaboration with the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Achieving Excellence is a comprehensive organizational development program that educates seasoned executives in local non-profits while promoting innovation in the affordable housing and community development field through its 18-month program.  The program provides the forum, the challenge, the tools, the space and the opportunity for senior executives to lead their organization to a higher level of effectiveness and sustainability.

At the beginning of the Achieving Excellence program, all 49 candidates will select a specific and significant performance challenge in which the solutions can dramatically change not only how their non-profit operates, but also provide the impetus for change in the overall field of community development.  Throughout the duration of the program, participant will work to address his or her organization’s performance challenge through conference calls, guidance from their executive coach and peer group of colleagues.

“I am so looking forward to this opportunity.  I know it will benefit the organization, my leadership skills and me as a person,” said Joy McCraken, executive director of NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources.

Especially during these difficult economic times it is expected that the incoming class will meet if not exceed the results of previous classes, which have included an increase of 146 percent in the number of clients served, an increase of 23 percent in total assets and an increase of 32 percent in affordable housing units developed.

For more information about the Achieving Excellence program, visit www.nw.org/ae, contact Erin Angell Collins, ecollins@nw.org, 202-220-6317, or Danielle Adams, dadams@nw.org, 2020-220-7087.

About NeighborWorks America

NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 235 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.