Community Building and Organizing
Building strong communities is a significant part of the NHS mission. We build communities by equipping residents with the tools and information necessary to shape the image and direction of their neighborhood. Community building begins when residents feel empowered to be advocates for their own needs and become engaged in the process of meeting those needs as a community. The NHS Community Building and Organizing initiative fosters neighborhood revitalization by helping residents, homeowners, investors, and small businesses realize their impact as collective stakeholders. By providing forums for discussions, education, and involvement within the community, we help to mobilize an active resident base.
Our new and ongoing Community Building and Organizing activities include: connecting owners and residents with available home repair and maintenance workshops and Urban Resources Initiative yard maintenance programs; coordinating participation of the Light the Night Program of the United Illuminating Company to ensure adequate and consistent lighting of private property; organizing sweat equity events such as regular resident gardening, fence repair, clean-up and street beautification days; working with city housing officials and district police to cite housing code violations and enforce quality of life standards; and connecting residents to leadership training through the NeighborWorks® America Community Leadership Institutes.
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