The Board of Directors of Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) annually recognizes outstanding programs implemented to improve neighborhoods and communities by a governmental, business, non-profit or corporation. Best Neighborhood Program Awards are traditionally awarded in two categories – Physical Revitalization and Social Revitalization. The 2017 Best Neighborhood Program Award winners are:
Physical Revitalization
First Place
City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Project: Adopt-A-Neighbor
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Launched in 2014, The Fort Lauderdale’s Adopt-A-Neighbor initiative pairs caring volunteers with homeowners to build community by enhancing properties and beautifying neighborhoods throughout the city. The program was developed to help low-income, elderly or disabled homeowners bring their properties into compliance. City employees help identify program participants and then match them with a local volunteer organization, while volunteer groups work directly with neighbors to address code concerns and beautify properties..
Second Place
City of Round Rock, Texas
Project: Tool Lending Center & Neighborhood Cleanup Program
Round Rock, Texas
The City of Round Rock, Texas received runner-up honors in the physical revitalization category for its neighborhood cleanup program that featured a tool-lending center. The center was filled with more than 275 tools for residents and volunteers to check out at no cost for cleanup days in the neighborhoods.
Third Place
Birmingham Museum of Art
Project: Into the Streets – Community Mural Project
Birmingham, Alabama
In Birmingham, Alabama, the Museum of Art launched a program that brought multiple community groups together where they worked on creating a series of mural panels. This program not only revitalized a community center and park by using art, but it also created a social transformation of the area promoting harmony and unity.
Finalist
City of Garland, Texas
Project: Do It Yourself Garland
Garland, Texas
The City of Garland, Texas sponsors a program that provides guidance and support to homeowners who are seeking to complete home improvement projects. The program is led by the Idea Book Series, a set of user-friendly publications that highlight home improvement activities for all homeowners, regardless of their level of experience or expertise.
Social Revitalization
First Place
City of Orlando, Florida
Project: iLead – Your Interactive Neighborhood Training Source
Orlando, Florida
The City of Orlando’s iLead Your Interactive Neighborhood Training Source program is a comprehensive initiative that was launched to provide the residents of Orlando with the tools they need to inform, connect and involve other neighbors. Through a series of guides, video, webinars and workshops that are available online 24/7, the program supports and helps neighborhood leaders by covering topics like how to effectively hold meetings, how to utilize a variety of communication tools, how to engage the next generation of leaders and many more.
Second Place
City of Columbia, South Carolina
Project: ACCESS Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
The City of Columbia, SC’s Community Development office was recognized for its free program billed as a workshop for the entire family. Access Columbia helps people from all across the city learn more about financial stability in a fun environment, as well as provide workshops on a wide range of topics from budgeting to fair housing.
Third Place
Southeast Houston Transformation Alliance
Project: Palm Center Farmers Market
Syracuse, New York
In Houston, Texas, the Southeast Houston Transformation Alliance implemented a farmers market program to combat the food desert that existed in and around Palm Center, which was being inundated by a plethora of fast food eateries and unhealthy dining options in their community.
Finalist
Memphis Housing Authority
Project: Ready Shelby
Memphis, Tennessee
Sponsored by the Memphis Housing Authority, the Ready Shelby program is a collaborative public educational and outreach initiative of eight cities in Shelby County, Tennessee which prepare senior facility and high-rise tenants for emergencies and disasters.
Finalist
Eau Claire Cooperative Center
Project: Hopkins Family Practice & Healthcare Facility
Wichita, Kansas
In rural Richland County, the Eau Claire Cooperative built a family medical practice in Hopkins, an area that was massively underserved when it came to healthcare services. Its efforts have sparked a turn-around for more than 2400 patients and is revitalizing the rural community located near Columbia, SC.
Finalist
Denver Housing Authority
Project: Mariposa District Project
St. Petersburg, Florida
In Denver, Colorado, the Mariposa District was in bad need of some tender loving care. That’s why the Denver Housing Authority launched its program to revitalize 270 public housing units and homes from an area of concentrated poverty into a vibrant, mixed-income community.
Finalist
City of Arvada, Colorado
Project: Block Party Trailer Program
Arvada, Colorado
The City of Arvada, Colorado launched a program that was initiated to provide neighbors an easy way to gather and get to know each other better. The Block Party Trailer Program features a trailer that is stocked with party supplies and can be checked out by communities and neighborhood groups for special events and annual get-togethers.
Recent Comments