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
Benson’s Plant Rescue
Project: Recycling Plants to Promote Food Reclamation
Omaha, Nebraska
Since 1999, all-volunteer Benson Plant Rescue/Community Produce Rescue, Inc, has evolved from a small neighborhood project to a thriving non-profit business that promotes environmental recycling while using proceeds to aid the Omaha Public Library, distribute food to area non-profits, and provide advice and free or low-cost plants to metro-area gardeners.
Second Place (Tie)
City of Birmingham, Alabama
Project: Love Your Block Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Love Your Block Birmingham is a neighborhood revitalization and blight reduction initiative. Through this program neighborhoods are selected to receive mini-grants which fund a neighborhood’s beautification and/or blight reduction project. Funded projects are designed to engage the residents in creating the type of environment that they want to live in.
Second Place (Tie)
Neighborhood Rehab Program
Project: Be a Tool
Golden, Colorado
The Neighborhood Rehab Project uses a creative, collaborative and volunteer driven approach to repair homes of low income residents or residents with age or physical restraints. The approach is replicable to other regions and neighborhoods looking to expand their neighborhood rehab efforts.
Finalist
City of Round Rock, Texas
Project: Love the Rock
Round Rock, Texas
Neighborhood clean-up project with participation from more than 1,200 church volunteers focusing attention on 20 different neighborhoods consisting of 10,000 homes in a single day of service.
Finalist
City of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Project: Make a Difference Day
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Since 2014 the Fort Lauderdale, Neighbor Volunteer Office has implemented four major quarterly service days designed to empower civic associations to execute neighborhood beautification projects, engage new neighbors, and strengthen existing boards. On Fort Lauderdale Make A Difference Day, October 29, 2016, over 500 volunteers donated over 1,400 hours to complete 48 projects.
Social Revitalization
First Place
Kiwanis Club of Long Beach – Long Beach, Calif.
Project: Kiwanis Cops & Kids Day
Long Beach, California
In Long Beach, Calif, the Kiwanis Club wants to change the hearts and minds of our youth by creating a chance to meet police officers on a personal, social basis. Working together in team sports activities, they played to win prizes (police and kids together). It was a “win-win” for all.
Second Place
The Apprenticeship Preparation Program
Project: Little Free Library Project
Northwest Pasadena, California
Little Free Library Project (LFL) initiated by City of Pasadena Council member John J. Kennedy and undertaken by Flintridge Center’s Apprenticeship Preparation Program (APP) is a program that helps reintegrate and prepare formerly incarcerated and gang-impacted community members for careers in the construction trades by building nine LFL’s for troubled NW Pasadena.
Third Place
City of Long Beach, Calif.
Project: Neighborhood Leadership Program
Long Beach, Calif.
Since 2014 the Fort Lauderdale, The Neighborhood Leadership Program and Alumni Support Team – a unique partnership between neighborhood leaders and city government – is creating new generations of grassroots leadership in Long Beach. The three-language program (English, Spanish and Khmer) had also been replicated by our sister city Yokkaichi, Japan.
Finalist
City of Miramar, Florida
Project: Miramar Disco Soup
Miramar, Florida
Disco Soup is a tasty initiative where participants “chop-to-the-beat” to promote awareness about reducing food waste. It is a celebration where strangers came together to slice, dice and boogie, transforming blemished veggies into a delicious meal. The initiative empowers participants to save money, energy and our planet while having fun.
Finalist
Syracuse Housing Authority
Project: We-Matter Neighborhood Health Initiative
Syracuse, New York
We-Matter is a partnership between the Syracuse Housing Authority, Pioneer Homes Tenant Association and Upstate University Medical Center. Resident leaders, professional and medical staff engage urban neighborhood residents in activities that promote healthy lifestyles and increase the number of residents who receive preventative health screenings.
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