2023 NUSA Awards

1st Place – Woodlawn Neighborhood Association (Birmingham, AL)
Woodlawn is very proud and values a clean and safe environment in which our residents can live, work and play.  Like many communities around the country, multiple areas fell victim to littering and illegal dumping. With a rebound in businesses and foot traffic, one area which suffered was the central business district. The Woodlawn Neighborhood association realized the importance of making a stellar first impression and joined forces with the Business Association, local non- profits, the City of Birmingham and our state representative to tackle this problem with a multi-faceted approach. Together we were able to establish a monthly coordinated cleanup, created a special committee dedicated to monitoring illegal dumping in the community and engaged with the City of Birmingham for a ”smart” trash receptacle pilot. In addition, with partnership with a local art partner, we were able to convert an old littered alley in the heart of the central business district into an outdoor art gallery known as ‘The Way’.

 

2nd Place – Boston-Thurmond United (Winston-Salem, NC)
The Safe Home Repair Program is a project coordinated by the Boston-Thurmond Community Engagement Roundtable and Boston-Thurmond United. Homeowners with repair needs are able to have these safety items addressed by this program. Project coordination includes soliciting applicants, screening, home inspections, scope of work development, acquiring repair bids, entering into contracts, monitoring repair progress, post repair inspection and payment processing.

3rd Place – Fall Creek Addition HOA (Garland, TX)

The construction of a fenced playground for children and adjacent picnic pavilion. The neighborhood was prompted to start this project in a City-owned lot that had sat empty for more than 20 years that was originally promised to be community recreation facilities that were never initiated due to failed planning. The project transformed an unused vacant lot into an inviting place for the community to gather and enjoy outdoor recreation and drew neighbors together in a safe and welcoming space. The project would not have been possible without the support of the 88 HOA members, City Council and multiple City of Garland Departments.

1st Place – Garfield Heights Neighborhood Association (Pasadena, CA)
GHNA Historic Pasadena Bus Tour #2 explored invisible histories of marginalized, ethnic communities. Speakers with firsthand knowledge shared their “living histories,” which facilitated conversations and connections. An ethnically diverse group of 60 neighbors visited 12 historical sites in Pasadena’s Japanese American, Mexican American, Armenian American, Black, and Indigenous communities.

2nd Place – Jubilee Gardens Neighborhood Watch (Nassau, Bahamas)
The annual project “One Jubilee” is an initiative that started in 2018 to bring residents of the Jubilee Gardens community together and for each resident to financially support Jubilee Gardens small business owners. This initiative was started by the executive members of the Jubilee Gardens Neighborhood Watch (JGNW). This initiative came about after seeking assistance for events pertaining the JGNW from jubilee residents and noticing the extent and passion they put into helping the association. For instance, a lady who sells food at a local vendor would assist with preparing meals during the community meetings. Another lady that sells indigenous and authentic Bahamian straw bags and purses donated a few of her straw work for prizes during events for the association. Our youth officer who is talented with graphic work assists with creating advertisements for the association events. All of these individuals and many more residents used the “One Jubilee” initiative to promote and gain financial income for their small businesses. At this initiative there were more than 30 stalls present that were all owned and managed by residents of Jubilee Gardens. Additionally, there was a live band and numerous games (done by the youth) for patrons to participate in. This event was hosted by the association youth branch namely, Youth Advisor Committee. Our Seniors group did a play highlighting how life was like when there were teens and the importance of being youthful. To pull off this annual event, the members of Jubilee Gardens meet weekly for nearly 2 months to plan prior to the date of the festive event. Because the association noticed an increase in resident’s involvement for this event, the members decided to make this an annual event to continually show support to the small business owners of the community. Those neighborhoods that wish to put on an initiative such as this are encouraged to do so. In doing so, small business owners will appreciate you and will be more inclined to participate in the association events.

3rd Place – Oakhurst Neighborhood Association (Fort Worth, TX)
The ONA nominated project is The First Responders’ Dinner, which started over 34 years ago, now an annual event initiated by residents of ONA. We hoped to accomplish a gesture of thanks and recognition for our First Respondersfor all the hard work and service they provide for our neighborhood and for the City of Fort Worth. We Served more than 260 meals during the thirteen – hour period.

Finalists
Highlands Council (Issaquah, WA)

1st Place – City of Fort Lauderdale & Partners (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
The Neighborly Lunches Program was launched by a community Trailblazer in the City of Fort Lauderdale, Lin Morgan, when she realized how important it is for Neighbors to come together as a team and organize efforts for the greater good. The program has been able to provide thousands of meals for the homeless in their community.

2nd Place – Five Points West Community (Birmingham, AL)
The Five Points West Community Fun Day was one of the community’s efforts to bring together the six neighborhoods to “get to know their neighbors”in a social setting, and to educate on two issues;litter and crime that is affecting the quality of life within the overall community. Through this effort, our intent was to raise awareness by sharing a newsletter that introduces the neighborhoods, its leaders, etc. and provide information on FAQs city services, and contact of their elected leaders, etc. This effort was to identify neighbors, seek their involvement to join their neighborhood efforts, attend meetings, and get involved to help make our community a safe and clean place for all to live, work and socialize.

3rd Place – Sexton Mountain, Highland & West Beaverton Neighborhoods (Beaverton, OR)
Beaverton’s Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Fair was hosted by Sexton Mountain, Highland, and WestB: inform the Beaverton Neighborhood Association Committees (NACs) as a free and family friendly event to the community about how to better prepare to face any emergency with the right knowledge and resources. Three of the 11 NACs stepped up and indicated a desire to work together toward this goal. Our first triNAC meeting started in October of 2021. At that time, three different projects were proposed but the one that rose to the top centered on organizing a community Emergency Preparedness Fair. We started out as a core group of 8 to 10 volunteers and quickly congealed into a cohesive and productive group with identified roles (e.g., team lead, matching grant writers, presenters, those who would help obtain experts in the field, as well as volunteers to set up, tear down and help on the day of the event). A tremendous amount of interest and excitement helped to begin turning this idea, this pressing need, into a reality.

Finalists
Highlands Council (Issaquah, WA)

Finalists
Texarkana Area Neighborhood Association (Texarkana, TX)

1st Place – For Our City Day – City. of Chandler (Chandler, AZ)

Finalist – Beautification of Westwoods Heights Elementary, City of Fort Lauderdale

1st Place – Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Springfield, MO)

Finalists

• Light Up The Lanes – Highlands Council (Issaquah, WA)
• Mothers Against Violence Healing Ministry – Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC) (Indianapolis, IN)
• Action For Literacy Day (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
• I.D.E.A Conference – Ball State University Office of Community Engagement (Muncie, IN)

The 2023 Who’s Who Governmental and Paid Staff Winner is:
Director Joan Adcock, Little Rock, AR

The 2023 Who’s Who neighbor/volunteer of the year is:
Stephen Silla, Hillside on the Lake Neighborhood HOA, Garland Texas

Neighborhood and Community newsletters are an effective communication tool to share news about your city, community, and neighborhood. A well-designed newsletter can spark an interest in neighborhood involvement, increase neighborhood association membership, and spur volunteerism.

The Neighborhood Newsletter Competition rewards excellence in community newsletters and is given in two (2) categories / subcategories:

Newsletter Awards: Not-for-Profit Organization

Neighborhood News & The Engaged Neighbor Newsletter, University Of Missouri Extension, Springfield, MO

Newsletter Awards: Neighborhood Organization

1st place Winner: Connections News – Highlands Council, Issaquah, WA

2nd place Winner: Floral Park Neighborhood Gazette – Floral Park Neighborhood Association, Santa, Ana, CA

3rd place Winner: On The House Newsletter – Hopkinson House, Philadelphia, PA

Finalists:

• News of Morningside-Meadows Newsletter. Morningside-Meadows Homeowners Association, Clearwater, FL
• The Knightly News – Camelot Neighborhood Association, Garland, TX