NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND

United Way of Summit County’s (UWSC) inaugural Neighborhood Leadership Institute collaborative begins this Friday and Saturday, March 6 & 7, with an overnight retreat hosted by the University of Akron.

The Neighborhood Leadership Institute of Summit County is designed for increasing grassroots leadership engagement in the community. The Institute is offering a Neighborhood Leadership Development Training program with the goal of training and empowering local residents and community leaders to promote positive changes in Summit County communities. Through participation in the program’s classes, leaders will learn a wide variety of skills, including how to serve as an advocate for their families and communities, find and utilize resources, and work with government agencies and social service providers. Participants will also gain insight on community development, criminal justice, how to assess their neighborhood, as well as many other topics.

UWSC’s Attaining Independence Impact Council, chaired by Bruce Rowland, created the Institute – based on models from Cleveland and all across the country – to show a commitment to the betterment of Summit County neighborhoods. The Institute will be directed by Devoe Johnson, the United Way of Summit County’s Senior Manager of Community Impact.
Other organizations responsible for the creation of this program are: Akron Area YMCA; Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority; Akron-Summit Community Action, Inc.; Akron Urban League; City of Akron; East Akron Community House; Leadership Akron; Perkins Street Area Action Group; Summit 2010: Quality of Life Project; County of Summit Executive’s Office; Summit County Department of Job & Family Services; The University of Akron; University Park Alliance; and University Park Development Corporation.

In addition to the opening retreat, the program includes 11 Thursday evening sessions held at the University of Akron between March 12th and May11th. There is also a special Saturday session where trainees will tour Summit County.

Leaders representing the Buchtel area are Jonathan McCray, Gerald Gould, Ayesha Nurruddin, Jerry Williams, and Mexie Wilson. Lakemore will be represented by Sara Smith, Gary Bennett, and Kelly Kortvejesi. On behalf of Summit Lake are leaders Rosa Dortch-Robinson, Shirley Finney, Michael Starks, Danmark Cunningham, and Paul Ware, Jr. University Park will be represented by Deborah Cunningham, Debi-Ellen Beckett, Jack Bird, Ann Lane Gates, and Khamseng J. Vue. Kelly Harris and Ada Hazly will attend on behalf of Twinsburg, and Jacquelyn Lewis for Firestone Park. South Akron will be represented by Dilisa Townsend.

United Way of Summit County encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED. Each of us has the power to improve lives and advance the common good when we give, advocate and volunteer. For more information on how to give now, on programs and services in our community, or to volunteer, call your United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, visit our website at http://www.uwsummit.org/, or come to our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.