-- Dr. Richard Briscoe, Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa,
Tampa, Fla.: Dr. Briscoe has more than thirty years of experience as a
psychologist, researcher and project director, and provides services and
developing intervention programs for physically and emotionally handicapped
individuals. Dr. Briscoe was instrumental in the founding of CDC of Tampa
more than 15 years ago, and the formation of its focus on affordable
housing, jobs, and capital to expand the local business community. Dr.
Briscoe continues to lead by example, always willing to step in to help the
CDC of Tampa find solutions to challenges presented, and his ongoing
support and expertise is invaluable to CDC of Tampa and the East Tampa
community.
-- Juan Pablo Gonzalez, Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County,
Anaheim, Calif.: Gonzalez has been a community leader in La Habra for a
number of years, with a keen interest in working with young people. From
tutoring children and encouraging them to excel in school, to volunteering
with a local program that helps low-income and minority students complete
college applications and secure funding to continue their educations,
Gonzalez has mentored and helped many young people stay on track. In
addition to encouraging students to continue their education, Gonzalez is
also involved in community building and resident leadership activities, and
always available to help plan, organize, fundraise, recruit volunteers and
participate in neighborhood events such as Pride Days, Neighborhood Clean-
up Projects, neighborhood fairs and 5K runs conducted by NHS of Orange
County. Gonzalez's efforts have made a difference in the La Habra
community.
-- Elkin Montoya, Coalition for a Better Acre, Lowell, Mass.: Montoya,
who moved to Lowell from his native Colombia in 1974, first got involved in
community organizing as a resident leader when he was a teenager living in
an expiring use property -- the North Canal Apartments -- which CBA was
working to preserve and save. Very active in the early 1980s, Montoya
subsequently served on the Board of Directors of CBA between 1985 and 2003.
Re-elected Board President in 2007, Montoya leads a new, energized board
that has been credited with increasing CBA's membership base from about 200
to almost 500 in the last year. Montoya's more than 20 years of service
will continue to serve the Lowell community well for years to come.
-- Windy Pearson, Neighborhood Housing Services of Freeport, Inc.,
Freeport, Ill.: Pearson first came to NHS of Freeport with an interest in
homeownership. Considered disabled due to a brain condition that has
caused her temporary blindness, Pearson persevered, and since participating
in homeownership counseling, has become a proud homeowner in her Freeport
community. Upon moving to her community, Pearson immediately became active,
playing an important role in fundraising that led to the reopening of the
local Boys and Girls Club. Pearson continues to spur neighbors to be more
assertive in combating and reporting criminal activity, which has also
brought her the respect of city and law enforcement officials. Pearson's
accomplishments are an inspiration to others, as she has not only battled
her own disability, but has also pushed forward to make her neighborhood
and community a safer and more positive place to live.
-- Idaho Purce, Pocatello Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Pocatello,
Idaho: Purce is a longtime resident of Pocatello's Bonneville neighborhood,
one of the oldest communities in the city, and has a long history of
advocating for the needs of her community and other Pocatello
neighborhoods. In 1972, Purce was instrumental in securing a HUD grant and
working with the City of Pocatello to establish the Bonneville Community
Center and Bonneville Neighborhood Park. Today, Purce spends much of her
time encouraging others to volunteer for initiatives that will benefit the
community. She motivates neighborhood residents by providing the skills and
instilling the confidence that enables them to speak out with a strong
voice and helps them become stewards for positive change.
-- Sharon Smith, Neighborhood Housing Services of Lehigh Valley, Inc.,
Allentown, Pa.: As an active resident leader involved in three community
groups in Allentown, Pa., for more than 20 years, the list of Smith's
contributions and accomplishments could go on for miles. Just a few of
Smith's credits include instrumental roles in the development of
rehabilitation loan programs, home ownership programs, and a 23 unit
affordable housing project at NHS of Lehigh Valley; co-founding of an
active crime watch group that serves the historic district of Allentown;
and continued service as a board member in charge of community outreach for
the local preservation association. Through her active community
involvement, Smith is a beacon for Allentown residents.
-- Denise Washington, Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek, Battle Creek,
Mich.: An inspiration to many, Washington began her relationship with NIBC
as a client in 1993, and became a proud homeowner within one year of
receiving homeownership and financial counseling. Since then, Washington, a
mother of four, has gone on to receive bachelor's and master's degrees
while working full-time. In addition, Washington has immersed herself in
community involvement, by becoming a community builder and resident
leadership trainer, creating and facilitating programs for at-risk youth,
and serving on NIBC's Board. Currently the Community Development
Coordinator of the City of Battle Creek, Washington remains a strong
supporter of NIBC and residents' efforts to improve neighborhoods.
-- James Zecca, UNHS NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center, Utica, N.Y.: A
charter member of the West Utica Concerned Citizens (WUCC), Zecca's
dedication to his community is evident in his advocacy for government
responsiveness to neighborhood concerns. In 2005, Zecca was elected to the
Utica Common Council, where today he actively promotes resident initiatives
and ideas, including the Advantage After School Program, which opened after
two years of planning and advocacy; the Parental Accountability Ordinance,
which passed unanimously last October; and the successful effort to stop
street closings and reallocate funds to other community projects. As a
tireless volunteer with UNHS NeighborWorks Homeownership Center, Zecca
helps organize the "Yard of the Month" Program, cited for excellence by the
NYS Attorney General's Office.
Created in 1991, the Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership
honors a resident from each of its eight districts who exemplifies the
qualities of Dorothy Richardson, a Pittsburgh activist who helped advance
the community-based development movement that informed the formation of the
NeighborWorks® network.
For more information about the NeighborWorks® Dorothy Richardson Award
for Resident Leadership, and the 2008 honorees, visit:
http://www.nw.org/network/neighborworksProgs/awards/default.asp.
About NeighborWorks® America
NeighborWorks® America creates opportunities for people to improve their
lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership
and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted
nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing
needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the
NeighborWorks® network -- more than 230 community development
organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural
communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In
the last five years, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more
than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks®
America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and
affordable housing professionals. www.nw.org.
Contact Information: Contact: Erin Angell Collins 202-220-6317