Celebrating Community:
NeighborWorks® Week 2015
Every June, NeighborWorks® America and its national network
of nonprofits mobilizes tens of thousands of volunteers, business people,
neighbors, friends, and local and national elected and civic leaders in a week
of neighborhood change and awareness known as NeighborWorks® Week.
Since 1986, NeighborWorks® Week has been an annual, national
celebration of neighborhood pride and unity among organizations in more than
4,414 urban, suburban, and rural communities across the country. NeighborWorks®
Week celebrates the efforts of local organizations working with partners and
volunteers to create healthier, more vibrant communities.
This year, NHS of New Haven celebrated NeighborWorks® Week on Saturday, June 13, in Newhallville! We worked alongside residents to host some amazing volunteers from American Baptist Church, Bike & Build, the Ivy Street Community Garden, and NHS staff.
We were particularly excited to host volunteers from Bike & Build. Bike & Build organizes cross-country bicycle trips which benefit affordable housing groups. In addition to raising funds for affordable housing projects, Bike & Build garners media and community attention for the affordable housing cause. Bike & Build fosters leadership and lifelong philanthropic service in its participants. This is Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven’s second year hosting volunteers from Bike & Build, who started their adventure in New Haven before biking across the country to Half Moon Bay, California.
Volunteers worked on landscaping, gardening, community clean-up, and community beautification projects before coming together for a cook-out lunch in the Ivy Street Community Garden. After lunch, NHS Executive Director led volunteers on a tour of Newhallville, focusing on NHS' recently renovated projects.
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| Photo credit: David Sepulveda, New Haven Independent |
The walking tour concluded on Lilac Street, where several new NHS homebuyers gathered for open houses and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Special guests included New Haven's Mayor Toni Harp, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.
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| Photo credit: David Sepulveda, New Haven Independent |
The day was a wonderful representation of all of the positive activities taking place in Newhallville. We were happy to share a productive day with volunteers, residents, homebuyers, and elected officials!
