Do you want to become more involved in your South Bend neighborhood? Neighborhood Leadership Academy is an eight-week program, offered in partnership with South Bend Heritage Foundation, that’s designed to develop strong neighborhood leaders. We’ve had 80 South Bend resident leaders join us, and welcome you to sign up for NLA too.
You can download the NLA application and complete details here. The application deadline for Fall 2015 is August 4. Classes begin September 17.
Classes are free to South Bend residents. Any South Bend resident 18 or older may apply. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants.
The program goals are:
- To develop more empowered neighborhood leaders
- To establish a valuable resource network among neighborhoods, city and community leaders and local institutions
- To provide a forum for fostering collaboration, learning and sharing among diverse neighbors throughout the city
- To develop understanding of how to engage people at the grassroots level
- To understand the importance of focusing on assets, both inside and outside the neighborhood
Sessions in the NLA I course include:
- How to Develop Your Leadership Skills
- Understanding and Managing Group Dynamics
- Using the Power of Community Organizing to Create Change
- How to Lead Great Meetings
- Identifying Power Centers and Community Assets (resources)
- Recruitment and Retention Strategies
- Creating Action through Good Planning
There are many leaders in South Bend waiting to be identified and given the tools to create positive change in their neighborhoods. If you are passionate about strengthening the quality of life in South Bend neighborhoods but are not quite sure how to get started or how to take your organization to the next level, the Neighborhood Leadership Academy is tailor-made for you.
Sessions are led by community experts and set up so that participants will explore ideas and develop practical skills needed to become more effective community leaders. Participants will develop a greater understanding of community leadership, existing neighborhood resources and city government services.
In cooperation with the South Bend Heritage Foundation Inc., the Neighborhood Leadership Academy has been developed with a committee of neighborhood and community representatives and is based on coursework developed by NeighborhoodWorks.
Generous support from the community allows us to offer this program at no cost to you. To make this academy and the strengthening of South Bend neighborhoods successful, you are expected to attend all sessions and to complete all outside class assignments between sessions. No grades will be given, but a certificate of completion will be awarded at the last session.
Contact Diana at NRC for more information at 574.287.0425. Email: nrcneighbors@gmail.com.
The Neighborhoods Resources Connection Inc. is a nonprofit organization that works exclusively for neighborhoods and neighborhood organizations in the City of South Bend.
South Bend Heritage Foundation Inc. is a service and community development corporation committed to the stabilization, enhancement and empowerment of our inner city neighborhoods.