(l-r) Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker; NeighborWorks Northeast District Director Deborah Boatright and NeighborWorks America CEO Ken Wade

The Honorable Cory A. Booker, Mayor of Newark and Sharon King, President of the F.B. Heron Foundation were honored as “Visionary Leaders in Community Development” at the Fourth Annual NeighborWorks America Northeast District Reception, hosted by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York on Park Avenue in Manhattan.

The Annual District Reception, known as “A Community United,” drew 300 leaders from the housing field, finance, government, foundations and non-profits. “We come from different sectors, but we all have the same mission,” said Northeast District Director Deborah Boatright. “My hope is that this reception helps us mobilize our collective strength and influence to work together to improve communities, and serves as a catalyst for increased partnership and collaboration throughout the year.” The theme of community and unity was echoed by each of the honorees as they accepted their awards.

NeighborWorks America COO Eileen Fitzgerald (left) with F.B. Heron Foundation President Sharon King

NeighborWorks America CEO Ken Wade spoke about Mayor Booker’s dedication to “development without displacement” in more than doubling the number of affordable housing units in the City of Newark while significantly reducing crime, beautifying public spaces and enforcing an aggressive anti-abandonment strategy. Wade also cited the Newark-Urban Essex Foreclosure Prevention Task Force” for innovative outreach strategies utilizing real-time foreclosure data that have garnered it regional and national acclaim. “Clearly Newarkers love their city and will fight for it,” said Wade, “and they have the right person leading the way.”

King, a long-time NeighborWorks supporter, was cited by Wade for having “shaped a foundation that is known for its uncommonly close partnership with grantees -- a collaboration based on a culture of engagement, trust, mutual learning and a focus on results.” The Heron Foundation was an early champion of Success Measures, the state-of-the art evaluation tool documenting the impact of community development, and helped its transition to NeighborWorks. Under King’s leadership, the foundation moved to invest over 45 percent of its own endowment in funds and projects that further its mission.

NeighborWorks America COO Eileen Fitzgerald made a special presentation to Sarah Gerecke, former CEO of NHS of NYC, who recently assumed a new position as executive director at The Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy at New York University. “A true thought-leader, Sarah made significant contributions to policy, and spearheaded innovative approaches to affordable housing during turbulent times,” said Fitzgerald. “Sarah worked actively—and tirelessly—for the betterment of the affordable housing field and the NeighborWorks system.”