December 9, 2008
Contacts:
Douglas Robinson, 202-220-2360, drobinson@nw.org
Erin Angell Collins,
202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org
NeighborWorks America to Honor 2008 NeighborWorks Award Recipients for Outstanding Support for Affordable Housing and Community Development
Awards Recognize Resident and Business Leaders, Federal, State, and Local Officials
Washington, D.C. –Tonight NeighborWorks America will honor 14 NeighborWorks Award recipients for their support for community development and affordable housing during the 2008 NeighborWorks Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Each year, NeighborWorks America honors eight community leaders, five elected officials and one business leader who have made significant contributions toward improving the lives of people in their communities.
“Tonight’s honorees have shown unwavering commitment to our nation’s communities,” said Kenneth D. Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America. “Their important contributions, which recognize the cross-cutting impact of community development efforts, have helped to enrich and transform their neighborhoods and towns into healthy, vibrant communities all are proud to call home. ”
The NeighborWorks Award for Resident Leadership is an honor that recognizes eight community leaders from around the country and their outstanding contributions to their communities. Through years of community building, activism and service to their neighbors, these individuals have made a difference in the lives of many. Created in 1991, the NeighborWorks Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership recognizes resident leaders who exemplify the qualities of Dorothy Richardson, a Pittsburgh activist who helped advance the community-based development movement that informed the formation of the NeighborWorks network.
The 2008 honorees are:
- Dr. Richard Briscoe, Tampa, Fla.
- Juan Pablo Gonzalez, Anaheim, Calif.
- Elkin Montoya, Lowell, Mass.
- Windy Pearson, Freeport, Ill.
- Idaho Purce, Pocatello, Idaho
- Sharon Smith, Allentown, Pa.
- Denise Washington, Battle Creek, Mich.
- James Zecca, Utica, N.Y.
The NeighborWorks Government Service Award is an honor that recognizes elected or appointed officials at the local, state, and federal levels who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of the people in their communities through support for affordable housing and community development. Honorees have achieved substantive accomplishments that include initiating and implementing public policies and programs that strengthen communities or expand the supply of affordable housing. They are in touch with their constituents – listening to their opinions and working with them to implement strategies and policies that succeed. Their demonstrated commitment and dedication make them stand out as leaders in touch with the people they serve.
The 2008 honorees are:
- U.S. Representative James Walsh (R-NY), Lifetime Achievement Award
- Brian D. Montgomery, Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Meritorious Service Award
- U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Federal Government Service Award
- Richard Cordray, Ohio Treasurer of State, State Government Service Award
- Charles Meeker, Mayor of the City of Raleigh, N.C. , Local Government Service Award
The NeighborWorks Business Leadership Award was launched in 2007 to honor private-sector community volunteers. Honorees demonstrate their dedication to the community through volunteerism of time and talent. They are recognized for contributions to their local NeighborWorks organization and to the NeighborWorks network.
The 2008 honoree is:
- Michael P. Rizer, executive vice president, director of Community Relations of Wachovia Corporation, Charlotte, N.C.
See more information about the NeighborWorks Award recipients. For more information, you may also contact Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org.
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.
