Resident Involvement for Program Success

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Description:

The center staff don't understand it. They've conducted a resident survey. They've determined what programs and services residents need and want. They've promoted the center's programs. And still, the number of residents who take advantage of all of the resources offered at the center is lower than expected. What steps can staff members take to increase resident participation levels at their center? Participants find out during this session what tactics to use to increase resident involvement. Center staff will learn how to create resident ownership, build trust, target specific populations, provide incentives, overcome participation barriers, and spread the word about their centers with the community.

Presenters:

Laska Cordero
Neighborhood Networks Coordinator
Kiemle & Hagood Company
Phone: (509) 251-2867

Patsy Fletcher
Community Development Consultant
THREAD, LLC
Phone: (202) 561-4432

Ronald Milligan
Neighborhood Networks Coordinator
Hollybrook Family Enrichment Center
Phone: (904) 389-1196

Denise Prater
Resource Center Director
Hope Resource Center
Phone: (513) 893-8270

Laska Cordero is a Neighborhood Networks coordinator for Kiemle & Hagood Company, a property management company in Spokane, Washington. In this position, Ms. Cordero is responsible for implementing and launching programs at 10 Neighborhood Networks centers. When Ms. Cordero accepted this position in September 2007, the centers were struggling with low resident involvement, as well as lack of programs, partnerships, collaboration, and fundraising activities. Under Ms. Cordero's leadership, the centers have been revitalized. An increasing number of residents now visit the centers where they learn computer skills, including how to use e-mail, the Internet, word processing programs, and digital photography; basic literacy, and financial literacy. Partnerships established by Ms. Cordero are providing residents with computers and reduced rates for Internet service and online education classes. Prior to her current position, Ms. Cordero served as a resident manager, office manager, Dell computer salesperson, and tutor at an alternative high school.

Patsy Fletcher has several years of experience working in HUD-funded, -assisted, and -insured communities-including more than nine years of experience with the Neighborhood Networks Initiative. Ms. Fletcher used her experience as a housing authority administrator to establish herself as a leading community development consultant, focusing is on working with community-based organizations in effective organizational and resource development. Ms. Fletcher holds a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology, a master of science degree in community economic development, and a master of arts degree in historic preservation.

Ronald Milligan is the Neighborhood Networks coordinator at the Hollybrook Family Enrichment Center in Jacksonville, Florida. Located at the 182-unit Hollybrook Homes Apartments, the center offers numerous programs for residents of all ages. Programs include an afterschool program, a tutoring program, General Educational Development (GED) classes, Teen Talk, homeownership workshops, money management classes, computer classes, employability training, and job search assistance.

Denise Prater is the director of the Hope Resource Center in Hamilton, Ohio. The center, which is housed across the street from the property at the historical First St. John United Church of Christ, serves the more than 400 residents of Neilan Park Apartments. The center offers a variety of programs aimed at helping residents achieve greater self-sufficiency and obtain access to technology.

	Presentation
	Tools for Success