NeighborWorks America Resident Leadership Symposium in New Orleans Draws Government Leaders

NEW ORLEANS, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Resident community leaders from around the U.S. will be here May 9 participating in "From Surviving to Thriving: Communities Recharged by the Power of Resident Leadership." The all-day interactive symposium with exciting break-out sessions is designed to help community development professionals learn and share proven strategies that build the residents' ability to effect positive change in their communities. More than 200 leaders registered to attend will hear from dynamic local government officials, including New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Salt Lake City, Utah Councilman Kyle LaMalfa. The symposium is held in conjunction with the NeighborWorks Training Institute, May 7-11.

This is the third NeighborWorks Training Institute in New Orleans since 2006. NeighborWorks America is the largest trainer of community development professionals, and each year its NTI's are attended by more than 8,000 nonprofit professionals who expand their skills and learn new ways to strengthen their communities.

The resident leaders' symposium May 9 is packed with opportunities for attendees to learn how to:

• Learn effective models of leadership development that deliver results for revitalized communities
• Structure and leverage resident leaders' engagement to foster economic and community development
• Attract and energize new resident leaders, enabling the infusion of new ideas

"All of us here at NeighborWorks America are excited by the opportunities for committed resident leaders to work together and build stronger communities literally one block at a time," said NeighborWorks America CEO Eileen Fitzgerald. "Resident leadership is at the core of the NeighborWorks community development philosophy."

Each year NeighborWorks America recognizes outstanding residents with its Dorothy Richardson Award, named for the founder of the first NeighborWorks organization formed nearly 35 years ago. Information about the Dorothy Richardson Award can be found at http://www.nw.org/network/neighborworksProgs/awards/aboutresidentawards.asp

In addition to the all-day symposium, the New Orleans NTI offers a series of courses designed for intensive training and education on the subject of community building as well as dozens of other disciplines – including affordable mortgage lending, real estate development, homeownership counseling and more.  Registration for community building courses taught at this New Orleans NTI is closed, but registration is open for other disciplines in New Orleans and for all disciplines at the next NTI which will be held in Cincinnati in August, 2012.  Visit www.nw.org/training for information about upcoming NeighborWorks Training Institutes.

"Our curriculum can help just about anyone involved in the housing and community development fields enhance their knowledge and sharpen their ability to compete in the fast-changing market," said John McCloskey, acting training division director for NeighborWorks America.

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. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $19.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.

SOURCE NeighborWorks America