NeighborWorks America launches 31st annual NeighborWorks Week

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On June 7 NeighborWorks America kicks off the 31^st annual NeighborWorks Week, a weeklong celebration in which thousands of volunteers come together to help make their communities healthy, sustainable places. This is a record-setting year for NeighborWorks Week, with more than 200 groups holding more than 300 events across the country. NeighborWorks America, which creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities, supports a network of more than 240 nonprofits, located in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

"NeighborWorks Week is our annual tradition of showcasing how people can transform and strengthen communities," said Chuck Wehrwein, acting president and chief executive officer of NeighborWorks America. "The news is rife with stories of foreclosed homes and decaying downtowns, but there many positive examples of residents, civic and business leaders, and organizations like NeighborWorks members that collaborate to create and maintain places where people want to live and do business."

Participants rehab and repair homes, beautify parks, conduct neighborhood tours, recognize successful partnerships, and host events that educate, train and create social connections.

A few examples of this year's NeighborWorks Week events are:

• Akron, OH: Staff from East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation and volunteers from First Merit Bank will landscape Arlington Veterans Housing, a 10-unit housing development for formerly homeless veterans.
• Ontario, CA: Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services will partner with the city of Riverside, Wells Fargo and Grid Alternatives, a non-profit solar panel installer that also administers the state of California's Single-family Affordable Solar Homes Program (SASH). Through fun, interactive presentations, the event will inform homeowners and prospective buyers about smart, sustainable energy use.
• Flint, MI: Habitat for Humanity of Michigan will transform vacant lots into a simple, low-maintenance gathering space for the residents of Ruth Ave. in Flint and anyone else in the community who wishes to enjoy the space. This project will help to launch the neighborhood revitalization work in the neighborhood by bringing residents and other stakeholders together.
• Columbus, GA: NeighborWorks Columbus will host a housing summit to highlight local homeownership opportunities. Local mortgage companies, lenders, real-estate agents and housing counselors will be available to provide the information needed before, during and after purchasing a home.
• Chicago, IL: Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago will develop hiking trails through a large city-owned lot adjacent to Poplar Creek in Elgin, IL. This will be the first park project in the area around Ellis Middle School, designed to build community between homeowners, renters, students and nearby public housing residents.

For more information about NeighborWorks Week in your community and to see photos of past events, visit www.nw.org/neighborworksweek.

About NeighborWorks America
For 35 years, NeighborWorks America has created 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