FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2003

Neighborhood Leadership Training Program
Graduates Class Of 30 New Leaders
HEDC, Hartford 2000, Leadership Greater Hartford collaborate to build
strong neighborhood leaders to help revitalize city’s diverse communities

HARTFORD, CONN. – Hartford’s innovative Neighborhood Leadership Training Program is scheduled to graduate its second class tomorrow evening with an official ceremony at The Learning Corridor’s Academy of Arts Lecture Hall from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Neighborhood Leadership Training Program is the result of a unique collaboration between the Hartford Economic Development Commission, Hartford 2000 and Leadership Greater Hartford, which partnered to ensure strong leadership plays a vital role in rebuilding the city’s diverse neighborhoods.

“Hartford’s distinctive neighborhoods are an important part of what makes this city so dynamic. We currently have strong leaders within our NRZs (Neighborhood Revitalization Zones), but there are many more talented people here who can help revitalize our communities, and we needed to give them the skills and training to do so. Our goal with this program is to ensure that neighborhood leadership is not only strong, but enduring,” said Harry Freeman, HEDC’s executive director.

Hartford residents and business owners were selected by Hartford 2000 and HEDC to participate in the four-month program. Leadership Greater Hartford, the area’s largest and most diverse leadership organization, was tapped to design and conduct the training.

According to Ted Carroll, president of Leadership Greater Hartford, “cultivating and tapping the leadership potential of local residents is the key to successful neighborhood revitalization.”

Program participants were taught the skills necessary to initiate and direct revitalization efforts in their neighborhoods, including running effective meetings, resolving conflict, working with the media and public speaking. After completing the program, graduates will work with their Neighborhood Revitalization Zones to build strong communities and to tackle tough issues such as increasing housing opportunities, eliminating crime and coordinating traffic challenges.

The graduates are:

Carlos Bonet
Michele Calhoun
Emily Kerr
Beverley Henriques
Mary Cahill
Celestino Jimenez Sr.
Celestino Jimenez Jr.
Annie Walton
Rhonda Woods
Garfield Gunter
Marcia Nahounou
Elsie Mata
Devon Walton
Alan Looper
Linda Moore
Neftali Rivera
Chastity R. Hamilton
Judith Rodriguez
Mattlyn E. Rodriguez
Ann-Marie Adams
Barbara M. Dennis
Maria I. Negron
Nilda E. Santana
Rachael Otero
Deborah Williams
Edward A. Wojtowicz
S. Joan Talley

The Neighborhood Leadership Training Program was conducted with grants from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. HEDC, Hartford 2000 and Leadership Greater Hartford are currently seeking the funding to support additional classes beyond 2003.

About Hartford Economic Development Commission
HEDC is a public/private partnership created by the City Council in 1999 to serve as the principal economic development agent for the City. The City has entrusted HEDC with its vision for prosperous growth and has charged HEDC to lead the development of the new Hartford. HEDC provides one-on-one services to corporations and small neighborhood businesses throughout the city. For more information on HEDC, please visit www.hartfordecodev.com.

About Hartford 2000
Hartford 2000 is a coalition of Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Committees and the City of Hartford who come together to share ideas, resources and information and to work cooperatively to revitalize Hartford’s neighborhoods. The mission of Hartford 2000 is "to strengthen the individual and collective power of the NRZs." It is the first forum in many years that has brought residents of the entire city together at one table.

About Leadership Greater Hartford
Leadership Greater Hartford, Inc., is a nonprofit community leadership organization that has worked to build a healthier region since 1977. LGH offers programs aimed at developing community-minded leaders of all ages and backgrounds.

Contact: HEDC:
Harry Freeman
Executive Director
(860) 524-0725