UAA faculty participate in NeighborWorks Anchorage workshops

UAA's Justice Center and Center for Community Engagement & Learning (CCEL) presented community leadership training workshops in 2012 through NeighborWorks® Anchorage, a local organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for families and individuals by preserving homes, creating new housing opportunities and strengthening neighborhoods. The series of four workshops-community issues, community vision, community engagement and community action-were free and open to all Anchorage residents and community members and were held in March, April, August and October respectively.

Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty, presented on community action on Oct. 20, 2012, and discussed the role of community councils and how to organize to get things done in a community setting.

Judith Owens-Manley, director of the CCEL and Social Work faculty, led a discussion on community engagement on April 21, 2012, which included how UAA students and faculty engage with the community and the opportunities for grassroots community groups to engage with the university.

NeighborWorks® Anchorage focuses on affordable rental housing, home ownership/rehabilitation, and community engagement and resident services.