2004 Community Partnership Awards
NALEO Educational Fund
| Awardee: | Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles |
| Partner: | Dr. Reynaldo Macias, Chavez Center for Interdisciplinary
Instruction in Chicana and Chicano Studies |
Abstract:
The NALEO Educational Fund is committed to empowering local residents by facilitating their involvement with Neighborhood Councils in the City of Los Angeles. As one of a select group of community partners assisting the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE), we support the formation of these local governing bodies in communities with a history of low civic participation, ensuring that all stakeholders have equal access, and providing training and technical assistance for the elections.
Through our work with numerous communities across the city, a critical need has surfaced in the form of leadership training to the newly elected board members. Many boards have struggled with getting business "off the ground" because of issues ranging from a lack of knowledge of the basics of running a successful meeting to knowing how to effectively work with a diverse group of people. While DONE had asked that we provide this training, the lack of resources precluded this degree of involvement.
Our partnership with UCLA will enable us to develop this needed curriculum and will directly engage UCLA in local civic governance. We have a demonstrated expertise in leadership development for elected officials and this unique collaboration will expand this to the community level.
