Neighborhood Restoration

Neighborhood Restoration

Abyssinian Development Corporation

4 West 125th Street

New York, NY 10027

(212) 368-4471

The mission of the Abyssinian Development Corporation is to improve the quality of life in Harlem by designing and implementing programs and developments that: (1) increase the availability of housing to people of different income levels; (2) enhance the delivery of social services, particularly to the homeless and the elderly; (3) foster economic revitalization; (4) enhance the educational and developmental opportunities of youth; and (5) build community capacity. The thrust of ADC's overall program is geographically focused in Harlem, from 125th to 139th Streets, between Fifth and St. Nicholas Avenues. A fundamental tenet of ADC's philosophy of empowerment is the notion that ordinary citizens, through hard work, dedicated service, and collective action, can make a difference in their communities.

Civic Entrepreneur: Karen Phillips, CEO

Web site: www.adcorp.org

E-mail: karen@adcorp.org

Brighton Neighborhood Association

1121 Brighton Beach Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11235

(718) 891-0800

Brighton Neighborhood Association was a declining area of Long Island in 1977. Crime was on the rise and the once thriving immigrant community was virtually gone. Thanks to Pat Singer and the organization's volunteers, a new wave of Russian, Asian, and Middle Eastern immigrants have settled here and brought back the commerce, entertainment, and cultural activities that gave it it's rich sense of tradition. Brighton Neighborhood Association offers youth services, housing repairs, ESL classes, counseling, and other coordinated activities and events for area citizens. Today, the annual Jubilee entertainment event fills Coney Island Ave. The famous Boardwalk along the Atlantic now booms with visitors and residents where there was once a ghost town. Former NYC mayor Rudolph Giuliani has been a long-time supporter of the Association.

Civic Entrepreneur: Pat Singer, Executive Director

Web site: www.brightonbeach.com

E-mail: BNA@Brightonbeach.org

Hope Community

611 E. Franklin Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55404

(612) 874-8867

A visionary design of how a thriving inner-city neighborhood might look, Hope Community is designed to influence the re-development of the once crime-ridden area of Minneapolis known as the Phillips neighborhood. What began as a shelter for women and children has expanded into a two square-block redeveloped area. Initiatives include Children's Village, the Phillips Park Initiative, and an affordable housing renovation project. Hope works to create community in a diverse, immigrant cultural environment through education, relationship building, and mutual support. Major expansion is currently planned to include a 30-block area of 2,800 housing units, commercial development, and green space recreational areas.

Civic Entrepreneur: Deanna Foster, Executive Director

Web site: www.hope-community.org

E-mail: dfoster@hope-community.org

Imagine Chicago

910 W. Castlewood Terrace

Chicago, Illinois 60640

(773) 275-2520

Imagine Chicago is a non-profit organization that helps people develop their imagination as city creators. It offers everyone, especially young people, the opportunity to invest themselves in the city's future. Imagine Chicago works in partnership with individuals and local organizations; schools, museums, churches, businesses, and community groups. Together, they design and implement innovative civic projects that build meaningful connections across generations and cultures and have lasting institutional and community impact.

Civic Entrepreneur: Bliss Browne

Web site: www.imaginechicago.org

E-mail: bliss@imaginechicago.org