Community Engagement

We know that “home” is not just the building where we live, but also the community that surrounds and supports us, and that  everyone deserves equitable access to opportunity.
Communities are more equitable, inclusive and equipped to be resilient, healthy, vibrant places when the residents and leaders that serve them are empowered to drive and sustain positive change. NWAK focuses our program on neighborhoods with endless potential, including Fairview, Russian Jack, Spenard, and Midtown. 
 
Community engagement is the process of bringing residents together to generate solutions and take collective actions to build stronger and more resilient communities. The goal of NeighborWorks® Alaska’s Community Engagement work is to empower neighborhood residents to create safer, more connected, and vibrant communities.
 
Working with residents, we advocate for more connected and safer neighborhoods, promoting health and food security, support equitable access to affordable housing, advocate for justice reform, and encourage placemaking and connection. Our program supports:
Empowering Community Leaders

Our resident-driven approaches strengthen relationships among neighbors and catalyze positive community change. One example is through participating in NeighborWorks America’s Community Leadership Institute training and action planning network.

Strengthening Food Security

NeighborWorks Alaska is committed to promoting food security by teaching youth early in school gardening programs. We do this through supporting the new Anchor Gardens initiative.

Supporting Residents

A key to vibrant communities are active and sustainable resident-led groups within our properties and between neighbors. One way we do this is through our Community Impact Measurement survey initiative in Russian Jack that involves residents in identifying needs and determining actions within the neighborhood.

Policy & Advocacy

NeighborWorks Alaska advocates for policies that affect housing and community development. We also support and are part of the Anchorage Reentry Coalition, working to ensure every returning citizen has the opportunity to successfully reintegrate into the community