For the past 12 years, Urban Edge has taken a small team of residents and staff to NeighborWorks America’s Annual Community Leadership Institute (CLI). This year, in blustery November, six of them headed to Minneapolis for a weekend of workshops designed to strengthen community voice and leadership.
“Community leadership is the heartbeat of a community,” said Sarah Parmenter, Senior Director at NeighborWorks. “Lasting change doesn’t come from policies and development alone, but from trusted relationships, shared vision, and people willing to lead with courage and care.”
For Urban Edge Community Engagement Officer Sasha Ndam, attending her first CLI was energizing. “We brought some really committed community leaders,” she said. “It was great seeing them choose classes that matched their interests and leadership goals.”
Sasha said the group connected with residents from across the country and found inspiration in other models of community development. “They bonded with people facing similar challenges, and it helped them think beyond their own neighborhood. For example, it was amazing to learn about a housing development that offers onsite childcare,” she said. One highlight for her was a session on helping groups reach decisions. “That training will make me a stronger support to our leaders.”
