PROGRAM OVERVIEW

LISC’s Great Opportunities (GO) Neighborhoods program is a place-based approach that creates lasting neighborhood change. GO Neighborhoods forges resilient, inclusive communities – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. LISC concentrates its resources in partner communities and leverages investments for efficiency and impact. GO Neighborhoods promotes the concept of shared leadership to attract and grow a broad base of community leaders. Strong collaborations of residents, nonprofits, schools, businesses, public agencies, and other stakeholders focus on strengths and opportunities. Together they build coalitions, teams and networks that advance the vision of those who live and work there. LISC provides programmatic support to GO Neighborhoods by providing access to capital, equity, loans, grants, project implementation grants, technical assistance and consultants. 

GO Neighborhoods is designed to help Neighborhoods improve their quality of life. The program supports neighborhood planning that builds local capacity for strong relationships, collaborative decision-making and action among community stakeholders to drive equitable change and investment into the neighborhood.

Some outcomes include: Quality of Life Agreements Neighborhood Plans that provide comprehensive visions focused on issues and chosen by community members and stakeholders, Capacity Building for Community Action, a supportive Convening Agency that acts as a coordinator for GO efforts and acts as fiscal agent, community advocacy and shared leadership.

Dream Academy has enjoyed the relationship and partnership we have with Go Neighborhood. Over the past two years, GO has not only connected us more to the OST/ South Union neighborhood, but we have developed a collaborative relationship that builds upon the assets of both organizations. One highlight from our experience is participating in a nine-week community organizing class that taught us how to plan, organize, and execute a community initiative. It was great to establish a deeper relationship with residents and other community stakeholders in the neighborhood. Another highlight was having some of our parents and students serve on the steering committee. Our parents feel like they have a better sense of community, and our youth feels like they have a seat at the table now. I look forward to continuing our partnership with Go Neighborhoods as we prioritize young people in our neighborhood.

– Walter Hull of US Dream Academy – Houston in OST/South Union

GO Neighborhoods has made an impact in my community because the working groups have provided a space for me to meet awesome individuals who are passionate about the progress of Fifth Ward. The working groups have helped me learn more about the needs of individuals and also assets that exist in the community.

– Jacque Gentry- Learning Working Group Member - Fifth Ward

I have really enjoyed the community engagement GO Neighborhoods has led. With the drive in movies in the Fall and the Easter baskets this Spring there have been moments of joy during these wearying times.

– William Lyns - Visioning Working Group Member - Fifth Ward

We thank you very much for the help you gave us with the tablet. Thanks to this, my girl can take her classes online and it is working all very well. God bless them greatly for this donation they gave to many children

– Deisy Mosqueda - Northline, Your Content Goes Here

Thanks to AVENUE for the gift! Thank you very much. It made my child very happy, thanks to the people who make this beautiful work possible. Good night God bless you!

– Maria Guadalupe Sanchez - Northline

GO Neighborhoods has made an impact in my community because the working groups have provided a space for me to meet awesome individuals who are passionate about the progress of Fifth Ward. The working groups have helped me learn more about the needs of individuals and also assets that exist in the community.

– Sandra Edwards - Engaging Working Group Member - Fifth Ward

GO Neighborhoods
Guiding Principles

Shared leadership – we believe that everyone is a leader and should have the opportunity to build the skills to lead.

Inclusivity – we want everyone to feel welcome to be a part of this collaborative. If individuals, organizations and others are willing to be a part of helping to make our community a better place, we welcome them. Thus, we try to invite broadly and do what is necessary to reach out to new people on a consistent basis.

Relational – we believe that transforming a community begins with helping all the people connect to their neighbors and to the folks that work in the community.

Relational – we believe that transforming a community begins with helping all the people connect to their neighbors and to the folks that work in the community.

Consensus-building – we want to help nurture an atmosphere in the community where everyone wins and decisions are made through an inclusive, open, democratic dialogue.

Communication – we believe strong communication skills will ensure a vibrant culture of respect and engagement.

Data-driven – we know that achieving long-term results takes time, and that data is our friend.

Strength-based – every neighborhood has unique assets that are the cornerstones for achieving success. Identifying assets and strengths is a great start to our work.

Comprehensive approach – change happens by transforming systems, and bringing together partners, resources and momentum from multiple sectors.

GO Happenings and Events Calendar

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