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Snapshots of IMPACT
We celebrate network
members who are making an IMPACT!
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Serena
Locust is
a 2008 graduate of the Neighborhood IMPACT leadership program. On Thursday,
Serena was honored by the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region
as a 2009 winner of the Linowes Leadership Award!
Serena is a long-time resident of Northwest Park Apartments in Long Branch. She runs a YMCA after-school
program in a converted apartment unit, and she also works at the nearby
elementary school as a Head Start paraeducator. Serena began holding monthly
meetings in partnership with her property management to address community
issues, co-leading a recent budget campaign with her neighbors and two local
crime prevention programs. Serena has been an indispensable asset to families
at Northwest Park, as she is a natural connector of
people and resources and a greater communicator across lines of difference. She
truly deserves a moment of community-wide recognition. Congratulations, Serena!
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Allen Kendall has spent decades working
in the field of information technology and software design. Since the spring,
Allen has been serving as "volunteer extraordinaire" with IMPACT, helping us
walk through a technology audit and database requirements analysis with IT
consultants. Allen has been with us every step of the way, coming to meetings,
researching tools and best practices, and ultimately helping us choose systems
that will support our growth. We are so appreciative of his time to build our
capacity so that we can better serve the community! Thank you, Allen!
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Bertram Generlette is the principal at Piney Branch
Elementary School. With
"Mr. G's" leadership, a group of parents and teachers have come together to
spark a culture shift at their school that will support student achievement.
Both he and his assistant principal, Kara Tymon, are devoting more than 75
hours over the school year to this group, the Piney Branch Action Team. He fully understands the importance of working
with community partners to engage and empower parents, teachers, and students.
We are so grateful for your partnership, Mr. G!
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Navid
Nasr
ran a valiant campaign for City Council in Takoma Park this fall. A 2009 graduate of the
Neighborhood IMPACT leadership program, Navid has committed countless hours to
political activism, tenant organizing, and youth development issues. He is
committed to building renter representation in Takoma Park and cares deeply about affordable
housing in the redevelopment of Langley Park. Navid worked at Hillwood Manor,
collaborating with his property manager, and at Takoma Overlook apartments,
where he established relationships with many diverse residents to build
awareness about affordable housing. He is also actively helping us build our
network -- attending orientations, planning events, and working on the Neighbors Campaign. We admire Navid for his
passion for change!
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Maria
Chevez is
committed to increasing the well-being of local immigrants. Maria is one of our
2009 Parent Educators, learning
alongside nine other parents who worked in an after-school literacy program.
When youth violence broke out last year, Maria helped organize Latino parents
into a new group: Voces de Paz (Voice of Peace). They brought together dozens
of parents and youth to learn about gangs and violence and to provide new
opportunities for immigrant youth in our community. Today, Maria is working
with the Department of Health and Human Services as a "Community Connector" for
the Neighbors Campaign, assisting
Wheaton-area residents who are applying for social services. She also
volunteers her free time as a door knocker to make sure that more residents
have access to these critical services, and is participating in the Wheaton Neighbor Corps. Maria, thank you for your spirit!
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Susanna Shapiro has been active in the
IMPACT Network for more than a year, participating in resident outreach last
fall about the Purple Line. Inspired by our network-building
in Silver Spring neighborhoods, Susanna
decided to build stronger connections in her Sligo Park Hills neighborhood.
Thanks to her and her husband, Gabe Seiden, Sligo Park Hills will soon have a
2010 directory which was co-produced with the help of Helen Rea and Rob Sugar.
Susanna says, "The entire process was an incredible way of building community
and meeting neighbors. A series of neighborhood book clubs and a neighborhood
watch have emerged -- not directly due to this process, but the directory
helped build momentum and energy that motivated people to act in other ways and
take initiative." IMPACT applauds Susanna and her team!
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