



A CNE History
Twenty-five years ago, Bob Woodson sat down with a group of trusted grassroots leaders and asked them what an organization might do to help them realize their dreams of helping their neighbors in low-income communities around the country. They told him that there were many barriers that hindered their work, including their own lack of knowledge about how to structure and effectively manage an organization, raise and track finances, and how to present their own case so others would want to support them.
Armed with only a $25,000 grant, Woodson resigned his position as a Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, and launched the
There have been many lean times over the years. But Woodson and the Center have remained true to those principles, and used them for some important victories, such as empowering resident management of public housing; giving low-income neighborhood leaders a voice in public policy; helping them create partnerships in the revitalization of urban neighborhoods; and developing a unique initiative that is effectively reducing youth violence in schools and communities throughout the nation. Over the years, the Center has brought training and technical assistance to more than 2000 leaders of faith-based and community organizations in 39 states and helped them attain more than 10 times the funding expended by the Center.
A CNE Chronology:
1981: Robert L. Woodson, Sr., resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, resigns to found the National
1982: "Neighborhoods Reach for the Stars" NCNE's historic national video teleconference links neighborhood-based groups from around the nation with policymakers in Washington, DC, in first major use of technology at this scale outside of corporate America.
1985: NCNE identifies and supports the efforts of public housing residents to take on ownership and management responsibilities for the properties in which they live, and helps establish successful pilot resident management program.
1985: With support from the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) office, NCNE begins 15 year program of offering minigrants to youth-serving neighborhood organizations that otherwise would never qualify for conventional government or private sector support.
1987: For first time in eight years, the U.S. Housing Act is amended to incorporate amendments to allow resident management of public housing. It is passed by both Houses of Congress and signed into law by President Reagan with resident leaders in attendance.
1989: "Not Here You Don't" major national video teleconference dramatizes successes of neighborhood-based efforts to combat drugs and crime.
1989: NCNE provides training and technical assistance to empower neighborhood leaders in
1991-1992: NCNE conducts series of "What Works and Why" conferences at five regions around the country, inviting effective grassroots program leaders to explain their success. More than 90% report that faith in a higher power is the most important element of their programs.
1991: The unique training of leaders of neighborhood-based organizations that NCNE has provided since its inception is formalized through the establishment of the Center's Neighborhood Leadership Development Institute (NLDI). NCNE begins holding classes near
1993: Indianapolis Mayor Steve Goldsmith targets seven inner city
1994: At the request of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, NCNE begins work in
1995: In response to a request by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the
1995: The
1995: The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) threatens to close a Teen Challenge chapter in
1996: The leadership of the Wisconsin Assembly asks NCNE to find successful grassroots service providers in that state, to elicit from them how government can list barriers and work more closely with them. NCNE and CEGM partner to convene the leaders of more than 25 highly successful organizations and facilitate the preparation of their recommendations. The task force members present the report in a full session of the Assembly.
1997:
1998: The State of
1999: National teleconference "Solutions to Youth Violence" is held with 78 sites participating across the nation. Young people from the inner city and suburban and rural communities like Columbine, CO share experiences and strategies to stop violence.
2001: In response to requests from White House, cabinet officers, and members of Congress, NCNE again convenes some 25 faith-based and grassroots program leaders to produce report on barriers and public policy recommendations.
2002: Community leaders from
2003: NCNE and HSBC launch financial literacy education initiative, with grassroots organizations in the
2003: NCNE is awarded grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Compassion Capital Fund, to provide technical assistance and subgrants to faith-based and community groups in
2004: The
2005: Violence-Free Zone initiative is producing outstanding results in
2006: NCNE moves to new headquarters in
2006: The Center for Neighborhood Enterprise celebrates 25 years of service to residents of low-income communities with a program of performances, videos, and inspiring testimonies at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, October 18, 2006.
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