Make Community Happen! - AWS
January 30 2015
Make Community Happen!
To whom it concerns: This is a letter of reference and endorsement of your consideration of Alissa Mwenelupembe as one of America’s Emerging Leaders in early learning. I will start with the bottom line—walking into Saint Benedict Center is a joy. It is a happy place. Clean, bright and optimistic, the background noise one hears is that of little people in a world designed daily for them. The agency has a reputation for child-centric education. Measured outcomes are strong. Wait—remember where Saint Benedict is. Louisville’s proud California Neighborhood is located just west of its downtown. Despite resident efforts, the neighborhood is one of our city’s food deserts and its children underperform the county in educational progress. There are too many vacant houses, but it is clear that not too long ago they were beloved family homes. Saint Benedict Center, then, is an anchor in a troubled sea. The institution is a landmark of pride and purpose. Many of California’s most successful grown up professionals are very, very proud to claim alumni status. We who are committed to California’s future see Saint Benedict as both proud legacy and an early indicator of where success will take this interesting, diverse and determined neighborhood. At the helm of this amazing institution is a brave educational leader. Her work with the board and local capacity building intermediaries is steadfast. In her two years at Saint Benedict Center, Ms. Mwenelupembe has facilitated the introduction of the Reggio Emilia Approach with the partnership of parents, the board and teaching staff. She has connected with innovative collaborative energy to be part of the community-based revitalization, and this is what has added to the long-term partnership between Saint Benedict Center and New Directions Housing Corporation. A brief overview of New Directions may be helpful. Created in 1969, ours is a full-service community development corporation with strategies in housing development, property management, resident services, home ownership preservation and community building. Our housing shelters over 1,000 families of extremely low income, and we organize over 1,500 volunteers annually to provide home repair aid, after school tutoring, urban gardening and on-site social services. We are “next door neighbors” to Saint Benedict Center, with a 50-family housing community, urban garden and afterschool Learning Center. I have a high opinion of this leader who “hit the ground running.” She provides courteous daily service and is mindful in the tracking and use of performance data. That Ms. Mwenelupembe has gotten to know her organizational neighbor, cross train and find ways to partner is extraordinary. This indicates a very compelling set of skills in community development. And, the results are profound. The community benefits—the children benefit. And, this helps Louisville where we need help the most—the restoration of our neighborhoods as learning, thriving communities of hope. Ms. Mwenelupembe has initiative, keen insights and demonstrates abilities as a coach, encouraging Saint Benedict teachers. She is a lifelong student, and transfers what she learns into quick application for practical use—a valuable talent when working in community-based context where resources seldom meet the level of need and human opportunity. She is honest, articulate and caring. Please call me with follow up questions or to discuss this kind and competent Emerging Leader. Sincerely, Lisa D. Thompson. Chief Operating Officer 1000 East Liberty Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40204-1029 • Phone (502) 589-2272 • Fax (502)589-3256 • 701 East Spring Street, New Albany, Indiana 47150 www.ndhc.org • Visit us on Facebook • https://twitter.com/ndhccasa 1 (800)743-3333 (Hearing Impaired Only) An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D
Make Community Happen!
To whom it concerns: This is a letter of reference and endorsement of your consideration of Alissa Mwenelupembe as one of America’s Emerging Leaders in early learning. I will start with the bottom line—walking into Saint Benedict Center is a joy. It is a happy place. Clean, bright and optimistic, the background noise one hears is that of little people in a world designed daily for them. The agency has a reputation for child-centric education. Measured outcomes are strong. Wait—remember where Saint Benedict is. Louisville’s proud California Neighborhood is located just west of its downtown. Despite resident efforts, the neighborhood is one of our city’s food deserts and its children underperform the county in educational progress. There are too many vacant houses, but it is clear that not too long ago they were beloved family homes. Saint Benedict Center, then, is an anchor in a troubled sea. The institution is a landmark of pride and purpose. Many of California’s most successful grown up professionals are very, very proud to claim alumni status. We who are committed to California’s future see Saint Benedict as both proud legacy and an early indicator of where success will take this interesting, diverse and determined neighborhood. At the helm of this amazing institution is a brave educational leader. Her work with the board and local capacity building intermediaries is steadfast. In her two years at Saint Benedict Center, Ms. Mwenelupembe has facilitated the introduction of the Reggio Emilia Approach with the partnership of parents, the board and teaching staff. She has connected with innovative collaborative energy to be part of the community-based revitalization, and this is what has added to the long-term partnership between Saint Benedict Center and New Directions Housing Corporation. A brief overview of New Directions may be helpful. Created in 1969, ours is a full-service community development corporation with strategies in housing development, property management, resident services, home ownership preservation and community building. Our housing shelters over 1,000 families of extremely low income, and we organize over 1,500 volunteers annually to provide home repair aid, after school tutoring, urban gardening and on-site social services. We are “next door neighbors” to Saint Benedict Center, with a 50-family housing community, urban garden and afterschool Learning Center. I have a high opinion of this leader who “hit the ground running.” She provides courteous daily service and is mindful in the tracking and use of performance data. That Ms. Mwenelupembe has gotten to know her organizational neighbor, cross train and find ways to partner is extraordinary. This indicates a very compelling set of skills in community development. And, the results are profound. The community benefits—the children benefit. And, this helps Louisville where we need help the most—the restoration of our neighborhoods as learning, thriving communities of hope. Ms. Mwenelupembe has initiative, keen insights and demonstrates abilities as a coach, encouraging Saint Benedict teachers. She is a lifelong student, and transfers what she learns into quick application for practical use—a valuable talent when working in community-based context where resources seldom meet the level of need and human opportunity. She is honest, articulate and caring. Please call me with follow up questions or to discuss this kind and competent Emerging Leader. Sincerely, Lisa D. Thompson. Chief Operating Officer 1000 East Liberty Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40204-1029 • Phone (502) 589-2272 • Fax (502)589-3256 • 701 East Spring Street, New Albany, Indiana 47150 www.ndhc.org • Visit us on Facebook • https://twitter.com/ndhccasa 1 (800)743-3333 (Hearing Impaired Only) An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D
