LISC NJ - NEWARK RESIDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (NRLA) 2025 APPLICATION

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Together, We Can Build Stronger Communities

A collage of people holding protest signs, some smiling and others passionately yelling. Beside the people is an image of a Capitol Hill building. The letters WE, as if painted, in the color orange stretch across the photo.
Image courtesy of the Other & Belonging Institute.

Started in 2016, Newark Resident Leadership Academy, or NRLA, has been a staple in the Newark community. NRLA is spearheaded by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in partnership with Community Based Development Organizations like Clinton Hill for Community Action, La Casa de Don Pedro, Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, and Urban League of Essex County. The program began as a FREE 6-month training program but has since condensed to an intensive 3-month training program. The program is still FREE and available to Newark residents in select neighborhoods--Clinton Hill, Fairmount Heights, Lincoln Park, and Lower Broadway. This program is for Newark residents who are interested in enhancing their leadership skills to impart positive change in their communities.

Program participants are expected to attend SIX Saturday workshops, two times a month with practitioners experienced in community building and leadership. To put skills into practice, participants will split into 'neighborhood teams' with fellow resident leaders from their respective neighborhoods. Upon successful completion of the workshop series, neighborhood teams are expected to develop a 'community change project' designed to involve fellow neighbors in improving their neighborhood. Following the 3-month training and graduation, LISC will support the neighborhood teams with a small grant to fund each neighborhood team's project.

For more information about Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), visit our website: https://www.lisc.org/greater-newark/

Participant Expectations:

Applications must be submitted by Friday, February 28, 2025

Note: Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early. All submissions will be reviewed by the LISC NJ team and official program acceptance will be confirmed on a first come, first served basis and eligibility. Child care and transportation are not available for any in-person sessions.

Expectations and Timeline:

Active and collaborative engagement from all team members are vital to maximize the benefits and impacts of NRLA. Participants are required to:

Attend SIX Saturday training sessions, between 9 A.M. - 3 P.M., twice a month from March to May 2025; and a graduation ceremony in June 2025.
Contribute to neighborhood team building during the 3-month training and support your group's community change project planning and implementation process, post the final NRLA session in May.

About You: Your Story, Your Journey

Is English your first language? Yes or No?

Would you like an application in another language? If yes, please email amitchell@lisc.org:

Please provide your full name:

What is your date of birth?

What is your Home Address and Zip Code?

Please select which neighborhood you reside in:

If you answered Other above, please specify which neighborhood below:

How long have you been a resident?

What is your telephone or cell phone number?

What is your email address?

Optional: What is your occupation or who is your employer?

Were you referred to NRLA by anyone?

If yes, please indicate who--

Have you applied for, engaged with, or benefitted from any other programs offered by nonprofit partners in your neighborhood or in the Greater Newark region? (e.g. Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA), Urban League of Essex County (ULEC), La Casa de Don Pedro, Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (LPCCD), United Vailsburg Services Organization (UVSO), etc.) If yes, please specify which programs and which year. If no, type n/a for not applicable

Have you applied for, engaged with, or benefitted from any other grants offered by fellow nonprofit partners in Greater Newark and NJ? (e.g. The City of Newark Love Your Block Program, Prudential's Community Grant Program, AARP Community Challenge Grant, PSE&G Neighborhood Partners Program, Newark Arts ArtStart Grant Program, etc.) If yes, please specify which programs and which year. If no, type n/a for not applicable.

Your Volunteer Experience

Please identify any community-based groups you are affiliated with. Complete responses should include Organization Name, Dates of Involvement, Role and Contributions. (For example: Block Association Leader, 1998-2000, Secretary-Meeting Notetaker)

How many hours do you volunteer in your community?

What motivates you to get involved in your community?

Why would you like to participate in NRLA? Please include skills and opportunities you anticipate to gain from the program.

From your perspective, what would you contribute as an NRLA neighborhood team member? Please include skills and strengths that exhibit your ability to collaborate with others.

How does NRLA align with your commitment to be a change agent for your neighborhood? Please include how you will apply the program training tools and skills to improve your community.

NRLA Participation Agreement

Do any of the following dates prohibit you from participating in the NRLA program fully? Select any training dates that you may not be able to attend, if you will be able to attend all training dates or if your schedule is subject to change.

By my signature below, I certify that all information and statements in this application reflect true and accurate information. If accepted to the 2025 Newark Resident Leadership Academy (NRLA) cohort, I commit to extend active and respectful participation for the duration of the intensive training series held between March 2025 - May 2025. To the best of my abilities, I will work collaboratively and cooperatively with my neighborhood team members and other program participants, including but not limited to workshop trainers, local community partners, community coaches, and LISC staff, I engage with during my commitment to the program.

I understand that upon successful completion of the three-month training series by June 2025, the neighborhood team I participate in will be eligible to receive a community change project grant. I will contribute to the best that I am able to support my team members during the project planning and implementation process.

Should I experience any challenges, I will seek the support of my fellow team members, community coach and/or the LISC staff.

Please type your full name and today's date:

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