Four Eugene Neighborhoods Receive National Recognition! Neighborhoods USA honored the best of neighborhood organizations, newsletters and programs from across the nation at the annual NUSA conference held May 25-28 in Anchorage, Alaska.   For the first time, the good work of Eugene’s neighborhood associations has received national recognition at this annual event.  The “Heritage Crescent Neighborhood Livability Project,” a joint effort of Jefferson Westside Neighbors, South University Neighborhood Association and West University Neighbors, was a finalist in the Multi-Neighborhood Partnership category of the Neighborhood of the Year award.  These neighborhoods were honored for their work to help ensure infill and redevelopment would be compatible with each neighborhood’s character and would contribute positively to the surrounding neighborhood’s livability.  View the submitted application here. Friendly Area Neighbors competed against 27 other neighborhood print publications and received a bronze level award for their newsletter.  Newsletters were evaluated based on criteria that included layout, consistency, content, relevance and overall appearance.  Founded in 1975, NUSA is the largest non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to sharing information and experiences to build stronger communities. NUSA encourages networking and information sharing as a way to facilitate the development of partnerships among neighborhood organizations, government and the private sector.  Eugene has been selected to host the 2014 NUSA conference. Neighborhood Services - Our Mission Our mission is to build healthy, equitable and prosperous neighborhoods by working with neighborhood associations, the City organization, and the broader community. We do this by providing support, creating opportunities and connecting people and resources. The City of Eugene Neighborhood Services, part of the City Managers Office, supports City neighborhood associations by building organizational capacity and enhancing communication and collaboration between neighbors, the City, and other community organizations.   Neighborhood Services provides an important communication and coordination role that serves many areas of the City organization by informing residents about initiatives, programs and services that affect them directly, and facilitating connections between residents and City staff and departments.   Neighborhood Services is critical to fulfilling City Council’s vision of Effective, Accountable, Municipal Government by improving Eugene residents’ access to, understanding of, and participation in City affairs.   Neighborhood Services provides support to the City’s 19 residential neighborhood associations in a variety of ways. The City serves as publisher for the associations’ newsletters and other public information activities. Staff is available to help with coordinating sustainable neighborhood events; to help coordinate utilizing City staff as a resource at association meetings to provide information about City programs and policies; and to help the associations’ members and the City organization collaborate on issues of mutual interest. Neighborhood Services staff helps neighbors collaborate on local issues. Staff provides a conduit for other City services to share information and gather input about service changes, capital improvements, and the local impact of City-wide policy decisions. Neighborhood Services staff also coordinates the Neighborhood Matching Grants Program, supports the Neighborhood Leaders Council, and participates on the Neighborhood Empowerment Initiative committee. How you can get involved… Neighborhood associations are volunteer organizations that thrive and grow when everyone (that’s you!) is involved. Attend a neighborhood event or meeting; read the newsletter or check out your neighborhood website. See “Neighborhood Associations” (left side) to get more information on your neighborhood!