Resident Services News

In 2024, HRI and the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association (CNA) will co-host a series of six “Locally Led Brave Spaces” conversations. This past October, three HRI residents and a representative from the CNA joined HRI staff at the 2023 NeighborWorks America’s Community Leadership Institute. There, participants learned about comprehensive approaches to community development and strategies for resident outreach as well as leadership development. While at the conference, our team began planning for the Locally Led Brave Spaces discussion series. HRI resident and Brave Spaces cohort member Angela Owens says, “I look forward to taking the information from the Institute and using it to be part of a change and solution building in my own community.” Angela and the rest of the Brave Spaces team have selected topics that include civic engagement, affordable housing development, community safety, and trauma-informed approaches to community conversation. The team is working with local experts to design and help lead each discussion group. The Brave Spaces conversations and skills built at the CLI will prepare participants to contribute in public meetings and take leadership roles within their community. Thanks to NeighborWorks America and the Mel King Institute’s Senior Organizer Series for their support of resident leadership development and this new collaboration.