MLGW's Neighborhood Leaders Conference

MLGW's Neighborhood Leaders Conference will be held on Friday, August 8, 2008 at our Training Center (4949 Raleigh LaGrange). This year we are offering 15 fabulous workshops! (See descriptions below.) The cost is $5 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. You can register here and pay your $5 at the door. Contact Community Relations at 528-4820 for more information.

This is a great way to spend the day. Hope to see you there!

Workshop Descriptions
(You may choose one per session)

Session I: 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.

1A. Clean Memphis Now!
Overgrown lots and abandoned houses provide hiding places for criminals. Learn about the Clean Memphis Now! and the City of Memphis Office of Community Enhancement where partnerships are being created to make Memphis one of the cleanest and safest cities in America.

1B. Creating Community Spaces
No coffee shop, park or community center in your neighborhood for residents to gather? Hear how these organizations used creativity, partnerships, volunteers and fund-raising to develop their own playground and community center.

1C. Preparing for an Aging Population
The aging of America’s population poses new challenges for health care, housing, transportation, public safety, employment and education. Participate in this discussion on our area’s changing demographics and how you can impact changes to accommodate the needs of older residents.

1D. Collaborate or Die
Collaborate or Die" is a message of fear, but the message of this workshop is a message of hope. You will learn an effective collaboration model that you can apply in a variety of neighborhood situations. In addition, you will learn how to assess the potential for collaboration before you decide the right way to go.

1E. Youth Enrichment Centers
You don’t have to go outside of the neighborhood to find enriching activities for youth. Discover how these neighborhoods collaborated to convert buildings in their community into places where children learn.

Session II: 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

2A. Utility Programs for Seniors
Are you or someone that you know over the age of 60? Get an overview of the programs that MLGW and Shelby County Community Services have available for senior citizens and disabled customers to lessen the impact of energy costs.

2B. Small Grants Funding
Learn about the Strengthening Communities Neighborhood Small Grants - up to $2,500 awards to neighborhood groups. Session will include application process, proposal development, and capacity building through connections with the University of Memphis.

2C. Helping Those Who Can’t - Adult Protective Services
Have an adult neighbor incapable of caring for themselves or are being abused by those responsible for their care? This session will look at Adult Protective Services and other resources you can call on.

2D. Financing Energy Efficient Home Improvements
The costs of making energy efficient home improvements may seem unmanageable. This workshop will provide an overview of programs available to finance improvements that can cut utility costs.

2E. Saving Green by Going Green
In 2007, American saved more than $16 billion on their utility bills by participating in ENERGY STAR initiatives. Attend this interactive session to learn how ENERGY STAR can help you save money, improve comfort, make wise buying decisions and help the environment.

Session III: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

3A. Strengthening Communities Program
The Community Foundation and United Way of Greater have partnered to create the Strengthening Communities Program – a new grant process. Hear from organizations that have received grants and learn how your organization can participate in the process.

3B. Engaging Youth through Art
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Presenters in this workshop share how their partnerships created forums for youth to learn about their neighborhoods and share their vision for its future through art.

3C. Keeping Seniors in the Neighborhood
The last thing most seniors want to do is leave their home and neighborhood where they lived for years. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the state’s new home-based health care options for elderly and disabled Tennesseans.

3D. Reverse Mortgages
With rising costs, some are struggling to make ends meet and maintain their home. Selling their homes and moving elsewhere may not be appealing to older neighbors. Reverse mortgages can provide a solution that allows homeowners to access their home’s equity and not be burdened by payments.

3E. Graffiti Removal
Graffiti can be a sign of other neighborhood woes. Uncover the best practices in graffiti removal and how one neighborhood has reclaimed an area by creating and painting a mural.