Jacklyne Ortiz Velez - 2023 Dorothy Richardson Awardee - NeighborWorks America

Jacklyne Ortiz Velez (Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico) founded the Community Electronic Library to help combat low literacy rates. She still manages the library, and has organized numerous community events to promote community engagement and social cohesion.
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The Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership honors the spirit and life's work of Dorothy Mae Richardson, and her neighbors, who sparked a movement in the 1960s in the North Side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their leadership resulted in the establishment of the first Neighborhood Housing Services, the forerunner of today's NeighborWorks network, and a new model for resident-led, place-based community development.

As complex issues continue to face communities across the country, NeighborWorks America has renewed our commitment to comprehensive community development, and to recognize community leaders for the essential role they play in strengthening communities. This work — and award — are more important than ever.

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