What We Do

Neighborhood Leadership Program (NLP)

The Neighborhood Leadership Program (NLP) of the Human Services Coalition (HSC) helps community residents make the change they want to see in their neighborhoods.

The program works with groups of 10 to 14 residents of particular neighborhoods. We have worked with groups in Little Havana, Liberty City, Little Haiti and Overtown, among other neighborhoods.

Group members engage in a series of 4 to 5 facilitated conversations using the "dialogue-to-action" dialogue method. The dialogue helps people to learn to listen and understand each other in order to find common ground on which they can work toward building strong communities for families with children. Through the dialogue, participants learn how they can increase their ability to participate collectively in community improvement and civic engagement.

Dialogues have helped residents discuss and address community concerns such as racial prejudice, unmet needs of children and families and access to healthcare. Each dialogue session is two hours long.

The series culminates with the identification of a challenge (or an undertapped strength) in the community -- one that impacts children and families. The group develops an action plan to address the challenge (or build upon the strength/asset).

Participants also take workshops on project development and management, which helps them with the implementation of their plans.

Recruitment for study circles runs from October to December and dialogues take place in January and February.

Program Contact: Gretchen Beesing (305) 576-5001 x15 or gretchenb@hscdade.org

Spotlight on Leadership video series

These videos focus on two recent NLP groups, the Little Havana study circle and the Little Haiti study circle.