What is Neighborhood Network?
Neighborhood Network (NN) is the “neighborhood revitalization” program of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County. Neighborhood revitalization is a long-term, holistic strategy that supports residents to improve the quality of life in under-resourced communities.
Neighborhood Network takes a community-based approach to neighborhood revitalization to ensure that our work is driven by those with lived experience. Residents know their neighborhood’s unique challenges and opportunities. We listen to the community’s priorities and build on their strengths, leveraging our resources and partnerships to invest in community-led projects that improve the lives of current and future neighbors. The Neighborhood Network Toolkit highlights NINE Neighborhood Network resources that NN Managers can use in partnership with residents, community organizations and government agencies to improve the quality of life in under-resourced communities in Summit County.
There are three Neighborhood Network staff members, with each NN Manager focused on one of the three regions in Summit County – Northern, Central and Southern. Learn more about our NN Managers below!
Neighborhood Network History
Neighborhood Network started in 2011 as a grassroots movement led by a volunteer “Core Team” focused on building a unified voice to renew the University Park and Middlebury neighborhoods in Akron, Ohio. From 2011 to 2016 the NN Core Team (fiscally sponsored by United Way of Summit County) continued its work in the two focus neighborhoods – facilitating monthly community meetings to connect residents, community organizations and government agencies; stewarding public spaces like Boss Park through clean-ups and beautification efforts; hiring the first NN staff member in 2015; piloting the first (of many to come) Neighborhood Reborn events in June 2016; and leading the Middlebury Better Block in July 2016.
Recognizing the mission and programmatic alignment while partnering on the first Neighborhood Reborn and the Middlebury Better Block in 2016, the NN Core Team made the decision to merge with Habitat for Humanity of Summit County in May 2017. With increased capacity and organizational support, the Neighborhood Network program has since expanded to serve ALL of Summit County, hiring three Neighborhood Network Managers to oversee the program.
Meet the NN Team
Northern Summit County
330.745.7734 x255
jessicag@hfhsummitcounty.org
Meet Jessica, Neighborhood Network's Northern Summit County Manager
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and German Translation from Kent State University and has traveled extensively to champion life long learning and the study of art. Jessica has worked with many local non-profits and is proud to be a part of their legacy as they continue to raise funds for Akron’s cultural scene. Additionally, she gives of her time with smaller volunteer projects that peak her interest thoughout the year. Jessica is WSET certified and takes great pleasure in continued wine and culinary education to complement her work in the community.
Fun Fact: I can cook crab boils over a campfire.
What motivates you at work? I love the fact that we work locally and are able to see all the happy faces of folks whose lives we help to enrich.
What’s your favorite spot in Summit County? And why? The Summit County Metro Parks and CVNP. I love being outside.
What do you love most about your community? There is so much to do here. I never get bored.
What does ‘community’ mean to you? Folks coming together for a shared common purpose
Central Summit County
330.745.7734
arellt@hfhsummitcounty.org
Meet Arell, Neighborhood Network's Central Summit County Manager
I am a local community organizer who moved to Akron 3.5 years ago. I moved to Akron for an opportunity of public service as an AmeriCorps Vista at The Well CDC, where I fell in love with the city, its people, and its capacity for change. In my previous roles, I was able to hear directly from Akronites on their needs and wants. From affordable housing insecurity to environmental sustainability to health and educational outcomes, people want to solve these issues. Now, I have focused on neighborhood revitalization as a Neighborhood Network Manager at Habitat for Humanity of Summit County to help deliver resources and opportunities to continue impactful work. The underlying theme that I learned was the need for a more responsive and engaging ecosystem for communities to grow, thrive, and feel empowered. Something as simple as having a conversation with a neighbor goes a long way in understanding how to best serve a community. I want to continue this work and have these important conversations to build a community where everyone can thrive.
What motivates you at work? I always live by the motto ‘What would Rob do?’
What’s your favorite spot in Summit County? And why? Southern Comfort Kitchen in Highland Square; they have the best food!
What do you love most about your community? I love the capacity for change and the collective desire to make the community a better place.
What does ‘community’ mean to you? Community means coming together for each other. It is working to ensure everyone has every opportunity they need to grow and thrive.
Southern Summit County
330.745.7734 x256
robd@hfhsummitcounty.org
Meet Rob, Neighborhood Network's Southern Summit County Manager
I’m Rob Doerschuk, the Southern Summit County Neighborhood Network Manager. I arrived at Habitat after a career in education and educational nonprofits. I grew up in Canton as one of seven siblings and now live in Green. I’m currently also a high school tennis coach. I’m loving getting to know the communities in Southern Summit County.
Fun Fact: I have been to over 50 pro baseball stadiums across the country.
What motivates you at work? I believe in our mission and my co-workers. Across each of our departments, I sense a common genuine care for the communities and people we serve.
What’s your favorite spot in Summit County? And why? Blossom! I’ve had the lawn pass to see every show the past couple of years.
What do you love most about your community? My favorite things about my community are the pleasant exchanges I have with neighbors. I love running and walking, as do many in my community. The people on the roads and trails that I run into are fun to talk to!
What does ‘community’ mean to you? Community is a collective reflection of personality. I believe community is an amalgam of what makes a group of people unique and how common interests align to reflect distinctive traits, including physical spaces, interests, and common goals.
Quality of Life Framework
The ultimate goal of neighborhood revitalization is improved quality of life in a focus neighborhood. The “Quality of Life Framework” (pictured above) is a compilation of this understanding and maps how multiple elements work together to achieve improved quality of life.
Neighborhood Network has learned that the greatest change happens in a neighborhood when people work together—residents, community organizations, and government agencies. It starts first by understanding everyone’s gifts, dreams, and concerns about the neighborhood (center of the framework); then building a strong foundation around sense of community and social cohesion (green section), and; finally utilizing this base to collectively act and implement projects that contribute to sector outcomes (movements from green to blue). Arrows at the bottom of the framework represent an iterative process, guiding Neighborhood Network Managers to continue to build social capital (green) in a neighborhood throughout the revitalization process.
Using the Quality of Life Framework as a guide, the Neighborhood Network program offers the following NINE resources to our Summit County community. Each of these tools can be used in partnership with residents, community organizations and government agencies to improve the quality of life in under-resourced communities in Summit County.
Neighborhood Network Toolkit
#1 Neighborhood Planning and Implementation
Neighborhood Network staff facilitate the hiring of a Neighborhood Planning consultant/contractor, goal setting, neighborhood survey development/data collection/analysis, focus group and 1:1 interview coordination, steering committee meeting coordination, resident/stakeholder communication, draft editing and negotiation of action steps, and coordination/oversight of implementation with community partners.
#2 Neighborhood Reborn
During two volunteer days, a resident led neighborhood revitalization will take place, with assistance from volunteers and Habitat staff to complete the following tasks:
- General Landscaping Assistance & Solar Powered Security Light Installation
- Public Space Improvements (public parks, artistic board ups of vacant houses, increased trash cans, etc.)
#3 Clean Ups and Habitat for Humanity of Summit County Tool Trailer
Neighborhood Network staff coordinate community cleanups with residents and stakeholders as needed. As an added resource, Neighborhood Network staff can bring out the Habitat Tool Trailer to assist with clean up events and other beautification projects. The Tool Trailer includes equipment like: mower, edger, rakes, shovels, hand tools, garbage bags, gloves first aid kit, and more. The HFHSC Tool Trailer can enhance your community efforts, adding additional capacity and efficiencies so your group doesn’t have to worry about who’s bringing the lawn mower and gloves. *Please Note: The Habitat Tool Trailer cannot be rented out for a cleanup if a Neighborhood Network/HFHSC staff member will not be in attendance.
*Please Note: The Habitat Tool Trailer cannot be rented out for a cleanup if a Neighborhood Network/HFHSC staff member will not be in attendance.
#4 Public Space Improvements - Sustainable Stewardship and Parks
Sustainable Stewardship: Neighborhood Network staff work with residents to identify community opportunities for small but meaningful improvements, coordinate and pay for the initial improvement, while identifying and empowering a community partner or group of residents to maintain the improvement into the future.
Parks: Safe, welcoming and accessible public space in neighborhoods is critically important. Neighborhood Network staff can coordinate efforts from a one day park space cleanup to a fully involved public space revitalization (fundraising, neighborhood surveys, coordination with residents and stakeholders on their goals for the space, installation of equipment).
#5 Neighborhood Walk Audits
Residents are paid to collect public space data about the streets, sidewalks and vacant spaces they live near. NN staff can analyze the data collected by neighbors and present the top ten “priority streets” of concern in a final report OR simply deliver the raw data to the community partner. Analyzed data can be presented to city planning staff to inform priority improvements and neighborhood planning efforts.
#6 Meeting Facilitation
Neighborhood Network staff are competent in organizing complex community meetings, 1:1 discussions, focus groups, resident leadership training, and more. We can assist with the coordination of: agendas, amenities (food and childcare), facility booking and set up/tear down, assessments (pre/post surveys), outside
speakers/presenters, technology and marketing in addition to facilitating the actual meeting.
#7 Safety Resources and Training
As a response to safety concerns in residential communities, Neighborhood Network and Habitat staff can offer Home Maintenance Module Training Courses at our 2301 Romig Road location, coordinate the distribution of safety resources (“Safety Kits”) and install solar powered security lights on individual residents’ homes.
#8 Neighborhood Tours
Neighborhood Network staff can lead neighborhood walking/driving tours to serve difference audiences and purposes:
- Walking/driving tours to highlight Neighborhood Plan implementation/action steps
- Walking/driving tours of historical sites in the neighborhoods for residents and non-residents interested in learning more
- Walking/driving tours of the neighborhood for new residents, faculty, government staff, etc.
- Walking/driving tours to highlight a neighborhood challenge and advocate for action
#9 Project-Based Internships
Neighborhood Network staff welcome and celebrate the opportunity to supervise interns as they can gain hands-on knowledge of neighborhood revitalization while completing project-based internships.
Past Neighborhood Network Projects
Barberton Neighborhood Reborn
Recap of 2024 Barberton Reborn On September 20th and 21st, Habitat staff, partner families, and volunteers worked to beautify the 7th and 8th Street area of Barberton during Neighborhood Reborn. Our team- consisting of 43 people on Friday and 35 on Saturday- served...
Meet the Neighborhood Network Team
Meet Jessica Goldbourn Jessica Goldbourn is Neighborhood Network Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Summit County. This work has her forging partnerships between Habitat and the community to foster both business and personal relationships with the residents to ensure...
Neighborhood Network Trash Pick Ups
Neighborhood Network Weekly Team Trash Pickups Every week, our Neighborhood Network team goes out in the community to pick up trash, helping to clean up our neighborhoods. They are first targeting neighborhoods where we are currently working on construction projects....
Middlebury Better Block 2016
With funding from both Knight Foundation and Jilly’s Music Room and the support, guidance and hard work of over twenty community organizations, businesses and stakeholders, Neighborhood Network facilitated the Middlebury Better Block on July 30th-31st, 2016 at the...
Solar Powered Security Lights 2021
In 2020 and 2021, Neighborhood Network and the Habitat for Humanity Construction Site Supervisors completed 431 Solar Powered Security Light Installations across Middlebury and University Park. Additionally, Neighborhood Network distributed information on the...
Middlebury Millstone Monument Revitalization
Part of the Middlebury Neighborhood Plan, the Middlebury Millstone Monument is a physical representation of Middlebury’s rich history. You can find the millstone at the intersection of East Market and Exchange street, right in front of Fire Station #2. The plaque...