Palm Beach County Offering Free 5-Week Course on Neighborhood Revitalization

For release: February 11, 2011
Contact: Chrystal Mathews, Senior Planner
                cmathews@pbcgov.org
                (561) 233-5565 Fax: (561) 233-5309

Palm Beach County’s Office of Community Revitalization (OCR) is proud to once again offer the Resident Education to Action Program (REAP), a five-week, hands-on educational program providing community revitalization and civic leadership development training. This program is intended to help residents who are interested in improving their neighborhoods.

REAP supports the formation of neighborhood associations and empowers residents to seek a better quality of life. Through this course, residents will gain knowledge of innovative ways to solve neighborhood issues.

Course topics for the five-week program include: Effective Leadership and Emerging Trends; Combating Crime in Your Neighborhood; Show Me the Money - Local, State and Private Funding Sources; Partnerships with Purpose; and Taking Action. There will also be an overview of OCR's programs and initiatives and information about county government, community resources and services that are available for neighborhood improvements.  Residents will be eligible to apply for a grant through the America’s Next Top Neighborhood Award grant program.

Sessions are facilitated using a variety of innovative techniques including group activities, lectures, guest speakers, individual outside work and oral presentations. The course and all materials are free but a commitment for the entire five-week course is required. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register for REAP or for additional information, please visit www.pbcgov.com/ocr or contact Chrystal Mathews, REAP coordinator, at (561) 233-5565, cmathews@pbcgov.org.