Neighborhood Leadership Program

Make a Difference in Your Local Community

Wilder’s Neighborhood Leadership Program is for anybody who wants to improve their abilities to act on important issues faced by our local neighborhoods and communities. We offer in-depth training sessions, networking opportunities and individual coaching sessions.

Applications for 2020 coming soon!

Contact

Email: nlp@wilder.org

Phone: 651-280-2366

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The Neighborhood Leadership Program brings together 30 people from a wide diversity of ages, cultural backgrounds and levels of experience from across the community.

Program Overview:

Explore opportunities for neighborhood involvement and personal growth
Connect with other leaders in Saint Paul who can become resources, mentors and allies for your work
Develop skills to work effectively with others
Examine and cultivate personal leadership
Expand your knowledge of community history to better inform your actions today
Get paired with a volunteer community coach

Together you will explore topics that include:

Understanding your leadership style
Intercultural communication and conflict resolution
Navigating city and county government and systems
Personal values and using community history to inform your current work

Program Length:

7 months (September – March)

Program Format:

Participant groups meet twice a month for six months. Individual participants also get paired with a volunteer community coach who serve as learning partners.

Participant Requirements:

People from diverse gender, geography, age, cultural and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply!

Age 16+
Live, work or volunteer in Saint Paul or the East Metro area
Demonstrate interest and/or involvement in contributing to their local neighborhood or community

The Minnesota Historical Society collaborates with us to provide the Neighborhood Leadership Program each year.

Need more information about the upcoming Neighborhood Leadership Program sessions? Find out when sessions meet, how much the program costs, and more.

Dates and Times

All sessions are held in Saint Paul at the Wilder Foundation and the Minnesota History Center. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.

Orientation

Tuesday, September 18, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Retreat – In-town

4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday, September 28

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, September 29

Sessions

Tuesday, October 9, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with coaches

Saturday, October 20, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 3, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 17, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 4, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 15, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with coaches

Tuesday, January 8, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 26, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 9, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 19, 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. with coaches

Saturday, March 9, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Graduation

Wednesday, March 13, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Cost and Scholarships

Each participant or their sponsors are required to pay a $250 registration fee. If you need help identifying a sponsor organization or a scholarship, please indicate so when you receive notification of your acceptance.

The Neighborhood Leadership Program spends approximately $4,000 on each participant. Thus, we ask participants, or their sponsors, to contribute more than the registration fee whenever possible.

However, please keep in mind that tuition is negotiable in order to prevent cost from being a barrier to participation. If tuition is a barrier, please include your request for scholarship on the application and a staff member will be in touch with once the selection process is complete.

Child Care & Transportation

The Neighborhood Leadership Program is committed to reducing barriers to participation. Child care and transportation to sessions are available within Saint Paul. Please request them when you apply. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.

Neighborhood Leadership Program Book on Amazon by Dr. Mike Klein and Damon Sholom

Published in 2017 and written by Dr. Mike Klein and Damon Sholom, "Neighborhood Leadership" presents stories of grassroots leadership development and celebrates more than 20 years of the Neighborhood Leadership Program (NLP).

Vivid reflections and practical examples explore themes including: knowing your own story, finding and using voice, alternative visions for leadership, working across difference, and promoting social justice.

Available on Amazon as paperback or on Kindle.

Get the Book on Neighborhood Leadership

Christopher Melendez is a Neighborhood Leadership Program graduate and co-founder of a youth group.

Neighborhood Leadership Program Graduate Helps Start Youth Group

A Neighborhood Leadership Program graduate brings youth to the table by starting a mentor group in East St. Paul, MN.More about this story »

More Stories

I Didn't Know I Was A Leader: An Alumna's Experience In The Latino Leadership Program

We recognize that there are community-specific or cultural groups that may need or want customized leadership training. Wilder offers flexible programs for those exploring and stepping into community leadership roles.

In the past, we have worked with the Karen Community of Minnesota and the St. Paul Public Housing Agency. Let us know how we can develop a custom community leadership program for your community.

Contact:
Coulette Columbus-Powers
651-280-2366
nlp@wilder.org

Do you want to make a difference in your community? There are several ways to get involved and be part of Wilder’s Neighborhood Leadership Program.

Apply

No longer accepting applications for NLP's 2018-2019 Cohort!

Program runs September 18, 2018 - March 13, 2019. See program schedule and information.
Questions? Contact Coulette Columbus-Powers at nlp@wilder.org or call 651-280-2366.

Volunteer

We seek community leaders to serve as trainers, presenters and coaches. We also need volunteers to assist with child care, office support and transportation. Find out more about volunteering at Wilder.

Neighborhood Leadership Program

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