The 10-week class included an orientation at City Hall and classes held weekly. The class was designed to provide a foundation of education and knowledge about local civic processes for citizens; to prepare students to effectively engage and organize their communities; and to position graduates to build greater trust between neighbors and local officials.
“We are proud of the more than 20 students who successfully completed our fall neighborhood university program,” said Sara Vaas, CONO’s Executive Director. “Our students were diverse in their engagement level in the community, age and background. They now have sharper skills and deeper knowledge to continue making a positive difference in our community.”
Classes in Neighborhood University includes the following topics, among others: “Introduction to Planning in Colorado Springs,” “Development Process,” “Local Government 101,” “The Art of Advocacy,” “Who Lives Here and Why: Housing and Neighborhoods in El Paso County and Colorado Springs,” and “Building Consensus.”
CONO will continue to offer Neighborhood University every spring and fall. Participants must complete an application to enroll in Neighborhood University. Applications can be found at www.cscono.org.
For additional information, please contact Sara Vaas at Sara@cscono.org.