NUSA 2018 kicks off with volunteer appreciation luncheon
By Edward T. Bowser
Chester Wallace, vice president of the College Hills neighborhood association, knows that it takes many hands to build stronger communities.
“The key to it is interacting with other people from others states, to use what they’re doing and implant it in other neighborhoods. That’s what NUSA is all about.”
Neighborhood representatives from around the nation will decent upon the Magic City this week as Birmingham opens its doors for the 2018 Neighborhoods USA conference, a national nonprofit committed to strengthening neighborhood organizations. This year’s event marks the third time that Birmingham will host NUSA, more than any other city in the conference’s 43-year history.
The event kicked off Monday, May 21 with a volunteer appreciation luncheon at Boutwell Auditorium. Wallace, who previously served as a NUSA delegate in Eugene, Ore.; Memphis, Houston and Omaha, Neb.; said the week is a chance for both out-of-towners and residents of Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods to gain a greater level of understanding and collaboration.
That sentiment was echoed by Mayor Randall Woodfin: “Real change happens when neighbors get together and decide to volunteer their time to make a difference.”
