James Ross, NeighborWorks Southern District Rebuilding Communities Management Consultant

New Orleans, Louisiana - NeighborWorks America Southern District Rebuilding Communities Management Consultant James Ross was the guest speaker at the May 5 grand opening of the Clifford N. Rosenthal Community Resource Center in the Upper Ninth Ward. The center was developed by NeighborWorks® America partner A Shared Initiative Inc. (ASII) and will house office space for ASII to teach homebuyer education classes, provide one-on-one credit counseling and foreclosure prevention clinics. The center will also house the ASI Federal Credit Union – the first community bank for residents of Ninth Ward, as well as day-care and other services.

“This partnership with ASII is a true compliment to the mission of NeighborWorks America," said Ross to more than 75 community members and business leaders gathered to celebrate the opening. “ASII has worked hard to build seven affordable homes in the challenging post-Katrina environment. They have certainly continued to improve lives and strengthen communities by opening this center that will provide critical homeownership services and now job opportunities. NeighborWorks America is proud to be part of this best-practice partnership on how communities are rebuilt.”

ASII is an organization developed to assist in the rebuilding efforts of families and communities by providing affordable homeownership opportunities and expanding access to vital community services. The organization was formed in early 2005 to expand anti-poverty programs designed by ASI Federal Credit Union, a certified Community Development Financial Institution servicing predominantly low-income individuals and families across southeast Louisiana. NeighborWorks America’s partnership with ASII began in 2006.