POCATELLO — NeighborWorks Pocatello held its annual meeting and awards ceremony along with the kickoff to the Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge on Dec. 12 at the West Side Players Warehouse. The event was an opportunity to recap many accomplishments and to celebrate dedicated volunteers and community partners.
The evening began with a social hour where guests were treated to a complementary taco bar catered by The SandTrap. City Creek Pockets (Noah Wang, Reese Thompson and Keith Ward) shared their musical talents during the social hour. Upon entry, attendees were provided with the 2023 annual report and resource committee volunteers were available to assist with online donations to NWP via Avenues of Hope Housing Challenge.
Emcee for the evening was Teena Rhoads, NWP board president. Rhoads shared the second annual Historical Home Tour netting over $1,200 per each of the targeted NWP neighborhood associations. The successful home tour has proven to be an impactful annual fundraiser for residents who wish to undertake projects that improve the quality of life of their respective neighborhoods.
Board elections were held. The following board members were reelected for three-year terms: Sarah Jackson of the College Neighborhood; Kristen Jensen, American Falls City Council member; and Tracy Martin of the Alameda Neighborhood.
Several annual awards were presented. The Dick Emerson Volunteer of the Year Award went to Dave Christensen, mortgage loan originator at Citizen’s Community Bank. Christensen is active in many ways with NWP, the Bengal Athletic Boosters, the Greater Pocatello Association of Realtors and more. Christensen has been a great advocate for NWP’s first-time home buyers and he serves as chair of NWP’s real estate committee.
Jeff Street was the recipient of the Rich Garvin Resident Leadership Award. Street is a resident of the Neighborhoods of Historic Downtown and is an associate professor at the Idaho State University College of Business. He is the director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. Street is one of the pioneering organizers of the Historic Home Tour, the Historic Downtown Third of July bicycle parade and several other neighborhood events. Street, Michael Snyder and Cathy Wright were dedicated chairpersons of the successful Historical Home Tour that raised funds for NWP-facilitated neighborhood associations and were presented appreciation awards for their efforts.
Ryan Hackett of Desert Ridge Investments Inc. of Salt Lake City was recognized as NWP’s Business Partner of the Year. Hackett partnered with NWP to utilize a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Fund award to construct the much-needed Park Meadows Senior Apartments. The 49-unit apartment complex, located just north of Primetime Auctions along the 2000 block of South 4th and South 5th avenues was recently completed and will soon be ready for occupancy. This partnership is helping provide affordable housing to residents aged 55 and above.
The highlight of the evening was a short video describing the good works of NWP programs and volunteers that took place during 2023. The accomplishment video featured a showcase of the Park Meadows Senior Apartments, Bonneville Commons, the Spirit of Hope transitional home, NWP loan and rehab grant programs, and a wonderful showcase of community events, including the Bonneville Neighborhood Association’s Second Annual Lasting Legacy Festival, the second annual Historic Home Tour, the College Neighborhood Light Caldwell Park event and various other programs that enrich the lives and neighborhoods of Pocatello.
Over the summer months, six residents living in the central neighborhoods were recognized with Curb Appeal awards for outstanding efforts with the landscaping of their properties. Winners were invited to the annual meeting where they received award plaques.
Roger and Ron Frey, residents of the Neighborhoods of Historic Old Town, received certificate of appreciation awards for their efforts in generating funds and facilitating construction of a new disc golf course at Sacajawea Park. Additionally, Blake Marchant, chief credit officer with Ireland Bank, and Brenden Flores, commercial loan officer with Ireland Bank, presented NWP with a $5,000 check for support of the Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge.
NeighborWorks Pocatello is governed by a 14-member board of directors and has a staff of 11. NWP’s mission is a progressive alliance between residents, businesses and government that revitalizes targeted areas by empowering people, creating safe, healthy neighborhoods, providing opportunities for affordable, stable housing and building community pride. For more information, call 208-232-9468 or visit www.nwpocatello.org.