At Neighborhoods USA’s 40th Annual Conference on Neighborhood Concerns held in Houston during
May, OST/South Union was awarded first place as a Neighborhood of the Year in the “Social
Revitalization – Single Neighborhood” category for efforts by our alliance of residents, agencies,
educational institutions, and other stakeholders who have come together to revitalize the
neighborhood. Our efforts resulted in these accomplishments, among many others:
a community cleanup that removed more than 37,000 pounds of trash and 155 tires from four
OST/South Union neighborhoods
a total of 11,376 volunteer hours logged in 2014, with worth valued at $262,400
community-based research surveys on neighborhood mobility and street conditions
advocacy for improved infrastructure that increases safety and physical activity
creation of a network of residents to keep eyes and ears on the neighborhood
investment in a school park to make it a place where children want to play
partnerships with non-profits, universities, government, and faith-based groups to leverage
resources and bring about changes we could not accomplish alone
In addition, NUSA awarded the Palm Center Farmer’s Market with third place for Best Neighborhood
Program among hundreds of entries around the nation. The market is open to the community on the
second Saturday of each month to help give our neighbors access to healthy foods and provide
economic opportunity to local small businesses.
NUSA is a national non-profit committed to building and strengthening neighborhood organizations. The
annual conference provides opportunities for people to discuss pressing issues and share their
experiences and best practices. Each year NUSA’s Best Neighborhood Program Awards recognize
organizations for their work in improving the quality of life in their communities.