The Neighborhood Empowerment Network ( NEN ) Awards are San Francisco ’ s way of honoring and celebrating the work of residents and organizations who make our city an amazing place to live . Every year , community members and City officials gather in City Hall to honor these civic heroes .
One award category extra close to our heart is the “ Most Inspiring Public Works Volunteer ,” which this year went to Karla Jones . Jones has been a Public Works Graffiti Watch member since March 2015 and works diligently abating graffiti on public property in her Middle Polk neighborhood . She also keeps an eye on the area and reports any issues she comes across while on her rounds .
In the Works gave Jones a call to ask her how she got involved with graffiti abatement .
“ When I first moved to San Francisco seven years ago , I joined my neighborhood group , the Middle Polk Neighborhood Association ,” said Jones . “ Graffiti Watch offered graffiti training and I really enjoyed it . It ’ s like how you feel while cleaning your closet or sweeping the kitchen floor . I like the look of a neighborhood when its graffiti free – that ’ s why I do it . We keep our houses clean and our neighborhood is an extension of our house . Also , I ’ m retired so it ’ s nice to get out in the sunshine !”
Public Works appreciates Jones and all the volunteers who go out not only in the sunshine , but all the time cleaning their neighborhood , reporting problems and beautifying San Francisco .
Congratulations to all the NEN award recipients – you make our city great !
This year ’ s NEN Award categories and winners are :
Outstanding Neighborhood Watch Group : Newton-Morse-Curtis Neighborhood Watch
Exemplary NERT Leadership : Anietie Ekanem
Exemplary ALERT Leadership : Ken Craig
Most Empowering City Employee of the Year : Victoria Weatherford
Youth Neighborhood Leadership : Erick Lopez
Most Inspiring Public Works Volunteer : Karla Jones
Comeback Neighborhood of the Year : The Outer Sunset
Best Community Challenge Grant Project : Kenny Alley Stairs Project
Best Merchant Association / Community Benefit District : Castro / Upper Market Community Benefit District
Outstanding Park Volunteer Group : Friends of Franklin Square Park
NEN Lifetime Achievement : Mary C . Harris
NEN Hall of Fame : Espanola Jackson
Extraordinary Neighborhood Block Party : Quesada Neighborfest 2016
January 2017 - San Francisco Public Works Newsletter