Policy Analysis and Advocacy

Valerie works with organizations to conduct issue-based needs assessments to identify key policy and/or community issues that impact their ability to provide programs and services. The results are used to develop appropriate strategies to advocate for changes that will result in triple-win situations for clients, organizations and policy-makers. Valerie has been particularly effective in advocating for greater workforce development and capacity building for minorities and small business owners wishing to do business with the State of Illinois; developing strategies to increase transparency and access to Neighborhood Stabilization Funding; advocating for TIF reforms and highlighting the need for state legislative boundaries to be drawn in a manner that included input from rank and file citizens and preserved communities of interest.

Valerie assisted a coalition of grassroots organizations and rank and file citizens in preparing for a public hearing on the Neigborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The program was designed to provide developers with funds to purchase abandoned foreclosed properties to redevelop for affordable housing.

Valerie F. Leonard Sample Outline for Public Testimony-NSP

Valerie developed a slide show presentation providing an update of the Neighborhood Stabilization program.

NSP Town Hall

As a result of the advocacy provided by Valerie, the Lawndale Alliance and others, the City has increased transparency and accountability in the program, and works more closely with grassroots organizations in the impacted communities to take advantage of the program.

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