NeighborWorks Alliance of Texas

Congratulations to our alliance members Elizabeth Alonzo-Villarreal with NeighborWorks Laredo and Raquel Valdez Sanchez with BCL of Texas.

This is what Leadership that Moves Communities Forward Looks Like

NeighborWorks® America congratulates three of our network executive directors, Carmon Lopez Murguia, CEO of Westside Housing in Kansas City; Elizabeth Alonzo-Villarreal of NeighborWorks Laredo in Laredo, Texas; and Raquel Valdez-Sanchez of BCL of Texas in Austin, Texas on their graduation from the NALCAB LEAD Fellowship Program today.

We are so proud of their accomplishment and commitment to expanding opportunity in their communities.

Last week, over a dozen National NeighborWorks Association board members hit the Hill to meet with key congressional committees and the offices of important Senators and Representatives to advocate for affordable housing and support for NeighborWorks America. NNA board members, Elizabeth Alonzo-Villarreal (NeighborWorks Laredo) and Kathy Flanagan Payton (Houston's Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation) joined their colleagues on the Hill and were, while in DC, were also able to visit the offices of NeighborWorks America.

Alliance members were represented this week at the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) Conference in Nashville. On Monday, Elizabeth Alonzo-Villareal, CEO of NeighborWorks Laredo; Raquel Valdez Sanchez, CEO of BCL of Texas; and Nick Mitchell-Bennett, CEO of cdcb joined Matt Hull of Texas Association of Community Development Corporations for a panel on Fighting Predatory Lending through the Community Loan Center.

We love to see Alliance leaders taking the national stage! Raquel Valdez Sanchez, CEO of BCL of Texas, joined a group of Texas women leaders working in housing, workforce, small business development, and supportive services at NCRC's Just Economy Summit in Nashville this week.

National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) hosted the 2025 Just Economy Leadership Summit in Nashville, hosting practitioners working in housing, workforce, small business development, inclusion and the supportive services that hold our communities together!

Texas was represented through this group of dynamic leaders, Larissa Davila, Executive Director of EGBI; Stacy Rhone CEO and Mary Veazie CFO of BIGAustin; Rachel Stone, Assistant Executive Director of Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation; and BCL of Texas' CEO Raquel Valdez Sanchez.

Thank you to partners, Texas Association of Community Development Corporations and SouthState Bank, for inviting them to the table as leaders to discuss long-term strategies that respond to the lasting impact of shifting federal priorities.t

Alliance members traveled to New Orleans this week for the NeighborWorks America Training Institute. A few highlights from the beginning of the week: Raquel Sanchez Valdez of BCL of Texas and Nick Mitchell-Bennett of cdcb shared insights at the Real Estate Convening; BCL of Texas board members participated in the Excellence in Governance Academy; and Alliance members came together with nearly 2000 peers from around the country to learn from, network with, and uplift one another.

NeighborWorks Waco NeighborWorks Laredo

Last month, Alliance member Houston's Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation celebrated a major milestone with the opening of St. Elizabeth Place Apartments, a once abandoned hospital, has been reborn with 85 mixed-income units - some reserved for very low income renters. St. Elizabeth Hospital opened its doors in 1947 to serve Houston's Black community during segregation and served as a cornerstone of healthcare access for decades before falling into disrepair. This transformation honors the community's history while meeting the critical need for affordable housing. Congratulations to Fifth Ward CRC on this major accomplishment!

After more than 30 years with NeighborWorks Waco, Delisa Burnell-Smith is now leading the organization as President and CEO! Delisa is a leader within her organization, her community, and the NeighborWorks network. Congratulations to Delisa on this well-deserved role.

📣 It’s official! We’re thrilled to share that Delisa Burnell-Smith is the new President & CEO of NeighborWorks Waco!

Since joining our team in 1994, Delisa has guided thousands of families on their path to homeownership, led innovative housing initiatives, and strengthened our role as a trusted community resource. Her passion, experience, and vision make her the perfect leader for this next chapter.

Join us in congratulating Delisa on this well-deserved role! 💛🏡

📖 Learn more about her incredible contributions to the Central Texas community: https://www.nw-waco.org/delisa-burnell-smith-named-president-chief-executive-officer-of-neighborworks-waco/

Next month, Elizabeth Alonzo-Villareal of NeighborWorks Laredo and Raquel Valdez Sanchez of BCL of Texas will join Matt Hull of Texas Association of Community Development Corporations at the 2025 National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) Conference in Nashville. Join them to learn more about how the Community Loan Center model offers an alternative to payday lending.

The Alliance was well represented by BCL of Texas and NeighborWorks Laredo at the Credit Builders Alliance - CBA 2025 Conference this week in Washington DC.

Alliance members Raquel Valdez Sanchez and Elizabeth Alonzo-Villareal are joining leaders from around the country in DC this week for the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) LEAD Fellowship training. The mission of NALCAB is to build transformational wealth in Latino communities. These two women embody that mission every day in their leadership of BCL of Texas and NeighborWorks Laredo.

Congratulations to Alliance member BCL of Texas on the success of their Homebuyer Fair in Austin over the weekend. If you missed it, there will be another fair in Dallas on June 14th.