The Inaugural Klink Award

Named for one of Hamilton's tireless neighborhood advocates, Kathleen Klink, the award was created to recognize exemplary leadership

In 2019, 17 Strong inaugurated the Klink Award for Neighborhood Leadership as a way to honor Kathleen Klink, a tireless neighborhood advocate in

Hamilton, and to continue what she and others have started by promoting leadership and engaging one’s neighbors for safe, beautiful, connected neighborhoods.

As a former City councilperson and as a participant in many aspects of 17

Strong, Kathleen Klink embodies what it means to not only get involved and help Hamilton but also how to create blueprints to help others get involved. She has been a longtime public servant, and is seen as the quintessential “neighborhoods” councilperson, according to the 17 Strong website. She worked on

Hamilton’s 2012 strategic plan and became an advocate and leader in the neighborhoods initiative, which has evolved into much of the work that 17

Strong does now.

Klink has been a big part of 17

Strong’s inception and evolution, making her an admirable namesake for the award. Both Klink and the wider Hamilton community, however, want to see further neighborhood leadership as the 17 Strong movement continues to grow.

“For many residents, their first question about getting involved is, "I want to, but where do I start?" 17 Strong wants to be the answer to that question,” explains Brandon Saurber, director of neighborhoods at the City of Hamilton. “This award shows the real, tangible impacts that our neighbors are having on our neighborhoods. If we are to succeed as a community, we have to build a bigger table and invite more residents to be a part of the conversations and activities that move us forward. The awardees are the best examples of this.”

While there is only one award recipient each year, the goal is to have dozens, if not hundreds and thousands, of engaged citizens promoting their neighborhood’s welfare in a variety of ways— there’s not just one blueprint for neighborhood success.

“Leadership comes in many forms. Some lead traditionally, bringing people together behind a common goal. In this case, that would be to address aspirations or concerns for where they live. Others lead through their service and volunteerism,” says Saurber. “Those recognized with this award could fall into one or both of these descriptions. At the end of the day, we believe that safe and clean neighborhoods are ones with engaged and informed residents. Through their actions, these awardees are making our neighborhoods and our City stronger.”

The announcement of the 2022 Klink Award will be made at 17 Strong’s Celebration Breakfast on March 26th.

Nominations will be solicited later in 2022 for next year’s recipient, but in the meantime, it’s always the right time to find a way to get more involved in your local neighborhood or city-wide volunteering projects to help our City be safe, clean, and engaged. ❑

Kathy Klink

CHIPS, the Citywide Hamilton Internship Program

 This program is a 12-week paid

internship open to individuals of color ages 16-30 in the Hamilton area. Participants have the opportunity to work with various local employers providing hands-on experience, the chance to develop industry specific skills, and pathways to leadership success within the community. CHIPS has already been a life changing experience for multiple participants of the program. In the last few years, the CHIPS program has already seen 43 individuals complete the program with a number of success stories amongst them. The program now boasts 10+ community partners spanning the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Thanks to strong community partnership, the program is moving forward expecting three rounds with up to 20 individuals on an annual basis. You can learn more about CHIPs at chipshamilton.com.

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