This is the first time the organization will have two co-chairs?one from the insurance industry and one from the NeighborWorks network?reflecting the partnership the group embodies, according to NeighborWorks.

Mr. Fletcher fills the insurance industry role. As Allstate has been a member of the NIA since the very beginning, he expressed his commitment to build on the successes of the organization as co-chair. "As the NIA begins its second decade of community and insurance partnership, I make a commitment to look for additional ways that the insurance industry can provide our support and expertise to strengthen, prepare and protect neighborhoods, communities and their people," he said.

Ms. Garvin's organization, CDCLI, is a member of the national NeighborWorks network, and has an Insurance Services Committee. "The families served by Community Development Corporation of Long Island have benefited tremendously from the partnership with the insurance industry," she said. "With a broadening of the mission that our name change represents, it is my hope that all of the communities served, NeighborWorks network will likewise benefit."

According to the organization, Ms. Garvin was referring to the recent name change from the National Insurance Task Force to the NeighborWorks Insurance Alliance. The change reflects an evolution from a task force working in 13 communities to a national initiative benefiting hundreds of NeighborWorks organizations.

Mr. Adams, who served as chair since 2001, reflected on the NIA's successes. "This partnership between insurers and the NeighborWorks network is bringing economic stability and investment to the communities we serve," he said. "For example, the Loss Prevention Partnerships program has educated thousands of individuals in home safety and created measurements to demonstrate the program's benefits and allow us to duplicate our successes in other cities." He also expressed State Farm's commitment to remain involved with the NIA.

"The involvement and personal dedication of both these individuals and their respective companies have been invaluable to the NIA and to the NeighborWorks network," said NIA Director Todd Pittman. "Their commitment has been a driving force behind our success, and their continued leadership will help us expand on those successes."

The NeighborWorks Insurance Alliance comprises insurance companies, insurance industry trade associations, insurance regulators, educational institutions, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation and the members of the national NeighborWorks network. Its mission is to develop partnerships between the insurance industry and community-based organizations to better market the products and services of both, for the benefit of the customers and communities they serve.

The NeighborWorks network, which was founded by the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, is composed of more than 225 community-based nonprofit organizations that are working to revitalize 2,553 communities through resident-led affordable housing and community development activities. NeighborWorks organizations involve the work of thousands of residents, business people, government officials and other partners.

Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, created by an Act of Congress in 1978, strengthens the NeighborWorks network through training, technical assistance and funding. Neighborhood Reinvestment provided $66 million in grants to the network in fiscal-year 2003. The total direct investment generated by the network has increased from $268.4 million in 1994 to more than $1.9 billion in 2003.