Poverty and unemployment aren't spread evenly across cities or regions, but rather are concentrated in disinvested urban neighborhoods and rural communities around the country. These communities are home to the nation's most vulnerable children and families. Despite some signs of improvement in economic conditions for families in the United States, persistent and widening gaps in income, employment, assets, and school success exist. Many families remain cut off from the opportunities and supports they need to succeed as parents and in the workforce. "Making Connections", an initiative of the Casey Foundation, works to improve the lives and prospects of families and children living in some of America's toughest neighborhoods. "Making Connections" works to increase family income and assets; ensure that young children have what they need to do well in school; and promote strong resident leadership, civic participation, social networks, and community mobilization. "Making Connections" was launched in 1999 in ten sites around the country to put the foundation's ideas to work. This guide is one of four that the Foundation's Technical Assistance Resource Center has prepared that reflect what they have learned from this initiative and the amazing people who have led it. They offer the guides in the hope that people might find something useful and inspiring that will encourage them join them and will aid their own efforts. "Sustaining Neighborhood Change: The Power of Resident Leadership, Social Networks, and Community Mobilization" is designed to help individuals--neighborhood residents, service agencies, community organizations, local foundations, nonprofit groups, and policymakers--make the most of their investments of time and resources in the work of "Making Connections". This guide documents some of the research, lessons, and best practices from their unfolding work in "Making Connections" neighborhoods. Technical Assistance Resources Available to Sites is appended. (Contains 3 footnotes.)