DESK CALENDAR J U LY 2 0 1 7 - D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | W W W . B E T T E R H O U S I N G C O A L I T I O N . O R G
Flip front case cover back to use as an easel stand
We hope you enjoy the calendar! BHC was built on the generosity of community members like you. Every dollar we receive is reinvested in your community. If you’re interested in supporting our cause, please visit: W W W. B E T T E R H O U S I N G C O A L I T I O N . O R G / G E T- I N V O LV E D
The Better Housing Coalition changes lives and transforms communities through high-quality, affordable housing.
“Anything in this life you can do, if you put your mind to it and stand your ground.” DEREK LEM, SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Greta Harris (L) and Carter McDowell (R) with scholarship recipient Derek Lem
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Founders’ Scholarships Awarded to Nine BHC Residents The BHC Founders’ Scholarship Fund was established in 2015 in honor of BHC co-founders Mary Tyler McClenahan and Carter McDowell. The fund provides financial aid to adult residents (17 and older) of BHC’s rental communities seeking higher education.
Scholarship honoree Delsa Sally displays her Dean’s List certificate
In 2016, nine BHC residents received a total of $10,000 in scholarship awards. Some are the first in their families to pursue college. While their ages, backgrounds and fields of study vary widely, they all have dreams and aspire to bright futures. Their only obstacle is financial. BHC envisions vibrant, sustainable communities that offer opportunities for our residents to reach their fullest potential. Our goal is to raise $250,000 to endow the scholarship fund. Contact us if you’re interested in helping the next round of honorees achieve academic success. W W W. B E T T E R H O U S I N G C O A L I T I O N . O R G
“Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much.” HELEN KELLER
NeighborWorks executives tour BHC communities with BHC staff
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BHC Joins National Network of NeighborWorks Members After a rigorous, year-long vetting process, BHC was invited to join NeighborWorksÂŽ America, a national organization that provides training, technical assistance, advocacy and financial resources to affordable housing developers across the country.
NeighborWorks Senior Director Christie Cade (R) with BHC President & CEO Greta Harris and Board Chair Mike Schewel
NeighborWorks supports a network of more than 240 nonprofit organizations like BHC and offers valuable opportunities for peer-topeer exchanges to learn best practices from each other.
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“Small acts, when performed by millions of people, can change the world.” H O WA R D Z I N N
Young Winchester Greens residents with mural panels
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Community Mural Project Transforms Union Hill Development The formerly blighted Citadel of Hope building will undergo a big transformation in late 2017 when it becomes The Goodwyn at Union Hill with 52 high-quality, affordable apartments for working families. To help beautify Community Murals unveiled the building prior to its at Groundbreakers event final transformation, BHC invited volunteers from across Greater Richmond to paint a series of 26 murals on wood panels to replace the boarded-up windows. The typical Richmond-area scenes were designed by The Muralistas, a group of local women artists. During April and May 2016, hundreds of community members including corporate partners, individual community members and BHC residents of all ages, attended six separate painting parties hosted by Art on Wheels across Greater Richmond. The murals were revealed to the public at BHC’s Groundbreakers event in May 2016, and remained in place for one year. W W W. B E T T E R H O U S I N G C O A L I T I O N . O R G
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” THOMAS MERTON
Latin Ballet performs at Winchester Greens
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ArtoberVA brings cultural experiences to BHC residents Families on a limited budget – especially those with transportation challenges - must sometimes forego cultural opportunities that others take for granted, such as art exhibits and dance performances. During “ArtoberVA,” a Carter Woods Senior residents work on a James River mural month-long celebration of the arts, BHC’s partnership with CultureWorks brought arts and culture to the residents of three BHC communities last October. The Latin Ballet performed on the lawn at Winchester Greens; a surprise flash mob by Culture4MyKids delighted families at Lincoln Mews; and senior residents of Carter Woods painted James River-themed murals with the help of local artist Nico Cathcart.
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“First we eat, then we do everything else.” M . F. K . F I S H E R
Market Square residents shop for healthy foods
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BHC Fosters Healthy Eating at All Ages Eating better means living better. But healthy food options for lower-income residents may be scarce, or expensive. To encourage healthy lifestyles at all ages, BHC includes access to healthy foods and meal preparation in our health and wellness programs.
“Salads 101� for young Lincoln Mews residents
Through our partnerships with FeedMore and Senior Connections, young residents receive a hot meal every afternoon during our after-school programs. Seniors receive two bags full of healthy groceries, including meats and produce, twice a month. Visiting chefs hold cooking demonstrations, and provide sample meal plans and menus. As a result, seniors are inviting their families over for dinner. Young people learn to work together to make nutritious meals, and share them at the table.
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“It always seems impossible - until it’s done.” NELSON MANDELA
The former Quality Inn at 3200 W. Broad Street
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BHC Plans First Transit-Oriented Development in Scott’s Addition In September 2016, BHC purchased the former Quality Inn at 3200 W. Broad Street in the rapidly developing neighborhood of Scott’s Addition. The six-story building and accompanying property Rendering of a Greater-Richmond Pulse bus occupy a full block in a Credit: ridegrtc.com high-profile location along the Broad Street corridor. It is also located one block from a planned stop of the GRTC Pulse, the City of Richmond’s Bus Rapid Transit system. When completed, this $46 million, mixed-income, mixed-use Transit-Oriented Development will hold 200 apartments for working families and will afford its residents greater access to school and job opportunities. It will also be BHC’s largest single investment in the community to date.
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“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new.” S O C R AT E S
BHC staff attend Housing Day at the Virginia General Assembly
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Working to Change Housing Policy for the Better January is a busy month of the year in Richmond and in Washington, DC as our state and federal congressmen and women come together to make policy and determine how and where to allocate public resources.
BHC President & CEO Greta Harris and
Jonathan Zur, President & CEO of the Virginia BHC staff members paid Center for Inclusive Communities, in DC visits to members of the House and Senate in both branches of government in 2016 to advocate for affordable housing and the programs that allocate funds to it. In 2016, BHC’s president & CEO Greta Harris was invited to take part in the White House’s Summit on Diversity and Inclusion in Government, and had the opportunity to help shape our city’s future through her appointment to Mayor Levar Stoney’s transition team.
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“All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” R A L P H WA L D O E M E R S O N
“An Evening With Barbara Ehrenreich” attendees wait to have their books autographed
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Author Barbara Ehrenreich Stresses Importance of Affordable Housing BHC supporters and advocates gathered at the University of Richmond’s Jepson Center in March 2016 to hear author Barbara Ehrenreich present an insider’s look at the challenges confronting lower-income families every day.
Author Barbara Ehrenreich at the University of Richmond
Ms. Ehrenreich, author of the best-selling book Nickel & Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America, spoke from personal experience gained as an undercover reporter. Her one-year experiment involved taking a series of minimum-wage jobs and trying to make a living on her income. Afterwards, Ms. Ehrenreich answered audience questions and signed copies of her book for attendees.
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“When action meets compassion, lives change.” UNKNOWN
The Possibilities Project ribbon cutting
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The Possibilities Project Wins State Award for ‘Best Housing Program’ In 2015, BHC and partner Children’s Home Society (CHS) launched The Possibilities Project, a groundbreaking initiative providing housing, traumainformed counseling and critical supports to young adults aging out of Virginia’s foster care system without being adopted.
BHC and CHS teams at the 2016 Governor’s Housing Awards
In March 2016, we marked the official move of our pilot group of 10 participants into shared apartments, with a ribbon cutting at Winchester Greens. In November, The Possibilities Project was honored with a Best Housing Program Award at the Governor’s Housing Conference in Roanoke. The ultimate goal of the program is for each young person to achieve independence and acquire healthy, permanent connections to adults who will provide a lifetime of support and guidance.
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“Volunteer! Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” ARTHUR ASHE
A Richmond Association of REALTORS® board member volunteers at Winchester Greens during Affordable Housing Awareness Week
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Volunteers Make a Difference at BHC Communities Corporate and individual community volunteers contribute their valuable time and skills to BHC communities and residents in many ways. Every April, large numbers of volunteers come together to beautify BHC properties as part of Affordable Housing Awareness Week.
Genworth staff volunteer their time beautifying Carter Woods Senior Apartments
In 2016, hundreds of corporate partners, individual community members and BHC residents painted 26 murals on wood panels to beautify boarded-up windows of the former Citadel of Hope building on Venable Street. BHC lists periodic one-off and recurring volunteer opportunities on HandsOn Greater Richmond’s website, such as building raised garden beds or distributing groceries to senior residents with mobility issues. It’s a great way to meet new people and try a new activity.
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“I believe success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination.” ZIG ZIGLAR
Sacred Heart Center staff win a 2016 Groundbreaker Award
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Five Richmond-area organizations win Groundbreaker Awards for contributing to Vibrant Communities BHC hosted Groundbreakers 2016 on the site of the former Citadel of Hope property in Church Hill, emceed by Lisa Schaffner. Nearly 300 event attendees assembled under the big tent on the Citadel grounds to eat, drink and celebrate the five Groundbreaker Award winners and four Golden Hammer Award winners.
Once Voice Chorus performs at Groundbreakers 2016
Among the Groundbreakers who contribute to a better, more vibrant RVA are: Richmond Promise Neighborhoods, Sacred Heart Center, ChildSavers, Bike Walk RVA and the collaborative Virginia LISC/Bon Secours SEED Grant Program. Richmond’s One Voice Chorus entertained our guests as they arrived.
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“We are not a team because we work together. We are a team because we respect, trust, and care for each other.” VA L A A F S H A R
BHC staff and family members at Uptown Alley
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BHC’s Annual Family Fun Day Encourages Camaraderie Among Staff BHC staff work hard and play harder. Every summer, BHC staff include members of their families in our annual Family Fun Day event, held at Uptown Alley in 2016. The bowlers in the crowd fostered a little healthy competition among the lanes, while the nonbowlers and kids of all ages enjoyed the arcade and refreshments. It’s a great opportunity to get to know co-workers better, let off steam, and talk about things other than work.
BHC staff and family members at Uptown Alley
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“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance, and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.� MARTIN LUTHER KING
Career fairs connect residents with local employers like Amazon and Dominion Energy
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BHC Hires Career Navigator to Help Residents Prepare for Better Employment Complementing BHC’s Resident Support Services team, BHC hired its first career navigator to focus on preparing residents for better-paying jobs. Formerly with Goodwill, Kristen Bellard helps BHC residents with Kristen Bellard, Career Navigator resume preparation and strengthening, and soft-skills coaching such as job interview techniques and proper attire. Thanks to her efforts, BHC held its first job fair at the Lincoln Mews community center in summer 2016, where residents were exposed to employment opportunities from local companies. Laying a path towards a good job is one strategy BHC employs to build family assets and increase economic stability.
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“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.� M A H AT M A G H A N D I
A Winchester Greens family enjoys National Night Out
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National Night Out Celebrates Neighbors, Communities and Local Public Safety Officials Together with thousands of neighborhoods across the country, seven BHC communities hosted National Night Out (NNO) events on August 2nd, 2016. NNO is a highly anticipated, annual community-building event that promotes policecommunity partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
BHC President & CEO Greta Harris poses with residents and McGruff the Crime Dog
Replete with food, friendship and lawn games, the event provides a positive, hopeful platform in which to bring our residents, neighbors and members of the police force together in unity and build trust while having fun.
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“Community is where humility and glory touch.” HENRI J.M. NOUWEN
BHC community bus tour
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Bus Tours Show What High-Quality, Affordable Housing Looks Like The most tangible way to illustrate BHC’s visual impact on the neighborhoods we serve is through a BHC community bus tour. In 2016, nearly 200 individuals stepped aboard one of our buses and toured selected communities to learn about our work.
Resident leaders from Winston-Salem, NC public housing learn strategy from BHC before their tour
Guests include corporate groups, those interested in affordable housing, neighbors looking for a place to live, and donors to BHC. BHC offers regular seasonal tours to the public in spring and fall, and periodic tours for specialty groups. Check our website for the latest schedules.
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“What you do makes a difference. You have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” JANE GOODALL
2016 Builder’s Society reception
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BHC’s Major Donors Honored at Annual Builder’s Society Reception Each fall, BHC takes time out to honor our Builder’s Society members by throwing them a “thank you” party. In 2016, Chair-elect Mike Schewel and Priscilla Burbank hosted the annual reception at their BHC’s COO Monique Johnson (R) and Penny McPherson of Wells Fargo at the event beautiful home. Members were treated to a special Tervis tumbler bearing the Builder’s Society logo on their way home. Donors who contribute at the $1,000 or higher level are automatically entered in BHC’s Builder’s society, and leverage their sustaining gifts for greater impact in our community.
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“Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.� T H E O D O R E R O O S E V E LT
Greta Harris with Virginia Tech President Dr. Timothy Sands
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BHC Staff Honored for High Achievement BHC encourages all staff members to seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance their careers, and supports them in the pursuit of it. In 2016, three BHC staff members were honored for Julie Hovermale, CFO and Tiffany Person, Director of Single Family Real Estate professional achievement: President & CEO Greta Harris was appointed to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors; CFO Julie Hovermale was awarded a Virginia Business Top CFO Award; and Director of Single Family Real Estate Tiffany Person was appointed to the Virginia Housing Alliance’s Top 40 Under 40 Network, which recognizes the state’s emerging leaders in affordable housing and homeless service fields.
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“The heart that gives, gathers.� TA O T E C H I N G
A Carter Woods resident celebrates the holiday season
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Choose the Way of Giving You Enjoy Most! BHC’s mission is to change lives and transform communities through high-quality, affordable housing. We welcome gifts of financial support throughout the year, but also welcome gifts of time and talent. BHC offers many ways to get involved and show your support: • Contributions to the Neighborhood Impact Fund help sustain our family, youth and senior programming. • By attending one of our fundraising events, you help support our work and have an opportunity to expose a friend to what we’re doing as well. • Volunteering your time on a needed project helps keep our properties beautiful and residents engaged.
Consider contributing to a special fundraiser to enrich the lives of lower-income residents. As one example, a generous donor and her family played “Secret Santa” over the holidays, providing gifts anonymously to some of our families who could use a little extra help. Give us a call or visit www.betterhousingcoalition.org/getinvolved to get some ideas of how you can help make a difference in the lives of your neighbors.
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