Good Works – ABODE showcases HAA’s members making Houston an even better place to live.

At the end of each year, ABODE highlights Houston Apartment Association members and companies that positively impact the Houston-area community through acts of kindness, volunteer work and donations. The stories below show how HAA members give back beyond their HAA volunteer work. Thank you, HAA members for being part of the good in Houston.

Please consider emailing us throughout the year when you and your teams do good things in the Houston area. You can email comm@haaonline.org with photos and a summary of the action.

SMI Realty

SMI Realty is an HAA-member company that positively impacts the communities its apartments are located in, all year long. At the beginning of the year, SMI Realty donated computers and related equipment to Urban Outreach Inc. (UOI), an organization that invests in the growth and development of at-risk youth and their families though after school and summer programs.

In total, SMI donated 42 computer monitors, 32 central processing units and three keyboards. According to UOI’s Executive Director Robert Armendariz, this donation will help hundreds of children with homework and their computer skills, especially when its programs transitioned to online learning.

“We also greatly appreciate the support and approval of Ms. Loretta (Wiley) and Ms. Starla (Turnbo) to provide this technological support for our clubhouse kiddos. Thank you so much on behalf of the hundreds of children and families that we touch every week,” Armendariz said.

In addition to this generous donation, SMI’s onsite teams are passionate about uplifting its residents and their children who are less fortunate than others.

SMI Realty surprised the children of their apartment community during the UOI afterschool program with a St. Patrick’s Day party in March.

“Even though we are still in this pandemic, I love seeing them (the children) smile, even if it’s under their masks. It’s always a pleasure getting involved with my residents,” Norma Alvear, a community manager for SMI Realty, said at the time of the party.

Not long after, SMI Realty hosted an easter egg hunt for the children at Stone Forest Apartments. You can see in the photos how much effort SMI Realty puts into these events for the children.

If you thought the children-friendly fun ended with an easter egg hunt, Alvear and her team hosted a Cinco De Mayo party for the children who participate in their UOI afterschool program. According to Alvear, the pinata was a hit.

“We are making memories in their lives so they can treasure them throughout their lifetime,” Alvear said.

On May 13, SMI Realty had the privilege, Alvear said, of helping put on a barbecue appreciation luncheon for the Houston Fire Department and Houston Police Department. SMI Realty worked with the Police and Clergy Team, Gulfton Citizens Advisory Council and the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. For the last 12 years, this group has held a police prayer luncheon to commemorate. Due to COVID-19, they celebrated with a drive-through barbecue.

Sponsors for this event were Tree Source Wholesale Nursery, Next Gen Preventive Care, ReVita Life Health Spa, Justice of the Peace Israel Garcia, Council Member Edward Pollard. Event Partners were Bee Busy Wellness Center, Houston Royal Oaks Lions Club Azeb Yusuf, Community volunteers SMI Realty Management Norma Alvear and Jenny Rodriguez, Richfield Investments Dorothy Fuentes. Special thanks to Veronica Hernandez with the Mayor’s Assistance Office – City of Houston, Tammy Rodriguez with President of Gulfton Citizens Advisory Council, Azeb Yusuf and Bee Busy Wellness Center and Royal Oaks Lions Club.

Together, they prepared 150 plates. Amy Davis from KPRC Channel 2 stopped by to cover the story.

At the end of the school year, SMI Realty threw one last party for the children who participated in its kid’s club afterschool program. Of course, it was a graduation party to celebrate the children’s hard work throughout the year!

Infinity Power Partners

Infinity Power Partners (IPP) is proudly involved in many organizations. The top charities and organization it gives back to are the Holocaust Museum Houston, the H.E.A.R.T. Program and the Spirit Golf Association.

IPP’s founding partner, Nick Altman is a thirdgeneration Holocaust survivor. Altman is very passionate about the Houston Holocaust Museum of Houston and the work the museum does to educate people about the Holocaust.

The H.E.A.R.T. Program (Housing, Entrepreneurship And Readiness Training) was founded to create new opportunities for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. This program strives to provide opportunities to children with disabilities following their time in school. IPP’s Senior Energy Consultant Gary Yeoman was a parent of a child with a disability who was a participant in this program. Through this program, Yeoman was able to see his son achieve way beyond his potential.

Finally, IPP is involved with the Spirit Golf Association, an organization dedicated to promoting amateur golf events for philanthropic purposes. SGA Membership consists of individuals, corporations and charitable partners who make an annual contribution to support SGA charitable beneficiaries: The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship, Houston-Harris County Immunization Registry, Medical Bridges and Baylor College of Medicine Teen Clinic and The Houston Food Bank.

Will you and your company be taking part in any community outreach and good works in 2021? Let ABODE know about it! Email comm@haaonline.org with your news.