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SPECIAL SECTION Construction/Real Estate
THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com
July 2022
GUEST COLUMNIST
KERI ASEVEDO Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity
TruGreen announces top 20 trees, shrubs that can increase property value
Money really DOES grow on trees Nearly 50 percent of American homeowners intend to invest more in their trees and shrubs as part of their overall outdoor maintenance this year, according to a recent study conducted by TruGreen and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. According to the NALP, well-landscaped yards with mature trees and bushes that provide privacy not only drive higher prices by 6 to 19 percent, but sell more quickly than houses with little or no landscaping. “Beyond a plant’s make-up, where it goes on the property is equally as important – its access to sunlight will determine the best species,” said Jennifer Myers, senior director of workforce
development, National Association of Landscape Professionals, and executive director of NALP Foundation. “Here are the attributes of valuable trees to keep in mind – a large canopy for shade, fast growth, color and provides screening for privacy.” NALP named the top 20 trees and shrubs that can add value to your home and boost curb appeal: Trees: Black Cherry, Black Tupelo, Crape Myrtle, Linden, Northern Red Oak, Red Maple, Southern Magnolia, Sugar Maple, White Fir, White Oak. Shrubs: Azalea, Burning Bush, Butterfly Bush, Cherry Laurel, Hosta, Hydrangea, Nandina, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Rhododendron.
The ripple effect of community partnerships
Paving the road to construction careers, homeownership
The partnership between Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity and Rockford Public Schools has revealed a kaleidoscope of incredible and moving moments. One of these moments rose to the surface. The school band was playing, school administrators were buzzing about and students were giddy with pride to reveal the fruits of their year-long effort. It was the home dedication day for our very first Guilford High School partnership-build.
would be that year’s Guilford partnershipbuild. The same teacher that taught her son how to build a home was now going to teach that year’s students how to build hers. Keonte was often able to join and mentor them. When I think about the legacy of this partnership, and the lives it has changed, I don’t just think about the high school students getting a great education. I think about people like Tammy, who was inspired to pursue homeownership
Giving students an opportunity to learn construction trades … all while creating housing solutions for the broader community — is a monumental victory for our public schools. One of the students, Keonte, had invited his mom, Tammy Wofford, to join for the ceremony. Standing on that driveway, Tammy was incredibly moved to realize the impact of her son’s accomplishments in his senior year. He had built a house from the ground up. While this came with its own enormous intrinsic reward, it came with something so much greater — the knowledge this house would change the life of the family of five that was ready to purchase it. As Tammy toured the home, admiring the quality of the students’ work and the design of the house, she was reminded of her own longtime goal to buy a similar place to call home for her own family. At the end of the ceremony, Tammy approached me and asked what it took to become a homeowner with Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity. The following year, Tammy — who is an office professional at Ellis Elementary — was approved for a mortgage with Habitat and began the process of building and buying a home. As fate would have it, Tammy was offered the address that
because her son had this life-changing opportunity at school. I think about the young men and women who have gone on to get jobs in the trades because they were exposed to them in their high school curriculum. I think about the subcontractors who have hired graduates of RPS 205 because they saw the exemplary work they accomplished as students. The investment RPS 205 has made in college and career readiness has changed the lives of so many students in our city. Giving students an opportunity to learn construction trades, exposing them to the careers awaiting them — all while creating housing solutions for the broader community — is a monumental victory for our public schools. I am so proud and humbled to be a small part of it. Keri Asevedo is executive director of Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity. The views expressed are those of Asevedo’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.
