Email from Affordable Homes & Communities AHC & Partners Host Health Fair, Resident Spotlight, Thought Leadership, & Get Involved This Season! November 2024 E-Newsletter AHC Partners with True Ground and Wesley Housing to Host Community Health Fair On November 9, Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC), True Ground Housing Partners, and Wesley Housing joined forces to host a community health fair in Arlington. The event featured free health services like HIV testing, substance use recovery support, and wellness activities like DIY stress ball workshops and pumpkin painting. "There is an inextricable link between stable housing and health outcomes,” Cindy Rozón, Senior Director of Resident Services at AHC, said. “At AHC, we know that access to health resources ultimately fosters economic mobility." Read More & View Photos   AHC Resident Shows What It Means to Be a Good Neighbor On the morning of October 15, AHC resident Sharon LittleJohn received devastating news. The block where her church is located caught fire, leaving two dead, damaging 10 rowhomes, and displacing families. Yet, she had work to do. As the Outreach Coordinator at her church, Pathway Fellowship FMC, she works with First Fruit Farms to bring fresh produce to Baltimore residents. That day, she had pledged to bring fresh food to her fellow residents at MonteVerde, an AHC community in Baltimore for seniors and non-elderly residents with disabilities. “It was what we needed because, in spite of [this], life still goes on, people are still in need, and we can still be a blessing,” Sharon said. “The fire does not stop the needs of other people.” Read More   REAL ESTATE RECAP AHC Receives Grant for Supportive Housing Big news! The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) awarded Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) a $300,000 grant to help fund predevelopment efforts and provide technical assistance to develop a permanent supportive housing program with partner Restonstrong. This grant, funded through the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, comes after AHC’s David Brotman and Cindy Rozon, along with Sarah Selvaraj-Dsouza from Restonstrong, completed the Virginia Supportive Housing Institute, an intensive training program offered by CSH that builds capacity in communities to create quality supportive housing. Breakfast for Champions of Affordable Housing AHC recently attended Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland’s 16th Annual Benefit Breakfast. We're proud to help sponsor this incredible event that brought together dynamic speakers, networking opportunities, and inspiring conversations about how safe, affordable homes can transform lives and strengthen communities. Allium Place, our upcoming community in Montgomery County with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, was featured in the program. The community co-locates affordable rental and homeownership housing options. It was a privilege to join Habitat supporters, corporate partners, housing policy leaders, and elected officials in working toward lasting change.   THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Toolbox Talk: Trauma-Sensitive Strategies for Providers This month, we held our second Toolbox Talk webinar on why trauma-informed approaches are crucial for housing and service providers. Stefanie Bass, AHC Director of Social Services, and Michael Swisher, AHC Director of Community Engagement, shared various forms of trauma, how to identify potential symptoms, and provided effective strategies for attendees to integrate this knowledge into their work. Watch the Toolbox Talk Showcasing The Westerly Last week, Alan Goldstein, Vice President of Real Estate Development at AHC, presented about The Westerly, AHC’s newest community in Washington, D.C., at the NeighborWorks National Real Estate Advisory Committee (REAC) meeting. The goal was to share AHC’s innovative approach to The Westerly with real estate professionals in this national network, helping them develop similar projects in their own communities. Award-Winning Staff We're thrilled to share that Norma Hernandez, AHC Resident Engagement Specialist at Harvey Hall, received the Community Builders Award from the Cherrydale-Columbia Masonic Lodge No. 42.  This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their local community, and Norma truly exemplifies this spirit of service. A special shoutout to Scott Delaney, the AHC volunteer who nominated her. AHC Leadership in the News Mary Claire Davis, AHC Vice President of Real Estate Development, spoke with Tax Credit Advisor about a new report highlighting Maryland's affordability challenges and potential solutions. She emphasized the importance of collaboration to tackle the housing crisis and improve affordability. Read the Full Article NEWS NUGGETS 9 Ways AHC Boosts Economic Mobility One of the four focus areas for AHC Resident Services is economic mobility. That means helping people improve their economic and financial status throughout their lifetimes. AHC works with many partner organizations that directly connect with residents. This year, we’ve supported more than 200 residents across the region. Our partners host workshops and clinics, provide access to financial resources to keep residents in stable housing, and support skill-building and job career readiness. Check out some highlights of how we’re helping residents boost their economic mobility at the link below. Read More Spotlighting AHC Communities Our November Community Spotlight is St. James Plaza, an AHC community in Alexandria. Hear from Resident Engagement Specialist Thi about this tight-knit community and what Resident Services means to the people living there. The video features Heart & Sole, a Girls on the Run program for teens, and how it’s helping our residents blossom into strong, confident young women. The community also has an onsite preschool operated by partner The Campagna Center. Watch the Video New Program: Dyslexic Edge Academy Dyslexic Edge Academy, our new program with partners Dyslexic Edge, the Booz Allen Foundation, and the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education, is helping AHC students in grades 1-3 learn and grow in exciting ways. This program combines essential reading intervention with fun, hands-on STEM activities to help students thrive. Check out this video to learn more about the program, and watch as kids learn how to power a clock with lemons. You’ll also hear from Program Director Jennifer Baker about how the program is making a difference. Watch Now GET INVOLVED Generous Companies Give Back During the Holidays AHC's corporate partners are opening doors and building opportunities for children, families, and seniors to feel connected this holiday season! Your company can help make the holidays memorable: Donate to support a holiday gathering for our residents. Core to the mission of AHC’s Resident Services program is to engage and build community - and our annual Thanksgiving lunches/dinners and winter holiday socials do just that!  Engage your employees to make holiday gift bags for our senior citizens and teens, or snack bags for AHC students. We’re looking to serve thousands of residents this holiday season.     Volunteer Opportunities Work with students in our education programs. Watch this recent Volunteer Spotlight to learn more about the impact you can make. Volunteer at upcoming Thanksgiving celebrations and food distributions. Gather your friends and family to make snack bags and holiday gift bags. Learn more or contact [email protected] to get started.   A new year is just around the corner as AHC kicks off our critical year-end season. Join us as we expand our blueprint to thrive and grow our award-winning Resident Services program. Your donation supports more than 3,800 adults, seniors, and students. And, between now and the end of the year, your gift is matched - dollar for dollar up to $15,000 - by longtime AHC donors John Andelin and Ginger Geoffrey! “An investment in AHC is an investment in our community's future.” -John Andelin and Ginger Geoffrey Donate Now   Thank You to Our 2024 Corporate Partners! Benefactor Builder Patron Habitat America Hoffman & Associates JBG Smith MainStreet Bank Merchants Capital The Donaldson Group The Michaels Organization Virginia Housing AHC’s corporate partners are making housing stability possible for thousands of residents across the Mid-Atlantic region. To learn more about becoming a corporate partner, contact Annie Sweeney.   703-486-0626 | 2230 N Fairfax Dr. Arlington, VA 22201 www.ahcinc.org | DONATE NOW! Jobs at AHC AHC | 2230 North Fairfax Drive Suite 100 | Arlington, VA 22201 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice