Email from Affordable Homes & Communities Volunteer Appreciation, Honoring Joanna Miller, CCR Student Wins Gold Key Award, & Get Involved! April 2025 E-Newsletter Volunteer Appreciation Spotlight: Aliyah Featured on TODAY Show April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we're highlighting Aliyah, an incredible AHC volunteer recently featured on “TODAY with Jenna & Friends” for her nonprofit, One Word Reading Initiative — which earned her the prestigious Daily Point of Light Award earlier this year. Aliyah has helped hundreds of children in AHC communities build at-home libraries with diverse, multi-level books, nurturing a love of reading. During the segment, young AHC students shared what the books mean to them, and AHC’s Laney Parrott highlighted Aliyah’s impact. And a surprise announcement came at the end of the segment! Watch the Segment & a Behind-the-Scenes Video   Honoring Joanna Miller's Legacy It is with grateful hearts that we remember Joanna Miller, a devoted AHC volunteer and generous donor who passed away earlier this year. Joanna and her husband of 35 years, Roger Brown (who passed in 2021), were among the first volunteers in AHC’s Afterschool program at Harvey Hall, sharing over a decade of weekly service and impacting the lives of hundreds of young residents. In addition to supporting students directly, Joanna and Roger launched a college scholarship for AHC students through the Arlington Community Foundation, later renamed in honor of Joy Rambert, an early Resident Services leader. Even after retiring from volunteering, they remained committed to AHC — attending events and continuing to give generously. We're deeply thankful for their lasting impact on our community.   REAL ESTATE RECAP AHC Selected for Next Phase of Odenton MARC Development Opportunity AHC is proud to be one of four development teams selected to advance to the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase for a transformative project at the Odenton MARC Station. The Maryland Department of Transportation aims to partner with an experienced developer to transform a nearly 13-acre site into a vibrant, mixed-use community with affordable housing, job opportunities, and improved transit connectivity to Fort Meade.  We’re excited to be considered for this impactful opportunity to help create a community of opportunity — one that expands access to housing, jobs, and transportation. ICYMI: 2024 Impact Report In case you missed it, our 2024 Impact Report: Building Bright Futures is now live! Among many other topics, the report highlights key milestones across AHC’s real estate portfolio — from new construction to preservation and community development. Thanks to your support, we’re building stronger communities and brighter futures. View the Report   INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AHC Visits Capitol Hill AHC’s Jennifer Endo headed to Capitol Hill for the National NeighborWorks Association’s Legislative Day. It was a meaningful and productive day advocating for affordable housing, community and economic development, and continued funding for NeighborWorks America. At AHC, we believe housing is a basic human right — and recognize affordable housing as critical economic infrastructure. We’re proud to join with many other passionate housing advocates to share this message with our elected officials.   Paul Talks College, Career, and Leadership with CCR Students Recently, Paul Bernard, AHC President & CEO, stopped by our College & Career Readiness (CCR) program to chat with students about his journey — from growing up and navigating college to the experiences that shaped his path to AHC. He also shared his hopes for the future of the organization and our programs. The best part? A thoughtful Q&A where our teens asked great questions and had an open, honest conversation with Paul.   NEWS NUGGETS Gold Key Winner: CCR Student Tells Mental Health Story Through Art Congratulations to Kim Zamora, a high school senior in AHC’s College and Career Readiness (CCR) program, for earning a Gold Key — the highest regional honor in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — for her senior photography portfolio. Titled “Inner Pieces of the Mind,” Kim’s portfolio centers around mental health. She said she hopes her portfolio reminds people that they're not alone. She wants her work to feel relatable and offer a sense of understanding and connection. Read More Spotlighting AHC Communities Our April Community Spotlight is Greenspring Overlook, an AHC community in Baltimore. You’ll hear from Elizabeth, Resident Engagement Specialist for social services, about her passion for supporting residents. We’re also excited to introduce our brand-new Maryland Leaders in Training (MLIT) program! After hearing from families who wanted more afterschool enrichment, we launched MLIT — a weekly program filled with learning, leadership, and fun, right at Greenspring. Investing in the Future: One Family’s Path Through AHC’s Programs In 2013, Nissreen Belal and her family moved from a smaller place to a three-bedroom apartment at The Berkeley (redeveloped and now known as The Apex). While at this AHC community, she discovered our education programs and wanted her three children to get involved. At the time, the programs were full, but there was space in the programs at Fort Henry Gardens, a nearby AHC community. Now living in a single-family home, Nissreen’s six children — five girls and one boy — have remained highly involved in AHC’s programs at Fort Henry. Two of her children have since graduated from the College & Career Readiness (CCR) program. Read More   GET INVOLVED Volunteer Opportunities Help our students finish the year strong. We're seeking tutors and mentors at education centers across Arlington and Baltimore. Fill out this interest form to be connected to students who could use your help. Looking for a perfect group volunteer project? Help us welcome our new neighbors by assembling welcome baskets. We're planning community-building events like Spring Fling and Senior Breakfast, as well as many other one-time volunteer opportunities. Learn more and sign up. Contact [email protected] for more information. Summer Camp 2025 AHC will be holding fun, enriching, in-person summer camps for elementary school students. Volunteers assist staff with indoor educational activities, snack time, outside play time, field trips, and pool days. Volunteers will read, play, and build relationships with students, and can develop and lead activities. Volunteers must be age 14+. College students and adult volunteers are welcome and appreciated. Learn more and fill out an interest form. Help us get the word out! Share this email with anyone looking for a summer volunteering opportunity.   Spotlight: Our Corporate Partners’ Commitment to Empowering Communities Volunteer Appreciation Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of AHC’s incredible volunteers. Last year, 1,300+ volunteers dedicated over 12,300 hours! We’re so grateful for each individual, group, and company that gives their time and energy to support our residents — companies like Amazon and Harkins Builders, whose ongoing partnership has been significant in opening doors and building opportunities. Looking to involve your employees in AHC’s mission through a personalized volunteer opportunity? Explore our Corporate Partnership options. Our 2025 Corporate Partners Benefactor Builder Sustainer Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC Enterprise Community Partners John Marshall Bank Paradigm Management Join us today and make a lasting impact in 2025! Please reach out to Annie Sweeney to learn more about becoming a corporate partner.   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