May 2010 e-Network News

e-Network News - May 2010

Community Housing Network e-Network News is an email newsletter that is delivered once a month to your email in-box.  To subscribe, go here.

In this edition:

Message from Marc
Former Community Housing Network Program Participant Receives Awards
Groundbreaking!
Volunteers Spring Into Action to Help Spruce Up Properties
Community Housing Network Seeks Sponsors, Donations for Annual Fundraising Event
Kroger Community Rewards – Time to Renew!


Message from Marc

Dear Supporter,

I hope you had a relaxing Memorial Day and weekend. I enjoyed spending time with my family and took in the (mostly) beautiful weather, which as you know is never a given in Michigan!

We are very excited about our upcoming groundbreaking -- see invitation on the left. This will be the first time we break ground on new construction for one of our properties -- up until now, we've rehabbed existing homes. I hope you'll consider joining us as we celebrate the creation of not one but four new affordable homes for people with disabilities.

I'd like to say a quick note about Doug Antishin, a former program participant. As you'll read in the story below, Doug recently won the Julie Sandorf Award at the Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing. Please take time to read his inspiring story. Warm congratulations to Doug on his many accomplishments!

Best regards,

Marc Craig, President and CEO

Former Community Housing Network Program Participant Receives Awards

Former Community Housing Network program participant Doug Antishin made headlines April 27 when he was awarded the Corporation for Supportive Housing’s Julie Sandorf Award at the Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership in advancing the goals and concept of supportive housing.

Doug certainly demonstrates those qualities. His story is one of leadership and perseverance.

At one point homeless, Doug entered a Shelter Plus Care program that Community Housing Network had assumed management of in 2006. He worked on his goals. He was extremely careful about managing his finances. He found a job at Sam’s Club, and was such a great worker that he was frequently nominated for employee awards.

But reaching his treatment goals and living on his own weren’t enough for Doug.

In 2006, he told Tanya Madsen, Shelter Plus Care Manager at Community Housing Network, that he wanted to own his own home. Tanya was impressed by Doug’s determination, and by how well he managed his life, his finances and his apartment. She was struck by how well he kept his home, with beautiful flowers on the balcony, and plants and decorative touches inside. By all counts, Doug was an exemplary tenant.

As Doug’s income increased, Tanya referred Doug to Linda Velandra, Homebuyer Program Specialist at Community Housing Network. Initially, Linda determined that Doug was not ready financially to purchase a home, but Doug refused to give up on his goal and continued saving.

“I have never worked with someone who managed their money as well as Doug does,” said Linda. Doug was able to access down payment assistance through Community Housing Network’s Federal Home Loan Bank program, as well as the Community Housing Development Organization program through Oakland County Community and Home Improvement.

In October, 2008 Doug became the proud owner of a condo.

“Words alone cannot express how happy Doug was to move into his new condo,” said Tanya. “In typical Doug fashion, he called me to let me know that he had paid his mortgage and condo association fees through to the end of the year.”

Doug continues to work hard at Sam’s Club, but is always willing to help out in the community. Over the years, Doug has been eligible to participate in Community Housing Network’s Adopt A Family program, which helps program participants with their needs during the holidays. Doug chose instead to become an Adopt A Family donor. Each year, he sends in a donation to buy gifts for other people in need. Doug is also a board member for Springhill Housing Corporation, an organization that builds and maintains affordable housing for people with disabilities. He is also always ready to speak or help out on behalf of Community Housing Network.

Doug was also a recent recipient of a My Life Award at the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority Keys to Total Health Conference. The award recognizes an individual's achievement of goals that increase his or her independence from the public mental health system.

Linda sums up Doug’s accomplishments by saying, “Doug takes great pride in his home and it shows. He is an incredibly kind and generous man who has worked hard to bring himself from a very unfortunate housing situation to his dream of home ownership. He now strives to help others as he has been helped.”

Groundbreaking!

You’re invited!

Please join us as we celebrate breaking ground on four new residences providing affordable housing for people with disabilities.

Thursday, June 11, 9:30-10:15 a.m.

More details here.



Volunteers Spring Into Action to Help Spruce Up Properties

Volunteers came together during the past month to Spring Into Action, sprucing up properties of individuals with disabilities in Oakland and Macomb counties.

Nine homes received makeovers, complete with yard cleanup, weed pulling and new flowers and plantings. Members of Macomb Christian Church, VOX Church and Sterling Heights Cub Scout Pack 345, Den 6 completed their work May 22 and 23. The properties that received makeovers are managed by Community Housing Network.

“We are really committed to getting involved in our community and doing regular service projects like this,” said Pastor Matt Woodburn of the newly formed VOX Church in Chesterfield Township. “This is a big part of what we are going to be about, reaching out and lending a hand to people in need.”

On May 27, Keller Williams Realty had 30 staff members participate in Spring Into Action as part of their annual “Red Day”, when Keller Williams associates across the United States and Canada are asked to donate time to improving their local communities.

“We enjoy working with Community Housing Network and making a difference for people right here in the community where we work,” said Dan Hunt, team leader of the Troy Keller Williams office.

“What a fantastic week,” added Community Housing Network volunteer coordinator CJ Felton. “The volunteers had a great time contributing their time and talents, and the homes look great. A big thanks to all of the volunteers who took time out to help!”

Community Housing Network Seeks Sponsors, Donations for Annual Fundraising Event

We are gearing up for our annual fundraising event, benefiting people with disabilities and others in need who seek stable, affordable housing. The event, Raise the Roof for Affordable Housing, will take place Thursday, October 14.

Our volunteers and supporters are what make this event happen, and we'd love to hear from you!

There are many ways to get involved:

- Become a sponsor
- Donate items for the silent and live auctions
- Volunteer for the event
- Attend!

Please visit our Raise the Roof for Affordable Housing web page for more information. We look forward to partnering with you!

Kroger Community Rewards – Time to Renew!

Community Housing Network is part of the Kroger Community Rewards program, helping to put your grocery dollars to work!

If you are signed up for this program, you need to renew in order to continuing benefiting Community Housing Network. Renewing and joining is easy - simply follow the instructions here.