AHC Celebrates 2025 CCR Graduates | | |
On June 13, family, friends, and mentors celebrated the 32 graduates of AHC’s College & Career Readiness (CCR) program.
The graduates applied to 120 schools and received 156 acceptances. The students received $3 million in gift aid and scholarships from those schools. This year’s graduates are moving on to two- and four-year schools, trade schools, the military, and the workforce.
The event had two keynote speakers, graduating seniors Dana Mendoza and Harold Arnez.
“We all have different backgrounds and different starting points, but somehow, we all made it together in this program helped by the staff and people to help guide us towards our future opportunities that are possible after high school,” Harold said.
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| Nine Years Strong: How a Tutor & Student Grew Up Together | | |
Seid Alamin Seid grew up in AHC’s education programs. When he was in third grade, he started working with volunteer Bernie Piper in the Afterschool program. Nearly a decade later, Seid graduated from AHC’s College & Career Readiness (CCR) program — with Bernie in the audience.
For Seid, working with the same tutor over time provided consistency and trust.
“I really liked it because after the first couple of times I’d met Mr. Bernie, or we had our sessions, I got really comfortable with him, so there were certain things I could talk to him about and I wasn’t afraid to ask questions when I was around him,” Seid said.
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| Manna Breaks Ground at S Street Village | | |
We were proud to join our partner Manna Inc. and fellow supporters last week to celebrate the groundbreaking of S Street Village in D.C.’s historic Shaw neighborhood.
This transformative development will bring 90 deeply affordable homes, a renovated church, and Manna’s new headquarters to a vibrant, transit-accessible area of the city.
Congratulations to Manna, DC Housing Finance Agency, Amazon, and the many partners who helped make this visionary project a reality.
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As AHC continues to grow, we’re making key investments in our people. This month, three new team members are joining our Real Estate team, bringing valuable expertise and fresh energy to help expand our impact and develop more affordable housing across the region.
Our Asset Management team is also growing, with two new team members who started this month — enhancing our capacity to steward and sustain our communities for the long term.
Stay tuned to meet the newest members of the AHC team!
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Earlier this month, we were proud to join the Housing& (formerly HAND) 34th Annual Meeting & Housing Expo to connect with peers, partners, and advocates working to expand access to safe, affordable housing.
At our expo booth, we shared how AHC centers residents in all we do — combining quality housing with holistic resident services to support stability, opportunity, and growth.
This year’s theme, “Housing And ____”, reminds us how housing intersects with every part of life. For us, it’s Housing and Opportunity.
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Affordable Homes & Communities is excited to unveil our new and improved website: ahcommunities.org. This launch marks a significant step forward in our efforts to strengthen our brand, elevate our impact, and better connect with residents, partners, and supporters.
The redesigned site offers a more modern, user-friendly experience and reflects AHC’s mission, values, and evolving identity.
| | A Recipe for Community: AHC Student Wins Essay Contest | | |
To third grader Haset Zelalem, The Apex — the AHC apartment community where she lives — is a “kind community.”
In an essay for the Housing& (formerly HAND) Children’s Essay Contest, Haset responded to the prompt, “What’s the Recipe for a Strong Community?” by highlighting how neighbors at The Apex support one another and make each other feel at home.
Her essay earned her first place in the contest — and a $500 prize.
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Supporting AHC through your workplace is easy — and your generosity can make a big difference for the students, seniors, and families we serve.
Take Advantage of Employer Matching Gifts
Many companies match employee donations. You could double or even triple the impact of your gift by finding out if your employer has a workplace giving program.
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Nominate AHC for an Employer Grant
Some companies offer grants or sponsorships to support local nonprofits. Nominate AHC—we’d love to partner with you!
Donate to AHC Through the CFC
Are you a federal employee? You can automate your giving to AHC through the Combined Federal Campaign starting this fall. Just use our code: #77198.
Volunteer Together
Strengthen team bonds, give back, and have fun doing it! Organize a group volunteer activity or donation drive to benefit AHC. See section above and learn more today.
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| Thank You to Our Corporate Partners | | Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC | | Enterprise Community Partners | Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd. | | | Are you part of a company that wants to make a difference? Our Corporate Partners provide funds that equip our residents with the tools they need to thrive! Please contact [email protected] to learn more! | | | | |
