October News from AHC Inc. News from AHC Inc. l October 2021 Developing affordable homes and helping communities thrive since 1975. AHC new Board members from top, left to right: Katharine Dixon, Thomas Klanderman, Andargachew Legesse Wolde, Mildred Mack, Jessica Majano-Arriaza, and Tedi Osias. Welcoming Six New Board Members We are delighted to welcome six new Board members to AHC! Elected during our recent Annual meeting, the new members broaden the Board perspective by bringing together diverse voices and lived experiences, including two AHC community residents from Silver Spring and Arlington, and community leaders from Montgomery County, the District of Columbia, Alexandria, and Fairfax. New members include Katharine Dixon, Thomas Klanderman, Andargachew Legesse Wolde, Mildred Mack, Jessica Majano-Arriaza, and Tedi Osias. Approximately 40 residents expressed interest in serving on AHC’s Board. This overwhelming interest from AHC residents will anchor a new Community Engagement Committee, to include AHC Board members and current AHC residents. The six new board members join previously elected Board members David Barsky, Ginger Brown, C.C. Jenkins, Justin Oliver, Wanda Pierce, and Terron Sims, II. Retiring Board members include Bob Bushkoff, Catherine Saadat, and Rachael Schroeder. Thank you all for your commitment to AHC and to our community. Read more about AHC's new Board members The first CCR participants have graduated from college and begun their own careers. College and Career Readiness Celebrates Five Years! This year marks the five-year anniversary of AHC's College and Career Readiness (CCR) program. Since its inception, ALL CCR students have graduated from high school and nearly all have gone to college. We are immensely proud to have been part of their journey. To celebrate the program's five-year anniversary, we visited with several young people who were among the program's first class. Today, they have graduated from college and are beginning their own careers. Thanks to the generous support of donors, supporters and volunteers, CCR continues to evolve and grow. Today, 170 students are fully engaged, working with mentors and AHC staff to maximize their college and career opportunities. Watch the College and Career Readness Celebration Video Thirty percent of Waterfront Station's new homes will be deeply affordable. New Project Breaks Ground in Southwest DC Waterfront Station, an innovative mixed-income, mixed-use project in Southwest DC, is underway. The $170 million development will include 450 homes, an onsite daycare, black box theater, and other retail. Fully 30% of the new apartments (136 units) will be deeply affordable and available to households earning less than 50% of the area median income (AMI). Half of those will be set aside for households earning less than 30% of AMI. The project was strategically developed so the market units help subsidize the affordable apartments. This exciting new project is creating committed affordable homes in a neighborhood that is rapidly gentrifying. Conveniently located next to the Waterfront Metro station, the new development will enable hardworking families and individuals to put down roots near jobs, transit and other opportunities they might not otherwise be able to afford. Waterfront Station is a joint venture of AHC Inc., Hoffman, CityPartners, and Paramount. Resident programs this fall have included a community fair, backpack distribution, and onsite COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Building a Better Future at the Serrano Over the past few months, we have made significant progress resolving deferred maintenance and resident concerns at the Serrano Apartments in partnership with the Drucker + Falk property management team. We continue to work hard to make every home at the Serrano - and at every AHC apartment community - welcoming and comfortable. Some of the progress at the Serrano includes: Progress Highlights 100% of the apartments inspected by Arlington County passed inspection. The onsite inspection was provided for every resident who expressed interest. Arlington County conducted extensive third-party air quality testing this summer and identified no systemic air quality issues, including no airborne asbestos or observed lead paint. We have developed a variety of new tools to improve how we stay in touch with and listen to residents, including a new text messaging system, monthly resident meetings, focus groups, and third-party surveys. Of the 44 families that expressed interest in exploring other homes, about half moved to other communities and half returned to refurbished Serrano apartments. One is still choosing her home. Read more about progress at the Serrano here. Community Fair Brings Services to Serrano Residents (and Pets)! Because we work where people live, we are able to connect our residents to the services they need most - right where they need them. In mid-October our Resident Services team brought together Serrano residents for a one-stop community fair with pet care services, children's activities, voter registration, financial education, bikeshare memberships, vaccines, and food resources. The onsite professional care helped several Serrano residents get COVID-19 vaccinations, along with dozens of dogs, cats and even a bunny that received vet exams. Thanks to the Arlington Animal Welfare League for the short video of the event below. Watch short video of Community Cares Event Volunteer Opportunities: In-Person & At-Home Inspired by AHC students? Here's how you can help Volunteers are critical to our students’ success. We are still looking for homework helpers, reading buddies and mentors, particularly for the community centers in South Arlington. Can you help by volunteering one hour a week? Learn more here or attend a virtual Reading Buddy orientation on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 6-7pm, or email [email protected]. Thank you! At-home holiday volunteer opportunities Helping hands needed to make holiday gift bags for teens and senior citizens at AHC's Arlington communities. This is a fun activity for groups, families and individuals. Bags will be collected December 6-8. Learn more here or email [email protected]. Thank you! AHC Inc. | 703-486-0626 | 2230 N Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA 22201 | www.ahcinc.org l DONATE NOW! ‌ ‌ ‌ AHC Inc. | 2230 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22201 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!