I can hardly believe that the summer is winding down already and it will soon be fall. Perhaps time seems to be racing by because there have been so many initiatives, events and milestones occurring. When I think about all of the goals that we hope to achieve and the amount of effort and energy it will take to get there, I sometimes find myself feeling a little overwhelmed.
When that happens, I think about Arthur Ashe’s quote, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” It’s a reminder that when we focus our energy on the talents, tools, and strategies that are right in front of us, we will continue to make progress toward the future that we want to build for our community. While doing what we can, we discover new paths that will lead us where we need to go. That progress may not always be at the pace we would like, but with consistent forward momentum, we will make a positive difference for those we serve.
So, as I exhale (whew!), I am excited about all that we have to share in this month’s newsletter. Let’s begin by acknowledging the staff celebrating anniversaries with DHIC. Our staff are the engine of this organization. I cannot say enough about their passion and dedication to our mission. Please join me in thanking them for all that they do.
And, they have been doing a lot.
- Both board and staff members have attended NeighborWorks’ National Training Institutes to pursue education and certifications that will allow us to have an even greater impact.
- Our asset management team completed the modernization of the common spaces at Lennox Chase apartments, which originally opened in 2003 as one of DHIC’s two supportive housing communities.
- Our homeownership center team participated in several community events including El Pueblo’s Community ID event.
- Our resident services team hosted National Night Out events at multiple locations.
- Our real estate development team continues to move construction forward for both Primavera and Booker Park South and interest lists are now open for both properties.
We are also moving closer to the start of construction of the townhomes at Washington Terrace. The team has been constantly strategizing with funders to maintain the timelines for DHIC’s pipeline of active developments in spite of challenges such as supply chain disruptions, escalating construction costs, and rising interest rates. And they’ve done this all while awaiting the upcoming announcement of 2022 low-income housing tax credit reservations. DHIC submitted two applications for funding and we look forward to reporting back on that in the September newsletter.
Finally, I want to take the time to recognize that all of these successes are a direct result of the work we are able to do because of the generous financial support of both national and local intermediaries. All of us working together for a greater purpose truly illuminates the spirit of Arthur Ashe’s quote, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”