This month I'd like to introduce you to C.J. Felton, director of Resource Development and Communications, who is involved with pretty much anything happening here at CHN. New developments, grants, community partner relations, fundraising and other events, are part of what he does throughout the day. Behind the scenes? He can be found there as well; writing articles found in our Housing Hub , re-launching our website and building relationships with our donors.

The fall season is pretty busy with events aimed to help the people we serve. Our annual fundraising event,  Bring It Home  (see sidebar) will be held  October 13,   6-9:30 p.m.,  at The Townsend Hotel, in Birmingham. This event is planned and run by a fellow Development Team member, Lisa Fuhr. Auction items are coming in daily. We are pleased and excited to be able to offer a six-day South Africa Photo Safari again this year (actual safari photo below)! C.J. and his wife, Jeanette, won the adventure at a previous auction and had the chance to go to South Africa this past August! A portion of the proceeds from Bring it Home will go directly to our  Critical Needs Fund  and help conquer barriers not solved by traditional housing programs.

C.J.'s group is also getting ready to launch   Adopt A Family 2016  (see sidebar). We are in n eed of shoppers and donors for this event! Each year, generous donors give basic necessities, gifts and support to our Adopt A Family program. Adopt A Family forwards these on to families in our programs during the holiday season. While these families now have a roof over their heads, many do not have money for holiday gifts or even basic items such as coats, hats and mittens.

In early 2009, I became involved with CHN as a volunteer. We were growing exponentially at this time, and there were a lot of opportunities for me to be involved with various development projects, communications and special events. Toward the spring, Kirsten Elliott, our VP of Development, approached me and asked if I would be interested in becoming part of CHN as a full-time employee. I said, yes!

Is there any special training you had to complete for your job?

Prior to CHN, I worked in the for-profit world. It is a common thought that those skills may not directly translate  over to non-profit. Not true! Previous mentors taught me that learning how to effectively work with people is priceless. This skill is what helps me to do my job every day.

What is a typical day in the life of the director of Resource Development and Communications?

I like to get in to work early because the very first part of the day I can control what happens. I use that time to get stuff done! Once we hit 9 a.m....in the Development Department, anything can happen. We may get notice of grant and/or housing development opportunities that need to be acted upon quickly,  or a community partner could bring us an idea for collaboration. There really isn't a typical day, because every day is different - it's exciting and I love that. 

 

Is there a particular case that sticks out in your memory?

In general, participating in the revitalization of Unity Park in Pontiac has been very rewarding. More specifically, I had the opportunity to work with 1 0 low- and moderate-income homebuyers  who were looking to buy brand new homes as part of the NSP2 program . I was able to successfully guide them through the entire homebuying process for their new homes in Unity Park. I served as their real estate agent, helped them find and secure mortgages, and was their partner and advocate all the way through to closing on their home. The WOW part of that? If you think about how amazing it would be to have the chance to hand keys, just one time, to a brand new homeowner who never dreamed they'd own their own home, now that is special; but multiplying that by 10 ... nothing has been more rewarding!

 

Any parting words of wisdom?

I have the following quote on my wall, given to me by Kiesha Jones, one of our Unity Park homebuyers, and now a member of CHN's Board of Directors,  "If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've never done."

I am grateful for C.J.'s work, as well as the work of all CHN team members.  

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Marc Craig
President