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Art Van Charity Challenge: Help us welcome our new Jefferson Oaks neighbors
This year, our fundraising focus for the Art Van Charity Challenge will be to obtain additional resources to enhance the community in our newest development
Jefferson Oaks
, located in Oak Park.
Funds earned through the challenge will be used to provide all residents with resources to ensure long-term housing stability. We will also provide high-quality programs and services that will benefit families with children. We believe that creating safe, affordable housing in an inclusive community allows children to thrive and families to focus on long-term goals rather than just meeting immediate needs.
You can form a fundraising team or donate now by visiting here. The challenge runs now through Tuesday, May 22. Thank you!
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Save the date:
Connecting for a Cause 2018
Date: Thursday, June 21
Location: Lafayette Market, Pontiac (
map)
Time: 5-7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 for individual tickets; sponsorships also available.
A fun welcome-to-summer evening of networking, Michigan beer and wine tasting, appetizers and live music.
For sponsorship, ticket or event info please visit here or contact Lisa Fuhr at LFuhr@chninc.net or 248-824-7313.
Ready to attend? Please purchase your individual ticket or sponsorship by visiting
here.
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Thank you and farewell
This past school year we were honored to have six Bachelor of Social Work students join us as interns in our Housing Resource Center (
HRC) and Community Programs departments. We wish them good luck as they further their education and/or officially enter the work force. Former intern,
Heather Gehringer, will join us as in our HRC as a housing specialist!
Oakland University
Kaitlyn Boone
Ivy Malyne
Wayne State University
Christopher Aniel
Heather Gehringer
For more information on our internship program and to see available employment openings, please visit here.
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This month I'd like to introduce you to Janell Gleeson-Gilardone a property manager in our Property and Asset Management group in our Troy office.
Our team of property and asset managers are passionate about providing safe housing throughout Southeast Michigan. The proactive approach to property maintenance and expansive knowledge in various supportive lease options and programs has made us a well respected leader in providing safe and well maintained housing in our community.
One of the contractors we have been working with
 since 2004, Maplewood Development, recently recognized Janell's commitment to making sure the housing we provide is safe, accessible and improves the lives of the people who live there.
Joe Monteleone shares a story of how Janell recognized that many of our ranch-style accessible homes include a tub and a shower bathroom. However, the majority of the residents do not use the tubs as they are difficult to navigate.
A few months back, Janell approached Joe and suggested that we make these tub bathrooms more usable by converting them to shower-only bathrooms (this is extremely helpful for those that need to be bathed in a shower bed). Since then we have converted two tub bathrooms to shower bathrooms and are working on a third conversion. In Joe's opinion, converting these unused tub bathrooms to shower bathrooms is perhaps the single best improvement he has ever made on any of the homes.
Janell saw the need to transform these unused rooms, and acted quickly to improve the lives of the people living in these homes. This type of job knowledge is an example of what makes us experts in providing safe and accessible housing. Janell's supervisor, Shelley Brinkman, director of Property and Asset Management, agrees with Joe's thoughts on Janell. She shares, "Janell is a very conscientious worker. She takes pride in her work and always strives to assure it is done efficiently, and most importantly, with the people we serve in mind. She is very thoughtful and always willing to help others."
Let's turn to Janell now and give her a chance to answer a few questions.
How did you become involved with CHN?
I have a background in construction property management. My prior experience was more focused on commercial building, but my skills were transferable to the work I do with the more than 150 homes I manage.
What kind of training was needed to become a property manager?
Each year, we are responsible for inspecting our licensed group homes to make sure that they are not only up to code, but that they also create a living environment that is a comfortable, clean, up-to-date space for residents and their staff. In order to do this, I took a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-backed training through the
Real Estate Assessment Center. This training helped me learn how to make sure our housing was safe and decent and followed guidelines set forth by HUD. I also have my real estate license.
How do the outcomes of your inspections impact the maintenance plan for the homes?
I have an annual budget that I closely monitor while meeting the needs of the individual homes. During my inspections, I might notice that flooring is worn and needs updating, or that cabinet doors should be replaced. I work with everyone involved to confirm that the updates we are planning to make, will work for the needs of the people living in the home, as well as the staff.
I find it very rewarding to enhance the functionality and
aesthetics
of the home for both the health care workers and the people living in the home.
Each year, you volunteer during our Adopt A Family, Bring it Home and Connecting for a Cause (coming up June 21) programs and events. What is your favorite part about volunteering with us?
Having the ability to volunteer during our events makes me happy. It's a great time to meet our sponsors and supporters, as well as give back to CHN.
Any parting words of wisdom?
I am most appreciative to work with such a wonderful group of kind individuals, dedicated to improving the lives of those less fortunate.
I am grateful for Janell's work, as well as the work of all CHN team members.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
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With support from:
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