Mission First Housing Group’s Resident Services Department supports individuals and families across our portfolio, providing support for residents to live independently, overcome challenges and meet individual goals.

In the past few years, our Resident Services team has made great efforts to build out our youth-focused programming. “Serving the youth is an extension of the housing community,” said Frederick Hawkins, Mission First’s District 2 Regional Director for Resident Services. “They know that they have someone to be comfortable with” and someone who will support them in their future plans. Throughout our portfolio, we engage annually with the kids at our properties with Back to School events, holiday parties and celebrations, gift distribution and craft clubs. More than 250 of our young residents are directly connected to the Resident Services team.

Through a combination of important partnerships and grant funding opportunities in Washington, DC, we have taken our youth-focused programming to the next level. Focusing on the key outcomes of critical thinking and self-awareness, social responsibility and academic achievement, the team has created a robust Youth Enrichment Program. The program promotes positive youth development through preparing youth to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood by engaging in their community and developing life skills. Knowledge of and commitment to community foster positive relationships between youth and their friends and neighbors.

“We want them to be socially and emotionally aware,” said Justin Stalling, Youth Coordinator at Golden Rule Apartments, The SeVerna and SeVerna on K. “I was fortunate enough to have someone guide me in my decision making, so my focus is on mentorship. I want to be that person for them.”

Our youth enrichment programming also addresses the unique needs of some of our families. For example, the Plaza West Community Life Program provides case management and a wide-range of onsite programs supporting grandfamilies – grandparents raising grandchildren. “I want to foster a sense of community and upward mobility,” said Sean Fleming, Community Life Manager at Plaza West. “It is important for goal setting, they need a plan. We want top-producing, productive members of society.”

Mission First’s Resident Services team works to create a positive, safe place for youth to learn and build healthy relationships. Youth enrichment programming in our DC properties is based on a plan and curriculum that includes STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), Home Economics, Arts & Crafts, Sports and Mentorship. Our Resident Services team also partners with other local organizations to further their efforts.

• In partnership with the DC Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes, Mission First provides afterschool programming for children living at Golden Rule Apartments. Offered 2.5 hours a day, four days a week, the program provides homework help, tutoring, field trips, community service activities and more.
• Partnerships with Georgetown University and Gonzaga College High School bring in local high school and college students to offer tutoring in our family buildings, working with our young residents to help them complete homework and build skills in reading and math.
• Organizations such as SOUL (Students Organizing to Understand Leadership), the DC Public Library Northwest One, Everybody Wins DC and Catholic Charities come to our properties to offer enriching programs, such as financial literacy training, book donations, reading assistance and anti-violence programming that support our goals.
• The Metropolitan Police Department hosts community events, such as holiday activities, craft parties and Back to School drives, to get the kids involved with their neighbors.
• PEPCO and Association of American Medical Colleges provide backpacks for students and holiday gifts for families, respectively.

We are now gearing up for our summer camp programs at Golden Rule Apartments and Plaza West. These important out-of-school time programs create a positive, safe place for children to gain academic enrichment, build healthy relationships, increase socialization skills and improve their physical health.

“Camp was fun. I liked the activities we did and the staff was nice and funny. We got to do field trips and be with our friends, so I liked that. I hope camp this year is even better,” said Daniya, a 2021 and 2022 camper and young resident of one of our DC properties.

We know that complementing our safe and secure housing with a robust services initiative has a positive impact on our young residents providing them a better sense of self and value. Building our youth enrichment programming not only enhances the experience of our youth while living with us, it makes for a more cohesive housing community for all of our residents and prepares children for future success in school, family, community and beyond. 

As part of Women's History Month, Prince George's County's Department of Housing and Community Development featured a profile - DHCD Celebrates Women's History Month by Recognizing Women Who Are Making an Impact in Affordable Housing - in their March e-newsletter, including Sarah Constant, Senior Vice President, Real Estate Development for Mission First Housing Group. Click here to read.

Sarah is responsible for managing development projects, building client relationships and overseeing Mission First’s day-to-day development operations.

To date, Sarah has closed more than $300 million worth of affordable housing and mixed income development deals across the Maryland and DC region - including The Lewis Apartments, a 137-unit senior development in the Towne Square at Suitland Federal Center and The Belnor Senior Residences, a 122-unit senior development in Suitland, MD - and has numerous projects in development. Sarah serves on the Board of Directors of HAND as Vice President as well as a member of the Executive and Governance committees.

In addition, Sarah is joined by six other women in Mission First's Real Estate Development and Construction Departments:

• Sue McPhedran, Director of Development - Philadelphia Region
• Elizabeth Everhart, Senior Development Manager - DC/MD Region
• Kyla Weisman Bayer, Senior Development Project Manager
• Kate Murray, Development Project Manager
• Victoria Ricci, Construction/Development Cost Accountant
• Wendy Straker, Construction Project Assistant