A message from President Kathy Walter |
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Greetings, MARC Family:
It was exhilarating to see so many of you at #NAHROTogether in San Diego where we reconnected to learn and celebrate.
We celebrated the 2022 August Advocacy campaign, which resulted in well over 20,000 letters sent to the White House and members of Congress, and MARC NAHRO claimed first place in the letter-writing campaign. Congratulations to MARC NAHRO members!!
We celebrated industry innovators. Eight regional agencies received NAHRO Awards of Merit for a wide range of programs. Read about their winning programs below.
We celebrated the winners of the What Home Means to Me Poster/2023 calendar contest. Jose’s (Puerto Rico) poster will be featured in the 2023 NAHRO calendar. And, we celebrated Alani Georges, (Maryland), the region’s Merit College Scholarship recipient.
We learned a lot. Several MARC NAHRO members, alongside other experts and leaders, presented at conference sessions. There were new session topics and session formats, which enriched our learning experience.
Learning continues for MARC NAHRO:
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On November 9-10, MARC NAHRO will host a virtual Section 3 and Labor Standards Training. Learn about compliance with Section 3 standards and complex labor standard regulations. Click here to register.
- May 8-10, the DE/MARC NAHRO 2023 Annual Conference and Tradeshow at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, DE. Details and frequent updates will soon land in your email.
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Via ongoing NAHRO Professional Development trainings from wherever you are! Click here to examine the schedule and chart your path for your professional growth and development.
Remember, MARC NAHRO earns while you learn! MARC NAHRO receives a share in the revenue for each regional registrant.
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And don’t forget NAHRO’s virtual Day 3 series – weekly Thursday webinars on topics ranging from grade-level reading, self-care, the FSS program and more! Check out the schedule on NAHRO’s website.
I encourage you to carve out time to examine this newsletter closely. We spotlight: Jelani Garrett a new member of the region’s Executive Board, and Abby Strong, the region's 2020 Merit College Scholar and LDG Scholar; provide an update on the Diversity Subcommittee, and share good news from New Castle County Department of Community Services for their Emmy Win for Hope Center; and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh shares information about their innovative CyberBus and virtual parenting program. Learn about these best practices in this newsletter.
MARC NAHRO members: Please share how your region can better serve you! I. Want. To. Hear. From. You.
Be well.
Sincerely,
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Kathy Walter
Regional President
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Section 3 and Labor Standards Virtual Training
November 9-10
Be sure to sign up for this training, which is hosted by MARC NAHRO and taught by renowned NAHRO Faculty member Dennis Morgan. It covers two areas that PHAs often struggle with: compliance with the Section 3 standards and complex Labor Standard regulations, i.e., Davis-Bacon, prevailing wage, contract work hours, and much more. Click here to read more about the training and to register.
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May 8-10, 2023
Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE
MARC NAHRO will partner with Delaware NAHRO for the 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Delaware. Watch your inbox for details and frequent updates.
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MARC NAHRO Welcomes New Executive Board Member |
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The Regional Executive Board recently elected Jelani B. Garrett, Executive Director, Housing Authority of the City of Trenton (NJ) to fill a vacancy for a term that will expire in 2024. Jelani has over 25 years of experience in the field of affordable housing and community development. He has worked on projects totaling more than $300 million in investments and has experience in all aspects of the planning and implementation of affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization initiatives. He has demonstrated exceptional abilities in the areas of strategic planning, consensus building and project management. Jelani also has extensive property management and public housing program administration experience. As a result of his experience Jelani brings a comprehensive knowledge of public housing administration and redevelopment. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Rutgers University, New Brunswick and a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers University, School of Business, Camden.
(The Executive Board is the policy-making body of the region; plans for and is held accountable for activities of the Region. For full Executive Board roster, click here)
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Abby Strong's Journey Continues |
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In the midst of a global pandemic, Ms. Abby Strong remained focused and never missed a step on her chosen path. In 2020, the Johnstown Housing Authority sponsored Abby's scholarship application, which was selected by PAHRA as First Place winner of our $3,000 L. DeWitt Boosel Memorial Scholarship Award.
Ms. Strong's application was forwarded by PAHRA to MARC NAHRO, where she was chosen as recipient of their regional scholarship. She then advanced to competition at the national level and was selected as a 2020 NAHRO Merit and NAHRO LDG Scholar, which provides a $12,000 scholarship distributed over four years, as well as a $3,000 per year summer internship stipend for up to three years.
Fast forward to 2022, as Abby continues on her journey to what's certain to be a very bright future. She is featured in this month's issue of the Journal of Housing & Community Development (JOHCD), where a Student Spotlight article chronicles her progress. She is on track to graduate with her nursing degree this December, accomplishing that goal in just 2-1/2 years.
In the article, Abby encourages others to "Take every opportunity you have for help, and never give up on your goals." The JOHCD report concludes that Abby "hopes to work in psychiatric nursing following graduation. Helping others and giving back to the community remains her top priority."
It should be noted that achievement apparently runs in the family. Following in her sister's footsteps, Abby's younger sibling, Whitney Strong, was selected as PAHRA's First Place recipient of the L. DeWitt Boosel Memorial Scholarship in 2021. We wish these "Strong" young ladies continued success!
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August Advocacy 2022 MARC NAHRO Claimed First Place!
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We are proud and pleased to announce that MARC NAHRO ranked number one in the letter-writing campaign. Of the more than 20,000 letters, MARCNAHRO members sent 9,668. Regional President Kathy Walter, Senior Vice President Gina Gibson, and members of the Regional Advocacy Committee: Angela Carolla Timothy Burchett, Paul Diggs, Daniel Farrell, John Mahon, Senghor Manns, Stephanie Pastula, Michelle Ralston, and Tanya Van Order led the region’s advocacy efforts. Congratulations and a huge thank you to the MARC NAHRO Advocacy team! |
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MARC NAHRO Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee (DEI) Formed |
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Subcommittee Chair Fred Bañuelos has announced members who will work with him on the region’s diversity initiative. The Subcommittee will focus on advocacy, policy and education. |
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Timothy Burchett
Angela Carolla
Renelda Colvin
Natasha Dicks
Beryle Downs
Jackie Foster
Gina Gibson
Angela Gravely-Smith
Cynthia Herriott
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Senghor Manns
Tonya Mitchell-Weston
Joseph Nelson
Antoinette Newton
Mariam Rodriguez-Machuca
Hank Rubin
Elizabeth Twohig
Kathryn Walter
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2022 Merit College
Scholarship Recipient
Alani Georges, who resides in Glen Burnie, Maryland, is the region’s Merit College Scholarship recipient. She will study Biology at Howard University.
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MARC NAHRO Housing America 2023
Poster Contest Winners
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This year, the region received 11 posters for the 2023 Housing America “What Home Means to Me” poster and calendar contest. Regional judges selected three posters—one in each of three categories: elementary, middle and high school—for the national contest. The regional winners are below. Jose Luis’s poster will be featured in NAHRO’s 2023 What Homes Means to me calendar, which is shared by all members of Congress, local leaders, and the NAHRO membership. Calendars will be available for order soon.
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Agency: Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration
Essay: What is home for me? Home is when you have a family that supports you, friends and other people that life puts in your way, and then supports you no matter what. Home is when you share time with family and friends. Home is where you can enjoy a beautiful home or a sad one, but I have been learning from my mistakes. Home is my family.
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Elementary School
Agency: Housing Authority of the City of Erie, PA
Essay: When I think of home I think of safe, love, family games, meals + celebrations! Caring, clean, good, comfortable, and magical is my home.
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Agency: Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration
Essay: For me my home means shelter and love. Home is a union where we can support each other. In my drawing I demonstrate that home means love.
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Housing and Community
Development Innovators
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Eight regional agencies were among 68 public housing and community development agencies that received NAHRO Awards of Merit for a wide range of affordable housing and community development programs. Click here to read descriptions of their winning programs.
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- Allegheny County Housing Authority
- Clarion County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
- Housing Authority of the City of Erie
- Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
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- Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County
- North Bergen Housing Authority
- Philadelphia Housing Authority
- Union County Housing Authority
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“NAHRO members continue to set the bar high with their innovation,” NAHRO President Patricia Wells said. “I am proud of their accomplishments and how their work will impact the lives of their clients and communities.” (NAHRO President Patricia Wells, NAHRO DirectNews, Sept. 28) |
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News From Agencies around the Region |
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HACP Supports Parents and Caregivers through Virtual Parenting Program |
Being a parent is a full-time job that comes with many obstacles and responsibilities. Whether you are a single parent, or raising a child in a two-parent household, the job becomes a challenge. But it can become easier with just the right amount of support. Read more...
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Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP)
WOW (WIFI on Wheels) CyberBus is a mobile classroom equipped with computers and internet access that will allow for remote instruction in STEM education, computer science, financial literacy, and business development for students and parents in HAC:P communities and the greater Pittsburgh area.
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New Castle County Department of Community Services Wins an Emmy for Hope Center
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Two years ago, the New Castle County Dept. of Community Services purchased the Sheraton Hotel and developed it into The Hope Center. It has provided emergency shelter and food to approx. 1700 individuals and 195 families now live independently in permanent housing. The Hope Center will be show cased during next year’s DE/NAHRO Annual Conference and Tradeshow. Click here to view the documentary.
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Get Ready for the
2023 NAHRO Leadership Election!
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Current SVP and Candidate for NAHRO President George Guy (left) and Candidate for Sr. Vice President Sean Gilbert (right) |
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Every two years, NAHRO members elect a President and Senior Vice President to lead the association for a two-year term. The current leadership term ends Oct. 8, 2023.
Who are the current candidates?
On Sept. 23, during the NAHRO Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, George Guy, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Housing Authority and the current NAHRO Senior Vice President, officially announced his candidacy for the office of NAHRO President. Sean Gilbert, NAHRO Fellow, Executive Director of the Morristown Housing Authority (TN), announced his candidacy for the office of NAHRO Senior Vice President. Video recordings of their announcements will be posted on the NAHRO website soon.
NAHRO will provide ongoing election news via the NAHRO Monitor, Direct News, and virtual events. Additionally, candidates will have the opportunity to share messages with voters via email, which NAHRO will transmit throughout the campaign period.
Who is eligible to run for office?
All NAHRO Associates and Allied Individuals are eligible to serve as NAHRO President or Senior Vice President. Members who want their names placed on the election ballot as a nominee for either office must advise the Nominating and Election Committee Chair (N&E) Diane Cohen, before July 11, 2023, or submit a valid petition by Aug. 7.
When is the election?
The election will be held in September 2023, and the results will be announced at the National Conference and Exhibition, which is scheduled for Oct. 6-8, 2023, in New Orleans, La. NAHRO members on record as of Aug. 22, 2023, will be provided with either an electronic or paper ballot.
Excerpt from October 15th NAHRO Monitor.
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Professional Development News |
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Advance Your Career!
NAHRO’s virtual classrooms are designed exclusively for the remote audience and taught by recognized industry experts. Browse the offerings, which have been scheduled through the end of this year and map out your plan to advance your career!
While you hone your skills and sharpen your knowledge from wherever you are, your region will earn 10% of all revenue generated from each training. You no longer have to use the regional code of MARC2020, simply register and MARC NAHRO will earn as you learn.
Virtual Classroom Sessions:
Monday, October 24, 2022 – Thursday, October 27, 2022
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 – Thursday, November 03, 2022
Tuesday, November 01, 2022 – Thursday, November 03, 2022
Tuesday, November 01, 2022 – Thursday, November 10, 2022
Tuesday, November 08, 2022 – Wednesday, November 09, 2022
Wednesday, November 09, 2022 – Thursday, November 10, 2022
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 – Friday, November 18, 2022
Thursday, November 17, 2022 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Monday, November 28, 2022 – Wednesday, December 07, 2022
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May 8-10, 2023
Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE
MARC NAHRO will partner with Delaware NAHRO for the 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Delaware. Watch your inbox for details and frequent updates.
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NAHRO National 2023 Conferences |
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March 6-8
Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel
Washington, DC
July 14-15
Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel
Washington, DC
October 6-8
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
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MARC NAHRO is now on Twitter @MARCNAHRO1 Please follow us! If your agency has a separate Twitter account, please let us know so we can follow! |
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We would love to receive a mixture of articles and pictures—best practices during COVID-19, uplifting messages - to lift people up and community engagement.
Click here to submit your stories!
Articles are due for review on the 15th of each month
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Post a Job on the
MARC NAHRO website - At no cost!
Put your open positions in front of candidates who have the skills
and experience that your agency needs to excel.
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MARC NAHRO State Chapters |
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Central Eastern Pennsylvania
(no website)
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