A message from President Kathy Walter |
|
Greetings, MARC Family:
Welcome to this month’s newsletter! I hope this message finds you, your family and staff well.
Before delving into the contents of this newsletter, I want to personally thank each of you who attended the NJ MARC NAHRO Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Atlantic City, May 1-4. It was a success!! We are grateful to Conference Planning Committee Chair Lou Riccio, NJ President Janice DeJohn, NJ Senior Vice President Eric Chubenko, NJ RSO Bill Snyder, Regional Past President John Mahon, and countless volunteers. These members were essential in making this event a success. Scroll down for conference highlights and pictures.
June is an eventful month from a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion perspective. As we all know, Pride events are held throughout the month celebrating the influence of the LGBTQ+ community and Juneteenth commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Board member Kim Taylor has authored a powerful essay on this topic. Please read.
As the end of June is near, I hope you’ve taken time to learn, reflect, and acknowledge the past. Additionally, I hope you have penned what you can do to promote equity and civil rights--moving forward.
Be sure to examine this newsletter carefully. You don’t want to miss what’s inside:
- Members’ spotlight: Stacy L. Spann, Senghor Manns, and Chelsea Andrews
- Regional Professional Development Academy
- Regional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee
- Results of the election of Regional Executive Board members
- PAHRA Annual Scholarship Awards
- NAHRO Election Reform Review
- NAHRO Online Summer Symposium
- NAHRO 2022 National Conference and Exhibition
- Housing America Poster Contest
- NAHRO Individual Awards
- NAHRO Professional Development News
This is your MARC, and your newsletter. We want to hear from you. Share your new programs, best practices, accomplishments, milestones, etc. Follow the region on Twitter @MARCNAHRO1. Announce your job openings on the region’s website—at no cost. Stay current on regional news via frequent visits to our website.
Feel free to reach out to me to share your concerns and to chat about how MARC NAHRO can be of better service to you. My email address is kwalter@beavercountyhousing.org.
Sincerely,
|
|
Kathy Walter
Regional President
|
|
MARC NAHRO Executive Board Members Appointed to national NAHRO Board of Governors (BOG) |
|
NAHRO President Patricia Wells has tapped Stacy L. Spann, President and CEO of MidCity in Bethesda, Maryland, to lead the association’s Business Partners Council (BPC). In this role, he will serve on the NAHRO BOG and help the association forge stronger relationships between NAHRO’s agency members and BPC members. BPC members are vendors, suppliers, consultants, developers and suppliers of products and services to NAHRO members.
Spann and Manns join these regional members on the NAHRO Board: VP-IRGE Irma Gorham, DEI Chair Elizabeth Glenn, Regional President Kathy Walter, Regional Past President John Mahon, At-large members Vernon Lawrence and Gina Gibson.
|
MARC NAHRO members across the country provide housing, supportive services, and more to individuals and families nationwide, regardless of who they love or how they identify. We celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community members, recognize the challenges they face, and recommit ourselves to providing affordable housing in vibrant communities for all. |
|
Senghor A. Manns, President and CEO, Harrisburg Housing Authority, was appointed as a presidential appointee on the NAHRO Board of Governors.
(The NAHRO BOG is the policy-making body of NAHRO: It is responsible for all major decisions facing the association.)
|
Chelsea Andrews Appointed to Lead the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) |
The HOC Board of Commissioners announced the appointment of Chelsea J. Andrews as its Executive Director. Ms. Andrews has worked as a visionary leader and highly effective executive for over 15 years in both large-scale affordable housing organizations and the legal field for mission-based organizations. She will assume her new role on July 11, 2022. |
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. It is also often observed for celebrating African-American culture. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1865. |
|
|
Kim Taylor Commissioner, of Trenton, Housing Authority (NJ), who serves on the NAHRO Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, has provided this month’s newsletter with a compelling article on Pride and Juneteenth.
--------------------------------------
AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF RACE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION,
AND GENDER IDENTITY:
A REFLECTION ON LGBTQ+ PRIDE AND JUNETEENTH
By Kim Y. Taylor
Commissioner of the Trenton Housing Authority
June is nationally designated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Commemorating the anniversary of “the Stonewall Riots” as the birth of the contemporary LGBTQ+ rights movements, this annual observance is an opportunity to pause and consider the many accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals, advances in equality under the law for LGBTQ+ people, and the inequities and barriers affecting LGBTQ+ people that remain to be addressed.
Many forums commemorating LGBTQ+ Pride Month recognize individual LGBTQ+ people who have advanced civil rights and social justice. These include, just for a few examples, the plaintiffs whose cases have confirmed the constitutional right to marry and create a family, and the transgender and non-binary students who have stood up to gain equal access to public accommodations such as restrooms. Other LGBTQ+ Pride Month programs feature the stories of significant legal cases that have served to enshrine key constitutional protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and families and advance the principle of equality under the law. Some programs focus on the continuing inequities and barriers affecting LGBTQ+ people in our society – the work that remains to be done.
While honoring the giants on whose shoulders we stand is important and recognizing their legacies valuable, it is critical also to ensure the observance of LGBTQ+ Pride Month does not end with festive recognitions of individuals. In our space of public housing, it is important that we shine a light on the challenges relating to safe and secure housing that LGBTQ+ people experience. It is a particularly poignant and meaningful opportunity to consider access and inclusion issues and also to recognize the epidemic in homelessness that LGBTQ+ youth, particular transgender and non-binary youth of color, face each and every day. Programs and conversations in these areas provide a substantive opportunity for the public housing community to consider how PHAs and public housing leaders can contribute to the solutions.
The realities of sexual orientation and gender identity bias do not stand alone. Practically speaking these should be viewed in concern with race equity and related social justice concerns. So we would be remiss to focus on LGBTQ+ Pride Month and not make meaningful mention of Juneteenth.
June is also the time we commemorate Juneteenth, the day on which news of the end of slavery reached Texas – two years after slavery had been outlawed and people of African descent who had been held as property had been freed from slavery and indentured servitude. The reality of Juneteenth is not that the legal institution of slavery had ended but rather that the institution of slavery had persisted well beyond its legal conclusion. While it can be argued that there is a certain celebration of freedom that can be enjoyed by Black people in the United States, we must consider what it meant and what it still means that the institution of slavery persisted in the State of Texas and word of its ending was delayed for so long. There is a parallel to life today when we consider the many ways in which equality under the law exists in principle but in reality people of color throughout this country, Black people in particular, experience the continuing effects of structural inequality and are subject to systemic disparities in many ways. Housing, education, and the criminal justice system are just a few examples of where these inequities still thrive.
For both Pride and Juneteenth, the notions of commemoration and observance, rather than celebration, rightly remind us of the intergenerational costs of systemic injustice and all forms of bias and discrimination. Both of these observances serve as a call to each of us and to all of us together to work daily to chip away at the social structures that marginalize and to create innovative collaborative solutions in our shared space of public housing to make equality under the law a lived reality for LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people of color in our communities.
|
|
Regional Professional Development Academy in November |
|
In your career, credibility is everything. To perform effectively, you must engage in continuous learning. That is why MARC NAHRO will sponsor a Professional Development Academy in Valley Forge, PA , in November. Details will soon land in your inbox. In the interim, feel free to reach out to Regional Service Officer Sylvia Bowen (marc@nahro.org) to discuss your agency’s professional development needs. Keep in mind that we can bring trainings right to your doorstep!
|
|
Nomination and Election Committee |
|
John T. Mahon, Chair of the Nomination and Election Committee, reported the results of the election of Executive Board members at the Board’s May meeting, which were unanimously ratified by the Board. Each member will serve three-year terms, commencing at the conclusion of the NAHRO Conference on Sept. 24, 2022, and concluding Oct. 8, 2023.
MARC NAHRO Congratulates these new leaders and looks forward to their engagement as we collectively work to Move MARC NAHRO Forward.
|
|
Corliss Alston, Senior Vice President
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Housing Authority of the City of Baltimore
|
John Clarke, Executive Director, New Brunswick Housing and Redevelopment
|
Michelle M. Ralston, Senior Director of Asset Management, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
|
|
Angela Carolla, Director of Mixed Finance Assets, Fayette County housing Authority
|
Debra D. Johnson, Director of Administration, Housing Authority of Chester County
|
MARC NAHRO Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Fred Bañuelos, who was recently appointed to chair the region’s newly created Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee, is seeking volunteers to serve and participate in quarterly meetings where the group will develop recommendations on issues ranging from education and training to policy for the Regional Executive Board’s consideration. Members interested in serving the region in this capacity should email Regional Service Officer Sylvia Bowen at marc@nahro.org by June 28.
|
|
|
NJ NAHRO and MARC NAHRO Annual Conference and Exhibition Highlights
(Photos courtesy of Darlene Weldon, Commissioner, Trenton Housing Authority)
|
|
A record number of housing and community development leaders and practitioners and vendors gathered at the Hard Rock Hotel last month for the region’s first live event since 2019. Respected industry experts and leaders presented relevant and timely sessions. |
|
President Kathy Walter commends Lou Riccio, NJ President Janice DeJohn, Senior Vice President Eric Chubenko, Regional Past President, John Mahon, countless volunteers, and all members of the New Jersey leadership team for their efforts in support of this conference and for their gracious hospitality. |
|
(From Left to right....Lou Riccio, Janice DeJohn and Bill Snyder) |
|
We were honored to have our national President Patricia Wells and national NAHRO’s new CEO Mark Thiele join us. |
|
Left to right: NAHRO President Patricia Wells
and Regional President Kathy Walter
|
|
|
Here’s what President Wells said about her recent travels to not only MARC NAHRO also other regions: “It’s been a joy to gather in person with so many of you across the country. What I have observed almost universally is a sense of enthusiasm as if we are coming out of a period of hibernation and emerging with newfound spirit, ready to tackle some of our biggest challenges with fresh ideas and vision. Being able to engage, hug, learn and have fellowship with the NAHRO family these past few weeks has been re-invigorating! Please feel free to contact me at president@nahro.org.” (excepted from the May 15 NAHRO Monitor.)
|
|
Following the conference, CEO Thiele penned a letter to
President Walter and President DeJohn and members:
Thank you so much for inviting me to the 2022 NJNAHRO & MARC NAHRO Annual Conference & Trade Show. I had an absolute blast! It was such a privilege to be able to gather with y’all in record setting numbers in person, to hear about your successes and your challenges and – above all – to listen to some of your ideas on how national NAHRO can better serve you. A big shout out to President Walter and President DeJohn, your leadership teams and Sylvia Bowen, Bill Snyder, Lou Riccio for hosting an outstanding event. We are better together!
I’m excited to continue this dialogue and deepen our partnership! If you have any more questions or suggestions, please contact me at nahroceo@nahro.org.
|
|
NJ NAHRO Honored Congressman William (Bill) Pascrell, NJ 9th District |
|
New Jersey NAHRO presented Congressman William (Bill) Pascrell, NJ 9th District, with the Legislator of the Year award in recognition of his never-ending commitment to housing.
|
|
(Congressman William (Bill) Pascrell and Regional President Kathy Walter) |
|
(View additional conference photos here) |
|
PAHRA ANNOUNCES 35th
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
|
|
Forging Foundations for Brilliant Futures |
|
PAHRA is pleased to present our 35th Annual Scholarship Awards to these deserving individuals who persevered through tumultuous times to stay focused on their goals and continued to strive in their efforts to accomplish those goals.
|
|
Paul G. Pecharko Memorial Scholarships (Adult-Ed)
|
|
1st Place $3,000 Award – Kristen Chew – Sponsored by Clearfield County Housing Authority
Kristen plans to become a Certified Public Accountant. She currently attends Lock Haven University with plans to transfer to Penn State University next semester. Diagnosed with epilepsy in her youth, Kristen has a very motivated mindset. She has not let this and related complications such as Asperger’s Syndrome, seizures, vision impairments and mobility difficulties deter her. Instead, she refers to her medical challenges as “an opportunity to discover hidden strengths and use them to [her] advantage.” She adds, “With persistence, confidence, and strength, we can use these obstacles to transform into individuals who are stronger overall.” Kristen volunteers with “Give Kids the World”, a non-profit organization for critically ill children, with whom she can relate and serve as an inspiring mentor.
|
|
2nd Place $2,000 Award - James Spring – Sponsored by Reading Housing Authority
James is currently enrolled at Northampton Community College in the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program. His ultimate goal is to establish his own bakery. After facing traumatic family events in his teens, James states that he came to the realization that, “life is all about choices. It is your choice and within your power to fall apart and fail, or rise above and succeed.” He adds that he, “chose to turn what I experienced and endured into a force that would propel me forward.” James participated in the Upward Bound program throughout high school, where as a senior he served as President. Upward Bound is a program for low-income students with the desire and potential to be the first in their family to attend college. He is described as “a remarkable and resilient young man transforming into an academically accomplished individual.”
|
|
3rd Place $1,000 Award – Thyago Alvarez – Sponsored by Lancaster City Housing Authority
Thyago majors in Sports Management with a minor in Marketing at California University. Thyago feels that, “post high school education is a luxury that gets taken for granted”, and he is putting forth his best efforts to “break the generational barrier of living in poverty.” His mother has been a strong influence, a single woman from the Dominican Republic with limited English, whose strong work ethic and drive have instilled those same values in him. Sports have always been an important and integral part of Thyago’s life. He looks forward to helping at-risk athletes, providing kids from troubled households with structure and positive role models, such as those who have made a difference in his own life.
|
|
L. DeWitt Boosel Memorial Scholarships (High School Seniors)
|
|
1st Place $3,000 Award – Taliyah Granger – Sponsored by Pittston Housing Authority
Taliyah believes that, “higher education opens doors to amazing opportunities” and she looks forward to entering King’s College this fall to begin her journey towards becoming a Physician Assistant. Taliyah’s teachers agree, stating that she “has the logic, reasoning, and perseverance it takes to be successful through challenging coursework.” Determined to make a difference, and create positive change in her community, Taliyah has prepared herself for the hard work ahead by enrolling in multiple honors level and advanced placement courses, participating in clubs, and actively participating in community service projects while in high school. After all, she says, “Arduous work, dedication, drive, and focus is what life is all about.” Well said words to live by, Taliyah.
|
|
2nd Place $2,000 Award – Mercedes Diaz – Sponsored by Westmoreland County Housing Authority
Mercedes feels that “art can change lives”. Following her graduation from Central Westmoreland Career & Technology Center and Penn Trafford High School, Mercedes plans to further her artistic skills through the Visual Arts Program at Westmoreland County Community College. Described as possessing “a strong work ethic and incredible moral compass”, Mercedes has maintained her GPA while serving as President of her class at CWCTC, juggling part-time employment, as well as participating in multiple community and volunteer activities. A teacher offers the following praise, “Mercedes truly exemplifies leadership, scholarship, service, perseverance, and innovation.” All good traits for a dedicated artist.
PAHRA is proud to provide these scholarships as a positive economical and educational impact in helping to forge the foundations for brilliant futures that lie ahead for these stellar students.
|
|
NAHRO Election Reform Review |
|
Last October, the NAHRO Board of Governors authorized the Nominating and Election Committee (N&E), which has oversight responsibility for election of president and senior vice president, to complete a review and analysis of the Guidelines for National Office Campaigns. The Committee would like to hear from NAHRO members and ask that you submit your comments via the fillable form, available here. Please feel free to examine the Guidelines and share your thoughts, experiences and recommendations for improving, streaming and clarifying them. The committee also welcomes your comments on other provisions in the Guidelines.
Comments are due by June 28.
|
|
NAHRO is seeking members to serve as “Congressional Contacts.” The ask is simple: Pledge to send action alerts to your members of Congress, and in return we will directly alert you to new letters in the Action Alert Center. Your participation will help us target Congress members who can support vital housing and community development legislation.
NAHRO’s Congressional Contacts will receive the following:
- An entry for a chance to win a complimentary admission to NAHRO’s 2022 Online Summer Symposium Aug. 2-3
- Access to exclusive advocacy training from NAHRO staff
- Connection to a grassroots community of advocates across the country
Click on the buttons below to view a list of the districts where we still need a Congressional Contact, and to access our media kit containing sample materials to craft emails, Newsletter articles, or social media posts.
|
|
Online Summer Symposium – Aug. 2-3 |
|
The Symposium will be divided into two days: an in-depth symposium on homelessness and housing scarcity on Aug. 2, followed by a Virtual Capitol Hill Day on Aug. 3 to kick off NAHRO’s August advocacy campaign. Click here to register.
|
|
NAHRO 2022 National
Conference and Exhibition
|
|
Save the date for the NAHRO 2022 National Conference & Exhibition,
September 22-24 in San Diego, CA.
Registration will open soon.
|
|
What Home Means to Me Poster Contest |
|
Since 2008, this contest has recognized the amazing, poignant art of children who live in affordable housing across the country. Each piece of art visually shares the child’s thoughts on what their home means to them. Each year, hundreds of children, ages 5-18, participate in the contest. Their heartfelt messages about their homes underscore the importance of the work that housers and community development professionals do.
Members should check with their State Chapters for submission deadlines. Read more about the Poster Contest here.
|
|
Spotlight Your Peers with a NAHRO Award! |
|
Now more than ever, we as Housers must step up and go above and beyond during these unprecedented times. It’s also equally important to stop and recognize those around us who continue to surpass the mark time and time again.
Do you know someone who is making outstanding contributions to the quality of life of their residents and staff through their service in the field of housing and community development? If so, consider applying for or nominating a colleague for one of NAHRO’s prestigious awards! Winners will be announced during NAHRO’s National Conference and Exhibition in San Diego on Sept. 22-24!
Applications are due by Aug. 5 – learn more about the types of awards offered below:
-
NAHRO Outstanding Professional of the Year: This award highlights and rewards those who have achieved great accomplishments! Each nominee must have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the nation’s effort to provide “a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family.”
-
The International Research and Global Exchange Award: This award highlights and rewards those who have made notable contributions! Each nominee must have direct affiliation with the housing and community development field and have made an outstanding contribution to international understanding in housing and community development.
-
Commissioner of the Year Award: This award highlights and rewards those who exude excellence! Each nominee must be an individual or associate member of National NAHRO, have contributed to the areas of community leadership, advocacy, and public relations as well as to the activities of NAHRO and cannot be employed by the Housing Authority and serve as Commissioner simultaneously.
-
Emerging Leader Award: This award highlights and rewards those with unwavering dedication! Each nominee must have been involved in NAHRO at the national, regional and/or chapter level for a minimum of five years and has distinguished themselves as an Emerging Leader. (Note: self-nominations are not accepted for this award)
|
|
Professional Development News |
|
Advance Your Career this Year!
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:
|
|
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! |
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
MARC NAHRO State Chapters |
|
Central Eastern Pennsylvania
(no website)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
