Spring 2011 Newsletter: On TV, networking, farming
“I can't begin to tell you the importance of affordable housing for my family. Before owning my own home I always felt as though I was observing someone else's community from a stalled starting gate position. Proud Ground opened that gate and I've been running full speed ever since!”
–Debra, mom to Riley, married to Tim, gardener, community volunteer, Proud Ground homeowner.
Proud Ground in the news, in the community …
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Proud Ground's Community Outreach Coordinator Edward Gutiérrez joined Proud Ground homeowners Juan & Margarita at their home recently to talk about our program on the Spanish language television station Univision. Watch it here. Thank you Juan & Margarita for sharing your home and your story!
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The Department of Oregon Housing & Community Services awarded Proud Ground $50,000 to help lower the purchase price of our upcoming homes throughout Portland. Read all about it in the Director's Bulletin
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Proud Ground Executive Director Jesse Beason is one of the Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 for 2011. Congratulations Jesse! Read his profile here.
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Join us on Facebook and Twitter! We're posting announcements, information on activities and events ... and more! We invite you to participate in our online community.
Proud Ground is getting into ... urban farming?
Well, kind of. We are renovating for sale five foreclosed homes as stage one of our Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) work, and one of those homes sits on a lovely half acre.
We are excited about the possibility of dedicating a portion of the lot to a community garden, or working with the eventual new homeowners on taking full advantage of a rare and wonderful urban farming opportunity. Stay tuned.
Speaking of NSP
The Neighborhood Stabilization Program is great in so many ways:
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11 families will become new homeowners due to NSP
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11 foreclosed, empty homes will be renovated, beautified, and occupied
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Energy efficiency and sustainability is prioritized in all projects
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Portland gains 11 permanently affordable homes
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We are able to continue working with one of our favorite partners, the Native American Youth & Family Center (NAYA)
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We get to put our good friends at Bank of America to work! As part of our Neighborhood Builder partnership Bank of America volunteers will help landscape one—maybe two!—NSP homes.
However, the NSP program does not cover all of the expenses connected to all the work these homes require -- roofing, floors and everything in between. That’s where you come in. Can you help us in our efforts rehabilitating and beautifying (and greening!) 11 foreclosed homes? Your donation will do that – and so much more (How much more? See Debra, above. See even more Proud Ground homeowners here.)
Let’s help each other
Are you over 70 ½ years old or older, and are some IRA funds are weighing you down? We can help: IRA Holders Can Still Make 2010 Charitable Distributions.
That’s right. If this describes you, you have until the day you file your taxes to make a contribution out of your IRA and have it count as 2010 donation. More information is available at the Nonprofit Times website.
PS: Your donation can double in value -- ask if your employer matches donations! Find out more here.
PPS: We’re proud to report that we still have a 0% foreclosure rate.
Be a part of it all
When you donate to Proud Ground, you're part of something that will last for generations. Your gift creates home, builds community, changes lives. Please donate today. Thank you.
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