2
Krista Wilson, a young and busy professional, has already made volunteering for CommonBond a priority in her life. Due to her changing work schedule, she has filled multiple volunteer positions over the past four years. Her passion for the organization and the residents that it serves remains strong as ever. Krista has served as a Study Buddy, an assistant with the pre-school and Campfire programs, and volunteered at two different housing communities. She also volunteers at CommonBond’s major fundraising events. She has just about done it all! roughout her years of service, she keeps coming back for one main reason. Krista believes strongly that not only does CommonBond do an exception- al job of providing safe, clean and convenient affordable housing communities, but also makes the surrounding communities that much stronger as a result. She loves volunteering with an organization that can impact so many individuals outside of the immediate program beneficiaries. She applauds the Advantage Service programs which provide structured, formal, results-oriented programming options for adults, children and seniors. However, she’s quick to point out that for her, CommonBond stands out because of all of the “little things” that the organization provides. For example, she recounted one time seeing a non-English speaking Somali resident bring her mail down to the Advantage Center to ask the staff to help her sort out her junk mail from her important mail. Or the fact that on countless occasions she heard staff give directions to the grocery store or assist a resident with the bus schedule. According to Krista, “It is the small touches by staff that ensure residents are on the right path. Without Common- Bond, where would they go for help?” CommonBond Communities’ GrandeGala is a highlight of the spring social calendar in the Twin Cites. is annual event raises money to support CommonBond's award-winning Advantage Services. Please join us Friday, April 10, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre as we gather to celebrate the residents, funders, partners, and volunteers who help us create vibrant communities every day. We want to thank our presenting sponsor, Wells Fargo, as well as all the other corporate and individual sponsors. eir generosity is overwhelming and the support truly impacts the lives of thousands of adults and youth that call CommonBond home. You can be a part of the excitement by sponsoring the 2015 GrandeGala, or consider a donation to our live or silent auctions. For individual ticket purchases or to sponsor this year’s event, please contact Kathy at [email protected] or call 651-265-4748. CommonBond recently completed a program review process which identified that a critical piece of work Advantage Services brings to the organization is supporting residents with long-term stability and independence. In our work with families, this often means working closely with adult residents to resolve financial crises that may impact their ability to continue to pay rent and live in our housing. Resolving these issues has a positive financial impact for the CommonBond housing community. It also has a tremendous impact on positive outcomes for children in the family who avoid moving, which can cause disruptions in schools attended and educational outcomes. Helping a senior remain independent and stable usually involves working hand-in-hand with the resident to get supports in place so they can remain independent in their housing as they age. Sometimes this means helping residents get meals delivered to their apartments or home-health services. e other areas the program review process identified as focus areas for the future were education and advancement, health and wellness, and community building and engagement. As we move into 2015 and beyond, Advan- tage Services will continue the key work in education and advancement with young people through our Study Buddies program and adults through our Career Advantage program. Health and wellness activities are relatively new to Advantage Services and have shown positive results. rough 2015 we will continue to refine this work as well as weave community building and engagement opportunities throughout our work. How did you get started in affordable housing? I interned for Artspace Projects, which had less than a half-dozen staff at the time. I fell in love with the work immediately. So many people with different skills and representing so many interests have to come together to execute a project. e result is a lasting physical element that shapes the city and also touches people more intimately than any other structure in the built environment. Since joining CommonBond, what have you been spending most of your time on? I started by listening to CommonBond’s fantastic leadership team and Board, visiting our properties, meeting residents, funders and other stakeholders. More recently, I’ve been revisiting the strategic plan with an eye toward implementation. Having vision is so important, but we have to also understand the incremental steps along the path. Why does affordable housing matter? In addition to recognizing housing as one of the most basic personal human needs, I view housing as a critical piece of public infrastruc- ture; a foundational investment that underlies and makes possible so much other social and economic productivity. I am proud that Minnesota has a tradition of prioritizing such investments. CommonBond is one of the trusted stewards of such investment; a respon- sibility that I do not take lightly. What changes will you bring to CommonBond? I was so lucky to inherit quality systems, a driven team, and a solid foundation of community support. e changes I make will be subtle; focused on helping staff get what they need to deliver on mission while taking responsibility for their lines of business. I look forward to sharing the exposure that I have had to different housing delivery models from across the world. Sometimes we can unlock our own potential just by being exposed to other ways of thinking. & C M Y CM MY CY CMY K page 1.pdf 1 2/26/2015 12:07:12 PM

March 2015 newsletter

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Exciting news and updates from CommonBond Communities, the Upper Midwest's largest nonprofit provider of affordable housing with services.

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Page 1: March 2015 newsletter

Krista Wilson, a young and busy professional, has already made volunteering for CommonBond a priority in her life. Due to her changing work schedule, she has �lled multiple volunteer positions over the past four years. Her passion for the organization and the residents that it serves remains strong as ever.

Krista has served as a Study Buddy, an assistant with the pre-school and Camp�re programs, and volunteered at two di�erent housing communities. She also volunteers at CommonBond’s major fundraising events. She has just about done it all!

�roughout her years of service, she keeps coming back for one main reason. Krista believes strongly that not only does CommonBond do an exception-al job of providing safe, clean and convenient a�ordable housing communities, but also

makes the surrounding communities that much stronger as a result. She loves volunteering with an organization that can impact so many individuals outside of the immediate program bene�ciaries.

She applauds the Advantage Service programs which provide structured, formal, results-oriented programming options for adults, children and seniors. However, she’s quick to point out that for her, CommonBond stands out because of all of the “little things” that the organization provides. For

example, she recounted one time seeing a non-English speaking Somali resident bring her mail down to the Advantage Center to ask the sta� to help her sort out her junk mail from her important mail. Or the fact that on countless occasions she heard sta� give directions to the grocery store or assist a resident with the bus schedule. According to Krista, “It is the small touches by sta� that ensure residents are on the right path. Without Common-Bond, where would they go for help?”

CommonBond Communities’ GrandeGala is a highlight of the spring social calendar in the Twin Cites. �is annual event raises money to support CommonBond's award-winning Advantage Services. Please join us Friday, April 10, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre as we gather to celebrate the residents, funders, partners, and volunteers who help us create vibrant communities every day.

We want to thank our presenting sponsor, Wells Fargo, as well as all the other corporate and individual sponsors. �eir generosity is overwhelming and the support truly impacts the lives of thousands of adults and youth that call CommonBond home. You can be a part of the excitement by sponsoring the 2015 GrandeGala, or consider a donation to our live or silent auctions. For individual ticket purchases or to sponsor this year’s event, please contact Kathy at [email protected] or call 651-265-4748.

CommonBond recently completed a program review process which identi�ed that a critical piece of work Advantage Services brings to the organization is supporting residents with long-term stability and independence. In our work with families, this often means working closely with adult residents to resolve �nancial crises that may impact their ability to continue to pay rent and live in our housing. Resolving these issues has a positive �nancial impact for the CommonBond housing community. It also has a tremendous impact on positive outcomes for children in the family who avoid moving, which can cause disruptions in schools attended and educational outcomes.

Helping a senior remain independent and stable usually involves working hand-in-hand with the resident to get supports in place so they can remain independent in their housing as they age. Sometimes this means helping residents get meals delivered to their apartments or home-health services.

�e other areas the program review process identi�ed as focus areas for the future were education and advancement, health and

wellness, and community building and engagement.

As we move into 2015 and beyond, Advan-tage Services will continue the key work in education and advancement with young people through our Study Buddies program and adults through our Career Advantage program. Health and wellness activities are relatively new to Advantage Services and have shown positive results. �rough 2015 we will continue to re�ne this work as well as weave community building and engagement opportunities throughout our work.

How did you get started in affordable housing?I interned for Artspace Projects, which had less than a half-dozen sta� at the time. I fell in love with the work immediately. So many people with di�erent skills and representing so many interests have to come together to execute a project. �e result is a lasting physical element that shapes the city and also touches people more intimately than any other structure in the built environment.

Since joining CommonBond, what have you been spending most of your time on? I started by listening to CommonBond’s fantastic leadership team and Board, visiting our properties, meeting residents, funders and other stakeholders. More recently, I’ve been revisiting the strategic plan with an eye toward implementation. Having vision is so important, but we have to also understand the incremental steps along the path.

Why does affordable housing matter? In addition to recognizing housing as one of the most basic personal human needs, I view housing as a critical piece of public infrastruc-ture; a foundational investment that underlies and makes possible so much other social and economic productivity. I am proud that Minnesota has a tradition of prioritizing such investments. CommonBond is one of the trusted stewards of such investment; a respon-sibility that I do not take lightly.

What changes will you bring to CommonBond? I was so lucky to inherit quality systems, a driven team, and a solid foundation of community support. �e changes I make will be subtle; focused on helping sta� get what they need to deliver on mission while taking responsibility for their lines of business. I look forward to sharing the exposure that I have had to di�erent housing delivery models from across the world. Sometimes we can unlock our own potential just by being exposed to other ways of thinking.

&

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page 1.pdf 1 2/26/2015 12:07:12 PM

Page 2: March 2015 newsletter

CommonBond Communities recently began leasing a�ordable rental apartments at West Broadway Crescent - a three-story building with 54 units. �e property features underground parking, community room, laundry facilities, computer lab, security, and CommonBond’s Advantage Services.

“CommonBond recognizes the compelling need for a�ordable housing in North Minneapolis. We are excited to partner with the City of Minneapolis, the Basilica of Saint Mary, and others to bring together a very important housing community that will help revitalize the area,” said Deidre Schmidt, president & CEO of CommonBond Communities.

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Connie, a resident at CommonBond’s Crown Ridge apartments, had been working at a temporary sta�ng agency in an assembly position when she injured herself. �en she was told by the temp agency that her part-time job was ending and that they would only �nd full-time work for her. Fortunately for Connie, she connected with an employment/�nancial coach at Crown Ridge. After a lot of work proving she should qualify for unemployment bene�ts, Connie was awarded back pay unemployment bene�ts in a lump sum payment.

�e next step was assistance getting her resume up to date and additional employment advice, which resulted in Connie accepting a full-time job as a Customer Service Repre-sentative. As Connie stated, “I felt like I had my �rst real job because it was full-time and had bene�ts! I could not have done it without professional assistance from CommonBond sta�.”

Connie’s �nancial coach and CommonBond employee, Gina DeNardo, continues to work with her to improve her credit score, understand the importance of saving money, and set �nancial goals for the future. CommonBond’s Financial Opportunity Centers provide services at no cost to residents that include: work preparedness counseling and training, job seeking skills training, job clubs, job placement and connection to employ-ers, career path development, �nancial literacy education, and �nancial coaching.

�e Advantage Services CommonBond provides are vital to our mission and critical to the housing experience for our residents. We are proud of Connie and all of the other residents who are able to stabilize their lives and advance in their professional skills through the support provided by dedicated CommonBond sta�.

Choosing to make a planned gift o�ers an incredible opportunity for individuals to have a signi�cant impact on an organization they admire and support. Often referred to as an “ultimate gift,” your planned gift is the legacy you leave that will help CommonBond Communities ful�ll its mission long into the future. It is like planting a tree today so someone can enjoy its shade tomorrow.

You might be surprised by how easy it is to arrange a planned gift. It is as simple as including CommonBond in your will or making CommonBond the bene�ciary of your 401(k) or IRA. Planned gifts do not prevent you from meeting your current income needs or from being able to provide for your children. In fact, depending on the current tax laws, leaving a gift to charity in your will may reduce the estate tax burden on your heirs signi�cantly.

Do you already have CommonBond in your estate plans or would you like more information about a planned gift? Contact Ann Ru� at 651-290-6234 or ann.ru�@commonbond.org.

In 2014, 40% of Saint Paul Public School students were pro�cient in reading overall. CommonBond youth involved in our Advantage Services Study Buddies program were at 70% pro�ciency!

Glenn always knew he wanted to be in the military. His father was career military and Glenn liked the commraderie and challenge the military o�ered. He originally wanted to join the Air Force but according to Glenn, the Army “promised” him more. “My recruiter promised me I’d be stationed in Hawaii and as a nineteen-year-old who hadn’t traveled much that sounded really good!” Unfortunately for Glenn, he never made it to Hawaii because a knee injury in basic training derailed his military career aspirations. According to Glenn, “It’s tough when your plans completely change – it can derail the rest of your life.”

After leaving the military, Glenn worked for years in both the postal service and produce

industry, but was always struggling with his knee. “I couldn’t be on my feet all day – my knee just wouldn’t take it.” A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Glenn moved up here when he was young because his mom had health issues and she wanted better medical care and schools for her children. According to Glenn, he came back to Minnesota when he lost his opportunity in the Army because he had a lot of family and friends up here. “I hated winter, but then summer comes around and I forget what a pain winter is!”

A proud father of a seven-year-old, Glenn emphasizes that his son is his primary focus. “I live for my son . . . making sure he does well in school and a good home is

where I put all my energy.” Glenn struggled most of his life to make ends meet and was always struggling with the cost of housing. He is extremely grateful for CommonBond’s housing at Fort Snelling. As Glenn puts it, “Having this beautiful home which I appreciate so much has taken the weight of the world o� of my shoulders. It is peaceful here and I feel like I can stabilize my life and work to better myself for the future.”

It was just by chance that Glenn learned about CommonBond’s housing for homeless veterans. He remembers being at the local Veterans Administration for an appointment and noticing a �yer about the new project. According to Glenn, that

moment changed his life. “I feel like I’ve come full circle,” said Glenn. “I am back in what was originally built as military housing which I respect so much. I am home.”