American Bankers Association’s Post

Veteran Housing Corp says that IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF A PERMANENT AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AND HOMELESSNESS, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IS BROKEN AND NOT WORKING FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS Veteran Housing Corp would ask every TAXPAYER to demand and get answers from their elected and appointed government officials the below questions as they relate to any affordable, workforce, or supportive housing project in your community! 1. How much local, state, and federal funding, tax credits, or other government benefits or incentives did the project receive? 2. What is the affordability period for each project? Is the affordability period permanent and in perpetuity? 3. What guarantees exist have your local, state, and federal government officials obtained in writing that rents will not go up or that tenants will not be displaced or evicted after the "affordability period expires? Every local, state, and federal housing authority and affordable or workforce housing stakeholder should adopt the State of Vermont's "permanent affordability" policy as a model for all future government funded or subsidized housing projects or developments, no exceptions! https://lnkd.in/eFEUC8c8 Additionally, local, state and federal housing agencies should look to the Helsinki, FINLAND MODEL of ending homelessness by providing affordable housing for all 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness https://lnkd.in/er9HZSQU Even the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AGREES THAT adopting FINLAND'S MODEL OF ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS may be of great value to resolving the affordable housing and homelessness crises in America https://lnkd.in/gkSZWYRU

The biggest learning we've had from our research into barriers to volunteering for people with lived experience of mental health is the need for safety. Many people are coming to volunteering through social prescribing and other referral routes with past negative experiences of support through their volunteering or paid work. Tools like the #BigHelpOut are a great chance for people to peek through the window of a charity and see what's it's like without committing. How do you help people peek through the windows of your charity? #VolunteerManagers #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealth #Volunteering Vision for Volunteering

On the day I do my final run through for the wellbeing & volunteering session I am co-delivering for the Getting Ahead with Volunteering cohort with the The Open University I see this thought provoking article from Jess. It’s a great question to pose to volunteer involving organisations - how are we allowing prospective volunteers to peak through our windows? #volunteer #volunteering #whatcanIdo #whatwillthatlooklike #howdoesthatfeel #willthatworkforme

Friends and Colleagues, As many of you know, I am a passionate Board Member for Dallas Pets Alive! One of the biggest fundraising events for us is TODAY, North Texas Giving Day. Our goal today is to raise $115,000 so we can continue our amazing life-saving work! If you’re looking to give back, please consider donating to Dallas Pets Alive. Every bit helps and makes a big impact! ❤️ Thank you for your support! 🙏 https://lnkd.in/gsZdDbjw More about Dallas Pets Alive: Your support during North Texas Giving Day is not just a donation; it's a lifeline. Every gift you make goes directly to programs that are transforming the lives of animals and their humans. Our Foster and Adoption program is a beacon of hope for the most at-risk animals in our partner shelters, while our preventative programs—like PASS, Dogs Matter, and Bark Dorm—work tirelessly to keep pets out of shelters and in loving homes. These initiatives are not just about rescue; they're about building healthier, stronger communities where animals and people thrive together. The need is urgent. Many of the pets that come into our care have medical conditions so severe that shelters simply can't provide the care they need. Over a third of the animals we help are Major Medical Cases, requiring $1,000 or more in medical expenses. In 2023 alone, we spent more than $400,000 on treatments ranging from basic vaccinations to heartworm treatment and life-saving surgeries. This year, as we've taken on the incredible work of Dogs Matter and face the overwhelming overcrowding in North Texas shelters, the number of animals in our care has more than doubled. For the first time, we have more than 500 animals relying on our programs. While we've made strides in fundraising, the financial demands have outpaced our resources.

The Small Acts of Community campaign kicks off today. Focused on the belief that small acts of community have great worth - this is something I’m super proud to be a part of. One of the lines of the student oath for taekwondo has always been my favorite “I shall build a more peaceful world.” I have always believed that world starts with the small things and those build up, add up, and inspire others. It was the premise behind my only large scale solo art show (featured about 4000 origami cranes). Today, as part of my professional work, and in joyous activism, we will be asking people to commit acts of community. Could be an act of kindness - say hello, hold a door open. Could be a larger act of community - help pick up some trash, help your neighbor out, volunteer your time with an organization near and dear to your heart. Things that are free and don’t cost a thing. Got some spare money - donate it to a good cause. Before you say but I don’t have any money - as part of the smaller events leading up to today, I was handed $1.23 from the pocket of an obviously unhoused man after taking with him about the campaign and we were told to put it to the community. Think you can’t make a difference? Think again. Check out the Small Acts campaign online at https://lnkd.in/er7jD6GF. Sign it, live it, and start making a difference today!

For my Friends in the DC Metro area: Imagine the anguish of a parent who wants nothing more than for their child to be understood, accepted, and given the same opportunities as others. For so many families, finding a place where their child’s unique needs are not just met, but embraced, feels impossible. The National Children's Center (NCC) has been a beacon of hope for these families for 65 years. It’s where children who were once isolated and misunderstood found a community that saw their potential and celebrated their progress. Yet, the journey to this place of acceptance is often filled with pain. The pain of watching a child struggle in environments not built for them. The pain of feeling like you’re always fighting an uphill battle to ensure they receive the support they need. And for some, the heartbreaking realization that their child may never have the opportunities that others take for granted. But NCC offers something rare: a place where these battles don’t have to be fought alone. It’s a sanctuary where families find the support, understanding, and resources they need to help their children flourish. This gala is more than just a celebration of 65 years; it’s a reminder of all the work that still needs to be done, of the countless children who still need that sanctuary. By supporting NCC, you’re not just attending an event—you’re giving hope to families who need it the most. You’re helping to build a future where every child, no matter their abilities, can thrive. Join us in making that future a reality. Learn more about the gala and how you can help. https://lnkd.in/ebEFRAwg

"The best things that we can do as an organization happens whenever we can think like children" After discovering his zip code in an article on the cradle-to-prison pipeline, Taylor Toynes pivoted to a career working with children. This led to the inception of For Oak Cliff, a non-profit dedicated to increasing social mobility and capital for Black students and communities in South Oak Cliff, Dallas, through education, advocacy, and community building. Learn more about For Oak Cliff's origin story through the lens of founder, CEO, and #EGFellow Taylor Toynes '20. ⤵️

9/11 Day is about remembering— by giving back. From small gestures of kindness to bigger acts of service, every good deed helps make the world a better place, while honoring those lost on 9/11. What will you do for 9/11 Day? Share your pledge with us today and be sure to include #911Day. Together, we can make a lasting impact!

💚Thank you to every individual and organization that helped make this a wonderful 2023!💚 Click & watch this quick recap!