Dallas CASA’s Post

7 years ago I began a journey with the Benedictine board and staff to rejuvenate the campus that serves 150+ children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our buildings were deteriorating after 60 years and they were not sufficient to meet the more complex needs of the population we now serve. Last week we marked an important milestone and that was delivering the ring road around campus that will enable us to continue to operate and serve the kids and adults 24/7/365 when renovation and construction of buildings takes place once additional capital is raised. Bendictine is a secular program that emerged out of the good work and graces of the Benedictine Sisters. While it serves the entire state of Maryland and beyond, its funding streams are complex and challenged. When "deinstitutionalization" for many in the IDD community became standard practice in the 1980s in favor of community-based settings, no funding streams were established at the federal or state level for capital projects like the one we are undertaking at Benedictine. Plus, being located on the rural eastern shore of Maryland, Benedictine is not within the funding "geofence" of most of the Maryland and DC philanthropies. Next up is the building of the student dormitories that will be able to serve 60 kids and enable them to live year-round in dignity and with the support they need. We are still seeking $2 million to enable vertical contruction to start. While the past 7 years have been exceedingly slow and frustrating at times just to get to a point where we laid some asphalt in a cornfield, I feel like we have a slight wind at our back now. And it was an honor to stand with 91 year-old Sister Mary Agnes (4th from right in photo) who is the last Benedictine Sister still working daily at the school -- whenever I think something won't or can't get done, I think of her 70-plus years of service, dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance all in the name of love for this community. Happy to share the many lessons learned with others engaged in similar projects, and eager to hear from you if you have insights on these types of public good projects that need unique and bespoke funding streams and capital stacks. #IDD #impactinvesting #specialneeds https://lnkd.in/dSGYqCf7

Today's countdown = 35 days. It's time to get your enrollment form in and start working on communications for your org or department! Get the toolkit here 👇 https://lnkd.in/edw8_Rum #GivingDayTraining #SRUGivingDay #GivingDay2024 #givingday

Abbott Elementary hits on a number of all-too-real themes when it comes to #housingaffordability. Melissa's cozy guest suite, Jacob's hunt for a roommate, and Janine's struggle to make rent after her break-up aren't simply fodder for punchlines ⤵ 🏠 One study from 2016 revealed that 27% of teachers in the San Francisco United School District who rented found it *very difficult* to cover rent; for teachers who owned their home, 13% found it *very difficult* to cover mortgage. By comparison, a national survey of working adults in any profession showed only 4% who rented and 3% who owned reported these difficulties. (Urban Institute https://lnkd.in/e82u3rG) 🏙 Specific to Philadelphia, more than half (54%) of renters are cost-burdened, i.e. they spend more than 30% of their income on rent. (The Pew Charitable Trusts https://lnkd.in/gzP25q3p) 💸 According to our analysis with AffordableHousing.com, rents on affordable units in Philly increased by ~7-8% from Q4 2021 to Q4 2022. On the platform, tenants paying an average monthly rent of $850 were applying to units with a +40% rent change. IOW, moving added $340 to a tenant's monthly housing budget each month. (Analysis by Jasmin Dial, presentation dated December 2022 https://lnkd.in/g7WhRBSM) #housingdata #researchmatters #rentalmarkets #abbottelementary

At every turn, we infuse our actions with purpose and compassion, aiming to deeply impact lives and improve our communities. Here’s how we’re making a lasting difference, and how you can be a part of it: 1️⃣ Custom "Gifted" Kits: Imagine moving into a new house and having Welcome, Hygiene, and Cleaning kits ready for you, making it feel like a home from day one. 2️⃣ Community Events: Picture a community where people gather, share, and celebrate together, fostering a sense of unity and joy. 3️⃣ Educational Scholarships: Think about the ambitious students whose dreams we support with scholarships, empowering them to achieve their academic goals and uplift their communities. 4️⃣ Grand Openings: Each new housing project is not just a building; it’s a celebration of progress and new possibilities for families and individuals. 5️⃣ Strategic Partnerships: Our collaborations with other organizations magnify our efforts, extending our reach and deepening our community engagement. Your involvement is key to our success. Join us in supporting and uplifting San Diego’s affordable housing communities. Together, we can create spaces where everyone can thrive. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eN22Dg8q #AllgireFoundation #Community #GivingBack #GetInvolved #PayItForward #Volunteer #SanDiego

How you do anything, is how you do everything. Case and point- Stephen Curry and his wife, on and off the court, and behind the scenes! Closing the literacy gap demands the best people, streamlined processes, and evidence-based, innovative products that reach, teach, and create extraordinary trajectories for ALL children. We can. We will. We must teach ALL children how they learn. #InnovateToEducate #childrenfirst #AIforgood #scienceofreading #literacy #teachhowtheylearn #evidencebased #readingisfundamental #leavenochildbehind #readingmatters #literacyforall Mighty Doodle®

For funders who want to support rural communities, rural schools are a good place to start. We agree. Why? For many of the reasons Inside Philanthropy pointed out: 🔬 Rural schools typically have fewer resources than suburban and urban schools, so there is often less funding for things like school counselors, AP courses, STEM and computer equipment, and mental health supports. 📚 Many rural areas also face challenges attracting and retaining educators, administrators and other staff because of housing shortages, high transportation costs and fewer amenities. 🏫 At the same time, schools play an essential role in rural communities, not only providing community spaces in areas that have little infrastructure, but also serving as hubs for a range of essential community resources. We're honored to be included in this list among so many others doing important work, and we invite others to join.

A win-win situation: New affordable housing units and a new funding source for public education. The Alhambra Elementary School District is moving forward with the sale of excess land for affordable housing development. It will utilize a model pioneered by the Isaac Elementary School District, the City of Phoenix, and the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority. The Isaac Elementary model involved the school district transferring land to the City of Phoenix, which in turn transferred the land to the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority to be leased to its development partner, UMOM New Day Centers. Cindy Stotler, the Phoenix IDA Housing Director noted that the IDA is looking to do more deals using this new structure. Rep. Analise Ortiz sponsored legislation this session that would authorize school districts to enter into lease transactions with non-profit organizations to develop affordable housing. H.B. 2465, available at https://lnkd.in/gDWJpSgQ. The Phoenix IDA deal structure for school districts and Rep. Ortiz's legislation highlight the opportunity we have to leverage excess land and underutilized sites owned by school districts for the development of new affordable housing. Read more at https://lnkd.in/ghubmqyz

Through grantmaking, young people learn to use their time, talent and resources to improve their world. Youth philanthropy supports students as they ask the question: “What do I care about?” and "How can I make a positive change?" Learn more about the amazing Clairton Student Grantmakers in our newest blog post #YouthPhilanthropy #Grantmakers

This National Foster Care Awareness Month, Let's Champion Education! Did you know? Only a small percentage of foster youth graduate college. While 93% aspire to attend, many face unique challenges that can make those dreams a struggle. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, studies have found that just 3-4% of former foster youth obtain a 4-year college degree, and only 2-6% receive a 2-year degree. Here's how you can make a difference: Donate to scholarship funds: Help ease the financial burden of college for foster youth. Mentor a foster student: Offer guidance and support as they navigate educational choices. Spread awareness: Share this post and raise awareness about the challenges faced by foster youth. Together, we can create a brighter future for foster students.   #SupportFosterYouth #HigherEducationForAll #FosterCareAwarenessMonth

Celebrating the Power of Giving Back: A Story of Transformation & Real Estate Last Christmas, I had a chance encounter that would change the trajectory of a young girl's life forever. While waiting in the Target checkout line with my youngest daughter, a bold 2nd grader shared her struggle with reading. That simple plea for help blossomed into weekly Tuesday night reading and phonics tutoring sessions on Zoom. Over time, I witnessed her journey from struggling with non-sight words to effortlessly pronouncing them. Locating words in the dictionary became second nature, and her once-misspoken words now flowed effortlessly into beautiful stories. Today, her journey has culminated in the creation of a heartwarming book titled "A Rainy Day," co-authored with the City of Murfreesboro's MWRD Community Affairs manager, Sharon Seibert. The City of Murfreesboro has graciously released their rights to this collaborative masterpiece, and we are thrilled to announce a private invitation-only book signing event at the now 3rd grader's school in late March. As part of our commitment to literacy and community, every 3rd grader at Kyndall Sain's current and previous elementary schools will receive a free signed copy of "A Rainy Day." Additionally, they will have the opportunity to purchase MWRD dual-branded t-shirts and umbrellas at a subsidized cost of $5 each. Proceeds from these sales will support vital community initiatives, including the MWRD Community Affairs' annual United Way Baby Basics drive, Stuff The Bus school supplies campaign, Rutherford and Cannon Counties Community Baby Shower presented by TN Health Dept., and the National Red Nose Day Fund. This Rotary Dictionary Project has sparked a ripple effect, inspiring 3rd graders to conquer words, promote literacy, and embrace positive relationships. Every promotional purchase or reading of "A Rainy Day" book contributes to building a connected community, one step at a time. For me, there's pure joy in helping others overcome barriers, conquer fears, and achieve their goals. While my essential job functions bring happiness to clients through real estate transactions, having a diligent realtor like Sharon Seibert and her transaction management team ensures a seamless experience. If real estate endeavors are part of your smart goals for 2024, let's make beautiful music together. Contact Sharon Seibert at www.SharonSeibert.kw.com, and let's turn your real estate dreams into reality. Together, let's continue spreading joy, fostering literacy, and building a stronger, more connected community. #GivingBack #Literacy #CommunityBuilding #RealEstateGoals #ARainyDayBookSigning #MurfreesboroStrong