AH At l a n t i c h o u s i n g F o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 4
June 2012
Ju n e C a m p a i g n : A l e x ’s L e m o n a d e S t a n d
Alexandra “Alex” Flynn Scott was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma before her first birthday. She battled the cancer with a “determined, courageous, confident and inspiring” spirit. During a trip the hospital, Alex exclaimed she would like a lemonade stand to help other kids like her. Alex lost her battle to cancer in 2004. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) aims to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer. ALSF also hopes to encourage empower other families. ALSF has raised over $50 million since 2000.
Alex’s Lemonade Stands are located in the Clubhouse of each property.
More information can be found at: www.alexslemonade.org
As an organization, we aspire to and believe in - Making a Difference
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Resident Coordinator o f the Month Highlights Afterschool Program that encourages students to improve their study skills. The Program also features themes taught by volunteers. Last month, “Operation Peace of Mind” was taught by Denise to demonstrate the importance of a community and how to keep a community safe. 126 Participants ESL Classes are held every Monday and Wednesday evening. The classes focus on everyday language (working, shopping, banking, etc.) 98 Participants Residents were encouraged to participate in the Donation Basket Collection for those in need. Nineteen children helped filling the baskets. Parent’s Night Out where children enjoy popcorn and drinks while their parents enjoy a quiet evening. This event is held once a month, on Fridays. 21 Participants Bingo Night is held monthly for senior residents. They enjoy potluck dinners, sharing recipes, and the donated prizes. 7-10 Participants
Geovani and Shelley Chavarria Resident Coordinators: Stone Creek
Children enjoyed the Easter Egg Hunt which featured two bicycles donated by the Village Church members as a raffle! 56 Participants Resident Appreciation Breakfast and Operation Peace of Mind tutoring classes for adults. 34 Participants
As an organization, we aspire to and believe in - Making a Difference
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
P ro p e r t y M a n a ge r o f t h e M o n t h
Jessica Enhorabuena Stone Creek
Biography I started with Stone Creek Apartments in the fall of 2004 as a Leasing Agent. Working with the previous manager and her staff I knew that this was the perfect position for me. I received great feedback that I had the personality and desire for this position and I knew in my heart, that I had finally found more than just a job. During my tenure in the industry I have been blessed to work for one owner (AHF) although I have worked at other properties they had I feel that I have been trained by the best. I was given the ability to come back to work at Stone Creek as an Assistant Manager in 2009. I have grown to appreciate what the long hours and dedication has brought me as I climbed the career ladder to Property Manager the following year. I have grown so much as a manager, mentor, mother, and wife. The job at Stone Creek and our corporate mission makes us really see how Making a Difference in someone else’s life can truly make a difference in our own. My mother passed away when I was fifteen years old and I missed out on sharing certain life’s lessons and those special conversations with her. However that has never held me back because I have gained a family in AHF and built a bond with my co-workers that are like sisters. It helped with my self esteem and has helped build my relationships with my residents and vendors as I’ve grown over the past eight years. My views and aspects of my life beginning with my family and my children have allowed me to grow as they encourage me even when I work fifty hours a week sometimes. There are no complaints because I love doing what I do. I could not have done it without them or the support from the team that I work with. The property has progressed tremendously with my assistant, the maintenance team and Resident Coordinators by my side and it shows that we can not fail. They all have played a big role in our great success here. They really are awesome!! In the future, I see us continuing to grow and progress as a team and continuing to make huge impacts on the resident’s lives and everyone else that crosses our path. I believe together we are truly Making a Difference.
Partnerships (54 Volunteers) The Village Church Laurel and Jake Ewing; Colleen Pruitt; Bonnie Collins; and other Home Group Leaders Denise, Operation Peace of Mind Residents of Stone Creek As an organization, we aspire to and believe in - Making a Difference
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Property Highlights Waters at Bluff Springs
Brittany Bay
Pet package giveaway for the “Cutest Pet Picture” on Facebook.
Overall participation increased to 870!
“Breakfast at the Gate” featuring breakfast tacos.
Helping Hands Club made Easter cookies for the elderly. The Club also made a path in the garden.
Resume service held by the Resident Coordinator.
Waterchase
“Making a Difference” career development discussion class which taught residents elements of professionalism. These include dressing for success, career education, and conducting oneself in a professional manner.
Tall Timbers
Overall participation increased to 366!
The Manager and Resident Coordinator worked together to increase the number of events last month to fit all age groups.
Covington Creek
The Resident Coordinator held a drawing competition for the children while the adults enjoyed the Texas Rangers baseball game and refreshments. The winner received a Spongebob Easter basket.
8,316 participants were reported last month!
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Property Highlights Heather Ridge
“Egg-Stravaganza” started with breakfast, prepared by several residents.
“Egg Hunt” for the children and drawing was held for six Easter baskets.
The community center was updated with furniture from the Arbors of Denton. Residents are excited about the beautiful new furniture! Thank you Leslie and the Arbors of Denton team!
8,316 participants were reported last month!
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Property Highlights Arbors of Sam Houston
Windover Oaks
Recently welcomed a new Resident Coordinator that has made a wonderful difference for the site!
“Eat ‘Um Up Kones” made snow cones and created a flavor called “The Arbors Chill”.
A bullying prevention program will teach children how to work together as a cohesive group and share in each other’s successes!
Celebrated National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day!
Promoted Library Week by providing pencils, pens, scantrons, and Bluebooks for residents.
Held first “Meet and Greet” Dinner for residents.
Residents were provided with skin care and pampering day!
“Mommy/Me and Grandma/Me” program which will assist young mothers and grandmothers in developing relationships with one another while offering children play time.
Started a book exchange (25 participants).
Collection box started for a food pantry. This will be available for residents in need.
“Student of the Month” featured in the After School Program (pictured to the right). Winners must demonstrate good interpersonal relationship, a positive attitude, and excellent behavior. The first winner won five dollars and awarded a “Good Citizen” certificate.
8,316 participants were reported last month!
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Property Highlights Quail Ridge
Village Lakes
The children surprised their Resident Coordinator with decorated frames and pictures that were drawn for her birthday!
They focused on “Going Green” which the children made creations out of popsicle sticks and recycled materials.
Children learned and practiced etiquette and management skills by acting like they were at a restaurant.
“Jelly Bean Jar Contest” - 152 participants guessed the number of jelly beans. Two children won Easter baskets for guessing the right number!
New community center provided. The larger space will increase participation.
Celebrated a Nepali Holiday
Arrowood
The Boy Scout Troup raised $105 selling lemonade!
8,316 participants were reported last month!
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Property Highlights Redbud Trail
Tutoring for 85 children
Outside events: soccer, flag tag, jump rope, and limbo dancing, were held.
8,316 participants were reported last month!
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Property Partnerships Covington Creek
Redbud Trail
Staff volunteered their time in the warehouse which delivered 129 cans of food to the North Texas Food Bank.
Christ Fellowship Church: donated 500 pairs of shoes for all ages. Shoe laces, socks, and shoe polish were also provided. 35 volunteers helped the residents choose their shoes. Face painting and Bouncy House were also provided.
Panera Bread: donated bagels, muffins, donuts, and cookies for residents.
Staff and residents participated in “Run for Cover” which is a 1, 5, or 10 mile walk/run to raise money for the Samaritan Inn. This is the only homeless shelter in Collin County, TX.
8,316 participants were reported last month!
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Property Partnerships Arrowood
Palm House
Heritage Home Health and Hospice: 93 participants
Schwan’s, Taylor Marie shopping: 113 participants
In House Banking by Frost: 111 participants
Fort Worth Health Department held a disaster preparedness presentation: 24 participants
The Brewers, residents have donated children’s movies to the Community Center. Mrs. Brewer also donated time to sew on the Boy Scout patches on the uniforms.
Silverleaf
D’awn Holland, a Scentsy representative and a license massage therapist, did a “Day of Beauty” for the residents.
8,316 participants were reported last month!
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Property Partnerships Heather Ridge
Arbors of Sam Houston
Held an Easter Seals Donation Drive and signing up residents to be involved in the “Walk with Me” event on July 22, 2012.
Collected 27 books during a book drive for the VA hospital.
Evening gathering for parents on how to boost your child’s selfesteem and reduce bullying.
Monster Energy Drink: handed out drinks at the large Bearcat Mixer.
Staff and residents volunteered their time at the Rita B. Huff Humane Society. One of the staff members adopted a dog!
Ashton at Long Creek
Benedict College: held math workshops for twenty children.
Waterchase
Hope Bible Fellowship Church: donated 500 eggs for sixty children to find. They also grilled hotdogs for the event.
Dallas Police Department Latch Key Kids Program: Officer Allen spoke to children about the dangers of being home alone.
Staff volunteered their time to see residents in the Baylor Hospital (Garland) that were sick.
Manitoba
Birchman Baptist Church: twelve volunteers came to help in the Easter party. They donated over 300 eggs that were placed around the community. They also helped boil eight dozen eggs, so the children could color them. Lisa’s Chicken: provided a hundred low price recipes for chicken tenders.
Brittany Bay Water at Bluff Springs
Staff volunteered at Safe Place and Capital Area Food Bank.
Pathways Community Church: “FunN-The-Sun” cookout provided for families.
8,316 participants were reported last month!
At l a n t i c h o u s i n g f o u n d at i o n Community Service Newsletter
Scholarship Testimonial Thank you.
Leonard was recently hired on a few months ago to be the full time leasing consultant at Waterchase. Leonard could have gone to any business/organization to find a job based on his degree, but he chose to apply with Atlantic Housing because he wanted to give back and work for the Organization that gave him the opportunity to finish his college education. Leonard’s mother was 14 years old when he was born and as a single mother with all the odds against her, she raised Leonard the best that she could. Although they were poor, Leonard at a young age was determined to not only get a high school education but a college degree. His wish became true when he received a football scholarship with Langston Oklahoma which he played football and went to school from 2006/2007. He decided at that point that he wanted to go to college in Texas which he was able to transfer his football scholarship to Sam Houston State in 2007. On June 9th, 2007 he was working out at his old high school when he dropped 600 lbs on his face while using the squat rack which broke his face in 200 pieces. He was in intensive care and heavily watched by the doctors for 3 months. The doctors had to put titanium steel in his face and released him in August where he went to school at Texas A&M Commerce from August 2007 to May 2008 since he needed to be close to the doctors that operated on him for follow ups. In the Spring of 2008, he was able able to transfer to Sam Houston state as a walk on which they could not offer him the football scholarship due to his injury. The struggle to pay rent, school was a struggle along with hospital bills but he would not give up. He was determined to finish his last year and found out about the AHF Housing scholarship. He applied and was awarded the Housing Scholarship in 2010 which he graduated in the Spring of 2011with a major in Kinesiology and Education. Leonard had many obstacles stand in his way during his life to the point when it happened seemed hopeless, but through each obstacle he was focused and determined more than ever to make his mother proud and to make his life better. He emailed me a couple of months ago, introducing himself and wanted to see if there were any job openings in Dallas. I immediately sent his resume to Keri Terrell, the Regional Manager for Dallas County; he accepted a full-time leasing consultant position at Waterchase. In just a few months he has helped Waterchase get nineteen new partnerships,.
As an organization, we aspire to and believe in - Making a Difference
