According to the European Commission, after 2020 over 90 percent of jobs will require digital skills. Moreover, 65 percent of children entering primary school today will work in jobs that don’t yet exist. To develop their skills for these future occupations, the next generation needs to start preparing as early as possible. Yardi Cluj teamed up with Dalia’s Book, non-governmental organization (NGO), to host Adopt-a-School!, an educational program that teaches coding skills to tomorrow’s programmers, engineers, support specialists and project managers. Yardi Cluj + Adopt-a-School! In 2016, Dalia’s Book set out on an ambitious mission to prepare Romania’s youth for future employment in the tech industry. The organization launched Adopt-a-School!, which pairs schools with local ITC companies like Yardi. In February of 2019, Yardi Cluj employees joined the Adopt-a-School! league of volunteers. About 30 employees offered to host weekly coding sessions at a local high school, teaching coding skills to three fourth grade classes. “I decided to volunteer because all future jobs will require a little bit of coding knowledge,” explained Emil Antoni, real estate market analyst at Yardi. “The easiest being Excel and the most complicated being in the field of DNA. Youth need to be prepared.” “I don’t think it’s essential for children to learn code,” said fellow volunteer Andreea Hosu, technical project leader at Yardi. “But I do believe this is that kind of activity that will open many opportunities in their lives. The children learn basic programming, and the funny thing is that they don’t even realize they’re learning something, because they think they are playing.” Many of the Yardi Cluj volunteers had not worked in education before. They approached the project with a blend of excitement, nervousness, and determination. “This was a first for me, so naturally, I was...

Since 2013, the Yardi Cleveland office has hosted an annual food drive called the “Fight Hunger Games” as part of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Harvest for Hunger.  Harvest for Hunger is a collaborative effort covering services in six counties. Food collected and funds raised make it possible to provide nutritious meals to local residents in need. For those struggling to make ends meet, the burden of hunger can be a difficult distraction at all times of year – not just the Thanksgiving to Christmas season, when much attention is focused on food charities. Hardworking families and seniors on fixed incomes across Northeast Ohio face tough choices – put food on the table or pay for other basic essentials such as medicine, utilities or transportation. One in five children in the greater Cleveland area is food insecure.  Yardi’s Cleveland office knew they could help make a difference through the Fight Hunger Games. The rules of the Games are thus: Yardi-Cleveland employees are divided into Team Districts.  The teams collect food and supplies. One representative from each team is selected (or appointed as some of them have experienced) to participate in the Hunger Games. Points are awarded to the winners of the games. Points are also added to the teams according to the number of donations the team has collected. Award ribbons are presented to the top three teams. There  a snack system to collect money to purchase donations for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Snacks are available at each suite. They are purchased by hungry Yardi employees and all profits are used to purchase items to be donated to the Food Bank. Friendly competitions for the Hunger Games included tower building with cans of food, a guessing game to promote office name retention, ball...

It’s a well known fact that the senior living industry has struggled to identify and retained talented personnel. Yardi client The Living Springs has found a way to nourish its talented employees through programs that promote personal and professional advancement. Through its efforts, the organization—and the overall industry—can cultivate a stronger support staff and enhance resident care. Creative Problem Solving Three years ago, Lisa Maynard, director of people and process at The Springs Living, noticed a trend. Employees were eager for professional advancement, mostly in the nursing field. Yet they lacked the resources to make their dreams into a reality. Simultaneously, care providers strategized ways to attract and maintain talent, often in vain. Maynard and the team at The Springs Living realized that both issues could be addressed at once: a scholarship that empowered employees to pursue higher education. Through the Team Springs Scholarship fund, the brand could build loyalty with current employees. Those same employees would gain the education needed to provide higher quality care for residents. “Generally, we find employees want to gain more knowledge with the goal to return and help out our residents in a higher-level capacity,” explained Maynard. The scholarship fund is not limited to long-term care or health care, Maynard says. But that isn’t a deterrent. “We do have a mission to change the way people, think, feel and experience working in senior living.  If we can get our younger generations to see the career opportunities, we think they will come back in some form or fashion.  Even if it is just referring us to another talented friend or family member.” The Springs Living also invented the Shine Academy. The in-house program assists with on-boarding, on the job training, and continuing education.  The Shine Academy encourages staff to...

The safety of home provides children with a foundation for personal, academic, and professional success. When youth face housing insecurity, the odds are stacked against them. Monarch School provides young minds with the stability and resources needed to thrive against all odds. About Monarch School More than 30 years ago, Monarch School began as a one-room education center in San Diego. Today, it has expanded into a K-12 comprehensive school designed to educate homeless youth. The need is great. San Diego County has an estimated 23,000 students facing housing insecurity. Homelessness is a predecessor to many challenges, including but not limited to psychological problems and academic struggles. Roughly 75 percent of homeless students never earn a high school diploma. As a result, homeless youth face barriers to professional and personal success. They are also more likely to face housing insecurity as adults. Monarch School equips students with the skills and tools needed to beat those odds. “Monarch School provides stability and a quality education during the most difficult time of their family’s life: homelessness,” explains Tyler Dalsted, technical account manager, consulting practices at Yardi. “One student said, in the evening when they faced gangs, violence, and uncertainty, they were able to find stability and confidence in their education from breakfast through dinner at Monarch School. Yardi made a difference in supporting this wonderful cause.” Raise Up for Monarch Dalsted, along with fellow Yardi employee Kevin Yim, attended Raise Up for Monarch. The annual event raises funds for school programming. Raise Up for Monarch begins with a self-guided tour of classrooms where guests can view student projects, artwork, and other curricula. Guest can then tour the Butterfly Boutique, a store environment where the students are given vouchers to acquire new and gently used clothes, shoes...

The annual Cooking Up Dreams fundraiser was a sweet success! Participants enjoyed a night of dining, dancing, and fun prizes. Most importantly, Family Service Agency (FSA) received the support needed to continue serving at-risk children, families and seniors. Each year, Cooking Up Dreams invites guests and celebrity judges to sample dishes prepared by Santa Barbara’s hottest chefs and restaurants. After the tastings, the best dishes are awarded People’s Choice or Judges’ Choice awards. Geneva Ives, manager of marketing content for Yardi, served as a guest judge. Ives regularly writes about the local food and wine scene to support restaurateurs and food producers. She freelances for USA Today’s “10 Best” column and recently published the book, “Eats and Eateries of Santa Barbara.” Ives recalled what she looked for in noteworthy bites. “When I’m eating, I look for food that satisfies but also intrigues. A perfect bite is like a perfect glass of wine. You’re looking for aromas, flavors and textures that are distinct but blend together perfectly.” She added, “There were quite a few tasty bites at Cooking Up Dreams, but the two that stand out in my memory are the Dungeness crab-topped Kennebec potato chip from Finch & Fork and the ponzu scallops on the half shell from Bluewater Grill.” Peter Cham of Finch & Fork ultimately took home the The Judges’ Choice Award for crustacean dip. People’s Choice Winner was Damien Giliberti of The Outpost at the Goodland. Attendants raved over his Pork Belly Bao Buns. “I always love participating in events that celebrate and explore Santa Barbara’s thriving food culture. The fact that this event was hosted by the FSA to help children, families and seniors in need made it even more worthwhile,” said Ives. While flavors danced on their taste buds,...

Associate technical account manager Thomas Barker is a talented distance runner who competed in college and has coached All American runners. He’s also running his first full marathon at the New York City Marathon this fall. But Barker is not just a runner who is concerned with his own race results and training plans. He’s actively involved in the Atlanta running community as the president of the local Front Runners chapter. Front Runners is an international organization that promotes running, walking and related athletic activities for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders and their supporters. “In Atlanta, Front Runners has been an active running group for 29 years. It’s a great way for new runners to get introduced to the sport, and a healthy environment for the LGBT community to gather that’s not in a bar environment,” Barker explained. The chapter produces an annual running event, the Atlanta Pride Run, which will take place this year on June 15. Yardi is the Pride Run’s title corporate sponsor this year. Many other local businesses are assisting with fundraising to support the run and its cause, including local restaurants and bars. “June 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, which really kicked off the civil rights movement for the LGBT community,” Barker said. “It brought international awareness to the gay rights movement in the U.S. and worldwide.  The first Pride parade in New York City was held on the anniversary of the riots, and now Pride is celebrated every year around the world.” Yardi employees will participate in the run, which is a fundraiser for the Atlanta non-profit Joining Hearts. The mission of Joining Hearts is to raise awareness, and funds to support prevention, care, and housing assistance to those impacted by...

Food insecurity affects one in every six seniors in Idaho. This vulnerable population relies on local aid to stay healthy. Yardi Boise teamed up with Metro Meals on Wheels and the community of Treasure Valley to combat hunger among seniors. Meals on Wheels In America, more than 9 million elderly adults struggle with food insecurity. About 6.9 million seniors live in poverty with incomes of less than $228 each week. About one in every four seniors lives alone with one in five reporting feelings of loneliness. When seniors lack adequate nutrition and face loneliness, their mental and physical health suffer. Meals on Wheels is a federally supported organization that combats hunger and loneliness. Its volunteers deliver life-saving to 2.4 million seniors nationwide. The capstone service is meal delivery, in which seniors and other people with limited mobility receive fresh food delivered to their doors. Volunteers deliver 225 million meals each year. During deliveries, Meals on Wheels also conducts welfare checks. Representatives asses seniors’ personal wellbeing and living conditions. Through these services, seniors are better able to remain independent while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Meals on Wheels has also expanded its services to house pets. Seniors that struggle to feed themselves often lack the means to feed their furry friends. Supporters can make donations towards pet food so that no one is hungry or alone. The local chapter, Metro Meals on Wheels, addresses the needs of seniors in metropolitan Boise. Volunteers assist approximately 1,000 seniors every weekday and 700 seniors on weekends. Although Meals on Wheels receives federal support, it is severely underfunded. More than 80 percent of low-income and food insecure seniors do not receive the home delivered meals that they need. To raise money, Metro Meals on Wheels partnered with Blue Cross of...

Yardi is again the title sponsor of the upcoming Miles for Moms 5K, a fun run and walk on Mothr’s Day weekend that will benefit Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital. The run will take place on Saturday, May 11, the day before Mother’s Day. Participants are encouraged to walk with or in honor of mothers by Cottage Hospital organizers. The route of the 5K will be familiar to many lunchtime joggers at Yardi’s corporate headquarters. Beginning at the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital parking lot at 351 S. Patterson Ave., the 5K route will travel south on Patterson and onto the Atascadero Creek Trail (Obern Trail). The route will turn back at Highway 217 and return to the hospital. A fun run for kids will also be part of the morning events, and registration is free for kids under 12. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraiser, as well as first place prizes to female and male runners. All moms participating in the event will receive a special gift and various raffle prizes will be given away. A DJ will play music for the entire duration of the event. To register, visit the event registration site. Watch a recap video from the inaugural 2018...

Food is essential. For children, it can make the difference between growing strong and capable or struggling much of their lives. TABLE is a nonprofit organization that provides healthy emergency food aid each week to children in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, NC. Their work changes lives, and Yardi is proud to help. Addressing the Problem Food insecurity hits hard in North Carolina. It is ranked among the top eight states that have statistically higher food insecurity rates than the US national average. In the state, 80 percent of households with kids that are receiving food assistance don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Families make tough choices to survive. About 35 percent of families in need must choose between paying for food and housing costs. More than 40 percent must decide between buying food and heating their homes. Children are among the most vulnerable populations. In North Carolina, 30 percent of people receiving emergency food aid are under the age of 18. Nearly 25 percent of those kids are under the age of five. It’s a lot of data to swallow. The repercussions on hunger linger under the data. As children repeatedly lack access to nutritious food, their physical and mental well-being suffer. The consequences of hunger include an inability to focus, low academic performance, and chronic headaches and belly aches. TABLE steps in to fill the voids. Thoughtful and effective programming helps kids feel their best and fulfill their potential. Education at Work Providing nourishment is only a part of TABLE programming. The organization offers educational classes and activities to help kids sustain a healthy lifestyle. The Weekend Meal Backpack and Summer TABLE programs provide food for kids when they are not in school to receive free or reduced meals. Kids...

Have you ever wondered how food banks get fresh produce and meats to people in need? Such perishable items require special care and the work of dedicated volunteers. Yardi Raleigh employees endured the winter temperatures to provide nutritious meals for the hungry. A Lasting Relationship Yardi Raleigh has been a proud sponsor of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina (CENC) for several years. Its simple yet vital mission to feed the hungry has spoken to the hearts of Yardi team members. They have dedicated their time, energy, and resources the cause. Their work is needed now more than ever. The nonprofit services about 600,000 people across 34 counties in the state. Through its care, children, seniors, and other vulnerable groups receive nutritious food, clean water, and the educational resources needed for self-sufficiency. In emergencies, such as recent natural disasters, Food Bank CENC acts as a first responder. As soon a safe pathways are cleared, the Food Bank opens its branches and satellite locations to provide food to those displaced by flooding, hurricanes, and other acts of nature. Yardi continues to support Food Bank CENC with a recent volunteer initiative in rather frosty conditions. Yep. That’s Cold. In the past, Yardi Raleigh team members have made financial contributions, sorted goods, and packed boxes for Food Bank CENC. The most recent visit the food pantry proved to be a bone chilling yet heart warming experience! Rather than packing non-perishable goods, Yardi Raleigh got a taste of the meat freezer. Volunteers Rose Hiebert, David Minehart, Steve Sharpe and Mike Harrison were responsible for packing 230 boxes of perishable items such as frozen poultry, beef and pork. That’s nearly 7,400 pounds of meat! The proteins will be a part of 6,100 balanced meals to feed...

Food strengthens the body and propels the mind. Yet one in six residents of Ventura County struggle with food insecurity. Seniors are among the vulnerable population. The local food bank and volunteers work together to end hunger, helping seniors thrive in their golden years. Ventura County Food Insecurity An inability to access healthy food impacts multiple areas of a person’s life. Hardworking people must make daily sacrifices that affect their health and wellbeing.  Of the food insecure in Ventura County, 69 percent must choose between food and utilities. More than 65 percent must choose between food and medical care Among the food insecure that must make those tough calls, roughly 46,650 are seniors. Ventura County’s Agency on Aging reports that “approximately 39 percent of all elders aged 65 and older do not have enough income to meet their most basic needs.” The inaccessibility of fresh, nutritious food leads to a reliance on more affordable but less healthy options. As a result of this and other factors, 58 percent of households have a member with high blood pressure with 77 percent occurring in senior homes. About 33 percent of households in the county have a member with diabetes with 47 percent in senior households. Volunteering with Food Share Food Share of Ventura County aims to improve seniors’ quality of life. Each year, Food Share stores and distributes nearly 11 million pounds of food to those in need. The Food Share program serves nutritious meals to 74,500 people every month, about 3,100 of which are seniors. Senior programming prepares boxes of food including items such as canned fruits, vegetables, salmon, cereal, milk, peanut butter, fruit juice, and spaghetti. The nonprofit organization relies on the help of 190 pantry partners as well as volunteers. Ten Yardi Santa...

For most young children, toys are an essential highlight for Christmas. The thrill of unwrapping a surprise brings excitement. Playing with the toys, of course, prolongs the fun! But for some children, familial and financial difficulties threaten to hamper their holiday joy. Marine Toys for Tots strives to bring cheer to children in need. Toys for Tots Since 1947, Toys for Tots has provided holiday gifts for disadvantaged kids. The organization collects donations from community members and corporate sponsors. Social welfare offices, churches, and other community agencies help Toys for Tots coordinators identify families in need. On Christmas day, Marines deliver the donated gifts to eligible families. Nearly 40,000 servicemembers participate in the program each year. Their efforts have put 548 million toys into the hands of 251 million children. The United States Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR) unit stationed at Luke Airforce Base proudly serves the Toys for Tots program of Maricopa County. The 9,400 square-mile space is home to more than 3,800,000 people. Nearly 16 percent of that population is living below the poverty level. USMC Toys for Tots helps make the holidays a little brighter for such families. Supporting Local Children Each year, Yardi offices across the nation participate in Toys for Tots programs. In 2018, the Yardi Scottsdale office donated four large shopping carts full of toys to USMCR Toys for Tots. As a result of team members’ generosity, children of all ages enjoyed toys and games for Christmas. “This is at least the eight year we have hosted a toy drive in the holiday season. Every year, it continues to grow as we grow,” said Peter Kolaczynski, Manager, Matrix at Yardi. He believes that the corporate culture at Yardi inspires employees to give back on a personal level. “Yardi as...

More than 85 million people worldwide have been made homeless by natural disaster and conflict. That’s more than every resident of California, Texas, South Carolina and North Carolina combined. ShelterBox offers survival tools for displaced families in their time of need. ShelterBox: Transforming Despair into Hope ShelterBox specializes in mobile shelters and supplies for emergency relief efforts. The UK-based organization has provided vital aid in 21 countries. In 2017, more than 162,000 people received ShelterBox assistance. Each aid experience is customized for the needs of the recipients. Emergency packages may include tents, building supplies, fresh water, solar lights, mosquito nets, and blankets. School kits help to mend the learning gap caused when access to education is interrupted. ShelterBox supplies empower recipients in a variety of ways: • 82% of surveyed beneficiaries said that they felt safer in the shelter they repaired or rebuilt using aid provided by ShelterBox. • 85% of surveyed beneficiaries agreed that receiving aid from ShelterBox meant they were warmer at night. • 88% of surveyed beneficiaries said that they had more privacy for themselves and their family after they had received aid from ShelterBox. Yardi + ShelterBox ShelterBox USA recently hosted a Lunch & Learn session with corporate sponsor, Yardi. The Yardi Santa Barbara office broke the Lunch & Learn attendance record with 45 attendees. Lunch and Learn featured a presentation by ShelterBox President Kerri Murray. Attendees received an overview of one of the organization’s popular innovations, The Standard Relief Tent. This waterproof tent protects its inhabitants from UV rays, winds up to 100kmh, and heavy rainfall. Inhabitants stay dry, even when exterior standing water levels reach up to six inches. While keeping the elements out, the tent maintains comfortable conditions inside. A unique ventilation system creates a 10-degree temperature...

Yardi Scottsdale Charity Committee recently hosted a ceremony honoring the recipients of its 2018 charitable grants. The contributions demonstrate Yardi’s mission to “take care of our communities” in action. Each recipient is a nonprofit nominated and approved by Yardi Scottsdale employees. Arizona Burn Foundation The Arizona Burn Foundation mission is to “improve the quality of life of burn survivors and their families while promoting burn prevention education in Arizona.”  The organization provides child burn survivors with physical, psychological, emotional and social support. Services include reconstructive treatment, family assistance, survivor and family camps, counseling, and prevention and education programs in the community. Upon nominating the Arizona Burn Foundation, a Scottsdale employee wrote, “My step son is a burn victim. He suffered third degree burns over his entire body when he was just 1 year old. The Arizona Burn Foundation has been a part of our lives for many years. My family volunteers and provides support for other families that are just starting the recovery process.” Eve’s Place Eve’s Place specializes in “supporting any victim of domestic, sexual and teen dating abuse by increasing access to services through mobile advocacy.” The organization has helped victims to restart their lives outside of the circle of abuse. Participants receive assistance with safety planning, goal setting, and obtaining shelter.  Personal advocates and support groups help victims of abuse to rebuild their esteem and sense of purpose. To help victims attain justice, Eve’s Place also offers support and information on various legal topics within the civil and criminal justice systems. Heart Encouragement Heart Encouragement assists individuals suffering from cancer and provides support and encouragement for them and their loved ones during their cancer journey. The broad spectrum of care services empowers cancer patients and their families in a variety of...