The highly anticipated in-person deals and online exclusives of Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner, marking the biggest sales of the season. From gadgets and gizmos to furniture and vehicles, these are two of the year’s busiest shopping days. According to the National Retail Federation, sales in November and December account for as much as 30 percent of annual sales. In 2015, more than 74 million shoppers ventured out on Black Friday, spending an average of nearly $300 per person. For the crowd-opposed or time-strapped, Cyber Monday offers online discounts the Monday after Thanksgiving. Nearly 90 percent of online retailers had Cyber Monday sales, and 45 percent offered coupons or discounted deals. For many, the holiday season also inspires a sense of altruism. After the spending splurge, #GivingTuesday kicks off a movement of paying it forward worldwide. Now in its fifth year, this celebratory event is a global day of giving powered by social media and the spirit of collaboration. #GivingTuesday was created by the 92nd Street Y, a New York City cultural center that has been celebrating diversity and service since 1874. The movement has grown and gone global with the help of influencers from all sectors and walks of life. #GivingTuesday takes place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. This year, the fifth annual event will be celebrated worldwide on November 29, 2016. Here’s how it works, according to its website: “#GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities; it provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners—...

The Voyager Front Line Residential Santa Barbara teams joined forces to volunteer at PATH Santa Barbara last week in the tradition of Yardi’s commitment to the community. PATH is a non-profit organization which addresses homelessness for individuals and the community. It provides services to improve their health, increase their income, and transition to stable housing. “We had a great time sorting vegetables, fruits, breads and desserts. We also helped clean the tables and set up the food. Most especially, we enjoyed serving great food to our less fortunate brothers and sisters,” said Jomel Esleta, Team Leader, CSD. “We can see the happiness in their faces when they saw the team helping out and received non-stop ‘thank yous’ from all of them,” Esleta said. “It always feels great to help other people,” said team member Evan Hamilton. In addition to Esleta and Hamilton, Yardi employees Brandon Paul, Ryan Daley, Baron Wei, Richard Ngoy and Allen Shelledy spent four hours on a Saturday at PATH. The PATH community kitchen is open 365 days a year and serves other local agencies that assist the homeless, including Common Ground, Giving Tree, Presbyterian Church, Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Stalwart House, WillBridge, and Unity Shoppe. For information iabout volunteering at PATH in Santa Barbara, visit this...

Since 1945, Hillside House has edified Santa Barbara’s residents living with disabilities. The organization continues its mission into a new era that will expand services and build a stronger sense of inclusion in the community. The organization began as a care center for 15 young adults with cerebral palsy. Over time, it acquired the resources to care for people living with a variety of developmental and intellectual disabilities. Today, Hillside House is a therapeutic learning community comprised of 59 residents. Residents receive meals, medical care, and 24-hour assistance in the care of 90 staff. Executive Director Craig Olson joined the team at Hillside House 12 years ago. The non-profit has become a second home. “I just have a love for our residents and I want to help,” says Olson. Olson’s passion for building community began with his interest in the art of wine making. “[Wine culture] has taught me a lot about hospitality and being upbeat about life. You have to have that vibrancy. Wine brings people together and creates a sense of community. I aim to replicate that sense of inclusion and community here.” The first lesson of inclusion, Olson learned, was to interact with people with disabilities in the same way that he would interact with anyone else. “One common misconception is that they’re different than anyone else,” chuckles Olson. “I remember the first time that I came to work and I was supposed to do an activity with the residents. It was a softball game. I said, ‘I don’t know how to do that.’ My coworker said, ‘Well…just go play softball. Just treat them like you would anybody else and it’s going to go fabulously.’” That brief exchange highlights the methodology of Hillside House in Santa Barbara:  the organization promotes inclusion...

Patricia Cooper found herself facing a two-fold void in the Santa Barbara community. A growing number of families were in desperate need of counseling, but they could not afford traditional services. Countless graduate students vied for scarce opportunities to fulfill their 3,000-hour residencies. Once the connection between the two dilemmas became evident, Cooper sprang into action. Filling both needs became easier than Cooper had expected. In 1984, Cooper and her partner, Jaclyn Henretig, opened the doors to Community Counseling and Education Center (CCEC). The nonprofit organization offers counseling and educational programs for low-income individuals in the community. CCEC doubles as a training ground for graduate students. The demand for low-cost counseling and hands-on training was so great that the organization thrived immediately. Cooper laughs, “We just kind of took off and didn’t look back. We trusted and everything just fell into place. If you look in retrospect, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into in terms of how much time and effort it was going to take. But along the way, we had so much fun doing it.” CCEC assists a diverse range of clients by offering individual and couples counseling, group therapy, Spanish-language services, as well as programming for single parents and the LGBTQ community. Each program has flourished since the organization opened. Communication and coping mechanisms are two of the most popular topics in counseling sessions. “The most requested service among couples is to strengthen communication skills,” observes Cooper. “It’s also a lot of looking at past habits for handling stress that are not functional. We’re looking at alcohol and drug use, specifically.” During the Recession, the organization experienced an increase in clients. Those years highlighted the necessity of affordable counseling programs that can serve the community without clients’...

The first thing you notice on MC Companies website is that the Arizona-based multifamily housing provider is a very compassionate company. It’s one of the traits that make them one of Arizona’s “most admired companies.” The “Good Life Promises” that are part of the firm’s foundational values include a rent rescue program that excuses late fees and “life interruption relief,” a standardized accommodation for residents who might need a little help recovering after a job loss. ‘”Giving is very important to our company,” said Lesley Brice, principal and president of MC Companies, a Yardi client. Fellow principals Ken McElroy and Ross McCallister founded the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company in 1985. McElroy, a real estate entrepreneur and author who is passionate about giving back to the community, first became involved in Autism activism 11 years ago, when the child of a friend was diagnosed with the disease. McElroy is now chair of Scottsdale’s annual Autism Speaks fundraising walk. The event is held nationally each fall. In Arizona alone, 20,000 people walked in 2015, and 25,000 are expected at this weekend’s event. “Ken quickly realized that based on the statistic of 1 in 68 children (1 in 44 boys) with Autism that there are tens of thousands of affected individuals living in our apartment communities in Arizona,” Brice said. And with that realization, the entire MC Companies team was galvanized to action. As Brice explains it, the need to mobilize quickly to fundraise for the 2015 walk produced two exceptional ideas that MC Companies used again for the 2016 campaign. Hours4Autism – “We developed a program that allows companies to raise donations through Paid Time Off donations.  In our first year with our 300 employees, we raised over $20,000 or 1100 hours last year and expect to...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. As a company, one of our core values is community service. Participating in nonprofit work and giving back is a shared part of the culture at Yardi. Many of our employees give back regularly through local and global charities, volunteerism, and raising awareness. Yardi is honored to support organizations doing work to further research, prevention and education efforts in the fight against cancer. American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society (ACS) has been working to raise public awareness about cancer for over 100 years. Founded in 1913, the ACS started as a small group of committed doctors and civilians with one mission: to fight back against the disease.  In the late 1930’s, the organization created a legion of volunteers to educate the public and fundraise. Later in 1946, the ACS expanded their programming to include cancer research, raising more than $4 million to fund the Society’s groundbreaking research and educational initiatives. The ACS has been involved in almost every major cancer research breakthrough in the last 70 years. This also includes the strategic fundraising of cancer-fighting medications, the passage of the National Cancer Act in 1971, as well as advocacy in legislation and preventative medicine. Their annual events, including Relay for Life and Making Strides, encourage community members to get involved, promotes awareness and early detection, and raises millions of dollars for cancer research and prevention education. Thanks in part to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there are nearly 14.5 million people in the United States who have survived cancer. Cancer Care for Hope CancerCare was founded in 1944 with the goal of providing free, professional support services and information to people managing the different challenges of cancer. In the past year, CancerCare has provided nearly $13 million...

Princeton, N.J.-based property management firm The Gershen Group LLC opened in 1959 as a small family based firm.  It concentrated on planning and consulting before branching out to housing management in 1972.  Its principal focus today is affordable and senior housing, although the company’s commercial holdings have consistently increased over the years. Long after The Gershen Group moved past the mom-and pop-phase, a family-based orientation remains the core of its operating philosophy. Extended Family “We tend to keep employees a very long time, which is not the norm in today’s business world,” according to Jonathan Gershen, vice president and general counsel of the company his parents founded. “Only a few employees are actually family members, although they almost could be—one person has been with us 35 years, another for 25 years.  We think of our staff as family, and this mentality has served us very well.” This attitude extends to the company’s business partners.  “With our clients—whether they’re our fee-managed properties or our residents—the relationship goes beyond ‘Just pay your rent and that’s it.’  We know who they are, and they know the building manager who’s been there for 10 or 20 years.  We want to keep that connection,” adds Deborah Gershen, vice president and director of property management. She adds, “It would be very easy to manage everything that comes in the door.   We’ve given up projects, or not taken them on, when people say ‘the building’s broke, we don’t have to spend any more money.’  My answer is, ‘We’re not the right manager for you.’  We’ve been very selective that way, and that won’t change.” Technology as an Ally When it comes to adopting property management software, The Gershen Group makes another subtle yet firm distinction between personal and business considerations. “Our...

You see the little Heart-Check mark anywhere there is food these days: a box of Cheerios in your pantry, a can of Campbell’s soup in the store, a Subway sandwich wrapper at the park. Today, 92 percent of consumers recognize the efforts of the American Heart Association brand. But that wasn’t always the case. Heart disease used to be a silent killer. The American Heart Association (AHA) has brought the importance of heart health to the foreground of wellness. The U.S. faces a sincere need for heart health education. One in every four deaths is the result of heart disease, according to a report by the Center for Disease Control. That makes heart disease the leading cause of death among men and women. Lisa Thomas, Senior Heart and Stroke Walk Director, hopes to change that. Through public education and fundraising, Thomas and her team work to reclaim lives from the clenches of heart disease. “Public education is a part of everything that we do,” says Thomas. “It’s so important to know your risk, know your numbers and see your doctor every year to stay up to date. Prevention is key. Prevention saves lives.” Eating a heart-healthy diet is a good place to start, hence the Heart-Check mark on certain foods at the grocery store. These foods meet the nutritional requirements set by AHA to promote heart health. Common characteristics are foods that are low in cholesterol and salt, and contain ingredients that favor the cardiovascular system. Consistent exercise is another key preventative measure. “Powerwalking is a good one. It’s so easy to just grab your shoes and walk, in the neighborhood, at the mall, the park—anywhere there is space,” says Thomas. That basic concept is the backbone of the association’s annual Heart Walk series...

Curious about sustainable investments? You’re not alone. Sustainable investments result in better operational performance, improved stock prices, and proven psychological benefits. So why aren’t more advisors talking about it? JP Morgan defines sustainable investments as “investment approaches that enable investors to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into their investment strategies and create positive benefits for society.” In 2014, an estimated $21.4 trillion of global assets were reported as sustainable investments. That is an $8 trillion increase from 2012. This field of investment continues to grow due to favorable results: The University of Oxford and Arabesque Partners reports that 88% of companies that practiced effective ESG management were also able to improve operational performance. Stock prices performance improved for 80 percent of companies that prioritized ESG issues. JP Morgan and the University of Oxford have not analyzed the warm and fuzzy sensation that can come as a result of investments with a higher purpose. But others have. New York Times compiled several studies that examine the connection between acting for the greater good and emotions. Sources conclude that supporting causes that we feel good about reduces stress levels and can even extend lifespans. When we feel positively about a cause that we support, we are more likely to support that cause wholeheartedly and consistently.  Do-gooding simply makes us feel better about ourselves and the prospects of the world that we live in. Meir Statman’s What Investors Really Want explains that investors value an emotional connection with the company or organization in which they are investing. Such strong emotions can “drive prices and performance above the funds and fundamentals involved,” reports JP Morgan. With financial and personal benefits to gain, why aren’t more asset managers broaching the topic with clients? Only 63 percent of...

Roman Baratiak got his start as a work study student at UCSB. He instantly fell in love and has been changing lives ever since. “I soon discovered what happened when the lights went down and the curtain opened and incredibly talented artists and performers took the stage,” says Baratiak. “They brought us to other worlds, introduced us to other cultures, and provided us with a beautifully aesthetic and fulfilling experiences. I fell in love with that.” Three years later, that love transformed from a work study position into a full-time career. Baratiak has now been with the organization for nearly 40 years and currently serves as Associate Director. He enjoys organizing the lecture and film program because it allows him to present the Santa Barbara community with people who are extremely interesting, informative, and unique. “I have very eclectic tastes so it’s the perfect job for me,” says Baratiak. “I can go to work and learn something every day and feel like I’m growing as a person. I know I’m in the right spot.” Though Baratiak loves to learn during the lectures, it’s the benefit for the community that elevates his enthusiasm about his work. He strongly supports education for people of all ages as a way to keep us connected with the global community and with our own humanity. “The arts will always be important. They teach us about the world that we live in. They also allow us to get in touch with our own humanity and creative side. As a spectator, we can see human potential on stage by seeing amazing musicians, dancers, and speakers. We grow to understand the amazing amount of talent that goes into these things. It’s also a bit like going to the spa or getting a...

Over a hundred years ago, a farmer stuck his shovel in the dirt on a small plot of land in Goleta, California. The site has never been the same. The site is now The Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens, a non-profit educational facility and working organic farm. The organization aims to nurture the human spirit through interactive public programs and community services.  Two years ago, Angela Miller-Bevan stepped away from her career in corporate advertising and marketing to join the Fairview Gardens team. She began as a volunteer, then worked as an assistant to the Development Director before accepting the position. “I came to promote the mission: to educate everyone—from birth to the end of your life—to know how important it is to eat the right foods and know where your food comes from. And how to eat food we can actually grow right now because we are in a drought. It’s about sustainable community and keeping something alive that has been in our community for so long,” says Miller-Bevan. For decades, Fairview Gardens has served the community through public programs including the Teen Permaculture Apprenticeship and the new Sprouts program. Yardi supports the Apprenticeship Program immersion experience that ranges from six to ten months. The program equips young adults with the skill needed to own and manage their own farms and farm programs. Participants explore permaculture ethics, the slow food and fiber movements, organic agriculture, watersheds, alternative economics, farmworkers’ rights, herbalism, and living soils. Apprentices also learn natural dyeing, making herbal medicines, and harvesting wild edibles. “Most people don’t know that the average age of farmers is 72. It’s sad,” observes Miller-Bevan. “You can’t go to a computer and have a computer grow your food. It’s impressive to see young adults...

For Mitchel Sloan, the effects of Alzheimer’s disease hits close to home. Currently the Vice President of Development and Communications with the Alzheimer’s Association California Central Chapter, Sloan began as a young man who watched his uncle battle vascular dementia. Rather than feeling defeated by the disease, Sloan felt empowered to help. He encouraged his aunt to make use of local resources. “I immediately referred my aunt to the local Alzheimer’s office in their area. I informed her that she is not alone and that our professional care specialists can assist her and our family with the help that she and my uncle need as they embark on this journey.” The first step in anyone’s journey is to understand the disease. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. It accounts for about 60 to 80 percent of cases. Since 2012, Sloan and the organization have tirelessly worked to fulfill the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. By connecting researchers to funding, Sloan and his team hope to eradicate Alzheimer’s through treatment and prevention. The organization faces formidable odds. Every 66 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s disease. Dementias are the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. with one in three seniors dying of the disease every year. Since 1982, the Alzheimer’s Association has invested more than $350 million in funds for research. In fiscal year 2015, individuals, families, companies, and communities across the nation contributed total revenues of $321 million to support the mission. Creative fundraising efforts have sparked community awareness and involvement in their cause. The most popular event is the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. It is currently...

Three years ago, Yardi caught up with Amy Williams, Director of Education and Community Engagement at Santa Barbara Youth Symphony. The program has grown a lot since then, reaching even more of the city’s youth with interdisciplinary art and the fun of a kid-centered community. “We’ve seen a huge increase in participation,” says Williams. “Three years ago, we reached 4,500 students and this year we’re anticipating 5,300. Concerts for Young People has 2,800 students now. That filled up in record time. We’re offering the same things but we’re seeing a huge shift of kids wanting to play great music and make new friends.” The friendships and sense of community draw most students through the doors, and keep them coming back year after year. Williams recalls one particularly heartwarming encounter: “This year, one of my high school students was excited, noisily coming into rehearsal. I said, ‘You’re very excited to be here.’ And he says, ‘Well, Amy, I belong here.’ I feel that’s the heart of it. We are where students feel they belong. The demographic in Santa Barbara has all sorts of languages, all sorts of backgrounds, but when they walk into classes and workshops they feel like they belong, by teachers and their peers. I feel very strongly about that and I’m very proud of the program.” While the kids are playing music and building their community, they are also preparing for their academic and professional futures. The benefits of music on adolescents have been well document in scholarly journals for decades. Nothing has changed, and that’s a good thing. “Music students develop 21st century skill sets that employers are looking for: teamwork, creative thinking, making connections between subject areas, and critical thinking,” says Williams. The skill sets do not develop overnight. Students...

The growing Yardi teams in Pune, Maharashtra, India have a heart for service. Their compassionate spirit is demonstrated in and out of the office. In Pune, their largest outreach initiative is the Yardi Vasti Vikas Prakalp (YVVP). The Yardi team began in 2006, providing funding support to 17 local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs).  In 2014, the YVVP program focused on direct efforts in 10 urban communities near Pune. Together, the organizations work toward creating a brighter future for some of India’s most underserved neighborhoods. Bharati Kotwal, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Yardi in Pune has been part of the program since its inception. Her passion for the community goes beyond her career with Yardi. For the past 15 years, Kotwal has volunteered to support the social and political empowerment of women and children. Kotwal observes, “[Underprivileged groups] lack opportunities and basic facilities like housing, sanitation, and access to quality education and health services.” Kotwal continues, “The community outreach programs like YVVP are important to me because the wellbeing of urban poor communities is connected closely with wellbeing of society as a whole.” Through YVVP, Kotwal and her team concentrate on several necessities including accessible education, improved hygiene and sanitation practices, and enhanced employment opportunities. Sanitation In Yamuna Nagar and Sangamwadi wards, many households lacked awareness of safe waste disposal practices or access to sanitary waste disposal receptacles. Improper waste disposal created unnecessary health risks. As a result, Yardi partnered with local NGO Shelter Associates to construct 250 individual toilets in the community. In another impoverished area, the need exceeded the supply of individual toilets. Many people living in urban, poor communities of Pune do not have access to individual toilets and are dependent on Community Toilet Blocks (CTB). To...

When it comes to education, establishing a strong foundation is integral for success. Since 1971, the Isla Vista Youth Projects (IVYP) Children’s Center has provided affordable childcare and enrichment to children between the ages of three months and six years of age. By forming a strong foundation in social skills and how to learn, children are better prepared for lifelong success. Establishing good foundations for youth is the root of IVYP’s county-wide educational program, THRIVE. The program provides academic, social, and emotional support for children before they enter kindergarten. Children are then ready to meet schools’ increasingly rigorous demands before their first day of school. IVYP is also able to address students who need additional care and services before those issues affect their academic success. Throughout the year, THRIVE assesses each student using 12 indicators of preparedness. If a child falters, the team intervenes. Tyler Speier, Operations Manager at IVYP, explains, “We have partnerships with several organizations including CALM and the Department of Education. So at the beginning of the program, if we have a child who seems like they’re not going to be ready, we immediately start an intervention. Usually, it’s a social-emotional indicator where they are behind. We bring in a therapist and they work with the child using play therapy or other options. The goal is to work with the child throughout the year to bring them up to par.” In the rare case that the child is still unprepared by the end of the program, THRIVE notifies the kindergarten teacher. The teacher can then coordinate counseling, tutoring, and additional services through the school district. The child’s needs are actively being addressed before the first assignment is ever assessed. IVYP continues supporting the child after they begin Kindergarten, offering an After...

Though we are few compared to some populations on Earth, humans can have an incredible impact on the health and wellbeing of the plant. Our actions can facilitate Earth’s natural cycle of decomposition and growth. Unfortunately, that’s not what we’re doing. Rather than supporting the planet’s natural methods for breaking down materials and reusing their components, much of our trash is not biodegradable. The trash will uselessly sit in landfills forever. Instead of breaking down and refueling the next generation of life and growth, the trash emits toxins, damages ecosystems, and takes up valuable space. Explore Ecology is working to stop this cycle. By combining environmental education with art, the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit organization has found creative ways to foster awareness and stewardship among people of all ages—starting with scraps. Art from Scrap, an Explore Ecology program, facilitates environmental awareness and waste reduction through art. The program integrates retail and public programming to fulfill its mission. Jill Cloutier, Director of Public Relations and Outreach, explains, “The Creative Reuse Store is one of Explore Ecology’s most popular programs. The retail store accepts unwanted materials from businesses and corporations. The store then sells those materials to the community to be reused, repurposed and, most importantly, kept out of landfills.” The Creative Reuse store is popular with art teachers, artists, and DIY crafters of all ages. Shopper can find everything from fabric, beads, paper, glass products, wood, and all sorts of little odds and ends. “It’s the perfect place for getting the supplies that you need for a Halloween costume, an art project, or even a parade float,” says Cloutier. Revenue from the store is used to fund Explore Ecology’s low-cost art classes, environmental education programs, and the upstairs Eco-Art Gallery. On the surface, the art classes...