Yardi Dubai supports Al Noor Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities as part of the company’s global program of philanthropic support for nonprofits and NGOs. Yardi Dubai is sponsoring education and training classes all year for Al Noor students, who include hundreds of children and young adults with physical and cognitive challenges. Yardi’s Dubai office participated in a 4K Run at a recent family charity-raising event. The theme was Superheroes for Inclusion. The team gathered to run or walk with Al Noor students and their families, with a focus on supporting the inclusion of “people of determination from all walks of life.” Established in 1981, the Al Noor Training Centre started with just 8 children. With a holistic approach to wellbeing and development, the centre has expanded and now provides high-quality professional training for people with disabilities in Dubai. The centre has specially designed programmes to suit each individuals’ needs, which includes children and young adults with various physical and cognitive challenges such as down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. They also employ Trans-Disciplinary Assessment and Intervention methods to ensure each child gets the precise help they need. Today, the Al Noor Training Centre has over 180 students with more than 28 nationalities. The goal of Al Noor’s Vocational Training Unit is to make students of determination skilled and productive members of the community. Training is offered in wood design technology, printing technology, fashion technology and bakery units. The centre includes a well-equipped gym, a large multi-purpose auditorium, a swimming pool and a shaded outdoor playground. If you would like to find out more about the services Al Noor Training Centre provides to their students with disabilities or explore employee engagement initiatives, visit Al Noor Training Centre. Editor’s note: Team Yardi UK marketing associate Sophie Swords contributed to this...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. Let’s learn about Minnie’s Food Pantry of Plano, Texas, founded in 2008. Minnie’s Food Pantry provides healthy meals, educational resources, and red-carpet treatment to children and families in need across North Texas. In addition, families can receive support and life necessities at Minnie’s Boutique, allowing shoppers to pick up home-based items that they may need that are outside the usual food pantry offerings, such as toiletries, home cleaning products, and more. In April, Minnie’s Food Pantry will celebrate 15 years of service. “Over the last decade and a half, Minnie’s Food Pantry has provided over 21.5 million meals to children and families in need across North Texas, having been recognized as the leading food pantry in Collin County and the #1 Food Pantry in DFW,” shared Zoya Jackson, COO. This year, Minnie’s Food Pantry plans to continue providing for families in need with supplemental food assistance, including non-perishable goods, fresh meats, fresh produce, bakery items, and dairy products, along with toiletries, home goods, baby products, clothing, and other necessities through Minnie’s Boutique. Funding from Yardi allows Minnie’s Food Pantry to continue the programs and services they have in place to meet the needs of those they serve. “This includes serving families via our Feed Just One program every Wednesday-Saturday, delivering to schools and senior living facilities across North Texas to provide for the most vulnerable in society, seniors and children, and making an impact on our VIP (homeless) communities,” said Jackson. In addition, the generosity of Yardi provides new ways to further impact and change lives, such as the expansion of Minnie’s Boutique. Minnie’s Food Pantry expresses gratitude towards Yardi’s Michael Shaeffer, senior director of client services for Yardi Dallas. “Michael makes it a point to check in frequently throughout the year, and he and the team are always willing to answer the call when volunteers are needed! The intentional relationship serves as proof that giving to others and changing lives/our communities for the better are core values of Yardi and their employees,” shares Jackson (pictured with Schaeffer at left at a recent Lunch and Learn event). Community feedback Minnie’s Food Pantry shared a few success stories and feedback from clients: “I went to Minnie’s to get food for my family. I had plans to take my own life that day and didn’t want to leave them with another burden to worry about. When I got to Minnie’s, a lady greeted me with a hug and a smile. She was a stranger to me, but I don’t think she knew the impact that she made with such a small gesture. I’m still here to write this letter because of her kindness and the love that Minnie’s showed me that morning. Thank you for seeing me and giving me hope,” said one recipient of food and care. “COVID changed our lives. One day I had a great job paying good money, and a few hours later, I was unemployed. I was in a position I never imagined I would be in, and I was embarrassed to ask for help. When I got to Minnie’s Food Pantry, it was nothing like what I expected. The people were friendly and welcoming; the food they gave my family was just like what I would have picked out at the grocery store and didn’t make me feel bad for needing help,” stated another Minnie’s client. Celebrity support for a worthy cause Along with the community coming together at Minnie’s Food Pantry, celebrities have been involved, including Rihanna, Steve Harvey, Jim Parsons, and Floyd Mayweather. In 2018, Oprah Winfrey attended Minnie’s Food Pantry Annual Gala. “The law says whatever you put out into the world, with the energy and intention, will come back to you,” Oprah said...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to hundreds of organizations selected by its employees. Adelante Comunidad Conejo (Adelante) of Thousand Oaks, Calif. is a regional nonprofit that seeks to empower Spanish-speaking families, regardless of immigration status, fluency or income. Adelante provides support, networking and advocacy and acts as an advocate for Spanish-speakers throughout the community. “Adelante believes that everyone deserves to be recognized as valued community members. Everyone should have a seat at the table. The voices of our Spanish-speaking peers should be heard when decisions are made regarding neighborhoods, school transportation, and recreation,” said Carole Shelton, vice president of the nonprofit. “We continue to be responsive to the community as needs change. We are working to address food insecurity, to connect our families to support organizations, and to connect support organizations to our families,” Shelton said. “When we embrace cultural and language diversity, we make our community a better place in which to live and work.” “Our focus is on removing barriers to participation so that the children of local Latino families can access the same programs that their friends do.  The most significant barriers families face are transportation, language, and affordability.” Adelante focuses much of its efforts on high school students. They can receive assistance with applying for college scholarships, which can be daunting for families. “We are proud to support our local Latino Connection Clubs at our three comprehensive high school campuses, where their activities build leadership skills and provide opportunities to celebrate their language and heritage,” Shelton shared. Adelante provides volunteers with a welcoming place to be involved and includes community members of all abilities. “A youth with a developmental disability was given the opportunity to serve his community. He has gone from being a spectator, to a 2-hour shift, to a full Saturday shift, and a just recently added a 3-hour shift Friday shift. He has gained important skills during his time with Adelante!” said Shelton. Core mission objectives The core mission objectives for Adelante include the following: Support – Adelante steps in to make a difference in the lives of local Latino families with a special emphasis on the Spanish speaking members of our community. Efforts range from supporting families in crisis, advising community members who are struggling to interface effectively with local agencies, and hosting gatherings designed to better inform families, encourage pride, and build community connections while also addressing food security. Networking – Adelante believes that local community connections are key drivers of change. By attending events, participating in discussions, and meeting other community influencers, the organization positions Latino voices to be heard and seen as respected community voices. Advocacy – Adelante listens to and responds to community concerns, brings those concerns forward to local agencies and speaks on behalf of those who are not ready to speak for themselves. Its advocates have become quite the experts at offering insight during local government public comment opportunities. Yardi support makes a difference Shelton shared how the support provided by Yardi has had an impact on the organization. “Yardi funds allow us to continue to provide fresh milk, cheese, tortillas, beef, and chicken to our families during our monthly marketplace and pantry. Addressing food insecurity has given us the opportunity to develop a deeper connection with our families which has provided the opportunity to work together to reach our collective goals,” she said. “The support received by Yardi brought our volunteers to tears.  We know we are doing great work but receiving support within our community means everything.” Volunteer opportunities Volunteer opportunities with Adelante include prepping food distribution pantry and marketplace resources for recipients on Fridays and working at the Saturday Open Air Community Marketplace. In-depth details about work hours, expectations, time commitment and skills required are available at the Adelante Comunidad Conejo website. For more information...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees.. Get to know Reach for Excellence, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that serves middle-school children through educational enrichment. Founded in 2001, the mission of Reach for Excellence is to empower determined leaders and expand their possibilities in the classroom, in the community, and in life. Reach for Excellence is a tuition-free academic and leadership enrichment program that offers students of limited income a mix of academic, cultural, and community-based experiences that prepare them for the challenges of college-preparatory programs and high schools. Director of Development Matt McGee shares: “While there are many worthwhile educational enrichment programs in the Atlanta area, Reach for Excellence is one of the few that focuses on middle school-aged children. Research from ACT found that the academic achievement students attain by eighth grade significantly impacts college and career readiness. Therefore, it is critical for this age group to gain exposure to the academic and leadership skills necessary to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.” Program offerings Reach for Excellence keeps students focused on learning by engaging young scholars in academic and leadership enrichment classes over six weeks during the summer. The program continues throughout the school year with 16 Saturday sessions. Two hot meals are provided each day in the summer, and a hot lunch is provided on Saturdays, ensuring that students are well-fed and ready to learn. Reach for Excellence also provides transportation assistance. “The program requires hard work, commitment, and discipline, but the rewards can last a lifetime,” says McGee. He shared the story of Jocelyn Calvillo, a Reach for Excellence student who later became an attorney. “Jocelyn was eager to join Reach, but her parents were concerned about maintaining a commitment to attend classes on Saturdays and during the summer. She had three siblings, and both parents worked demanding schedules. Transportation to the program would be an issue. Her parents recognized the importance of education and worked with Reach and other families to negotiate Jocelyn’s transportation,” McGee shared. But once she was able to attend, “It was comfortable to be in an environment with kids from similar backgrounds, and she never felt like she was less than her peers. She recalls that there were always books available and visited Reach’s library often. She loved reading and was good at math, a big part of the Reach curriculum,” said McGee. Calvillo ultimately attended high school at Atlanta’s Marist School in Atlanta, Agnes Scott College, where she majored in political science and Spanish, and Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. She now helps her community as an immigration attorney with Catholic Charities Atlanta, an organization that helps families to overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. “Jocelyn believes that Reach for Excellence opens doors and helps students succeed despite all the barriers they face. Seeing all that her fellow Reach classmates have accomplished, she believes Reach students will change the world,” said McGee. Future goals In 2022 and 2023, Reach for Excellence is working to offset the impact of the pandemic on students’ academic growth. The pandemic has taken a particular toll on the education of children in low-income families. Research from Georgia State University recently found that many students in the Metro-Atlanta area experienced reductions in academic growth over the last two years. The math and reading achievement reductions were more significant among students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, students of color, and English language learners. All of Reach for Excellence students match these demographics and experienced more significant reductions in academic growth than their peers. “Additionally, Reach for Excellence will expand our enrollment by recruiting new students to our Hispanic Initiative,” shared McGee. “Our new Hispanic Initiative seeks to strengthen college enrollment and completion among Latinx students by providing academic enrichment and college...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. The Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA) works in partnership with the Forest Service and the local community to help the forest. Another goal is to enable residents to use Los Padres land enjoyably and sustainably. Founded in 1979 in Goleta, Calif., the LPFA is known for its robust trail work efforts. LPFA’s mission is to care for the Los Padres Forest, ensuring it thrives and remains safe and open for all to use and enjoy. “We spend over 300 days a year in the forest maintaining and building trails using a combination of volunteers and our professional LPFA Trail Crew,” shares Bryan Conant, Executive Director for LPFA. Los Padres National Forest is the second largest federal forest in California. With elevations ranging from sea level to almost 9,000 feet with ten designated wilderness areas, it offers spectacular natural wildlife and scenery. In addition to trail work, LPFA manages two visitor centers in the forest (Big Sur and Ojai), providing face-to-face information for visitors. LPFA also works closely with local Scouts groups and other individuals in joint efforts to help the forest. Some include repairing historic forest structures, installing and repairing signs, and more. “In addition to our ‘boots on the ground’ work, we also invest much time helping the forest user by providing trail and forest updates through social media, our newsletters, and a website we manage called HikeLosPadres.com,” said Conant. Los Padres Forest Association plans to work on getting its website revamped and updated this upcoming year. Funds from Yardi will be directly funding HikeLosPadres.com. In addition to being in the forest as usual. “The money is important, of course, but it’s truly wonderful knowing that a company such as Yardi supports the LPFA and our mission,” shared Conant. “We’re looking forward to our website revamp and could not make it happen without the support of Yardi and their employees.” Red Reef Trail The popular Red Reef Trail within the Sespe Wilderness and connects the Topatopa Mountains with the Sespe River Trail. It was frequented by backpackers and equestrians but had become highly overgrown over the past decade due to a lack of maintenance. The trail had gotten so bad that hikers couldn’t get through the path without crawling through long tunnels of debris and brush. By 2020, the trial was nearly non-usable, and LPFA had regular complaints about the loss of trail. In late 2021, LPFA secured funding to restore the beloved trail. “Over 14 months, we invested over 2,500 hours in the restoration of the Red Reef Trail, and it is now open, in great shape, and is used frequently by hikers, trail runners, and backpackers,” said Conant. “It was not easy but gratifying having the opportunity to bring back one of the more spectacular wilderness trails in the Los Padres Forest.” Volunteer Opportunities The Los Padres Forest is a magic piece of the California Coastal Mountain connecting Los Angeles with Monterey Bay. There are many great spots for all user groups to explore and recreate within the Los Padres. Whether you like a mountain bike, trail run, hiking, backpacking, or just listening to the birds, the Los Padres have something for everyone. Yardi Santa Barbara team members have been past participants in local trail work projects. Keep an eye out for future opportunities to volunteer on trail work efforts. Find future non-profit profiles...

Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara is a Yardi-supported nonprofit that has been serving residents in times of need since 1899. FSA’s commitment to help has grown alongside the local community. “We pair basic needs assistance with family support and mental health counseling—helping at-risk children, families, and seniors meet immediate needs and tools for long-term wellbeing,” shares Paul Katan, Director of Development at FSA. FSA’s four areas of service are: Basic needs assistance: help with applications for health insurance, unemployment, Calfresh, utility assistance, case management, and even food supply distribution and delivery since the pandemic. “We are collaborating with other nonprofits to identify and assist isolated seniors so that their needs for food, prescriptions, supplies, and medical care are met (partnering with private funders)— currently continuing special efforts in Guadalupe and Carpinteria,” shared Katan. Parent support and leadership development: parenting and healthy relationship education including phone lines and social media to help families with the challenges of children in school, changing work environments, and employment reduction. Services for seniors: Certified Ombudsman Representatives monitor resident care in all the county’s long-term care facilities and advocate for resident quality of care. Mental health support: school-based mental health counseling for elementary and secondary school students. Added during the pandemic was support and education for teachers specifically for mental health counseling, education, and mental health first aid training for youth, adults, families, seniors, and their caregivers. FSA will continue to provide emotional and concrete support to community members’ needs to stabilize and move forward on the path of long-term well-being in the coming year, focusing on strategic priorities from the pandemic. Funds from Yardi provide the flexibility needed to help people navigate complex and often unsafe situations. This support is a crucial supplement to what public funding sources will cover, which typically limits which services can help those in need of assistance. “Everyone at FSA is thrilled for the steadfast support of Yardi and its employees, especially as we continue to respond to increased community needs resulting from the pandemic,” said Katan. “Yardi’s investment in the people we serve is widely known among our 240 employees, many of whom have a family or community connection to Yardi.” Carla’s story In 2021, FSA served over 28,000 community members, ranging from age 0 to 103. One of those people is Carla. Carla, a survivor of domestic violence and a single mother of two, lives in a RV and subsists on earnings from restaurant work. In 2020, school closures meant no educational time for her children and no counselors available to assess the special needs of her youngest child, Alma. Carla had no family support or readily available childcare services. FSA family support service and school-based counseling services provided the lifeline Carla needed for her children. “Our Family Advocate met with Carla and created a plan to meet the family’s immediate needs and provide for their long-term self-sufficiency,” shared Katan. FSA helped Carla with necessities including food and clothing, health care coverage, therapy for Alma’s behavioral needs, and a parenting class for better support. Since being at FSA, Carla’s oldest daughter Sophia has now developed self-confidence, strength and coping skills to handle her depression. FSA’s family advocate continues to work with the family and in a recent school meeting, Alma’s school staff could not believe how much she has improved, all attributed to the collaboration with FSA. “We are happy to report that the family recently moved from their vehicle into an apartment, None of this would be possible without the support of Yardi and other generous partners,” shared Katan. Volunteer opportunities “Yardi employees have been terrific to work with at past FSA events, including the Senior Expo. Our event schedule has changed since COVID-19, though we are seeking volunteers to support smaller events designed to foster social connections with families, seniors, and caregivers,” said Katan. For Santa Barbara community members interested in becoming ongoing...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. In 2021, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. For the remainder of 2022, we will be bringing you the stories of those organizations and insight into how they aid their communities. Today we introduce you to the Wilderness Youth Project (WYP), a Yardi-supported nonprofit that was founded in 1999 in Santa Barbara, Calif. WYP connects children to nature in small groups guided by inspired, skilled, and committed mentors and volunteers. WYP envisions teaching the next generation of children to be peaceful, respectful, and confident stewards of the world. “Nature connection makes life better for kids,” shares Chandler McLane, donor relations manager for WYP. “Time in nature makes kids happier, healthier, and smarter.” At WYP children play, learn, and grow in Santa Barbara’s natural beauty. They get to have adventures and explore the outdoors for more green time, not screen time. Children gain confidence, a heart for adventure, and care for others. Having these types of experiences will help children grow up healthy and happy. WYP is planning to expand its fully subsidized Bridge to Nature program to more schools and community centers during the school year. The Bridge to Nature program serves the community and meets participants where they already are so they do not need to find transportation to WYP. Going outdoors is one of the best ways to keep children excited about learning and to build their connection with the natural world. “Our Bridge to Nature program exists as a way to bring WYP to locations that have more limited nature access at no cost to participants,” said McLane. Yardi has been in support of WYP since 2005. Funding from Yardi has helped WYP with its Bridge to Nature program by allowing them to purchase a new van. “Because of this, we will be able to take more children out to nature-rich locations all over Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria” shared McLane. WYP also plans to acquire two new vehicles in the year to come, that will help fulfill the vision of providing WYP programs to local youth across the demographic spectrum. Nico’s story Nico started WYP when he was four years old. His mother recalls calling the office and crying tears of joy at the possibility of a scholarship, which made his participation possible. As a child with developmental delays, Nico struggled with social interactions and the ability to balance input and stimulation. His early experience with Wilderness Youth Project, though, was the first time Nico was appreciated for who he was and not for all his deficiencies. WYP saw the bigger picture of who Nico was and respected his personality and the gifts he had to offer to the rest of the group. At age five, Nico was diagnosed with autism and ADHD. During that time, he was challenged with perseverating and getting stuck on concepts. With a one-on-one aide, he continued participating in a Wilderness Youth Project after-school program where WYP mentors channeled his challenges into productive energy. With time, Nico developed a connection to nature, as well as a connection with others. Through his regular time in nature with a WYP mentor, all of Nico’s deficiencies were built upon with intentional guiding and nurturing. Nico’s mom remembers one of the best phone calls she ever got from a WYP staff member. After Nico had been going to WYP with a one-on-one aide for years, a WYP mentor called to ask her if she would be open to having Nico come to the program without an aide. “She was in awe of the training and the heart our staff had to integrate all of what Nico was into our programs without additional support,” shared McLane. “WYP has a way of honoring the sense of...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. In 2021, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. For the remainder of the year, we will be bringing you the stories of those organizations and insight into how they aid their communities. In today’s spotlight, Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County (DVS), a Yardi-supported nonprofit, was founded in 1977. The organization provides safety, shelter, and support for individuals and families affected by domestic violence and collaborate with community partners to raise awareness regarding the cause, prevalence, and impact. DVS is the only service provider for those affected by domestic violence in Santa Barbara County, which would not be possible without the support of the community. “As a society, we all have a role in changing the narrative about what domestic violence is, to whom it happens, and how we can support those who are experiencing it, and, ultimately, prevent it entirely,” says Tina Ballue, Director of Development for DVS. “To be able to support survivors, and to prevent domestic violence in the future, we all need to normalize talking about it openly and candidly.” DVS’s goals for the year to come include expanding reach through more multicultural and multi-lingual service provisions, seeking out new transitional and permanent housing opportunities throughout the county, and maximizing federal and state resources to assist clients. Funding from Yardi is helping DVS to build the capacity to be able to help more clients. In addition, building a volunteer program that will allow DVS to be more present in the community to increase awareness and provide preventative education to end domestic violence. “Our ultimate goal is to have a future free from domestic violence, this can only happen with the support from community leaders such as Yardi,” shared Ballue. 24-hour assistance available              DVS has a 24-hour support hotline which has been an asset to many of its clients. One mother was especially grateful for it and Domestic Violence Solutions. “DVS gave me the tools to fight and be a survivor to stand strong and confront the situation with authority and confidence. They helped me with my self-esteem. I got to meet new friends that supported each other through the transition,” the survivor stated. “Thanks to DVS, I now have an apartment I can afford and feel safe with my children, our car, and a great job. My son will graduate in June, and he is safe now. My daughter sees a strong mother who will do everything she can for her children.” She spoke about how the support she received has changed her outlook on herself and on the need for resources like DVS. “I’m not ashamed anymore. I feel worthy and willing to receive help. Not only do they help in what they can, but they also place their lives in danger for us. I’m very grateful and blessed to have been a client. I thank God for generous the support of people like you to help and support DVS, allowing them to continue their mission of saving lives and keeping them safe.” Volunteer Opportunities “We need to change the conversation around domestic violence – and we need your help to do it,” shared Ballue. Domestic Violence Solutions is working to rebuild its volunteer program post-COVID-19 pandemic and begin training help to expand services. There are many unique opportunities available at DVS. From volunteering with clients to organizational committees such as events and outreach. For more information, please visit their website here. Find future non-profit profiles at...