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. Today, let’s get to know Oxnard, Calif.-based Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, which builds homes in partnership with local, low-income families who invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” into building their future homes, which they purchase for an affordable mortgage. “We provide no-cost, critical health and safety home repairs to seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and other low-income homeowners so they can remain in their homes safely and comfortably in the long-term. We advocate at all levels of government for policies that create more affordable housing for struggling individuals and families,” said Katie Norris, Director of Development & Communications To date, the organization has completed 72 homes and has five more currently underway. This has helped 72 families become first-time homeowners. They have also completed nearly 200 home repairs. This year, Habitat for Humanity is beginning a 10-home build in Simi Valley, completing dozens more home repairs for low-income homeowners across Ventura County, and pushing state lawmakers to include significantly more funding for affordable owner-occupied housing and mortgage assistance for low-income families in the state budget. “The generous funding we received from Yardi will help us significantly as we build and repair dozens more homes in Ventura County over the next several years,” said Norris. “We are incredibly grateful to Yardi for the high level of support they’ve given us over the past couple of years. Our work is made possible by local donors like Yardi who feel passionately about our vision to create a county where everyone has a decent place to live.” One family’s story Meet Deana and her daughter, Saynt. Deana is a hardworking single mom who has been searching for a safe place to live with her five-year-old daughter for a long time. Often forced to move from place to place and renting rooms and apartments in unsafe neighborhoods, Deana worried that Saynt wouldn’t be able to thrive like other children. “She dreamed of a place they could call their own, but with the ever-increasing cost of living, homeownership seemed impossible,” said Norris. One day, “Saynt’s preschool teacher told her that they were a Habitat homeowner, and that it had changed their family’s life. Deana found Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County and added her name to our interest list.” When the opportunity to become a Habitat homeowner in Port Hueneme came up, Deana was first in line to apply. Deana has invested several hundred hours into building her future home alongside Habitat Ventura volunteers and will move into her new home this summer. “I can’t wait to move in, have financial stability and a home where my daughter can flourish… I can’t wait to live freely without the stress of having to move repeatedly. Thank you to everyone at Habitat Ventura, from the bottom of my heart,” said Deana. “A common misconception about Habitat is that we give homes away. We do not – we offer a hand up to low-income families through affordable homeownership opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. We help families access financing and Habitat Ventura families’ monthly mortgage payments are usually lower than what they were paying to live in substandard housing,” explained Norris. “Affordable homeownership is a roadmap out of poverty – families earn equity over time, they don’t have to move from place to place, and the benefits last for generations. Families break the cycle of uncertainty and fear and can finally invest in themselves and their communities.” Volunteer opportunities for Southern California employees Habitat Ventura relies on thousands of volunteers per year to advance its...

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. Today, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County in Irvine, Calif. is in the spotlight. Second Harvest’s mission is to end hunger in Orange County. The organization works with a network of more than 250 partners, including places of worship, schools, senior centers, homeless shelters and others to provide  healthy food and to help build their capacity to receive and distribute nutritious food. Additionally, Second Harvest operates key programs aimed at providing much-needed food to vulnerable populations. These core hunger-relief programs include Mobile Pantry; Mobile and Permanent School Pantries, and College Pantry; Kids Cafe, Senior Grocery, and Park-It Market. “The goal of our hunger-relief efforts is to provide a safety net to the people we serve. We know these families are not relying solely on Second Harvest for their meals; rather, we provide support to help those struggling to make ends meet and offset their expenses, ensuring their limited funds can be spent on other needs, such as rent, gas, bills, medication,” said Megan Hunker, Donor Relations Manager for Second Harvest. In fiscal year 2022, which concluded in April, Second Harvest distributed almost 36 million pounds of food to an average of 331,000 people per month. Nutrition support for those in need “We believe that providing dignified, equitable and consistent access to nutritious food creates a foundation for community health and is a catalyst for societal transformation,” stated Hunker. “This coming year we are focused on purchasing nutritious food items like eggs, milk, and protein items and growing produce at our Harvest Solutions Farm.” Families like Victor and Elizabeth’s are among those served. Victor, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and his wife, Elizabeth, face challenging times. When Victor suddenly faced a serious health challenge, Elizabeth had no choice but to quit her job and take care of him. As a result, they live off a fixed income that barely makes ends meet; some months the ends never meet at all. “Second Harvest are angels in disguise,” says Elizabeth. “If it were not for the food bank, we would have an even harder time.” Yardi’s funds support Second Harvest general operations, “which gives us great flexibility to use the donation where it is needed most such as purchasing nutritious food, building out partnership capacity and more,” Hunker said. “Yardi’s support came at a time during COVID when many distribution sites shut down, un/under employment skyrocketed, and the supply chain took a hit. The funds donated by Yardi helped Second Harvest meet the increased need as we completely shifted our operations and started purchasing the majority of the food that was being distributed,” Hunker explained. Volunteer opportunities in Orange County Second Harvest currently offers two in-person volunteer opportunities. One opportunity is in the Distribution Center (DC), Monday-Friday with morning and evening shifts available. Volunteers in the DC assist in a variety of projects that help sort and process food to send out. The second opportunity is at Harvest Solutions Farm, Tuesday-Saturday with morning shifts available. Volunteers help plant, harvest, weed and maintain the fields of the Harvest Solutions Farm located just down the road from the food bank in Irvine, Calif. Second Harvest started a 45-acre farm in partnership with OC Produce and AG Kawamura at University of California’s SCREC. At Harvest Solutions Farm, they grow seasonal crops, including cabbage, broccoli, celery, bell peppers, watermelon, and squash, to provide over 2 million pounds of fresh produce to the community each year. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please visit: https://feedoc.org/get-involved/#volunteer To learn more about Second Harvest, visit https://feedoc.org and...

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. Today, we bring you the story of Second Helpings Atlanta, a nonprofit that reduces food insecurity and food waste in Metro Atlanta by rescuing fresh, surplus food and delivering it to nonprofit partners, who then distribute it to their clients. According to Second Helpings, one out of every nine people in Atlanta, including one out of every seven children, does not have certainty about food access, yet one-third of available food is wasted every day. “We work to remedy this by getting the surplus to where it is needed. Our Food Rescue Network includes over 75 food donors, over 70 partner agencies, and over 300 volunteers,” says Andrea Jaron, executive director of the organization. “We rescued more than 3.6 million pounds of food from landfills in 2021, the equivalent of over three million meals. This was an 89 percent increase over 2020!” Jaron continues: “We can rescue 5 pounds of food for every donated dollar we receive. This is the equivalent of almost 4 meals. Yardi’s support will enable us to grow our network. We have the knowledge, expertise, and resources, and your financial support is critical to helping us rescue surplus food and deliver it to our neighbors who are in need.” Funds will help the organization meet its goals this year. “Our priorities this year are to bring food to areas in need that we are currently not serving,” said Jaron. “This will require us to recruit more volunteers, food donors, and partner agencies. This is a high priority given the rate of inflation and the already existing stresses on families because of the pandemic.”  How surplus food helps Among the partner agencies that distribute food collected by Second Helpings are local food banks. Here’s what one staff member there said about a recent donation which is pictured at right): “Just wanted you all to see how beautiful, bountiful and abundant the market looks today! Thanks to Second Helpings! It is a thing of beauty! Thank you all so much! If you told me six months ago the sight of fruit and vegetables would make me cry I would have thought you crazy! So grateful!” Another partner commented: “Thank you so much for your continued support for our youth and families in the communities we serve. You have been the strongest partner with our food distribution throughout the pandemic, before and after. You have allowed CHRIS 180 to provide needed meals to many who would not have had food to eat day to day, week to week. You and Second Helpings have been the guardian angels for so many across Atlanta. The greatest benefit for CHRIS 180 is that by providing the meals you donate; we can do wellness checks on the community to meet additional needs of them and their families. So again, thank you so much for always considering CHRIS 180 as a partner. We look forward to continuing this strong relationship between our organizations, delivering service to our communities.” Ways for Yardi Atlanta employees to help Yardi employees can become food rescue drivers for Second Helpings by going to the nonprofit’s website and clicking the volunteer button. There is a brief orientation, and then you will be matched to a route that is convenient or you can sign up for routes at a later date. Second Helpings also has a group volunteer activity at our warehouse at 970 Jefferson Street on the historic Westside. “We gather every Wednesday to pack 2000 meal kits. HelloFresh, the meal kit company, donates all of the ingredients, we...

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. Today, let’s get to know kidSTREAM, a children’s museum under development in Camarillo, Calif. “We educate and inspire children allowing them to explore, play, and discover,” says Michael Shanklin, executive director, of the kidSTREAM mission. The organization has been working to open the museum since 2016 and hopes to do so by next year. “With the funds provided by the Yardi team, kidSTREAM has expanded our community access in significant ways. The investment by Yardi allowed us to develop STREAM Learning Kits in Spanish and English,” Shanklin said. “Our most recent kit which highlighted electrical circuits, motors, maker activities, and art were assembled by a group of community volunteers then distributed to farm working families in Oxnard.” The kits were also distributed to children involved in Ventura County Family Justice proceedings. “In addition to having the directions in Spanish and English, kidSTREAM filmed children volunteers who explained how to do each step in both Spanish and English by using a QR Code on the instructions. All kits were provided to the children at no cost to the family thanks to Yardi!,” Shanklin said. Meanwhile, work to open the museum continues. kidSTREAM is working to secure the museum building from the city of Camarillo, design exhibits hire staff and raise funds. “Our 2020-2023 Strategic Plan has five prioritized initiatives: 1. Open the Museum, 2. Be financially sustainable, 3. Establish community partnerships, 4. Create excellent programs and exhibits, and finally, 5. Become a community leader,” outlined Shanklin.  He singled out the support of Yardi and a longtime Yardi employee who has joined the kidSTREAM board. “We are humbled by the Yardi team’s generosity which has allowed us to provide meaningful STREAM kits so that ALL children can explore, play, and discover!  We are also thankful for our Yardi Board member, Wendy Acevedo-Solis, who has been instrumental in connecting us with local farmworker families,” Shanklin said. Volunteer opportunities in Southern California Yardi team members in SoCal, kidSTREAM needs help to assemble STREAM kits and distribute them to local families working in Ventura County agriculture.  Yardi teammates can connect with Michael Shanklin ([email protected] or 661-289-1369 cell) to arrange a time to help us help the community.   Learn more about kidSTREAM at https://kidstream.org/, and find future non-profit profiles at...

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. Today, we introduce you to Meals on Wheels of Wake County, which has served homebound elderly and persons with disabilities for almost 50 years. The Raleigh, NC organization will celebrate its half century anniversary in 2024. “The first meals were delivered in 1974, and 48 years later, we have delivered over 10 million meals to date. We are the only daily, home meal delivery program in the county,” said Mary Kate Keith, Director of Development and Communications. “Our program is specifically geared toward homebound seniors over 60 years of age, and other homebound persons with disabilities.” Over 1,500 dedicated volunteers deliver complete meals to homebound clients, while staff provides meals to Wake County residents in eight senior dining sites. Approximately 1,300 people receive a meal every weekday, and over 405,500 meals were served in fiscal year 2020/2021.  Meals on Wheels enhances the quality of the lives of participants with a daily, nutritious, hot meal that improves health and diet. Volunteers offer a daily check-up and visit that makes them feel safer in their homes.  “We also promote independent living which can prevent or delay a move to assisted living facilities and allow participants to stay in their homes with as much independence as their health allows. Without this service, a higher cost to taxpayers would result. The average cost for a nursing home is $240 per day,” said Keith. “Funds from Yardi have certainly helped our program. This past year we have experienced rising costs in food, transportation, and staffing. Our cost per meal has risen from $7 to almost $9 today.” Volunteer opportunities for Yardi Raleigh employees One of the current goals for Meals on Wheels of Wake County is to get back to pre-pandemic service levels.  “We need more volunteers, as many of our previous volunteers did not return,” explained Keith. “We are also working on opening our senior dining rooms, called Friendship Cafes. Currently seven of our original eight dining rooms are open and we hope to open the eighth this summer. Our number of clients is also continuing to rise, which is a good sign.” Yardi staff in the Raleigh area can sign up to donate their time as a group or individuals. Visit https://www.wakemow.org/corporate-partners to find out more information about volunteering as a corporate group.  “We have 12 meal pick-up sites located throughout Wake County to make volunteering convenient from any area. I would be happy to meet with the employees at their office to discuss the possibilities,” Keith said. Learn more about Meals on Wheels of Wake County at https://wakemow.org/, and find future non-profit profiles at...

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. Today, we introduce you to Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC), which provides resources to low-income residents of Orange County, Calif. that fall into two categories: Immediate Needs (such as food, utility assistance, diapers) and Empowering Communities (such as nutrition education, youth/senior programs, workforce development, financial empowerment). CAP OC has worked to enhance the quality of life in Orange County since 1965. For more than 55 years, the organization has actively supported individuals and families with food, life skills, resources, community education, and more. Following its vision of generations of healthy communities where poverty ceases to exist, CAP OC walks alongside the people it serves, working at the ground level to connect them with the help they need.   This year, CAP OC is particularly focused on workforce development, equity, investments in human capital, low-income housing, community resiliency, and a new approach in how to move families out of poverty while empowering the communities it serves. Funds from Yardi will support programs that equip participants with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty in two generations. “We are grateful for this donation from Yardi. We deeply appreciate your support, especially as families are continuing to feel the devasting effects of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. The work we do could not be accomplished without partners like you,” said LaShanda Maze, vice president of philanthropy for the organization. Major CAP OC accomplishments in the past fiscal year include:   The OC Food Bank distributed 43 million pounds of food—the second-largest amount in the Agency’s history, behind only 2020. The Southwest Community Center served 60,000 hot meals to over 300 participants who are homeless or precariously housed.The new Success Coaches Program coached 167 senior participants in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to create SMART goals to improve their lives. The Diaper Bank program distributed 23 million diapers. CAP OC supported almost 20,000 participants with utility assistance. The organization implemented a complete virtual enrollment/assessment and contactless drop off Southern California Edison Energy Savings Assistance program that served over 8,000 families. CAP OC fulfilled a solar contract, completing certification in installation and design with SunPower and installing solar power in seven homes. The Housing Navigator program helped permanently house three chronically ill homeless participants. The Elevate Youth leadership program reached 188 youth.A new Workforce Development program launched in June, enrolling 92 young adults. By the end of December, 13 were already employed. Nine participants graduated from the Young Adult Court program and had their felony charge removed from their record. Fundraising efforts yielded $4.3 million in community support.  Learn more about CAP OC at https://capoc.org/, and find future non-profit profiles at...

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. Today, we introduce you to Food Share, the largest hunger-relief organization in Ventura County, serving approximately 190,000 food-insecure people each year. In 2021, Food Share distributed nearly 19 million pounds of food, the equivalent of just under 16 million meals.                “A county-wide network of 190 pantry partners collects nutritious fresh and shelf-stable food items, at no charge, from Food Share’s warehouse to distribute to their local communities. Food Share also supplies multiple weekly drive-thru emergency food box distributions and runs several programs serving vulnerable communities including farmworkers, low-income seniors, and the unhoused,” said Monica White, president and CEO of Food Share. “We are immensely grateful for Yardi’s generosity and commitment to ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry. Corporate donations on the scale of Yardi’s are one of the main reasons we have been able to meet the dramatically increased need for food that we’ve seen in the past couple of years,” White said. A lost job leaves a family in need Food Share contributed the story of client Hakim and her family, who worked at a senior center preparing and serving meals but lost her job when the center closed and switched to delivery-only. For an already low-income family, the lost paycheck made putting enough nutritious food on the table even more of a struggle. “It gets really hard to feed everybody,” says Hakim, a mother of five with three children still living at home. Hakim was relieved when a friend told her about a weekly drive-thru food distribution in Moorpark where she could pick up a free box of shelf-stable pantry items and fresh produce.  “I love to cook, and I don’t want to waste any food. I enjoy cooking spaghetti, and sometimes we’ve been getting bread, and things like potatoes, celery, cabbage, and zucchini and I’ve been using that to make soup,” explains Hakim. She also remembers to pick up an additional box for a friend in need who doesn’t drive. “I hope it continues. It has been very good to have the extra food. Thank you.” Continuing the fight against hunger In 2022, Food Share will continue to lead the fight against hunger in Ventura County. “With inflation biting hard, we are seeing a new surge in people attending our drive-thru distributions and visiting our pantry partners. Hunger is an ever-present reality for too many,” White said. The current priorities for Food Share are: Increasing the number and scale of the programs serving vulnerable populations including farmworkers and the unhousedInvesting in technology to manage the increased need for food and investing in staffingExpanding operational infrastructure to meet the long term needs of the communityGrowing the supporter base. “Without the generosity and commitment of the people of Ventura County, we cannot lead the fight against hunger,” White said. Volunteer opportunities and how to learn more It takes around 150 volunteers a day to keep the Food Share operations running efficiently. Anyone interested in volunteering can go their website at foodshare.com/volunteer or download the Food Share app at the App Store and Google Play (Search Food Share Ventura County) to view the latest opportunities and sign up. “Every dollar, every volunteer hour, and every can of food donated to us makes a real difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors struggling with hunger,” says White. Learn more about Food Share at https://foodshare.com/, and find future non-profit profiles at...

Recently, the Yardi Middle East team, based in Dubai, took part in Al Noor Associations’ volunteer program. The centre offered exciting opportunities to engage in during the holy month of Ramadan for people to give back and help children and young adults. The Yardi team worked closely with people of determination including trainees placed in Vocational Training Units at Al Noor Centre and engaged in activities for the upkeep of the premises, such as painting classrooms. “Being able to give back and help at the Al Noor Training Centre was a great opportunity for the Yardi Team. We took part in workshops with the children and also helped paint classrooms,” said Aditya Shah, senior director of Middle East services and operations for Yardi. “The centre provides great opportunities for people of determination to learn skills in a safe environment and allows them to learn in their own time. Yardi is proud to have the opportunity to help the children and young adults at the Al Noor Training Centre and we look forward to working with them again.” “We would like to thank Yardi and their staff for being a part of our Employee Engagement Program and helping to create awareness for the work we do amongst our community,” said Ms. Ranjini Ramnath, director of the association. “It is due to the support of organisations like Yardi that Al Noor can help people of determination and their families, by providing professionally driven services that impact quality of life and inclusion into the community. “We look forward to an ongoing relationship with Yardi for years to come so that together, we can create a positive impact for the community of determined ones in the UAE,” continued Ramnath. 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. Learn more about Yardi’s corporate social responsibility and philanthropy on our Giving...

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. Life’s WORC staff celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary. Today, we are featuring Life’s WORC, a Garden City, NY nonprofit that supports people with intellectual challenges, developmental disabilities, and autism. The organization is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year: 50 years of providing services that facilitate an independent and productive life experience for their constituents. “Over fifty years ago, Victoria Schneps Yunis created Life’s WORC after Geraldo Rivera exposed the deplorable care and conditions at a place called Willowbrook,” said Tina Moreno, director of development for the nonprofit. “Geraldo and Vicki are still dedicated to ensuring that individuals live healthy and productive lives.” The scandalous story of how patients – from children to seniors – were treated at Willowbrook horrified the nation when it was exposed in the early 1970s. “This institution in 1972 was a crime against humanity. Those aren’t just words, they accurately represent the reality of Willowbrook,” Rivera says in his original report on the atrocious conditions at the state facility. Life’s WORC was created to offer an alternative reality that was safe, healthy, clean, and supportive. Today, six of the original residents of the Life’s WORC Rivera home in Little Neck Queens continue to enjoy their home and a healthy lifestyle.  “Vicki, along with Geraldo and now-NYC Mayor Eric Adams, paid a visit to the home to celebrate our 50 years of achievements,” said Moreno. “Life’s WORC is proud of our achievements over the last 50 years and will continue the important work begun by Vicki Schneps Yunis. We strive to constantly evolve and adapt our programs to better serve the people we support. We look forward to the next 50 years of making a difference in the lives of even more people with special needs and their loved ones.” The organization has also recently been awarded an RFP to provide five additional supportive homes for the state’s growing autistic population. “That brings us to 50 homes over 50 years,” Moreno said. “In addition, this year we will be launching a brand-new program and building called WORC FORCE, a multi-purpose community-based center that helps those with disabilities and learning challenges master in demand skills for the workplace and beyond.  Our mission is to build confidence and find purpose.” “The funds received from Yardi will be used to assist the individuals we support by enhancing their ability to access these programs,” Moreno explained. “We have purchased technology equipment to ensure connectivity for those individuals that were unable to attend in-person programs. We have also created new online classes for our program participants so that they can increase their skills.” Opportunities to volunteer Life’s WORC welcomes volunteers to assist with our special events throughout the year. On September 18, the organization will hold a Walk for WORC FORC and invites Yardi staff to contribute as participants and to assist with the event. Additionally, Life’s WORC participates in Bike to the Beach on September 24. Participants will ride 100, 50 or 25 miles for disabilities and autism. For more information on participation, contact Tina Moreno by email at [email protected] Learn more about Life’s WORC at https://lifesworc.org/, and find future non-profit profiles at...

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. Today, get to know Camp Twin Lakes, a Georgia-based organization that addresses the need for youth development and wellness opportunities for children with special healthcare needs and life challenges. “We work with more than 60 other nonprofits each year to build programs that engage campers in hands-on, nature-based programs to improve their well-being, self-esteem, sense of belonging to a community, and confidence in their skills and abilities,” says Anna Hutchins, Director of Grants & Outcomes Measurement for the organization. The 2022 summer camp season begins in-person on May 28. “All of our activities are fully adaptive and medically supported. That means that kids of all mobility levels, and their families, can sail down the zip line, scale the rock wall, ride bikes, and get in the pool. We are also able to take care of our campers’ medical needs onsite, including chemo and dialysis.” Expanding to fill growing needs Twin Lakes began operations in 1991 and held its first summer programs in 1993. Its two current campuses are in Rutledge and Winder, Georgia. “Our current partners and larger community have been expressing the need for more – more programs, more family weekends, more child-only summer camps,” explained Hutchins. “To meet this need, we are building a third, year-round campus on additional land in Rutledge that will allow us to serve 3,500 more campers every year, including kids with Down Syndrome, pancreatitis, skin diseases, and mental health diagnoses.” The new campus is expected to open in early 2023, and Camp Twin Lakes expect to serve more than 12,000 campers next year across all three locations. Yardi has been a community partner with Camp Twin Lakes for more than fifteen years. “Yardi supported us through the pandemic, making therapeutic, educational, and recreational programs possible for hundreds of kids during a really difficult time. And with our new campus opening next year, your support will bring the joy of Camp to even more campers,” shared Hutchins. Camp Twin Lakes offers a donor-funded Camper Scholarship Program. It funds program supplies, onsite medical support, accessible onsite housing, and meals meeting specific dietary needs. Providing this support relieves the financial burden from camper families, making the transformative experience of Camp possible for thousands of kids every year. A sense of fitting in We asked Hutchins to share one the story of a camper who was positively impacted by their experience at Camp Twin Lakes. She shared Morgan’s story with us. “Morgan has Apert Syndrome, which affects facial features and limbs. Morgan shared that people often stare at her because she looks different, but Camp is different,” said Hutchins. “No one stares at me,” said Morgan of what it is like for youth attending Camp Twin Lakes. “No one treats me like I am a kid with Aperts, or a kid who was born without fingers and toes, or who cannot lift her arms above her head. Camp is a place where kids who are extraordinary can just be ordinary. It is my favorite place in the entire world. I wish the world were just like it – understanding, patient, caring, and fun.” After first attending camp at age 11, Morgan is now a volunteer counselor for the organization during the summer. As a counselor, Morgan says her goal is to “tell my campers that it is OK to be different. People are going to stare or wonder why you are doing something a certain way, but it is uniquely your way.” Opportunities for Yardi employees to volunteer There are many ways for Georgia...

Since 2015, Yardi has been a supporter of ShelterBox, a crisis response non-profit that assists globally in natural disasters, war zones and other crises. Last month, Yardi awarded ShelterBox a $100,000 grant to support the organization’s response to the war in Ukraine. The funds are being put to immediate use on three vital projects. Read on to hear the non-profit’s story and learn about volunteer opportunities. ShelterBox responders coordinating distribution to refugees from Ukraine. Photo courtesy ShelterBox. An Organization Overview ShelterBox President Kerri Murray visited Poland, near the Ukrainian border, during the early weeks of the war and was struck by the outpouring of support for refugees from throughout Europe. Individuals were arriving in their own cars, having driven for hours, to offer transport and refuge in other countries. “It’s really profound, in the midst of all this heartache, to see things that make you really hopeful,” said Murray. “In the worst of times, you often see the best of humanity.” She was also struck by the sadness exuded from the refugees who had to leave loved ones, especially men of age to serve in the military (ages 18-60), behind in Ukraine. “I noticed that people were not relieved. Even though they were now safely in Poland, their families were ripped apart.” ShelterBox staff and volunteers are no strangers to these situations, as they have contributed support to more 2.5 million people during over 300 crises in nearly 100 countries since the non-profit was founded 22 years ago. “As a humanitarian aid organization that works globally, we’re trying to tackle one of the biggest issues that’s plaguing our world, and it’s the massive displacement of people,” Murray said. Including the conflict in Ukraine, more than 119 million people are currently considered displaced, more than any other time in recorded history. “These include victims of violent conflict situations, like we are seeing in Ukraine, civil war situations, and then disaster situations. It could be earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, hurricanes – any events that have forcibly displaced people from their homes,” Murray said. Prior to the war in Ukraine, ShelterBox was responding in the Philippines to the aftermath of Super Typhoon Rai, which decimated homes and displaced millions in December 2021. The organization was also continuing its ongoing response in war-ridden Syria, where it has served continuously since 2011. Recipients of a ShelterBox kit in Malawi after flooding there in 2015. Photo courtesy ShelterBox. “It’s this kind of quiet work in conflict situations that are the reason ShelterBox has now been twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize,” Murray said of the Syrian efforts. “The essential premise behind the organization is that we provide the things that you need to sustain your life if you lose everything in an instant, and you’re forced to flee your home.” Supporting Ukrainian Refugees The United Nations estimates that 12 million Ukrainians have been displaced because of the war, with 7.7 million remaining within the country’s borders. The organization was prepared for the conflict with advance assessment work, something they attempt to do in any country where there is a potential for conflict. Learning from its experiences in Syria and other conflict zones, ShelterBox knew that the most effective response strategies would be the most portable. Its three projects in Ukraine include the following: Mattress distribution to provide refugees on the move with a comfortable place to sleep. “These are for people who are cycling through the collective (refugee) centers, so they’re not sleeping on floors,” explained Murray. Thousands have been used over the last five weeks, and are returned after use so that they can be distributed again.Shelter-in-place kits for Ukrainian homes that have been damaged by bombs, customized to regional needs. These include tarpaulins to cover roof or wall damage, basic tools and building supplies, as well as solar lights, water carriers, thermal blankets, and hygiene kits. “It’s a very customized bespoke kit based...

Yardi will contribute $1 million to the relief efforts of non-profit humanitarian aid organizations working to assist and support Ukrainian nationals displaced by the war between Russia and Ukraine. “We are heartbroken to see the events happening in Ukraine, and as we hope for swift peace, we will be doing everything we can to help our neighbors,” said Bianca Geomolean, director of human resources at Yardi Romania. The United Nations estimates that over 3.7 million people have left the country because of the conflict, and up to 10 million are displaced within Ukraine. Many evacuees are attempting to reach neighboring countries, including Poland, Romania, Hungary and others. The United States announced today it would accept 100,000 refugees. Funds donated by Yardi will be distributed between the following organizations: UNICEF, the Romanian Red Cross, Direct Relief, ShelterBox, and five NGOs that are based in Romania: Fundația Regală Margareta a României, Dăruiește Viață, CERT Transilvania, Beard Brothers, and O Masă Caldă. “One of Yardi’s core values is to take care of the communities where our teams live and work. This time, this extends beyond the borders of our country,” Geomolean said. “We stand by Ukraine and its people, we stand with humanity, with freedom and with peace. We wish that our contribution will bring relief and a bit of hope to those in desperate need of it. Together, we are #EnergizedForGood!” UNICEF focuses on vulnerable refugees In Romania, UNICEF is supporting the Romanian Government, local authorities, UN agencies and non-government organizations to monitor the inflow of Ukrainian refugees and offer immediate support for urgent needs. UNICEF’s response focuses on establishing and operationalizing Blue Dots at the border crossings. Blue Dot locations are dedicated refugee children and family support hubs. They represent an integrated model that will provide support for the most immediate needs of children and women. Blue Dots will offer integrated services in child friendly spaces with a focus on the most vulnerable refugees, as well as assistance with family reunification and communication, information/advice desks, dedicated mother and child areas, psychosocial aid, hygiene, first aid and more. Blankets, warm clothing, health and recreational kits along with hygiene products and baby food will be available in Blue Dots as well. “UNICEF is working day and night to scale-up support for children and women affected by the escalating conflict. There are already three Blue Dots functional at Sighetu Marmatiei, Siret and Isaccea providing support to those crossing the border to Romania. Other Blue Dots will be operationalized in the following days,” said Pieter Bult, UNICEF Representative to Romania. UNICEF in Romania has launched an online appeal to raise funds for children’s needs affected by conflict in Ukraine. Personal donations can be made here. A portal for corporate donations is also available. ShelterBox sends humanitarian supplies ShelterBox, another organization Yardi has previously supported, is working on three projects – two within Ukraine and one to support refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray recently traveled to Poland’s border with Ukraine and met with refugees. Photo courtesy ShelterBox. Refugees from Ukraine in a temporary shelter. “ShelterBox USA is deeply grateful for Yardi’s contribution,” Murray said. “This charitable support will enable us to deliver critical relief supplies to Ukrainians who need them most. When I was working in Poland on the Ukraine border, I met with women and children who had to travel for days by foot, bus, and train flee the violence, many of whom had to leave members of their family behind to fight. Yardi’s support is critical to helping us provide essential aid to those families.” “Yardi values our long-term partnership with ShelterBox, a fellow Santa Barbara organization with a strong commitment and proven track record for assistance in disaster relief around the world,” said Arnie Brier, Yardi senior vice president. “We are reassured to see ShelterBox involved in supporting Ukrainian refugees during this devastating crisis.” ShelterBox provides humanitarian aid in...