If you see the picture on the right and think “wheelchair ramps,” you’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. It’s also a stroller ramp, an aid for people with chronic joint pain, a ramp for tiny kids with tiny legs, and a blessing for CrossFitters on leg day. In short, all sorts of people appreciate a gradual transition between spaces. Toronto-based StopGap helps businesses and organizations make such transitions possible at low or no cost while broadening the conversations on access and equity. 1 or 1,000 Steps, Same Problem Although Luke Anderson is an engineer, he had never paid much attention to the multitudinous businesses, places of worship, and public structures that used stairs to transition between spaces. Once Anderson began using a wheelchair daily, he noticed just how many buildings failed to offer barrier-free access to visitors and occupants. While such access is essential for wheelchair users, others would benefit from barrier-free entry as well. The “curb cut affect” defines that when something is made easier for one population, it often helps members of other populations. Ramps for wheelchair users would also benefit delivery persons, the elderly, and others who are hindered by stairs. Anderson, along with his friend and coworker Michael Hopkins, began to plan a way to bridge the gap between accessibility and the costs needed to improve accessibility. Addressing the Gap Anderson is now the executive director and co-founder of StopGap, which aims to break down barriers one step at a time. StopGap Foundation works to create a world where every person can access every space. As a result, the non-profit is creating a world where everyone can live a life of independence, spontaneity, and ultimate fulfillment. But the organization didn’t begin with such grandiose plans. “I thought it...
Housing, Affordable
Yardi Raleigh + CASA
Since 1937, the benchmark for cost-effective housing has remained the same. Occupants can be expected to allot about 30 percent of their income on housing. Yet in the Triangle region of North Carolina, many low-income families cannot find housing at 30 percent of their income. The struggle is exacerbated when disability and other medical issues consume a significant portion of household incomes. CASA of Raleigh aims “to provide access to stable, affordable housing for people who are homeless or at risk by developing and managing rental communities.” The nonprofit acknowledges that homelessness is a complex problem. Yet CASA has simplified its approach: the solution to homelessness is housing. CASA in Action CASA has supported the Triangle region since 1992. The organization owns, manages, and rents homes to individuals and families in need. To date, CASA communities are divided with 70 percent serving as supportive units and 30 percent as workforce units. Populations served include those living with disabilities, veterans, families and individuals that have previously experienced homelessness or are at risk. Last year, CASA welcomed 137 new families into new homes and renewed leases with 300 households. Of those homes, 78 percent have one disabled member and 23 percent include a veteran. CASA’s programming relies on community support and donations. Contributions both large and small can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Yardi + CASA Yardi’s Raleigh office recently volunteered to construct gift baskets for current and incoming tenants of CASA communities. The baskets vary, some containing kitchen essentials while others were geared towards family time and activities. The latter included picnic-style baskets, meal kits, snack and activity kits. The staff at CASA will distribute the baskets to tenants based on their need. New tenants receive baskets that have...
Small Box, Big Impact...
Yardi ATL + United Way
The United Way of Greater Atlanta Shoebox Project is a creative way to provide more than 30,000 homeless people in greater metro Atlanta with daily necessities. Each year, Yardi Atlanta lends its creativity, time, and resources to help United Way fulfill its mission. This year was another success! The Shoebox Project United Way of Greater Atlanta is a nonprofit organization serving 13 counties in Georgia. These counties are home to nearly half a million children who live in communities with low or very low child well-being scores. Many of these children and their families may struggle with homelessness. In 2006, United Way of Greater Atlanta launched the Shoebox Project as a campaign to collect essential items for homeless populations. The organization reached out to individuals, families, and businesses to fill shoeboxes with toiletries for men, women and children. More than 13 years later, the Shoebox Project has been adopted by United Ways throughout the nation. Shoebox items include toiletries as well as first aid and enrichment items. Last year, the organization collected more than 35,200 shoeboxes with a value of more than $704,080. Yardi + United Way Yardi’s preparation for the Shoebox Project is a year-round endeavor. Employees donate supplies such as undergarments, toiletries, hygiene products, first aid kits, and portable activities for children. Employees are encouraged to explore cost effective options by donating time or free items, such as complimentary goods from businesses. Near the end of spring, Yardi volunteers sort items, allocate them to shoeboxes, and then cover the boxes in gift wrap. This year, Yardi packed and wrapped over 75 boxes! The United Way collects its donations from volunteers throughout the metro Atlanta area. It then distributes the shoeboxes to local nonprofit agencies that serve homeless and low-income men, women and children....
Sharing Literacy
Yardi Colorado Springs + TutorMate
Students third grade academic performance can foreshadow setbacks that they may face in adulthood. Students who cannot proficiently read by the third grade are more likely to struggle in class, drop out of school and face incarceration. TutorMate, an Innovations for Learning program, helps to prepare students for success in school and in adulthood. The program uses technology to pair students with volunteers for remote tutoring sessions. During each 30-minute session, they read stories and play games together that build comprehension and fluency. The program has achieved replicable results, such as an 18-point reading score improvement in Chicago and 14-point reading score gain in Washington, DC. Volunteers from 27 cities representing more than 200 corporations, universities and governmental agencies participate in the program. Nearly 10,000 students benefit from their volunteerism. Amy Thomas, a customer service representative in Yardi’s Colorado Springs office, introduced the program to her colleagues in the summer of 2018. Ten volunteers were needed to kick off the effort – within a day, she had filled the signup roster. The team is working with a school in the Denver area. From their desks, Yardi employees give a half hour of their time once a week to connect with their students. “Reading is essential for success in the future, so this really makes a difference,” said Thomas, who became familiar with the program at a previous job. “Knowing that we’re making a difference in our community, and seeing the progress with your students each week – that’s great for both the employee and the student.” Connections with the first graders are easy and natural, she said. Stephanie Eide, associate technical account manager in Colorado Springs, is among the volunteers. “I have a daughter who is also learning to read so I wanted to help,” said Eide. “I loved reading as a kid, so I love that I can help other kids love it as well. Some kids need more practice and I love that I can offer that to them.” Eide knew that she was paired with the right student when she found out that they shared Halloween birthdays. “I don’t meet very many people that share my birthday. So you also get to be somewhat of a mentor to them as well!” During a typical session, Eide and her student buddy begin with flashcards. They then read a few short stories and complete comprehension questions. “There are also games we play,” said Eide. “Her favorite is tic tac toe. If you can read the word in the box you get an X or O. She usually beats me. It is so much fun. She is very smart and is gets better at reading every week!” Thomas is hoping to introduce other Yardi offices around the country to the nationwide program. For more information about how to participate, you can email her at [email protected] Yardi is Energized for Good – and you can join in! TutorMate is accepting new volunteers. Groups can register to participate in upcoming...
Supporting the Community
Yardi Atlanta
To jumpstart the giving season, Yardi Atlanta Charity Committee recently released an overview of the year’s philanthropic efforts. The grants demonstrate Yardi’s mission to “take care of our communities” in action! The following 15 nonprofits received support from Yardi Atlanta in 2018. March of Dimes March of Dimes programs educate medical professionals to ensure that moms and babies get the best care available. The organization also helps families with newborns who are facing medical challenges. Several Yardi Atlanta team members participated in the annual March for Babies walk, hosted by March of Dimes. Yardi corporate also matched donations made to the organization. Mimosa Elementary School Mimosa Elementary is a Title 1 school of about 800 students. Located within an Economic Opportunity Zone, nearly 95 percent of parents’ incomes fall below the poverty line. Despite its difficulties, the dedicated school staff and Yardi team members work together to help students succeed. Recent initiatives included a backpack drive and courtyard cleanup. This year’s donation focused on improving the reading levels of third graders. Studies suggest that third grade literacy increases high school graduation rates. Camp Twin Lakes Camp Twin Lakes is a nonprofit with locations in Rutledge, Winder, and Warm Springs, GA. Camp excursions and activities provide fun developmental opportunities for children facing serious illnesses and disabilities. Kids can also experience the fun through the Campers to Go program, which takes interactive experiences to children’s hospitals throughout the state. Camp Twin Lakes continues its strong relationship with Yardi Atlanta. Through the Camper Scholarship Program, Yardi empowered 27 kids to attend camp. Make-A-Wish Georgia Never underestimate the power of a dream fulfilled! The national Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Granting a wish brings hope! And a positive attitude can help to battle illness and improve quality of life. Yardi’s donation enabled 406 critically ill children to watch their dreams come true. Atlanta Humane Society The Atlanta Humane Society, a no-kill shelter, serves about 30,000 animals each year. Animals receive medical assistance as well as the opportunity to find a forever home with local families. Yardi’s contribution paid for 5,000 surgeries for rescued animals. Atlanta Community Food Bank In northwest Georgia, 1 in 5 children face food insecurity. Atlanta Community Food Bank aims to end food insecurity for families in need. Yardi’s donation supported mobile units that meet immediate demand for nutritious food in homes and at schools. While on site, staff members help residents complete screenings for longer-term assistance programs. Marcus and Sharon Gunter Foundation (MSG Foundation) Hunger adversely affects health outcomes as well as a person’s quality of life. The MSG Foundation serves families, children and seniors facing hunger in Cumming, Ga. With Yardi’s support, recipients receive aid through a monthly grocery supplementation program. School-aged children are eligible for Bags of Love, which provides sack lunches to kids during school breaks. Atlanta Children’s Shelter Atlanta Children’s Shelter aims to end family homelessness in Georgia. The organization also offers therapeutic programming to facilitate recovery from trauma. Yardi Atlanta’s donation was allotted to the STEAM program, which helps homeless children reach developmental and academic milestones. Foster Care Support Foundation More than 8,000 children rely on foster services in Georgia. Children can escape abuse and neglect through Foster Care Support Foundation. The organization supplies essential items for foster parents and their families. Yardi’s donation provided 90 children with necessities such as clothing, books and basic care items. The contribution minimizes financial strain for foster families. Yardi’s donation also supports the mentorship program that helps teens in foster care navigate their journey towards adulthood. Lost-n-Found Sexual minority youth compose more than 40 percent of homeless youth in Atlanta. Lost-n-Found Youth strives to end homelessness for young members of the LGBTQ community. The nonprofit offers housing and counseling services to those in need. In addition to financial donations such as Yardi’s, Lost-n-Found Youth provides services through thrift shop revenues. The Drake House...
Helping After Harvey
Yardi commits $1 million to recovery, launches housing website
On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in southeast Texas. The devastating tropical storm dumped more than 50 inches of rain and killed more than 50 people during its four-day rampage. Due to flooding caused by the hurricane, more than 30,000 people were displaced from their homes in Texas and Louisiana. The evacuees staying in shelters or with friends and relatives included many renters. Yardi software helps manage a significant percentage of the Houston multifamily housing market. Yardi committed $1 million to support nonprofit organizations in the rebuilding of the areas affected by the hurricane, and will match employee donations to the hurricane relief fund. But there was also an opportunity to assist those in need of temporary or permanent housing due to floodwater damage. “The state of Texas is about to undergo one of the largest recovery-housing missions that the nation has ever seen,” FEMA Administrator Brock Long said at a news conference Monday. “It’s a long process. Housing is going to be very frustrating in Texas.” Following in the footsteps of an effort to create a housing clearinghouse for Canadians who lost their homes in the May 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, our RentCafe development team sprang into action. Using the RentCafe property marketing and leasing platform, they quickly built a housing website that will help displaced residents find temporary and permanent homes. The website (RentCafe.com/HurricaneHarvey) allows housing providers to post available units and for displaced residents to search for housing. Housing providers can visit the site to list properties at no charge. “We had experience with this kind of rush site build from our work on a housing registry website for the fire victims in Canada last spring,” said Chris Ulep, vice president of multifamily development at Yardi. “A collaborative effort got the website ready in just a couple of days. We hope that hurricane evacuees will find it useful as they search for new homes.” Yardi has also launched a hotline that evacuees looking for housing can call for housing assistance. The toll-free number is (844) 363-6317. Additionally, Yardi is offering disaster response assistance for clients on the RENTCafé platform, including nudge messaging, voice messaging and call automation to help clients communicate with their residents during the aftermath. Yardi representatives are reaching out to clients in the affected area to explain and offer these and other services at no charge. “We have many valued clients in the affected area, and it is important to us to assist those clients as well as their residents who may have been displaced. Thousands of people have lost their housing due to this devastating natural disaster, and we want to help in any way we can,” said Anant Yardi, president and founder of Yardi. The efforts to help were appreciated by those in the affected area. “Our industry is committed to housing and providing needed services like online housing portals and other resources to assist those in need. We applaud the efforts of our supplier partners to assist those impacted by the hurricane,” said Chris Newton, executive vice president of the Texas Apartment Association. Additional resources for Yardi clients in the region include: The Texas Apartment Association has links to relevant documents and policies that may affect Houston property owners and managers. Policies for tax credit properties during federally declared disasters. An Emergency and Disaster Library from the National Apartment Association, with Hurricane Harvey content. For those who would like to help or support agencies working on the recovery effort in Texas, there are many ways to do so. A few resources include: Relief organizations assisting with evacuee support: Red Cross: donate online or by text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. The United Way Salvation Army – Text STORM to 51555 GlobalGiving Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund Greater Houston Community Foundation – Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund The Way Home Portlight Charity Navigator compiled a...
