Eden Housing Hosts Volunteer Appreciation Event
April 13, 2023
— Awards ceremony recognized volunteers for their contributions to the organization —
April 13, 2023 —Eden Housing held a Volunteer & Partner Appreciation event on Thursday, April 6 at the Cal State East Bay University Union to honor Eden Housing volunteers and other important partners for their dedication to the organization.
Eden Housing president and CEO Linda Mandolini noted that it was particularly fitting to hold the event during April, which is National Volunteer Month, given that Eden Housing was started by a small group of volunteers 55 years ago.
“We believe in the power of volunteerism to profoundly impact and create opportunity. We wouldn’t be able to offer the services we do, at the level we do, without the help of our dedicated board members, business leaders, elected officials, partners and individual contributors,” Mandolini said. “I am grateful for their commitment to our mission, and it was an honor to celebrate them at this special event.”
Eden Housing empowers families toward brighter futures by helping them build resources, better manage their assets, and advance their educational and career goals. This work is accomplished through partnerships with many skilled and generous volunteers who share their time, energy and passion. From supporting Eden’s youngest residents through tutoring and after-school programs, to providing nutrition and exercise classes, to supporting and advancing Eden’s affordable housing developments, volunteers make an invaluable impact on Eden Housing residents every day.
The following awardees were celebrated during the event:
◼️ Civic Leader of the Year:
Consuelo Hernandez, Director of the Santa Clara County’s Office of Supportive Housing
Michelle Starratt, Housing Director of Alameda County
◼️ Board Member Foundation Award:
Sean Callum, Eden Board Member, Vice President Credit Risk Officer, First Republic Bank
◼️ Strategic Partner of the Year:
JP Morgan Chase
◼️ Community Volunteer, Eden Friend Award:
Laura McMichael-Cady, community volunteer at Eden Issei Terrace
◼️ Economic Empowerment Award:
Catherine Lee, volunteer for the Eden Savers program
◼️ Resident Volunteer, Good Neighbor Award:
Khadija Baporia, volunteer at Warner Creek
Pat Castro, volunteer at Wheeler Manor
Among the remarks made during the event, was the recognition of the significant impact of Measure A in Santa Clara County and Measure A1 in Alameda County on affordable housing. Since the inception of these measures, combined, Santa Clara County and Alameda County have allocated and distributed $1.5 billion in funding for affordable housing projects.
The $950 million Measure A affordable housing bond funded five of Eden’s projects, providing more than $70 million to bring these communities to fruition. Measure A1 helped advance eight new Eden developments in Alameda County, offering more than $55 million in funding.
“Affordable housing and homelessness are very important issues to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, and they have supported HCD help solve these challenges – from creating innovative homeless resource centers to help solve our homeless challenge, to supporting the Measure A1 Bond so that HCD can partner with Eden and other developers, to creating and preserving affordable apartments for our residents,” said Starratt. “We look forward to releasing our Measure A1 report and sharing plans for a regional affordable housing bond soon, as we aim to continue offering a diverse portfolio of affordable housing opportunities to our communities.”
“Providing more affordable housing and solving homelessness is critical to Santa Clara County,” said Hernandez. “I’m very proud to share that since 2020, we have housed more than 9,700 households, provided financial and rental assistance to over 14,000 families and individuals, and expanded our temporary housing and shelter capacity by 15 percent. We are currently developing over 5,000 new affordable housing units and look forward to our continued partnership with Eden and mission aligned organizations to provide affordable housing solutions to our residents.”
ABOUT EDEN HOUSING
Eden Housing is a nonprofit organization with 55 years of experience providing safe and affordable housing that helps families stay secure, allows communities to thrive, and solves many of the most pressing housing challenges facing California cities. Since its inception, the Bay Area-based organization has developed more than 10,000 affordable homes and is a leader in making its residential communities environmentally sustainable and efficient through integrating energy conservation. Eden is also known as a champion of housing policy advocacy at the local, state, and national level, supporting practices that both create and preserve affordable housing for diverse communities. Learn more at www.edenhousing.org.
Media Contact:
Birgit Johnston
Johnston Communications for Eden Housing
(408) 656 8025, birgitjohnston@me.com