News from Better Housing Coalition

Monthly E-Newsletter

October 2010

Children Help Community Garden Flourish at Winchester Greens

Above: Children gardening at Winchester Greens

Below: Pinwheels for Peace

Pinwheels for Peace

The community garden at Winchester Greens has continued to brim with life thanks to the efforts of the children who faithfully tend to it. Their hard work has produced okra, tomatoes, basil, cucumbers and eggplant for harvest. While gardening is an enjoyable activity for our younger residents, it also teaches positive qualities such as patience and dedication, as well as the components of a healthy diet.

The community garden is a bright spot in the Winchester Greens neighborhood, and not just for the variety of plants and vegetables that grow there. In celebration of International Peace Day on September 21, youth residents made and decorated 'Pinwheels for Peace' at the Community Center, then attached them to pencils and placed them in the garden. They also took some pinwheels home and put them in their front yards The children had fun with the activity, writing words live 'peace,' 'love,' and 'family' on their creations.

Call for Nominations: 2011 Groundbreakers Awards

Community revitalization takes a group effort. In tribute to Richmond's leaders whose altruistic work has changed lives and transformed communities, BHC will honor its third class of Groundbreakers award recipients at the 2011 Groundbreakers celebration. Nominations are being accepted in four categories: Community Revitalizer, Creative Collaborator, Changer of Lives, and Henry David Thoreau Environmental Conservator.

Click here to learn more about the award criteria and download the nomination form. Award recipients will be determined by a selection committee at the University of Richmond's Jepson School of Leadership Studies. Deadline for submitting nominations is January 7, 2011. Please forward this message to any of your contacts who may be interested in making a nomination!

Groundbreakers will take place on April 7, 2011 at Beckstoffer's Mill on Church Hill. Stay tuned for more information about the event!

BHC Selected as a 2010 Bank of America Neighborhood Builder

As part of their Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, Bank of America annually recognizes and rewards organizations and individuals who work to improve their communities. BHC is one of two organizations in the Richmond market to be named a Neighborhood Builder and receive a $200,000 grant from Bank of America for operating support.

Gary Gore, President of Bank of America's Richmond market, with BHC President/CEO TK Somanath and BHC Board Members (from left to right) Angela Greene, Lissy Bryan, Neil Amin, Freda Green-Bolling, and Laura Lee Garrett

In addition, Bank of America will send TK Somanath and an emerging BHC leader to specially designed leadership development programs with topics that include strategic thinking, business planning in tough economic times, leadership development, and long-term business growth.

BHC also wishes to congratulate former board member Bob Sledd, who received a Local Hero award.

Fannie Mae Initiative Aims to Reduce Foreclosures through Education

With foreclosures on the rise in this difficult economy, many homeowners can't help but face troublesome questions. What if something happens and I can't make my mortgage payments? Could I lose my house? What would happen to my family? Homeowners who are feeling overwhelmed now have a resource to use before it's too late: KnowYourOptions.com.