The 2nd Annual American Dream Award Awardees

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Annual Manna American Dream Awards (the AMDEEs)! The following recipients were honored by Manna for their commitment, dedication, and work in the affordable housing community in Washington, DC:

Councilmember Marion Barry, Jr., Council of the District of Columbia;

Maudine R. Cooper, Greater Washington Urban League;

Chris Smith, William C. Smith & Co.;

Blake Biles, Arnold & Porter;

Stanley Jackson Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (retired).

Click here to view the complete profiles of the 16th Annual Friends of Manna AMDEE Awardees.

16th Annual Friends of Manna Silent Auction and Reception

On October 13, 2011, Manna celebrated the 16^th Annual Friends of Manna Silent Auction and Reception at the Carnegie Institution. The Manna American Dream Award presentation was the highlight of the evening’s events; this is  the second year Manna has awarded individuals who have significantly contributed to the affordable housing community. This year’s silent auction items also added an exciting element to the evening. Guests were able to bid on terrific items such as two round trip JetBlue tickets, Moët Hennessy Gift Sets, tours of the National Zoo, DC Aquarium, and local vineyards. The evening concluded with a presentation from Wells Fargo of a $20,000 check to Manna in support of the work Manna does in the affordable housing community in Washington, DC.

Manna would like to give a special thanks to Mike Golden, Regional President of Greater Washington DC Wells Fargo, who served as the Honorary Chair, the auction committee, event volunteers, Manna staff and all of the guests for making this Friends of Manna event successful.

Check out Manna’s Facebook page to view photos of this year’s Friends of Manna Silent Auction and Reception.

Support Manna through RECOUP!

Several months ago, we asked for your help to make Manna the featured organization on Deals for Deeds, an online deal site where a portion of the sale goes to a selected non-profit.  Thanks to you, Manna was able to raise over $600 to help support Manna Mortgage's mortgage counseling efforts.

Now, Deals for Deeds has merged with RECOUP.  RECOUP has a similar business model to Deals for Deeds, except that you can select the cause you would like to donate to with each purchase.

Simply go http://www.recoup.com/org/manna and start shopping!

Manna Forms New Partnership with John Marshall Bank

Manna President & CEO, George Rothman with
John Marshall Bank Regional President, Ed Harrington

Without good partners, Manna would not be where it is today.  Manna is excited to embark on a new partnership with John Marshall Bank.  The Bank is providing construction financing for Manna's 7th Street NE single family property.  This market rate unit in one of the city's most popular neighborhoods will help provide funds to support Manna's affordable homeownership properties and programs.  Additionally, the bank has provided Manna with a grant of $2,500 to support Manna's programs.


“John Marshall Bank is very focused on making a positive difference in our local community." says Regional President Ed Harrington, "We are delighted to assist the good works of Manna and other local charitable groups during these economically challenging times.”

Formed in 2006, John Marshall Bank is the area's newest community bank with locations in the District, Maryland and Virginia.  You can visit them online at http://www.johnmarshallbank.com/

Manna Welcomes New Board Members

This September, Manna welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: Nathan Smith, Robert Cooke, and Eugene Griffin . The new members were chosen to be a part of the Board of Directors because of their strong commitment to Manna and passion for the work that we do.

Nathan Smith, a member of Manna’s Homebuyers Club and Housing Advocacy Team.

Robert Cooke, a new homeowner at the Willowbrook Condominium, and graduate of Manna's Homebuyers Club.

Eugene Griffin, a returning board member, is a homeowner at the Oakdale Condominium and graduate of Manna's Homebuyers Club.

View the complete list of Manna’s Board of Directors by clicking here.

Homeowner Profile: Gwendolyn Mathis

Gwendolyn Mathis was born and raised in Washington D.C. and wanted to become a homeowner in the city she called home. Her first step for making this dream a reality was becoming a member of Manna’s Homebuyers Club in 1990. During her time in Manna’s Homebuyers Club, her journey became filled with many obstacles, difficulties and delays that would have caused most to give up and quit. Her generosity and care for others was one of the big reasons her dream of homeownership got delayed for so many years. Others simply came first for Gwen. In addition, she lost her job at one point, thus losing the financial means to purchase. She worked hard to find another job, eventually succeeded, and got back on track with her homeownership goal. Soon after, she qualified for and signed a sales contract for a new condominium at Madeline Gardens in Northeast D.C. Before she could go to settlement, there was a delay in construction that was beyond Manna’s control. Then in April of 2007, she suffered a serious stroke that left her disabled and unable to work. Gwen never gave up on her of homeownership, and Manna never gave up on helping her accomplishing that dream. During the next year, she made an amazing recovery from her stroke, and the delays in construction had been resolved. After overcoming many hurdles in her life, Gwen became a homeowner at the Madeline Gardens Condominium in September 2008.

Today is Give to the Max Day!! Make your good deed of the day a donation to Manna, Inc. Donate to Manna here!! 

Homeowner Profile: Mian Shafi

As a tenant on Mt. Pleasant Street, NW, Mian Shafi enjoyed all of the amenities the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood had to offer; he worked, lived, and played in this community. In 2002, he traveled to his homeland of Pakistan to care for his mother who had a stroke and his brother who suffered a heart attack. He had made plans to stay in Pakistan for two months to care for his family, however, less than two weeks into his trip, he received devastating news. The apartment building where he lived in Mt. Pleasant had been destroyed in a fire.  Mian left his ailing family and returned to the U.S. to retrieve whatever belongings he could find in the charred building. With no place to call home, Mian bounced around from one friend’s house to another for more than a year. After the fire, the Mt. Pleasant building, where Mian previously lived, was donated to Manna by the owners. Manna successfully completed rehabilitation of the building, and christened it: the Atonatl Condominium. Manna worked with the former tenants of the Atonatl Condominium to help them become homeowners, including Mian, who joined the Homebuyers Club in 2003. After three years in the program, Mian was ready to become a homeowner in the Atonatl Condominium. Through all the hardships he has faced, Mian has always carried a positive attitude. “There were so many people at Manna who helped me become a homeowner, I had no reason to be upset.”- Mian Shafi, homeowner at the Atonatl Condominium. 

Only ONE more day until Give to the Max Day!! Help us help people like Mian Shafi become a homeowner. Donate to Manna on November 9th!!

Syphax Village and the Southwest Renaissance

Syphax Village and the Southwest Renaissance

The William Syphax School before renovation

Just twelve years ago, the historic William Syphax School located at 1360 Half Street, SW, was a picture of blight. The boarded-up school was regularly used as a location of drug use and the surrounding property a pathway for drug dealers.  Weeds and rust had overtaken the school playground and litter was abundant.  In short, the old school building which had been abandoned more than a decade earlier, was a major eyesore for everyone in the neighborhood.

Years of neglect and deterioration could not erase the building’s prestigious history, however.  Named after William Syphax, a tireless advocate of equal standards of education and the first African-American to serve on the Board of Trustees of Colored Schools of Washington and Georgetown, the 1901 school building was officially declared a historic landmark in 2003.

Wm. Syphax School after

When Manna acquired the site from DC Public Schools in 1999 the community plan from the start was to preserve the beautiful historic building.  And that is exactly what Manna accomplished. 

In January of 2005, Manna, its new homeowners, and many friends and supporters celebrated the final completion of “Syphax Village,” a 41-unit mixed-income condominium development made up of twelve loft-style units in the old school building and twenty-nine new affordable single family town homes on the surrounding land.

One of the best things about the redevelopment of Syphax Village was the overwhelming community support for the project.  Manna was asked by the local community organizations to redevelop the site met numerous times with the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly and other local residents to develop a plan for the revitalization of the school.  Manna’s largest construction project to date, Syphax Village represents everything good about community development.  It was accomplished with a mix of private and public partners and incredible community support, its large scale has already made a major impact on the neighborhood, and it combines very-low and market rate units into a single condominium development.

This was not the last time that this community was to see a major change in its neighborhood. In 2004, Major League Baseball announced that the Montreal Expos would relocate to Washington DC and become the Washington Nationals.  Many sites were considered, but the booming Southwest Waterfront area was chosen as the site for the new stadium.  By 2008, the stadium had been finished, and ready for its public debut.

The Townhomes at Syphax Village

Located just steps from Syphax Village, the new Washington Nationals stadium have brought more to this community than just baseball.  The neighborhood is now a prime destination for new commercial developments.  With more housing and restaurants being built in the area, the Southwest Waterfront community will experience a renaissance unlike it has ever done before.

Locals can hear the fireworks of the ongoing Nationals games in the spring and summer, and sit conveniently to summer time events that happen in the area. The best part of the stadium moving into the neighborhood is something that the residents cannot see. The property values of the homes of the Syphax village residents have increased.  For most, that is the best advantage of the Nationals stadium being built.

“Every time they score a homerun in Nationals Stadium they set off fireworks; before you might have thought it was gun shots, but since the stadium was built everyone knows it is noise of celebration.” – Eve Werbicki.

Manna helps people become homeowners everyday- now it's your turn to help Manna! Click here to help us reach our goal of $2,000 by donating on Give to the Max Day, November 9th

Manna Mortgage Puts the Borrower First

Frank Demarais, Vice President of Manna Mortgage, believes every community needs reliable mortgage finance services, and there is a growing need for the services provided by Manna Mortgage in lower-income communities.  Manna Mortgage, a subsidiary of Manna, Inc., is the first and only non-profit mortgage loan company in Washington, DC. Their goal is to help low to moderate- income individuals obtain stable purchase and refinance mortgages with low rates, low fees, and good terms. The dedicated staff provides great service to the client by providing the best options for the borrower ahead of the best options for Manna.  Manna Mortgage has helped many individuals facing financial obstacles become homeowners or refinance their mortgage at a decent rate.  Clients, who work with Manna Mortgage, praise their services because for many this would be their only opportunity to become a homeowner. "Manna Mortgage was just a phone call away for anything that I needed." - Geraldine Quigley, Homeowner. 

For more information about Manna Mortgage and its services, visit www.mannamortgage.org.

Manna helps people become homeowners everyday- now it's your turn to help Manna! Click here to help us reach our goal of $2,000 by donating on Give to the Max Day, November 9th!

Homeowner Profile: Audrey Proctor

Finding the courage and strength to better your life can be a difficult struggle, but with the help of organizations like Manna people like Audrey Proctor do find a way. More than 15 years ago, Audrey had attended a Jubilee Housing Christmas party where she met the founder of Manna, Rev. Jim Dickerson. After hearing wonderful things about Manna developed properties from her friends and family, she told Rev. Jim, “One day I will buy one of your homes.” Audrey, a single mother with two sons James and Jamal, struggled to make ends meet, and provide decent housing for her family. As a graduate of Jubilee Housing, Audrey was ready for the next step in life, finding the courage to take it would be the problem. When Audrey’s younger sister, Tanya, passed away, it affected Audrey so profoundly that she decided that make a dramatic change to her life. With some encouragement from a friend, Audrey decided this was the time to become a homeowner. Audrey went to Housing Counseling Services, an organization Manna partners with that educated her on the process of homeownership, and helped her prepare all her information for the HPAP approval. Although it was a long process, Audrey never gave up on her dream of owning a Manna property. Today, Audrey is a homeowner at the Madeline Gardens Condominium, a 30 unit affordable condominium project Manna completed in Northeast DC.

Support MANNA on Give to the Max Day, November 9th!!

Manna to award 2nd Annual AMDEE at 16th Annual Friends of Manna

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday October 13, 2011 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Institute of Washington DC – Manna, Inc., one of the District’s leading non-profit affordable housing developers, will host the 16th Annual Friends of Manna Reception & Silent Auction, with Mike Golden, Wells Fargo Regional President – Greater Washington D.C., serving as Honorary Chair..
 The winners of the Second Annual AMDEEs to be presented at Thursday’s 16th Annual Friends of Manna are:

• Chris Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of William C. Smith & Co.,
• Maudine Cooper, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Washington Urban League,
• Councilmember Marion Barry, Council of the District of Columbia Ward 8,
• Blake Biles, Partner, Arnold & Porter LLP,
• Stan Jackson, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (Retired).

Click here for the full press release.

Save The Date!! The 16th Annual Friends of Manna

Join Manna for its biggest fundraising event of the year. The 16th Annual Friends of Manna Silent Auction and Reception will take place on October 13, 2011 at the Carnegie Institution. Auction items have been donated from various local restuarants, theatres, and attractions. This year's event includes a special presentation of the the 2nd Annual Manna American Dream Award winners.

We hope you will be able to join us for the festivities!

Click here for more details about this year's event!

  

Cardozo Court Grand Opening Event

On June 9^th, Manna celebrated the Grand Opening of the Cardozo Court Condominium. This 15-unit new build provides affordable homeownership options for low to moderate-income homebuyers in the increasingly expensive neighborhood of Columbia Heights. Councilmember Jim Graham joined Manna to celebrate the grand opening where he addressed the audience about the importance of Manna's mission of providing affordable homes especially in Ward 1. Speakers also included: Chris Early of the Department of Housing and Community Development, Craig Pascal of BB&T, Bob Moore of Development Corporation of Columbia Heights, Bob Pohlman of Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development, and Oramenta Newsome of the Washington office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Nikki Peel, a graduate of Manna's Homebuyers Club, spoke about how homeownership and her involvement with Manna changed her life. Several future homebuyers of the Cardozo Court Condominium expressed their enthusiasm about becoming homeowners and their gratitude towards Manna.

  

For photos of the Cardozo Court Condominium Grand Opening or more information on Manna, please visit Manna's Facebook page.

NeighborWorks Week 2011- Cardozo Court Condominiums

On June 4^th, Manna joined with NeighborWorks America to complete a landscaping project at the Cardozo Court Condominium, a new 15-unit Manna build in Columbia Heights. This event was a part of National NeighborWorks Week where NeighborWorks America partners with their member organizations to promote efforts of beautifying the local communities. With the efforts of 35 volunteers from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, over 150 trees, plants, and bushes were planted on the grounds.

 

For National NeighborWorks Week in 2010, Manna and Neighborworks America along with 60 volunteers completed a landscaping project at the Willowbrook Condominium, a 16- unit renovation project in Brookland, and promoted awareness for NeighborWork's Loan Scam Modification Alert Campaign.

  

Thank you to the Manna and the NeighborWorks America staff for their efforts in planning this event, and to all of the volunteers for their hard work.

Click here to visit Manna's Facebook page to view photos from National NeighborWorks Week 2011.

13th Annual Manna 5K Fun Run/Walk

Each year, Manna holds an annual 5K Fun Run to raise awareness and support for affordable housing in Washington, DC. On Saturday, May 21^st, Manna hosted the 13^th Annual Manna 5K Fun Run/Walk at Rock Creek Park. Over 160 participants completed the course including Councilmember Kwame Brown who also spoke to the crowd about the importance of their support for affordable housing. Participants also listened to opening remarks from Tim Adams of NeighborWorks America, and Rev. Jim Dickerson, founder of Manna, before embarking on the course.

Manna congratulates everyone who participated in the 13^th Annual Manna 5K Fun Run/Walk! The top female runners, Lisa Gold, Deborah Tepley-Ferguson, and Brittany Noetzel, and the top male runners, Mark Berenson, Alemayehu Kabisso, and Lavour Ndam, each received a prize for finishing in the top overall places. Local businesses that donated prizes include: BJ's Wholesale Club, Golf Course Specialists, Panera Bread, Piaf Salon and Spa, Results Gym, Rock Creek Sports Club, and Unity Woods Yoga Center. The top male and female runners of each age category were also recognized with certificates.

Click here for the photos of 13th Annual Manna 5K Fun Run!

Click here for the complete results of the Manna Fun Run!

It's a Lasting Connection

What happens to the relationship between the Manna and the homebuyer after they have achieved homeownership?

Before homeownership, Manna is an integral part of the homebuyers’ everyday life. Potential homebuyers work on building their savings with the Homebuyers Club, visit properties and work with the Marketing staff, or work through the mortgage process with Manna Mortgage.

For some homeowners after purchasing, they thank Manna and move on with their lives. However, for many the relationship they build with Manna lasts long after they become homeowners. Mian Shafi and Sherry Persaud, homeowners at the Atonatl Condominium in Mt. Pleasant, have built great relationships with Manna. Mian joined Manna’s Housing Advocacy Team, a group that works to influence public policy and resource allocation for affordable housing, and Sherry is a member of Manna’s Board of Directors. Homeowners, like Renee Sumby and Sandy Romero, regularly attend Manna’s annual fundraising events, the Manna 5K Fun Run and the Friends of Manna Silent Auction. Many homeowners take the time to stop by Manna’s offices to say hello and catch up with the staff.

It’s my opinion that Manna is unique from any other organization because of the way it builds and maintains relationships with the homeowners. This organization has been successful in accomplishing its mission because Manna is genuinely invests in people, therefore, people have become invested in Manna.

Click here to access the newsletter archives to read about what’s happening with some of Manna’s homeowners.

Not the nuns you grew up with

One of the keys to Manna's success over the years has been the Capstone Fund. The Capstone Fund is Manna's revolving loan fund that provides working capital for Manna's many projects. The Fund largely consists of low interest loans (0-3%) from socially responsible investors, individuals, foundations churches, and many religious orders. Nuns have always served a vital role in communities across the world- helping to feed and clothe the poor, nurse the sick and educate children.  These days they're doing all of that and putting their money where their mouth is.  Currently, Manna has 5 different orders of sisters (aka nuns) with loans in the Fund. 

One such order is the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.  Apparently, not only are they interested in socially responsible investing but, as I discovered reading on NPR's website today, hold shares in McDonalds and are using their status as shareholders to ask the company what it is doing about childhood obesity.  And as part of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, the order is also working to ensure that BP is held accountable for the effects of last year's oil spill.  These women are dedicated to maintaining the the core virtues of their religious life but using 21st century tools to get the job done.

At Manna, we have been lucky and blessed to have the support of all our Capstone Investors.  Apparently we aren't alone!

Gratitude for all of those helping to make Anacostia a great place to live

Yesterday we included this video in our post, because it featured a graduate of Manna's HomebuyersClub.

Afterwards, I kept thinking about all of the individuals featured in the piece and how just by choosing to live in Anacostia they are making it a better place for everyone.  For much of Manna's 29-year history, that has also been the story for our homeowners.  We were in Shaw and U Street before they were the hip places to be (see the Whitelaw and Victory Way) and we were in Southwest before there was even a thought about a stadium (check out Manna's biggest project to date, Syphax Village).  Not only were we selling these families homes, we were selling them a vision of what these communities could be.

This continues to be a part of Manna's work.  We recently started construction on the Bexhill Condominium in Ivy City, one of the city's most deteriorated neighborhoods.  Nine of the 20 units available are currently under contract, in part because these individuals and families share our vision that Ivy City can once again become a vibrant community.  Later this summer, Manna will begin construction on the Buxton Condominium in Anacostia, rehabbing vacant buildings into 24 affordable condominiums.  Thanks to the individuals featured in this video and to all of those who are working to ensure that Anacostia is a diverse and vibrant community, they are making our job a little easier.

HBC Grad Returns to Share her Experience

Special thanks to Manna Homebuyers Club graduate, Nikki Peele, for sharing her homebuying experience at last week's HomebuyersClub (HBC) General Meeting.  Nikki talked about her experience in the HomebuyersClub and how it helped prepare her for homeownership and serving as president of her condominium association board. Especially when it comes to knowing and understanding an association's governing documents (aka condo docs) and condo fees.

Nikki also stressed the importance of knowing what is the right purchase for you.  Nikki knew she wanted a home with little outdoor maintenance required, so a condo fitted her needs exactly.  For HBC Director Willamena Taylor, Nikki's sentiments helped reinforce many things they stress to the members of the HBC- "For us, it helped reinforce what we talk about.  You start where your money can take you.  For many a condo is a great first home purchase that can eventually to that single family home."

You can check out Nikki here in this youth-produced short film on the community of Historic Anacostia as part of DCCAH's Media Arts Camp through the Summer Youth Employment Program.

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