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.