This week nearly 40 JBG employees helped Yachad repair affordable housing apartments in a Northeast apartment building. Volunteers scraped, painted, cleaned and hauled appliances in an effort to get several units in move-in ready shape for a low-income family.
Not only did the volunteers work hard, JBG funded the project as part of Yachad’s Mitzvah Project program and as part of the company’s community giving program. A special thanks to Bryan Moll who helped make this all possible.
Yachad has been working to make units at the rent-controlled, 2nd Street Apartment Complex in NE, wheelchair accessible. Through Yachad’s Ramp it Up! summer program for teens, an access ramp was built onto the front the building, making 6 units accessible for someone physically disabled. Through a grant from the National Fair Housing Alliance, Yachad hired Jose Lopez Enterprises to renovate the interior of one of these six units to make it fully wheelchair accessible-ie. widening the doorways and installing a roll-in shower. With the assistance of about 20 volunteers from Sixth and I Synagogue’s conversion class, and Yachad’s incredible board member, Ilan Schafstein of Century and Associates, Yachad was able to complete this unit and prepare it for someone to move in. A special thanks to Allison Adges of Sixth and I for making this all happen.
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We are pleased to announce the addition of two new Construction Managers to the Yachad family. Be sure to meet them in person at our upcoming volunteer opportunities or, if you’re a homeowner, at your home inspection.
Meet Robin and Roy…
Robin Renner
Robin Renner has over 25-years’ experience in all aspects of home building, repair and renovation. Working with clients to find creative, cost-effective solutions, Robin has helped over 300 homeowners enjoy a safer, beautiful home at a budget price while increasing energy efficiency and esthetic appeal. Robin believes affordable and safe housing is possible for everyone.
Roy Thillberg
Roy Thillberg has over ten years of experience building new homes. He is a Class A licensed Virgnia builder and a small business owner. He currently resides in Sterling, VA with his family.
If you have driven around the Ft. Totten Metro area lately in upper Northeast, you may have noticed the development going up on the corner of South Dakota Ave. and Riggs Rd. JBG Companies is working to put up a large commercial development on that plot of land to invigorate the community. JBG will also be working not more than two blocks away from that construction site, this time with Yachad, on a very important affordable housing project. Yachad has been working closely with the tenant board as well as UDC Law School to assure that the 2nd Street 42-Unit Apartment Building remains affordable and in good condition for low-income DC residents. On Wednesday, August 24th, nearly 50 employees of JBG will be working with Yachad to repair the vacant units in the building- painting, cleaning and helping to get the units move-in-ready for a low-income resident or family. JBG’s projects will truly come “together” when the residents at the apartments use the commercial development after its completion.
Check back after August 24th for photos from the day.
Yachad has joined forces with OAR DC, a nonprofit that mobilizes DC youth who have been in trouble with the law, to serve their community and get them back on the right track. Through this new partnership, Yachad has asked OAR DC to canvass DC neighborhoods with flyers advertising our application call for our Single Family Home Repair programs. Nearly 1000 flyers will be handed out around DC neighborhoods over the next week and so far we have had some great success. Nearly 15 calls have come through our offices from homeowners interested in our services. That’s 15 homeowners we may be able to assist that would not have known about us otherwise.
OAR DC youth are truly making a difference. One volunteer reported that a woman in Anacostia said, after he left her with a flyer, “Thank you so much! You are an answer to my prayers! I was just sitting here thinking about how I am ever going to be able to repair my house.”
Nearly 300 young Jewish professionals packed Public Bar in Dupont Circle last night for a few drinks, live music and an overwhelming feeling of Jewish community togetherness. The night was organized by Yachad and 20 other Jewish organizations including partners such as Sixth and I Synagogue, The Jewish Federation, JCRC, and the DCJCC. The purpose of the event was to bring young Jewish professionals from the area together and showcase the many Jewish organizations offering fantastic Jewish community programs.
The night was a huge success and people left the bar with a smile, a new friend and a request for more nights like it.
  
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