Participants in Jubilee Housing’s Early Start and Activity Zone programs are benefitting from upgrades to Jubilee’s Youth Services centers, playground, and outdoor community space thanks to WashREIT IMPACTS’ (Imagine More People Activating Community through Service) Service Day.

In late June, staff members from WashREIT held a fundraising event, which raised over $61,000 to finance the equipment and supplies needed for the renovations to Jubilee’s Youth Services spaces.

On November 1, over 70 WashREIT employees spent a full day transforming the various areas. Each center received a fresh paint job. Volunteers also created a huge motivational mural in the Activity Zone space. The mural says, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” and “You have the power to make your dreams come true.”

In addition, volunteers refurbished “safe space” rooms in both centers. The new safe spaces allow students to take quiet time away from their peers whenever they are feeling overwhelmed or would like to be alone.

Audrey Walker, director of Jubilee Housing’s Family Services, said that students in Early Start have benefited greatly from the safe space transformation. She described the space as “developmentally appropriate for kindergarten through third graders” and “a comfortable, cute, and inviting place to be Zen.” Activity Zone participants also use their safe space as a mix of homework station and lounge area. Emmanuel Gbajobi, Activity Zone’s program coordinator, said, “The design allows two to three students the opportunity to use the room for homework purposes. If a student needs time alone, the room is made available only to him or her at that moment.”

WashREIT’s volunteer team also transformed the playground. Team members installed new equipment – including a seesaw, a toss-up hoop, and magnetic wall games – and added an herb garden and a shaded sitting area. Youth Services students are overjoyed with the refurbished playground, Jubilee staff said.

The youth centers’ instructors are also enjoying the newly renovated spaces. Instructors said that the many renovations not only have refreshed and revitalized students’ mindsets, but also have prompted changes in their attitudes and behavior.

Jubilee Housing takes pride in creating program spaces and apartment homes that are high quality, well designed, and attractive. Jubilee Housing combines innovative financing and in-kind support, such as that from WashREIT, to develop justice housing™ that is deeply affordable, with onsite or nearby supportive programs, in thriving neighborhoods – and also aesthetically pleasing.

The hard work by WashREIT’s volunteers has made a tremendous difference for the centers and students. “Through the months of planning and designing to the day of creating the finished product, WashReit has helped to provide our youth with a beautifully renovated learning environment in which to grow and develop,” said Walker.

Jubilee Housing is grateful to WashREIT for all of the time, energy, and hard work devoted to this transformation.