On October 26th, 2022, we Raised the Roof for Jubilee Housing! This annual party with a purpose was a night to remember.
We first recognized the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation for their extraordinary commitment to ensuring residents of DC and the surrounding communities have the best opportunities to thrive. Jubilee Housing President & CEO Jim Knight alongside Co-Founder & Board Member Terry Flood shared personal and profound stories of the many ways the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation has impacted Jubilee and our broader neighborhoods, presenting the foundation with a framed copy of a Board Resolution that commemorates this impact. Courtney Clark Pastrick, Board Chair of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation and Board Member of Clark Enterprises, accepted the award and spoke to the legacy of her family and the foundation as it currently lays the groundwork for its mission to live on long after its sunset.
Raise the Roof was also a celebration of progress in doubling Jubilee’s justice housing impact. Alex Orfinger, Market President & Publisher of Washington Business Journal and Board Chair of Jubilee Housing, provided an overview of 7 new properties in the Mount Pleasant Preservation Project, EucKal project, and OntKEB project, which will create 285 new homes with supportive services for 285 new families. Jubilee President & CEO Jim Knight concluded the initial program with remarks about Jubilee’s upcoming 50th anniversary, known as the Jubilee Year.
Finally, Jubilee presented the Resident Champion award, which annually recognizes a resident for their leadership, passion, and dedication to the Jubilee community. Last year’s inaugural champion was Jubilee resident and Board Member Romaine Johnson. Jubilee was proud to name resident and Youth Services volunteer Clara Velasquez as the 2022 Jubilee Housing Resident Champion. Director of Youth Services Audrey Walker presented the award and Early Start Program Coordinator Eduardo Herrera-Diaz read Clara’s remarks. Director of Resident Services and Raise the Roof emcee Miya Gaskins concluded the evening.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Raise the Roof.
Though there is still much work ahead, Jubilee is proud of the work our team is doing every day, and the community and partnership that was on display Wednesday night is a testament to how far we’ve come, and how bright the future truly is.
Thanks to the generosity of this incredible community, we raised $100,000 that will help us expand the justice housing model of deeply affordable homes, with onsite and nearby supportive services, in resource-dense neighborhoods.
We extend our gratitude to United Bank, Monarc Construction, and all of our sponsors, partners, and supporters who help made the evening a great success, and for the faith and commitment entrusted in the Jubilee team as we continue to build toward a more equitable DC for everyone.
In the words of Clara Velasquez, Jubilee’s 2022 Resident Champion:
Everything I do, I do without expecting to get anything back. What’s more, everything I do for the children is in thanks for all Jubilee has done for me.
We hope we can continue to inspire others to continue building for future generations to come.