As we wrap up our year-long 50th anniversary (Jubilee Year) this month, we honor two of our instrumental founders, Reverend Gordon Cosby and Bill Branner. Gordon was the visionary who formed a new type of church and served the communities’ needs. Bill Branner was the one who made the visions a reality. This is a story of vision and operational intellect that lives on today as Jubilee works to open the nation’s first urban rooftop aquaponics farm associated with affordable housing and a comprehensive workforce development program dedicated to returning citizens and other innovations to improve the lives of the people and families that we work with.
50th Anniversary Stories
It Takes a Village
At the heart of what Jubilee Housing offers is a home—the place where everything begins.
But our homes are more than just structures—they are the building blocks for brighter futures, and creating these homes requires more than one person’s vision; it calls for extensive collaboration. As the proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and that rings true for us. We often describe our developments as our children—each one nurtured, shaped, and developed with care and intention.
“Bringing one of our developments to life is like nurturing a child—it takes about 18 months of dedicated care and effort,” says Jim Knight, President and CEO of Jubilee Housing. “Right now, we’re raising nearly five of them at once.”
Like children, our developments need a village of support to grow from an idea on paper into homes filled with hope, stability, and opportunity.
Our partners, donors, volunteers, and advocates share in Jubilee’s mission of creating Justice Housing® and this idea of being a village. The power of this collective effort was on full display at our recent Raise the Roof event, an annual fundraiser that supports our work to provide deeply affordable housing with onsite and nearby services in thriving communities. This evening of celebration, community, and shared purpose was a reminder that Jubilee’s work is not done in isolation but through the contributions of many others.
One example of our village in action is Jubilee’s aquaponics farm—a groundbreaking initiative that symbolizes the intersection of vision, execution, and innovation. Through a providential set of relationships, Jubilee was connected by a Georgetown real estate professor to The Rev. Dr. Robert V. Lee III, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of FreshMinistries, located in Jacksonville, Florida. The idea of Jubilee Housing starting its own aquaponics farm was planted by this partnership, and now creativity has flourished. As word spread, more partners have become involved in bringing this vision to life. The rooftop farm, atop our Ontario Place development is more than just a source of fresh produce—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when a community comes together to imagine and create solutions that expand beyond housing. The aquaponics farm will help with food insecurity while being the first in the DC area to tie aquaponics to workforce development. This is a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact we can create when we work together.
As we embrace the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the spirit of fellowship that fuels Jubilee’s work. Every coat of paint applied by volunteers, every dollar contributed by donors, and every moment of advocacy shared by supporters matters.
It’s also a time to express our gratitude to you for showing up as our community. Jim Knight reminds us of this: “Together, as a village, we can continue to raise not just buildings but the dreams and aspirations of those who call Jubilee Housing home.”
From all of us at Jubilee Housing, THANK YOU for your support and we wish you a joyful holiday filled with love, gratitude, and goodwill.