CommunityCommunityBuilding stable homes, strong futures, and vibrant communities since 1971 Spring 2013

Asha is an eighteen-year-old who has beena resident at Yorkdale Townhomes since 2009. She lives with her grandmother who does not speak English and counts on Asha daily for many tasks. Since moving to Yorkdale, Asha has been a very active resident, participating in Camp Fire programs as a younger girl, then working with the Camp Fire organization as a volunteer, and then participating in the Study Buddy program. It is through the Study Buddy program that Asha met the perfect mentor, sounding board and — most of all — friend.

Asha had worked with previous mentors; however, it was in 2011 that she really met her match — a twenty-three-year-old college graduate and transplant from Alaska. Denya came to CommonBond because she was lookingfor a volunteer opportunity to give back to the Minnesota community. After investigating several nonprofi ts in the Twin Cities area, she settled on CommonBond. She loved the model that CommonBond represented. “They were not only interested in providing affordable housing to individuals and families,” says Denya, “they also offer the whole package, which is housing with all of the support services needed to be successful.”

When Asha and Denya fi rst met, both women professed that there was chemistrybetween them immediately. Now, two years later, they act like long lost friends, often times fi nishing each other’s sentencesor giggling at one another as they begin to tell a story about one of their Study Buddy sessions together. They have met — almost without continued on page 2

Buddies That StudyUpon arriving at the new Advantage Center at Yorkdale Townhomes, one is immediately greeted with the sights and sounds of happy children. An important component of the newly built Advantage Center, part of Yorkdale’s 2012 renovation, is the Study Buddy program. This program seeks to match young residents with an adult mentor to work on homework on a weekly basis. However, sometimes the results of a Study Buddy relationship go beyond the completion of daily homework.

I N T H E N E W S

■ Affordable Housing Finance magazine recently announced the top 50 affordable housing developers in the U.S. CommonBond was number 39 in 2012 (up from 49 in 2011).

■ Riverview Apartments won a Best in Real Estate award from Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal in the Senior Housing Development category.

■ 2012 was a banner year for CommonBond with service to 8,641 people in 5,449 housing units. In addition: 3,094 seniors participated in wellness events; 1,043 youth benefi ted from academic programs; 725 seniors prevented from nursing home placement;217 residents obtained new jobs; and there were 189 Study Buddy pairs.

■ CommonBond celebrated the completion of the Open 4000 Doors capital campaign in January. This six-year initiative raised over $21 million which will support housing investment, Advantage Services, and a new headquarters building.

■ CommonBond was selected as a charitable recipient of dollars raised by the Cities 97 Sampler. The generous support of Cities 97 helps us provide early childhood literacy programs.

■ The 2012 Annual Report is available online at www.commonbond.org.

ASHA & DENYA

(continued from page 1)

interruption — every Tuesday evening for 90 minutes for two years. They talk about their days, homework assignments,weekend plans and anything else that might be on the agenda. However, as Asha said, “after a little social time, we always get my homework done fi rst!”

Denya has become much more than a weekly Study Buddy for Asha. She has become her sounding board and friend, offering Asha guidance and support as she deals with the messy issues of being a teenager. Both women experience a sense of emptiness on the rare Tuesday night when they do not meet. As Asha said, “something just doesn’t seem right if I don’t see Denya during a week.”

For Asha, the community at Yorkdale Townhomes has supplied her with all of the tools to be successful and she graduates from high school with great anticipation about the next challenge. And, no one will be more proud than Denya.

“The new Advantage Center at Yorkdale has been a blessing. This space enables all of our Study Buddy pairs to work at their own table, which really

promotes the one-to-one experience. We also have the ability to host community

events and reach out to more adult residents. The renovation of the

townhomes and the addition of the Advantage Center is truly

changing lives.” — Desiree Guida

Advantage Services Program Coordinator / Yorkdale Townhomes

Be a Study Buddy!

Study Buddies is a one-on-one academic mentoring program. Spend one to two hoursa week helping a child with homework assignments, special projects, academic skills,and more. For more information or to volunteer call Allyssa at (651) 290-6226.

Although we are well into 2013, I want to take this opportunityto share with you that 2012 was a banner year for CommonBond Communities. Together we served over 8,600 people who call CommonBond home across nearly 100 different housing communities. The average household income across our housing portfolio is $17,500. Now more than ever, our dignifi ed housing with services provides families, seniors and people with disabilities a platform for success.

During 2012, CommonBond built or preserved a total of 325 homes in six different communities representing an investment of nearly $50 million. This includes three new senior housing developments - Bii Di Gain Dash Anwebi and Riverview Senior Apartments in South Minneapolis and Brewery Point in downtown Milwaukee. We also acquired and are preserving a family development in Aitkin, Minnesota and a

senior development in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Our single largest project in 2012 was the complete renovation of Yorkdale Family Townhomes in Edina, home to 90 families. This accomplishment exemplifi es the importance of preserving existing housing so that it remains affordable for the long run.

We are grateful and excited that December 2012 marked an organizational milestone for CommonBond, the conclusion of our

$21 million Open 4000 Doors campaign. The level of productivity we experienced in 2012 and our future opportunities are directly related to the success of this campaign. Campaign funds are being used to provide working capital needed in the early stages of housing development, before permanent fi nancing can be secured. Funds also support the Advantage Services provided to residents to help stabilize their lives, advance academically and economically, and live independently. A small portion of campaign funds will support our move to a new headquarters in 2014.

Over the past six years we have expanded our base of friends and supporters and achieved broader visibility and

wider recognition for excellence and innovation. Thanks to all of you we are meeting our mission to build stable homes, strong futures, and vibrant communities. We are blessed with an outstanding staff and board of directors and remarkable volunteers, donors, and partners. Thank you for believing in us and investing in our work.

Paul FatePresident & CEO

A Banner Year

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H O U S I N G U P D A T E S

Growing in Des MoinesConstruction will begin in July on the fi nal phase of the renovation of 100 homes in East Des Moines, Iowa. CommonBond acquired the fi nal thirty apartments and ten townhomes and will begin renovation work immediately. In addition to the unit updates, an Advantage Center will be added along with a full time Service Coordinator. This is the last piece of the puzzle to complete this project. With the addition of this space and a staff person, we can complete our mission of providing life-enhancing services to the 150 people who call CommonBond home in Des Moines.

A Tall Order inMarshalltownIn Marshalltown, Iowa, another projectrecently broke ground with historic roots. Tallcorn Towers sits on Main Street and was originally built as Hotel Tallcorn in 1928. The building had fallen into a state of decay over the years and was identifi ed as a great

opportunity for CommonBond to completely renovate the structure and create 49 one and two-bedroom apartments for low-income families. Additional amenities will include a computer lab, laundry room, arts and crafts room, and a library. The project is scheduled for completion in January 2014.

Seeing is BelievingCommonBond hosted a Milwaukee Spring Home Tour in May to provide partners, community leaders and funders with a close up look at some of the city’s most exciting community development successes. CommonBond currently has 370 homes in Milwaukee with more in Chippewa Falls and Watertown and a goal of 1,000 affordable homes in the region.

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For more than 40 years, CommonBond has been weaving affordable homes into the fabric of communities throughout Minnesota and, more recently, Wisconsin and Iowa. With well over 5,000 apartment and townhome units in three states, CommonBond’s vision is clearer than ever that every person deserves a dignifi ed, affordable home that supports independence and advancement within a fl ourishing community. West Broadway Crescent

The West Broadway Crescent will create 54 new mixed-income/workforce rental housing units for families at the intersectionof West Broadway and Penn Avenue in North Minneapolis. The project is an integral part of revitalization efforts in North Minneapolis. CommonBond is partnering with the Basilica of St. Mary to address the needs of its neighbors for safe, permanent, and dignifi ed housing so that people living at the margins of society achieve stability, advancement and independence, and in the process build community and economic vibrancy for the entire neighborhood. West Broadway Crescent will include Advantage Service programs for residents.

New Senior ProjectsCommonBond Communities is proposing the construction of two new projects that will create 40 units of affordable housing in Rochester, MN, and 60 units in Minneapolis for seniors 62 years of age and older. Both projects have been designed to facilitate integration of the senior residents into the surrounding neighborhood and encourage interaction among residents within the building. Units will be designed to accommodate the needs of residents with decreasing mobility, and community spaces will also be fl exibly designed to meet the changing needs of residents over time. The projects will include large community rooms with kitchens, service offi ces, computer labs, a number of smaller multi-purpose rooms on each fl oor, a library, and Advantage Services room.

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CommonBond Communities • www.commonbond.org • www.facebook.com/commonbondcommunities

4 CommonBond Communities • www.commonbond.org • www.facebook.com/commonbondcommunities

Housing ProfileHousing ProfileYorkdale TownhomesCommonBond’s Yorkdale Townhomes property has been providing quality affordable townhomes to families in Edina for over 30 years. The property consists of 90 family townhome units on 10 acres in Edina. In 2012, new fi nancing was obtained for comprehensiverehabilitation to preserve this very valuable family housing resource. Located in a vibrant, amenity-rich area on a prime transit corridor, these 90 townhome units are newly refurbished and energy effi cient,thanks to the participation of private, city, state, county and local funders.

The scope of work specifi cally includednew energy effi cient furnaces, water heaters, windows, doors, siding, roofi ng,interior doors, bathroom fi xtures, kitchencabinets and appliances, lighting, and new fl ooring. Durable, high-qualitymaterials were utilized throughout. Signifi cant upgrades and improvements

to the exterior of the property resulted in enhanced visual appeal for the residents and for the surrounding area. Preserving existing affordable rental housing, effi ciently reusing the structures and materials already in place and replacingdeteriorated building elements with new, energy effi cient materials is a high priorityfor CommonBond.

The construction of a new Advantage Center is a key outcome of the redevelopment. Expanded and improved program space is greatly enhancing CommonBond’s service delivery at Yorkdale, promoting greater resident stability, advancement and independence.

A Grand EventA grand reopening was held for Yorkdale Townhomes earlier this year that included a brief programand tours of the $17 million rehab. Distinguished guests included (L to R) Congressman Erik Paulsen; CommonBond President & CEO Paul Fate; Edina Mayor Jim Hovland; Minnesota Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal; Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison; Enterprise Community Investment President & CEO Charlie Werhane.

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Achieving the DreamFadumo Shirelle arrived in St. Paul eight years ago, a 17-year-old Somali refugee who spoke no English and felt nervous about starting over in a strange land. Now she’s a community organizer with the St. Paul Union Park District working to improve the Central Corridor district by creating new park out of a parking lot and establishing an East African market. She’s married with two small children and studies nursing at St. Paul College. “If you want to be successful, you need to go to college,” says Shirelle, who hopes eventuallyto become a midwife. Her husband Muhyidin Abdulkadir works for an industrial fabric manufacturer. Their storyoffers evidence that the American Dream is alive and well, but success doesn’t happenautomatically. For the past several years, Shirelle and Abdulkadir have received continuing support from the Financial Opportunity Center at CommonBond Communities’ Skyline Tower.

The Financial Opportunity Center and other programs at Skyline Tower helped Shirelle earn a high school diploma, get a job as a home health care aide, apply to college and fi nd her current position with the St. Paul Union Park District. “I fi rst got help with my school homework, and then about fi nding a job and getting into college. I’ve learned how to manage my fi nances and next year my son will start in the pre-kindergarten program here,” says Shirelle.

Claudia Wasserman, CommonBond’s Employment Program Manager, says

“Our job is not just to help people get jobs, but to help them get ahead - to get a promotion, to get a job with good benefi ts, to manage their family budget, to establish credit, to open a savings account.” That’s why the Financial Opportunity Center at Skyline Tower combines employment counseling with personal fi nancial coaching and services that let residents know about available public assistance programs.

“Bundling services like this helps people achieve economic stability,” explains Chris Wiger, program offi cer at the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), which helped establish Financial Opportunity Centers at CommonBond.

Ayan Hussein, employment and fi nancial coach at Skyline Tower, describes her work this way: “ We encourage everyone to use their networks to fi nd out about jobs and then help them with cover letters, resumes, and fi lling out applications.” She also sharpens residents’ interviewing skills with role playing exercises, teaches fi nancial literacy classes (in partnership with Wells Fargo), and directs people to other services at Skyline Tower. “I tell them I know they can do it,” Hussein says, “because I did it.”

Ayan Hussein (L) helps residents with employment and fi nancial coaching at Skyline Tower

The Magic FormulaAs the largest provider of affordable housing in the Upper Midwest, CommonBond Communities recognized long ago that the organizations we partner with are critical to our commitment to provide life-enhancing services to our residents. One of our key partners in providing exceptional youth programming is Camp Fire MN. The melding of these two organizations gives new meaning to how effi cient and powerful a true partnership can be.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT –

CAMP FIRE MN

Camp Fire MN is well known for its delivery of high quality youth programs. The two key components to the delivery of these programs are community-based education and camp programs offeredat two locations. The strength of these programs made them a natural organizationto partner with CommonBond. As noted by Marnie Wells, CEO of Camp Fire MN, “the needs of children living in CommonBond housing units along with the program offering and expertise found at Camp Fire MN made it a natural fi t.”

Each week, Camp Fire staff work with over 130 children at six CommonBond locations throughout the metro area. They forge deep and lasting relationships at locations convenient to the kids – the Advantage Centers located in their home communities. Historically, the two major barriers to providing much needed programs for kids in need have been fi nancial and transportation. Together,

these two organizations have removed these barriers for CommonBond families.

The staffs of both CommonBond and Camp Fire MN work together seamlessly to ensure a consistent learning environment for the youth, while sharing resources when needed. They also work diligently to increase cultural awareness and create an environment where acceptance and tolerance towards all individuals is the norm. Both organizations believe strongly in their overlapping core values which include the value and respect of all individuals and the need to advocate on behalf of children, youth and families. By providing this ongoing educational and extracurricular programming within an actual CommonBond community, it demonstrates each organization’s commitment to delivering high quality programs to kids who are most in need. It’s what Marnie Wells calls “the magic formula.”

“My daughter loves Camp Fire because it gives her the chance to

engage in new activities and build confi dence. As an only child

with no sibling, Camp Fire has provided an outlet where she

can make many new and lasting friendships.”

— Helen Tekle / parent / Yorkdale Townhomes

The parents of these children see the value as well. According to Marnie, if you were to ask a parent of the children who participate in Camp Fire programs at the

Advantage Centers, they would tell you that “they have seen improved behavior patterns with their children, their school work has improved due to the academic assistance after school and the children have learned to make friends, build strong relationships and create a sense of community. CommonBond and Camp Fire MN are always looking at ways to improve and strengthen the partnership and are driven by a desire to improve the lives of youth by empowering them through safe, fun and nurturing environments.

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CommonBond Communities • www.commonbond.org

6 CommonBond Communities • www.commonbond.org • www.facebook.com/commonbondcommunities

Help Us Help VetsCommonBond plans to create 58 units of new affordable housing on the Fort Snelling Upper Post and 35 units in St. Cloud for veterans experiencing homelessness. Both projects will be developed on local Veterans Affairs land as part of a national effort to end veteran homelessness by 2015. The Fort Snelling project will rehabilitate fi ve existing historic buildings following state and federal standards, while St. Cloud will be new construction. Units at both properties will be leased to individual veterans and veterans with families who are experiencing homelessness. CommonBond Advantage Services will be offered on-site to all residents free of charge, and will focus its programs on the needs of homeless veterans generally, and those residents of this project specifi cally. Examples of the types of programs Advantage Services may offer are: employment coaching, mental and chemical health counseling and groups, fi nancial literacy and coaching, computer skills training, academic support, connection to community resources, and crisis management.

You can help by partnering with CommonBond to provide the ongoing fi nancial support needed to provide services to veterans. For more information on how you can contribute to these important projects, contact Marilyn at (651) 290-6254.

“One of the most pressing challenges our country faces today is ensuring that all veterans have access to safe, decent, affordable housing.

We’re honored and pleased to be part of this effort to serve those who have served us so bravely.”

Paul Fate, President & CEOCommonBond Communities

New Advantage Services Vice PresidentMichelle Basham has joined CommonBond Communities as our new Vice President of Advantage Services. Michelle brings over 20 years of leadership experience in both the nonprofi t and public sectors with a focus on human services where she has transformed and grown successful organizations. For the past fi ve years, Michelle has served as the Executive Director of FamilyWise, an organization that works to prevent child abuse and exploitation by strengthening families.

We are excited to have Michelle leadingour Advantage Services department as we continually expand our services to families, seniors, youth, and individuals with disabilities.

thank youCommonBond Communities would like to thank the following companiesand foundations for their recent fi nancial support. Your partnership enables CommonBond residents to achieve stability, advancement and independence through services and programs offered in our on-site Advantage Centers.

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It Was Truly GrandThe 2013 GrandeGala lived up to its reputation as one of the Twin Cities’ premier social events. Nearly 800 guests joined event emcee, Jearlyn Steele, in a “Celebration in the Park.” The spring inspired décor turned out to be the perfect mood altering solution to a Minnesota winter that just wouldn’t go away. Guests enjoyed silent and live auctions, dinner, program, entertainment,and games. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who joined us for the 15th Annual GrandeGala we raised $600,000! All proceeds will benefi t our Advantage Centers to promote opportunities for youth, seniors, families, and individuals with disabilities.

CommonBond would like to extend a “THANK YOU!” to all of our 2013 GrandeGala sponsors. Your generosity provides life-enhancing services to our residents and is greatly appreciated.

Help Us Help Ve

Give Him A Hand

Eric Jacobsen is a volunteer English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at CommnBond’s Torre de San Miguel Homes. As a former university language professor who found a new calling teaching ELL, Eric brings years of experience in language education to Torre. He arrives a half hour early every day, tracks attendance, calls students, writes lessons, prepares materials, and teaches a multi-level class Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Eric, along with the CommonBond staff adult ELL coordinator, develops curriculumfor the class together. He always puts additional time into creating materials for class and coming up with new ways to teach pronunciation and grammar to a diverse group of learners.

Additionally, Eric has an artistic fl air and is able to bring visuals to life on the white board, illustrating diffi cult concepts with ease. He fi nds great ways to take it to the next level with extra in-class activities and homeworkcentered around pronunciation, intonation, and phonics, to give students the most well-rounded presentation of literacy materiala class could hope for! His level of expertise is what makes possible the delivery of this service, for which the residents (and staff ) are so grateful.

John Lattyak is a volunteer at Skyline Tower. According to Skyline staff he is the kind of volunteer everyone dreams of fi nding. John created an electronics program for enrichment during free time in the Teen Homework Center, spending25 hours last summer developing a plan. He trained staff using a curriculum around electricity basics and the essential skills they would need to read and design circuits to make small projects with the students. Aside from his investment of time designing and setting up the

program structure, his teen-centric attitude in implementing it ensured success. He spent approximately 90 minutes each week helping staff get the program up and running.

Because of John’s dedication, Skyline teens now explore electronics and engineering through tangible, hands-on processes. John was recently recognized with an award from HandsOn Twin Cities for his volunteer efforts.

Congratulations and thanks, John!

Fadumo and Maryamo are among a new group of elder readers that has formed at Skyline Tower. Although many East African refugees their age did not have the opportunity to go to school or learn to read in their native language, Fadumo and Maryamo are not discouraged. These two dedicated ladies have been coming to the new English Language Learner programs every week - Small Group

Tutoring, English Club, and ConversationGroup - and they have the test scores to prove it! A literacy assessment from fall to winter has shown 100% word recognition for Fadumo and Maryamo, who always ask for homework and take advantage of every opportunity to work with volunteers to learn English and practice reading.

Their positive attitude and great sense of humor are a joy to volunteers and staff, and teach us that it’s never too late to learn something new!

VolunteersVolunteers

Eric Jacobsen working with ELL students at Torre de San Miguel Homes in St. Paul. His creative techniques

make learning easier for all the students.

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The Grammar Guy

It Takes A Tower

Mentoring, tutoring, teaching, socializing, engaging, playing, learning,

enjoying…volunteering! Join us — contact Allyssa at (651) 290-6226 or email

volunteerservices@commonbond.org for information on how to get started.

CommonBond Communities • www.commonbond.org • www.facebook.com/commonbondcommunities

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For more than 40 years, CommonBond has been building stable homes, strong futures, and vibrant communities. What began as a social justice concern for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has grown to be the largest nonprofi t provider of affordable rental apartments and townhomes with life-enhancing services in the Upper Midwest. From its humble beginnings, CommonBond has made a dramatic impact on the lives of more than 40,000 people in the past four decades.

Stay connected via e-mail

For periodic updates about new developments and organizational highlights, e-mail info@commonbond.org to be added to our e-newsletter mailing list.

Wish to donate or include

CommonBond in your estate plans?

Contact Marilyn Peller Nelson at 651-290-6254 ornelson@commonbond.org.

CommonBond Communities

328 W. Kellogg Blvd.St. Paul MN 55102651-291-1750fax: 651-291-1003www.commonbond.orgwww.facebook.com/commonbondcommunities

Golf Tournament / Shooting EventThe Wilds Golf Club / Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club

For more information please call 651.288.8693 (or)email to: julia.dangerfi eld@commonbond.org

JOIN THE FUN / TUESDAY SEPT 10th

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