Nonprofit organization raises over $100,000 for its national scholarship campaign
PHOENIX – April 27, 2017 – Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation (Rainbow), a nonprofit organization that provides service-enriched housing programs for residents of 85 rental housing communities throughout the country, recently hosted its 2017 Awards Banquet at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, raising more than $284,000 for its national program and scholarship campaign. The annual event serves to honor individuals who continue to make strides in affordable housing solutions; as well as raise funds for future programming and educational opportunities provided to residents of the communities served by Rainbow.
“The funds raised by the 2017 Awards Banquet’s 110 attendees will offer opportunities to qualifying low income individuals to access education, trade schools for skill development, job readiness programs, and Rainbow’s apartment maintenance Vocational Training Program,” said Flynann Janisse, executive director of Rainbow. “We believe that life skills and a quality education are critical components to breaking the cycle of poverty. Through these programs, we can place residents on a path toward self-sufficiency.”
Through sponsorships from the banquet, in addition to the preceding eighth annual “Play It Forward” golf tournament, Rainbow raised approximately $163,000 for its national program. The organization also raised approximately $121,000 for its Rainbow Vocational Training and Scholarship programs, its national scholarship campaign, surpassing its 2017 goal of $100,000. The banquet featured a keynote address by world-renowned entrepreneur, professor and expert on business innovation and trends, Michael Tchong.
Michael Tchong stated “Rainbow has done an amazing job working toward industry innovation to reach those they serve”
In addition to community leaders, a number of youth and adult residents from the communities Rainbow serves were in attendance, sharing their stories with other attendees during the networking hour and the banquet. Each of these residents spoke about the positive influence Rainbow has had on their life, either through being awarded scholarship funds from Rainbow or graduating from one of Rainbow’s programs, such as the organization’s new Vocational Training Program tailored to empower participants and employ graduates in the multifamily industry.
To date, the Vocational Training Program has placed approximately 11 graduates in multifamily careers, from porter positions to project managers. Valued organizations such as Reliant Group Management, J. Allen Management, Capstone Real Estate Services and Alpha-Barnes Real Estate Services have shared an interest in the placement of these qualified candidates and are looking forward to interviewing the next graduating class.
Rainbow honored community leaders with a variety of awards, highlighting their dedication to the organization and the preservation of sustainable, affordable housing throughout the nation. The honorees included:
- Affordable Advocate of the Year: James Matias, manager of asset oversight and compliance, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation
- Community Partner of the Year: John Helton, president and CEO, CobbWorks, Inc.
- Innovative Service-Enriched Housing Partner of the Year: Brian Swanton, Arizona market president, Gorman & Company Inc., Zach Johnson, project development manager, accepted on his behalf
- Heart of Gold Supporter: Nicole Flores, R4 Capital
A number of resident service employees from Rainbow were also honored at the banquet:
- Resident Services Coordinator of the Year: David Charles Burkley, Paggi Community Center in Texas
- Resident Services Youth Coordinator of the Year: Dionne Henry, San Gabriel Portfolio in California
- Resident Services Adult Coordinator of the Year: Mia Green, Haverstock Hills Apartments in Texas
Key sponsors of the event comprised the following: CohnReznick, FPI Management, J. Allen Management Company, Kipling Capital, Pillar, R4 Capital, Reliant Group Management, and Steele Properties LLC.
National program sponsors of Rainbow comprise: Arent Fox, Capstone Real Estate Services, CBRE, City Real Estate Advisors, Cornerstone Residential, FPI Management, Highridge Costa Companies, J. Allen Management Company, J4 Development, Kier Construction, Lockton, Mengali Accountancy, Pillar, R4 Capital, RealPage, and Tidwell Group.
In addition to continuing the programs recognized at the 2017 Awards Banquet, this summer Rainbow is asking for support for its Annual Back-to-School Backpack Donations Program. Started in 2009, the program has grown into a national initiative providing necessary tools for children to attend school in eight states across the U.S. This year, Rainbow has set a goal of preparing 2,500 backpacks by the end of July. It is estimated that with continued school funding cuts, back-to-school supply costs an average of $35 per student. Rainbow’s goal is to raise $8,750 in donations to alleviate these costs. For more information and to donate, check out the official flyer. To track the progress of Rainbow’s Annual Back-to-School Backpack Donations Program, follow #StuffTheBus.
About Rainbow
Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation (Rainbow) is a nonprofit organization that provides service-enriched housing programs for residents of rental housing communities throughout the country. With award-winning services available throughout the United States, Rainbow seeks to create and preserve quality, affordable housing for families and individuals of diverse ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds.
