Brethren Housing Association (BHA) Update
On Sunday, February 16th we were pleased to have Jessica Johnson-Vinton, Director of Development at BHA with us during the worship service to share the work of BHA. The following article on the “Adopt-An-Apartment” project was taken from the BHA Annual Report for 2018-2019…
“The Adopt-An-Apartment launched in May 2017. In its first years, five volunteer groups adopted seven apartments. In the second year 11 volunteer groups totaling 150 volunteers adopted 18 apartments. Groups assisted with cleaning and furnishing the apartments to create a safe and welcoming space for new families entering the Transitions Program. The Adopt-An-Apartment Program has not only touched the lives of the women and children in Transitions, but it has also maximized BHA’s resources. As we have increased the number of families we can serve over the last five years, the property workload has also increased. This volunteer program has engaged new volunteers in a meaningful way and allowed our property manager to focus on other projects.
For many of our participants, BHA is the first time they have felt safe and supported in a home of their own. Most of our participants come to us with very few belongings, and no one has ever arrived with their furniture and treasures packed in a U-Haul.
The Adopt-An-Apartment Program is an important piece to a participant’s stay at BHA. We are so thankful for all the volunteers who have cleaned and furnished an apartment to get it ready for a new family to move in.
Jen, a volunteer, has recruited friends and family, and together, she and her recruits have adopted four apartments in 2018-2019. We talked with Jen to find out what makes the Adopt-An-Apartment Program a meaningful volunteer experience for her.
Why did you want to get involved with our Adopt-An-Apartment program? Before learning about the Adopt-An-Apartment Program with BHA, I was looking for volunteer opportunities to support those in need within my community. I discovered this program at the annual dinner in 2017, and I signed up immediately that evening as the opportunity touched my heart. As a single mother, I know the challenges faced every day to provide for your family and to raise your children to be holistically healthy and productive adults. I couldn’t imagine my son and me not having a stable place to call home; it struck a chord with me and provoked so much emotion.
How do you get people interested in working with you to adopt the apartments? The program really sells itself as I learned from doing my first apartment. I used Facebook to alert my family and friends of the volunteer opportunity and received an awesome response. I used Facebook Marketplace to secure furniture and other household items. Many of the individuals and families from Facebook Marketplace donated the items they had for sale after hearing about the program and my mission to furnish an entire apartment for a mom and their kids to get a fresh start. This has been such a heartwarming experience for me and for everyone in my group. People are excited about helping to make a difference in the lives of families who need a little boost to get ahead. Over time, my group has grown. Group members talk about the mission of the Adopt-An-Apartment Program to their family and friends, and then they want to get involved, too.
What is your favorite part of adopting an apartment? From start to finish the Adopt-An-Apartment Program is just an awe-inspiring experience. The program allows you to help those in need but connects you with people you wouldn’t otherwise be connected. I have become very aware of the genuine goodness in people and their willingness to give to those in need. Another favorite aspect is learning about the families and trying to tailor the apartment to their likes. We try our best to provide everything they need to give them the best chance of a future filled with hope. Finally, the personal message we write to the mom really helps to keep us focused on the reason we volunteer for this program. Our message is filled with prayers, hope, and encouragement for the family. We want them to create success, and we want to give them a stable, warm, and welcoming place to call home while they work to achieve it.”
BHA (Brethren Housing Association) Volunteers Welcome: If you want to help us when we adopt our next apartment, please contact the church office at 570-682-9373 or be email at TrinityLuthvv@gmail.com. For further information on the programs and services offered by The Brethren Housing Association please click the button below.