GREEN THUMBS NEEDED

Warm spring weather came early this year and gardens, aided by a healthy dose of rain, are full of beautiful flowers, and of course, weeds.  At A-HOME, northern Westchester’s affordable housing organization; volunteers to help keep gardens looking great are needed.

VACANCIES AT A-HOME

At A-HOME we have two one-bedroom apartments in a seven-apartment Victorian in Katonah, set on a private wooded lot overlooking the village. These apartments are available to people with an income ceiling of $44,220 for an individual and a tw o person max of $50,520. Rent is $1200 with utilities included, coin operated laundry on premises.

In addition we have several openings in our shared housing programs.

25 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING

 A-HOME's Volunteer Dinner, held on June 7th at St. Matthew's beautiful parish hall celebrated individuals and Coalition members who are 25 year volunteers. In 1985 Antioch Baptist Church, Bedford Presbyterian Church, the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, the Northern Westchester Geriatric Committee, the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco, St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, St. Luke's Episcopal Church and St. Mark's Episcopal Church were members of the coalition who were pioneers in recognizing the need for affordable housing in northern Westchester. 

Remarkably enough, between them Linda Beane, Henry Kensing, Christa Kuusisto, Lee Olson and Eve Poret have held just about every volunteer position possible from lawn mowing to board president over their 25 year span of volunteering and Stanley A., a Heffner house resident, has lived at A-HOME for 25 years. 

Bill W., a talented singer-songwriter provided entertainment during dinner. At the end of his set Bill thanked the audience for giving him the opportunity for living at A-HOME (you can read more about Bill in our spring newsletter).

Thanks to all our volunteers!

25 years of volunteering picture:

Left to right:

Rev. Eileen Weglarz, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Phyllis Ruppert, St. Francis of Assisi

Suzy Beatty, Bedford Presbyterian Church

Joan P. Arnold, Executive Director and co-founder

Rev. Diane Britt, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Velma Lewis, Antioch Baptist Church

Debbie Haglund, Northern Westchester Geriatric Committee and A-HOME Housing Operations Manager

FRIENDS, OLD AND NEW, TURNED OUT IN DROVES

It was a sell-out crowd at the Salem Golf Club on April 24th when friends of A-HOME gathered to celebrate A-HOME's 25th anniversary.

Click here to see the pictures!

CONGRESSMAN JOHN HALL CONGRATULATES A-HOME AND HONOREE JOAN P. ARNOLD

Our house is a very, very fine house. Life used to be so hard now everything is easy Because of Joan.

Congressman John Hall was on hand to congratulate A-HOME and honoree Joan P. Arnold on their achievements over the last 25 years. He acknowledged the difficulty of building affordable housing, and the satisfaction of achieving a goal. "I truly applaud all of the movers and shakers in the communities that have embraced A-HOME's philosophy that people deserve a safe and affordable place to live. Sometimes, reaching out to the neediest among us requires courage and conviction--but it's always worth it."

Addressing Joan, and the audience, he stated "And I want to thank Joan for all of her work with A-HOME. Your efforts, the countless hours, the long days and nights, have helped turn new homes and properties into new lives and bigger dreams. The vision and leadership you have shown over the years have produced the gift of hope and happiness for others. That's 25 sweet and satisfying years, I think! "

He brought the house down when he sang, to Joan, a slightly modified verse of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's song "Our House".