June Developments

Dear Friends,



"The world will be solved by millions of small things," is a quote by Pete Seeger that has inspired me over these past months. These words are written on a beautiful postcard, designed by Dio Cramer, a graphic artist, that I keep on my windowsill at my home office. While it shares similar sentiments that are familiar to many of us from Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers), Margaret Mead and others, Seeger's words in particular continue to motivate me. They challenge me every day to keep doing some of the "millions of small things."

Doing some of the "million of small things"is what Yachad is all about. Over the past 12 months, we have provided hundreds of comprehensive healthy housing remediation measures to 21 lower-income homeowners throughout D.C. The work includes roof replacements and repairs, significant mold remediation, restoring bathrooms and kitchens, repair of plumbing leaks and electrical systems and replacement of flooring. The "we" I refer to is our many skilled contractors and tradespeople, but in particular, our dedicated staff who make all this happen: Jennifer Sullivan and Matthew Flyer and newest member, Dr. Janet Phoenix. These three people are themselves doing more of those "millions of small things."

Of course, none of this work would be possible without the financial support from both steadfast funders and new donors who continue to believe in and support Yachad. In particular this spring, thank you to the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, The Inclusive Communities Fund of the National Fair Housing Allliance, The England Family Foundation and The Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB). Thank you to donors Elizabeth and Jeff Toretsky, and Lawrence Baizer.

There is so much in this world to be solved. Glad there are many of us to help.

Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Seeger.

With appreciation,



Audrey Lyon

Executive Director

But first, a huge thank you ....

After serving for a few "extra years" due to COVID, Scott Burka, of EJF Real Estate Services and Dahn Warner, of KeyUrban LLC, have stepped down as President and Treasurer of Yachad, respectively. We thank them for their great leadership before and after the pandemic to help maintain and shape Yachad's vision and path forward. Both people continue an active presence in our work and for that we are deeply grateful.

Welcome to our new board leadership team. Serving as Yachad's new President is Sam Hollman, Senior Director of Acquisitions at Rock Creek Property Group. Our new Treasurer is Audrey Rutkove, architect at Rutkove Building Consultants. Sam has probably the most unique leadership transition to Yachad's board. He started working with Yachad during our first summer of Ramp It Up! camp where Sam was a hardworking camper helping to build an accessibility ramp. Who knew that we could grow your own board leadership beginning in high school. Thank you Sam.

Also we welcome two new people to Yachad's Board of Directors. Lily Goldstein is Vice-President of Social Impact Investing at JBG Smith. Jay Haynes is Director of Asset Management at Rock Creek Property Group.

YouthBuild PCS Completes the School Year with Yachad

YouthBuild PCS and Yachad teamed up again this month to complete work at a home in Northwest DC after the DC Department of Energy and the Environment did major lead and energy efficiency remediation. After the extensive interior work was completed, our attention turned to the exterior. The house sits on a small hill abutting a busy alleyway. YouthBuild PCS students, under the skillful direction of Kerry Harrington, the construction manager, built a security fence along the perimeter of the property to ensure the privacy and safety of the family.



Thank you to CAAB, and its matched savings account program, for its continuing financial partnership with Yachad and our families.