Dear neighbor,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Capital Area Housing Partnership, I'm thrilled to share exciting news about our organization.

We are honored to officially announce the elevation of Emma Henry as our new executive director. As a leader with nearly a decade of experience spanning the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, Emma brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of transformative initiatives in the affordable housing sphere.

As CAHP's assistant executive director, she was instrumental in steering the strategic development and execution of our single-family construction and rehabilitation programs, cultivating relationships with partners, and expanding our community engagement efforts. Additionally, Emma is actively involved on the board of directors for Capital Area Community Services, Lansing Housing Commission, and Women in Skilled Trades. She also serves on the Tri-County Office on Aging Advisory Council.

In her new role as executive director, Emma will leverage her extensive leadership experience to guide the organization in advancing equitable housing solutions for mid-Michigan residents. She will play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction, working collaboratively to forge forward-looking solutions that address our region's affordable housing crisis. We are confident that her wealth of experience will usher in a new era of growth and impact for CAHP.

Emma succeeds Rawley Van Fossen, who was recently appointed the director of the City of Lansing’s Department of Economic Development & Planning. Rawley’s achievements include the delivery of pandemic relief to over 15,000 residents experiencing housing instability, bringing to fruition the restoration of Walter French, and expanding our organization's footprint. We sincerely thank him for his steady leadership, which has strengthened our organization to generate a lasting impact throughout the community.

Please join us in warmly congratulating Emma as our new executive director! We look forward to how she will leverage her expertise to inspire and support our team in making a positive impact during this next chapter of CAHP.

Thank you for your continued support of our organization and for partnering with us to transform possibilities for our neighbors.

Sincerely,

Peter J. Kulick

Board Chair

This summer, we broke ground on revitalizing the historic Walter H. French Junior High School in Lansing. This building has been an integral institution, shaping countless youth while knitting people and the surrounding neighborhoods together. Thanks to the incredible work of our partners and supporters, Walter French will continue to be a critical part of our social fabric.

Above: Rough framing has been installed throughout the classroom wings, outlining 76 new affordable apartments.

The construction crew worked diligently to clear portions of the interior, from the old drop ceilings to partitions and debris, allowing us to get a better look at the bones of Walter French, of which the prognosis is good. Rough framing has shaped apartment units within the classroom wings in preparation for new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.

Left: Exterior masonry repair requires the precise color matching and texture of bricks to ensure a seamless transition. Right: Our development team reviews grout options to restore the original glazed brick throughout the hallways.

Restoration of the masonry is underway, requiring the precise color matching and texture of bricks to be replaced to ensure a seamless transition. The new high-efficiency rooftop is nearly complete, and we're eagerly awaiting the expansive checker pane windows delivery on-site by the new year!

Article Heading Graphic: Vintage postcard of Walter H. French Junior High by Tichnor Quality Views courtesy of Capital Area District Library. Estimated date of creation 1925-1926.

We have set an ambitious goal of raising $40,000 before the end of the year, and we have a group of donors who will match each dollar you give up to $20,000 to generate double the impact!

From empowering neighbors to improve their financial well-being to expanding the availability of affordable homes, the most important outcome is that people have stability and a safe place to call home. Still, there is much more work to do!

We're creating generational impact because of the generosity of supporters like you. Will you help us reach our goal by making a gift before the end of the year?

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Developing strong and diverse neighborhoods with an emphasis on affordable housing, homeownership opportunities, and financial stability for our neighbors throughout mid-Michigan since 1992.