My clients, and those I work with in The Creative with Ruth Griggs and Maureen Scanlon, often impress me with their savvy.

Recently, it was Valley Community Development that Ruth, Maureen, and I were applauding.

Literally.

The three of us stood with over two hundred of the nonprofit’s supporters from across the region, clapping and cheering as the leaders of the organization celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Hadley Farms Meeting House in mid-April.

Executive Director Joanne Campbell told the audience the celebration was a way to educate community members about the nonprofit’s mission to empower and improve the lives of people with low and moderate incomes through the development of affordable housing, homeownership counseling, economic opportunity, and small business development.

But she said her team and board members didn’t want to spend the evening patting themselves on the back, focused solely on their own accomplishments. Instead, they invited Charles M. Blow, an op-ed columnist for The New York Times, to come and speak on social justice. His talk was powerful and purposeful.

As is Valley Community Development.

It was bold and forward-thinking of them to bring a gifted and well-known speaker to the region to talk about matters that are on the hearts and minds of its staff, the people it serves, and the community at large—race, poverty, politics.

Their broad thinking did not surprise us, though. Joanne and her team planned the evening—and the entire year’s celebrations—with such intention. They began two years ago, in part by bringing us in to help raise awareness.

Together, The Creative helped the nonprofit tighten its name. Maureen refreshed the logo. Ruth created a strategy for rolling out a series of communications to help them achieve their fundraising goal. I wrote stories about the transformative work Valley Community Development does.

Over 12 months, the organization told its stories, in part through a fundraising piece we created, and through press releases we sent to the media, one of which prompted the Gazette to attend the anniversary party and write about Blow’s talk.

Joanne and members of her board visited with businesses and individuals around the region, talking up their work, seeking support from previous and new donors, and raising over $400,000 as a result, exceeding its goal.

Since 1988, Valley Community Development has created 224 units of affordable housing in Northampton, Easthampton and Amherst. It has counseled over 8,000 homebuyers and homeowners and educated over 1,500 businesspeople.  It has over 200 housing units in its development pipeline.

Now, Joanne and the staff at Valley Community Development can continue their good work while also expanding the nonprofit’s geographic reach, creating deeper community connections and assisting more new homebuyers and small business owners.

So many achievements worth applauding.

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Keynote speaker, a New York Times op-ed columnist, to talk about social justice

NORTHAMPTON—In honor of its 30-year anniversary, Valley Community Development will hold a celebration on April 12 at the Hadley Farms Meeting House, and Executive Director Joanne Campbell is grateful to announce that the organization’s $400,000 anniversary fundraising goal has been met.

“Many donors this anniversary year are institutions, small businesses and individuals who have been long-time contributors to Valley Community Development,” said Campbell. “They stepped up to a higher level this year, and we are pleased and honored to have their support, which will strengthen the agency financially and programmatically.”

Campbell noted that $32,000 was also raised from first-time donors to the nonprofit.

She said the celebration is one new way to educate community members about the nonprofit’s mission to empower people with low and moderate incomes to manage and improve the quality of their lives through the development of affordable housing, economic opportunity and small business development.

The event is open to the public and will kick off with a cocktail reception from 6 to 7 p.m. Dinner and the keynote speaker, Charles M. Blow, an op-ed columnist for The New York Times, will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $125 and are available online by visiting valleycdc.com.

Blow writes about politics, public opinion and social justice. He is a CNN commentator, and, last year, was a Presidential Visiting Professor at Yale. He is also the author of the best-selling memoir Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which tells his story of growing up in the Deep South with a fiercely driven mother and four brothers, and his escape after a trauma.

At the celebratory event, Blow will speak on the general theme of social justice.

“It will be very timely and appropriate for the work we’re doing right now,” said Campbell. “Valley Community Development is involved in navigating the crisis in housing and serving people with very low incomes. We collaborate with regional and local organizations to work on these local issues.”

Campbell said financial giving this year is almost double that of a typical year, with many donors taking advantage of the Massachusetts Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program, which allows state and federal tax incentives for giving.

Increased support comes as the organization is expanding its reach. “We are hopeful that we will be able to expand and sustain our small business program, which is now staffed by a part-time coordinator,” Campbell said.

“The money we’re raising is also helping small businesses, and first-time and existing homeowners,” she added, noting that donations are still encouraged. “It’s a way to continue the programming we have and look for new ways to give to the population we serve as well as reach out to underserved populations, immigrant communities and households of color. We’re always looking for new ways to reach these groups.”

Since 1988, Valley Community Development has created 224 units of affordable housing in Northampton, Easthampton and Amherst. It has counseled over 8,000 homebuyers and homeowners and educated over 1,500 businesspeople.

The organization now has goals that call for expanding its geographic reach, creating deeper community connections and assisting more new homebuyers and small business owners.

Its development of The Lumber Yard in Northampton, which will create 55 affordable family apartments, is ongoing and expected to be completed in May 2019. Campbell said a second project in Northampton, expanding 15 traditional single room occupancy (SRO) units into 31 units each with a fully accessible bathroom and kitchenette at Sergeant House on Bridge Street is also in the early phase of development.

The agency is also looking for a location to develop an SRO in Amherst.

Sponsors for the anniversary celebration include: bankESB; Florence Bank; Greenfield Cooperative Bank/Northampton Cooperative Bank; PeoplesBank; Dietz & Company Architects with Western Builders; Goggins Real Estate; Jack Hornor and Ron Skinn; Dorothy Nemetz and John Todd; Pamela Schwartz and Joel Feldman; Freedom Credit Union; Sally and Al Griggs; Richard Abbott; Berkshire Bank; Country Bank; Ruth Elcan; Fierst, Kane & Bloomberg LLP; Greenfield Savings Bank; KSK Insurance Agency; and Way Finders.

Members of Valley Community Development’s Board of Directors are: president, Peter Jessop; vice-president, Amy Fyden; treasurer, Richard Abbott; clerk, Pat Byrnes; and members Maxene Anderson, Richard Bauman, Madeline Weaver Blanchette, Maureen Borg, William Fontes, Theresa LaValley, Donald Perry, Greg Richane and Carol Walker.

For more information about Valley Community Development, its five-year strategic plan, the anniversary celebration, to buy tickets to the 30-year anniversary celebration, or to donate, visit valleycdc.com.

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Project is a city and state collaboration that will accentuate efforts to revitalize Pleasant Street

NORTHAMPTON—Valley Community Development will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. at The Lumber Yard Apartments at 256 Pleasant St., a roughly $19 million affordable housing project that is a collaboration of multiple funding and development partners.

Joanne Campbell, executive director of Valley Community Development, will lead the event, which will be attended by Jay Ash, the state’s secretary of Housing and Economic Development; Mayor David Narkewicz; and Wayne Feiden, the city’s director of planning and sustainability.

Also expected to attend are representatives from Way Finders, a financial partner and project co-sponsor that will manage the apartment complex once it has been built; and MassWorks, which is funding the relocation of an underground storm water conduit through a grant obtained by the city with the assistance of Valley Community Development.

In its 30^th year, Valley Community Development is excited to be taking the next step in this project, which Campbell said is a great example of collaboration between Way Finders, multiple city and state organizations, and many funding mechanisms—from loans to grant funds to state and federal tax credits.

Valley Community Development is a nonprofit with a mission to empower individuals with low and moderate incomes by developing affordable housing, encouraging homeownership and offering small business assistance to help individuals create sustainable employment.

Narkewicz said the 70,000-square-foot affordable housing project fits in with the city’s larger goal of revitalizing the Pleasant Street corridor and is sure to bring good synergy and projects down the road.

“The mark of a strong and successful downtown is one where people can live, work and shop, including residents from every rung of the economic ladder,” Narkewicz said, noting this project will create new housing and boost economic development. “Valley Community Development’s Lumber Yard project is a vital piece of the overall redevelopment of Pleasant Street, and I’m looking forward to watching this beautiful new mixed-use building take shape.”

Feiden said The Lumber Yard will advance efforts to increase foot and bicycle traffic and commercial activities, making Pleasant Street a healthier, vibrant and more active street.

“The Lumber Yard provides desperately needed affordable housing, a 24-7 presence on the street, commercial activity and a guarantee that all residents of all incomes will be able to live, work, play and shop on Pleasant Street,” he said.

Valley Community Development’s major partners in The Lumber Yard Apartments project include: The City of Northampton, which provided $500,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds and Community Preservation Act funds, as well as funding through MassWorks, a state program, that is covering the costs of the relocation of the storm water conduit that runs under the property; the state Department of Housing and Community Development, which provided the bulk of the financing; the state Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, which provided pre-development and acquisition financing; TD Bank, which is providing tax credit equity and construction and permanent financing; Way Finders, a co-sponsor that will provide long-term compliance and property management services; and Smith College, which provided a $100,000 grant.

In recognition of its 30^th anniversary year, Valley Community Development has launched a $400,000 fundraising goal to help the nonprofit act on goals outlined in a five-year strategic plan. The nonprofit serves Northampton, Easthampton, Amherst and Hadley

For more information about Valley Community Development or its five-year plan, visit valleycdc.com.

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Event is a fundraiser for the 30-year-old nonprofit

NORTHAMPTON—Valley Community Development is calling all bicycle riders to “Bike for Community” in its Seventh Annual Pedal Poker Ride on Sunday, Oct. 1, starting at 9 a.m. with courses ranging from 10 to 45 miles, at Look Memorial Park in Florence.

The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit, which is celebrating its 30^th anniversary year and has launched a $400,000 fundraising goal to help it act on goals outlined in a five-year strategic plan.

Individuals are welcome to sign up to ride in the race, during which bicyclists pick up five cards at different locations along the route and compete with them in a poker hand to win prizes. The grand prize is a $500 Martha’s Vineyard getaway.

The registration fee for the 45-mile bicycle ride is $60, and the suggested start time—depending on the rider’s speed—is 10 a.m.; the 25-mile bicycle ride has a suggested started of 11:30 a.m., and registration is $35. For the 10-mile bicycle ride, the cost is $35 and suggested start time is noon. The cost of registration includes a meal and a local brew.

Food from the Mothership Food Truck and beer from Berkshire Brewing Company will be available. SAG support for riders who are fatigued, injured or have problems with their bicycle will be provided by Speed & Sprocket Cycle Works of Holyoke and bike adjustments prior to the ride will be offered by both Pedal People Co-op Inc. of Northampton and Speed & Sprocket.

Riders are welcome to register in advance at pedalpokerride.com/index.php/register/ or on the day of the ride, one hour before the start time of the course of their choosing.

To view the course for the ride, visit pedalpokerride.com/index.php/maps/.

For more information, please call Julia Zegarra at 413.586.5855 x170, email jz@valleycdc.com or visit www.valleycdc.com.

Valley Community Development seeks to empower individuals with low and moderate incomes by developing affordable housing, encouraging homeownership and offering small business assistance to help individuals create sustainable employment.

The next few years of the organization’s future is outlined in a strategic plan developed by its board in 2016. The goals are: to expand its geographic reach, create deeper community connections and assist more new homebuyers and small business owners. Valley Community Development also plans to develop over 200 new apartments in the Valley, starting as soon as this fall, when it will break ground on The Lumber Yard, at which it is creating 55 affordable family apartments in Northampton.

For more information about Valley Community Development or its five-year plan, visit valleycdc.com.

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