Let the magic begin! Today, we journey to Berea, Ohio, for a Yardi-supported nonprofit, Working Animals Giving Service for Kids (W.A.G.S. 4 Kids), founded in 2004. W.A.G.S. 4 Kids provides mobility, autism and psychiatric service dogs for children throughout 35 northeast and central Ohio counties utilizing an award-winning Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) accredited Cell Dog Training Program.   W.A.G.S. 4 Kids hopes to target ten more partnerships with their already 32 families under contract, 23 dogs in training and more than 90 families in the application process. “In short, our goal is the same as it ever was- more dogs to more kids with shorter wait times,” shared Sera Nelson, executive director for W.A.G.S. 4 Kids. Funding from Yardi goes directly to supplement the cost of each service dog, and this year is rising from $28,000 to $35,000 due to inflation costs of food, travel, dog supplies, veterinary care, medications and training. “Thanks to Yardi, we remain committed to providing these animals at only a small fraction of that cost to our families, but we cannot do it alone,” shared Nelson. W.A.G.S. 4 Kids presents an opportunity for a child they see spending their life having things done to them and for them to reach out physically and emotionally and engage with the world around them. With Yardi’s support, confidence is shown in what the dogs provide in services for children to gain confidence, independence and empowerment for their futures. “I don’t know if I have words specifically to describe the reaction to Yardi’s support. Gratitude, for sure. The feeling of being adopted. The feeling of being understood. Of our kids being adopted and understood…valued. Though our intention is always to enhance a child’s wellness, we often cannot quantify our services’ effects on the confidence, independence, and empowerment of a child’s future,” Nelson enthused. This June, one of the W.A.G.S. 4 Kids service pups in training will be named Yardi- look for pictures and puppy updates soon! Myles Accomplishment W.A.G.S. 4 Kids first service was with Myles from Strongsville, Ohio, a four-year-old boy with Cerebral Palsy and paralysis of his left side. Myles was non-verbal since birth and communicated with simple Sign Language. W.A.G.S. dog AJ was partnered with Myles, and in the final phases of AJ’s training, trainers worked exclusively with hand signs so that Myles could communicate with AJ using his right hand. After the placement, Myles began to speak. However, his first word was not “Mommy” or “Daddy,” as parents hope to hear. Instead, Myles’ first word was “Come” because he wanted to talk to his Service Dog, AJ. “Since that time, when posting photos of children, we serve alongside the dogs we’ve placed with them, we use the phrase let the magic begin because that’s the reality of what these dogs can do and be in the lives of children with disabilities,” Nelson shared. Beyond Myles, W.A.G.S. 4 Kids has repeatedly seen the sense of autonomy service dogs can restore. Volunteer Opportunities There are always opportunities to get involved with W.A.G.S. 4 Kids. Interested volunteers can contact them here. Find future non-profit profiles...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. In 2022, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. Meet GiGi’s Playhouse of Cleveland, Ohio. Initially founded in 2003 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland opened in January 2016 as the 28th Playhouse. GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland is an achievement center that changes lives through the consistent delivery of almost 20 free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down Syndrome, their families and the community—currently serving over 530 families in Northeast Ohio. “Through these free programs and our Generation G Campaign for global acceptance, GiGi’s Playhouse and its network of 57 Playhouses across the US and Mexico empower families by maximizing opportunities for daily achievement and lasting acceptance,” said Lizz Maxwell, site director. To ensure lasting acceptance, GiGi’s Playhouse shows the world what individuals with Down syndrome can achieve as students, co-workers, volunteers, friends and valued community members. GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland continues to grow its research-driven, purposeful programs, all at no cost to families. “We want to grow our Amina Grace Speech and Language Program, as well as work towards our strategic vision of opening GiGi University for our adults,” shared Maxwell. Funding from Yardi has helped in the instrumental education and belief of GiGi’s Playhouse participants, from manipulatives and resources to the vital therapies they offer. Every dollar is spent on improving the Playhouse and serving the community. GiGiFit Kid’s Squat Jump Summer classes at the Playhouse focus on improving various activities, particularly their variation of a squat jump. Practicing all summer, the kids standing up from a chair and using that momentum to jump forward works to build muscle in the hips and quadriceps, vital for everyday activities like running and playing. Watch a video of the kids perfecting their squat jumps last summer. Reaching for the sky Libby Farrell, GiGi’s Playhouse’s Speech Language Pathologist, has been working with Kash during their current Amina Grace Speech and Language Program session. Libby and Kash instantly cultivated a powerful rapport, which provides a secure foundation for Kash’s continued growth, communication and achievement. Kash shows up with enthusiasm and curiosity for his Amina Grace Speech and Language session each week. These characteristics are critical to his communication success. Kash is a multi-modal communicator; he uses various communication modes, including sounds, words, ASL signs, facial expressions and pictures. Kash is engaged during sessions as they move through various activities that he chooses, each of which is embedded with communication opportunities. He is curious and willing to explore new tools, such as picture communication boards and speech-generating devices, that allow him to express himself better.  But most of all, Kash does ordinary things in extraordinary ways: Just like the rest of us, sometimes Kash needs some “help.” He lets you know by assessing the ASL sign, which requires an upward hand lift. In Kash’s unique way, though, his hand shoots up as high as he can reach, and his request for help does not go unnoticed. Volunteer Opportunities Interested volunteers can be involved with GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland’s achievement center, offering various volunteer opportunities, from tutoring, program assisting, greeters, cleaning, events and committees. Complete a volunteer form from their website or contact their operations manager, Mary Makulinski, at [email protected] Find future non-profit profiles...

Each year, Yardi distributes philanthropic aid worldwide to organizations selected by its employees. In 2022, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. For the remainder of the year, we will bring you the stories of those organizations and insight into how they aid their communities. Let’s meet The Wild Animal Sanctuary of Keenesburg, Colorado, founded in 1980, rescuing captive-bred carnivores from abuse and neglect. The Sanctuary provides them with large-acreage habitats and educates the public about the animal’s plights and the Captive Wildlife Crisis. The Sanctuary travels across America and into foreign countries around the world to rescue animals that are suffering. The Wild Animal Sanctuary continues to rescue, rehabilitate and provide the best care possible to the 750+ large carnivores and other animals that call the Sanctuary home. “We will continue to work tirelessly to educate the public about the Captive Wildlife Crisis as we host over 200,000 visitors a year at our Keenesburg facility,” said Michelle McGraw, development director of The Wild Animal Sanctuary. Funding from Yardi has helped the Sanctuary provide state-of-the-art medical care and offers top-quality food for the animals in its care. “Yardi has been supporting us for many years, and we cannot thank you enough for supporting such a deserving cause. We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The Animals’ lives are so positively affected by your continued generosity,” shared McGraw. Dillan’s Journey Dillan is a male Asiatic black bear rescued from a sportsmen’s club in rural Pennsylvania. Subjected to the sound of constant gunfire from the shooting ranges and with no enrichment, Dillan suffered from serve zoochosis, where he rocked rhythmically against a concrete wall for hours on end, according to one person familiar with the situation. He also suffered from morbid obesity due to his poor diet and lack of exercise and had a mouthful of rotting teeth and gums. With pressure from many fronts for the club to either better care for Dillan or let him go to an accredited sanctuary, the club owner finally agreed to release him to the USDA, freeing him to The Wild Animal Sanctuary. Dillan will now join one of the Sanctuary’s female Asiatic Bears. McGraw enthused, “They will roam freely in a large acreage habitat and enjoy living a healthy life, free from harm and doing everything bears enjoy!” Volunteer opportunities The Sanctuary can utilize long-term volunteers since they operate a 1,214-acre facility with over 600 large carnivores in residence, but they require extensive training. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is one of the only facilities in the country that focuses on and routinely provides large acreage habitats where animals can live permanently. Interested volunteers can apply here. Find future non-profit profiles...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. In 2022, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. For the remainder of the year, we will bring you the stories of those organizations and insight into how they aid their communities. Meet the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition (IATC), founded in 2018 in Boise, Idaho, whose mission is to work alongside community members in providing awareness, education, services and safe housing for victims of human trafficking in Idaho. The organization focuses on these six areas of service: Community, outreach, educational training and advocacy– delivering survivor-centered outreach materials, research-based human trafficking 101 training, prevention and community awareness, technical assistance and community collaboration. “In 2022, IATC provided 57 human trafficking 101 presentations, totaling 88 hours, with 1,579 individuals trained,” said Jennifer Zielinski, Executive Director of IATC. Crisis and Resource Hotline– privacy-protected call or text, trauma-informed intake, crisis/ emergency response, safety planning, direct resources and information, relocation assistance, and transportation. Direct Victim Services– victims’ rights, case management, crisis intervention, emergency intervention, emergency/transitional/permanent housing, victim advocacy/accompaniment, transportation, emergency food/clothing/essential, victim services and support. Last year IATC provided over 500 individuals with thousands of counts of these assistances and services.  Resource Room– case planning, emotional and safety support, emergency food/clothing/essentials, information and referrals to local, state and national resources. Intervention Resources– victim-centered and trauma-informed intake/screening, trauma-specific assessment tools, victim advocacy, policy/system advocacy and safe delivery of services/continuum of care. Direct Service Delivery Network– education, facilitated community collaboration, multidisciplinary teams, community partnerships agreements and contract services. IATC’s vision for the year ahead is to prioritize human trafficking in Idaho to keep the community and economy healthy and safe. “We plan to continue expanding our anti-trafficking efforts to reach more communities so that Idaho’s children, youth, and adults will have access to a victim-centered system of care that contributes to their economic, health and safety,” shared Zielinski. She continued, “We honor our coalition model through community engagement and are grateful for our staff, board of directors, volunteers, community partners, donors, and funders that continue to support the organization’s mission so that we can continue our work.” Funding from Yardi will be utilized to directly support all IATC’s goals to strive for the same or even better outcomes for 2023. “Without Yardi’s 2022 support and now, 2023 support, we would not be able to expand our efforts and face the reality of turning people away,” Zielinski shared. IATC client success story Sarah (not her real name) had a life-changing experience with the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition. IATC provided practical assistance in relocation to a safe place, providing resources for safe housing and assisting with car repairs and maintenance so she could get to work and school. Additionally, they helped her create a safety plan to maintain safety. Furthermore, IATC has provided ongoing rehabilitation and support to return to school, hoping to get a degree in social work. With the help of IATC, Sarah got her CDL license and training to become a school bus driver, her first real job. They also provided her with the advocacy to ensure she receives the necessary support to become a survivor rather than a victim of human trafficking. The IATC helped Sarah regain control of her life and overcome the trauma of being a victim of severe human trafficking. Volunteer Opportunities IATC will have some volunteer opportunity events throughout the year. Yardi employees and the community are encouraged to contact Kevin Zielinski at [email protected] or 208-630-6601. “IATC is grateful to everyone at Yardi for your support that has enabled us to pursue our mission of building trauma-informed, systemic responses throughout Idaho to combat Human Trafficking,” Zielinski shared. Find future non-profit profiles...

Happy Earth Day! Among Yardi’s philanthropic priorities is supporting organizations that protect endangered wildlands and habitats. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s unifying force for nature, working to deliver large-scale permanent land conservation. Established in 1962 in Toronto and Ontario, Canada, they have helped protect more than 15 million hectares nationwide. NCC manages nature long-term through donations, purchases, and conservation agreements. When habitats are integrated and connected, and entire natural systems are conserved, nature can better deliver essential services that support life. “By connecting landscapes that provide nature-based solutions, we’re taking care of places that clean our water, purify our air, absorb and store carbon, and support food security,” said Naomi Heller, senior development officer, and corporate development at NCC. Protecting connected habitats also supports the species that live there, including close to one-third of Canada’s species at risk. As the leading conservation organization, NCC has a unique opportunity to contribute the skills acquired to assist Indigenous communities and nations in achieving their conservation and stewardship goals. “With nature, we are building a thriving world,” enthused Heller. NCC is in year two of its eight-year strategic plan, which will mobilize Canadians to accelerate conservation, doubling its impact by 2030. “Major components of this plan include conserving an additional 1M hectares, being a key partner and ally to Indigenous Peoples through conservation, unlocking solutions to support Canada’s 30X30 targets, and growing our community of supporters to 1 million,” Heller said. NCC plans to prioritize activities that drive these objectives, including evolving culture to foster organizational alignment, integrating marketing and fundraising across NCC to grow revenue, accelerating conservation through innovation and technology, and optimizing delivery through strategic partnerships. Conserving the Boreal Wildlands Yardi’s class-leading investment helped contribute to and close the most significant conservation project in Canadian history—the Boreal Wildlands in northern Ontario. With Yardi’s help in 2022, NCC acquired the 145,000-hectare/350,000-acre property to protect it from future development. Conservation work at this scale is urgently needed worldwide to help respond to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. “In the time since we purchased the Boreal Wildlands property in 2022, NCC’s conservation staff have been collecting data about species on the property using various methods,” shared Heller. “On-site visits, trail cameras, and even helicopter monitoring have revealed mink, fisher, lynx, wolves, otters, and many moose traversing the property’s forests and peatlands, not to mention a plethora of songbirds both seen and heard.” The Boreal Forest is known as North America’s songbird nursery. Attracted by its plentiful food during the summer months, many species of warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and more return here every year to breed. The Boreal Wildlands property will help nurture these populations in the future. In addition, landscape protection secures species at risk and ensures ongoing carbon absorption. “The entire team at NCC is grateful to Yardi for taking a leadership position for conservation in Canada and being a key partner to the organization. Yardi’s investment in protecting nature has a strong and measurable impact on mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss,” shared Heller. In addition, Yardi’s funds will also help NCC manage the property in the future. NCC’s team is already at work on the ground documenting the many species of animals and plants that call this site home. This information will help NCC develop a management plan to maximize the site’s biodiversity values and ecological services. Ongoing volunteer opportunities Grasslands are one of the world’s most critical landscapes. Prairie regions in North America contain some of the last intact grasslands, which are under severe threat. The grasslands absorb vast volumes of carbon and are home to many at-risk species. In June this year, NCC will launch a campaign to protect 500,000 hectares / 1.2M acres of this vital landscape by 2030. NCC regularly hosts free, public volunteer events across the country between May and September, which can be accessed here. No time...

The Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) is on a mission to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. Founded in 1981 in Austin, Texas, the Yardi-supported food bank fights against hunger by soliciting, receiving, storing and distributing donated food to community service partner agencies that directly serve individuals in need. CTFB is a critical part of Austin’s food safety net infrastructure, serving as the primary food source for 250 food pantries, mobile pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other human service agencies. Through economies of scale, CTFB can procure food and distribute it to social service agencies at a lesser cost than other agencies. The result is more food available for distribution to low-income clients by all agencies. “CTFB is the primary food source for the agencies we serve, providing 75 percent of all food distributed throughout the network each year,” said Nigel Fuentes, corporate relations manager at CTFB. Supply chain issues were a significant challenge in the 2022 reporting term for CTFB. There were many factors from high consumer demand, weather, and geopolitics – to packaging, labor, transportation, and ingredient supply shortages. “In the short term, we’ve reorganized our food sourcing team, and they’re aggressively pursuing new food donor relationships,” shared Fuentes. “We’re stabilizing our shopping list with staple items and sourcing substantial quantities of fresh produce, which is more available in today’s national food supply and meets our goals to provide healthy food options.” In addition, CTFB is doing more to address the root causes of hunger and focusing on benefits assistance, workforce solutions, and health outcomes. These changes will help insulate the food bank from market fluctuations they experienced last year. Funding from Yardi is used to support food acquisition and distribution. “Funding will help our mission to nourish hungry people by supporting CTFB’s food assistance programs and enabling us to meet the ongoing demand for our services in 2023,” shared Fuentes. Volunteer Opportunities #TeamYardi in the Austin office will volunteer once a quarter for half a day each visit. “The Central Texas Food Bank is proud to partner with Yardi to help fight hunger issues in our community, and we look forward to partnering for years to come,” enthused Fuentes. Volunteers are the heart and soul of CTFB. Weekday and weekend volunteer opportunities are available, perfect for individuals and groups. Help prepare food donations for distribution and distribute food at mobile food pantries. Find out more information about volunteering here. Find future non-profit profiles...

Let’s get to know another standout North American hunger prevention organization supported by Yardi, the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) of Atlanta, GA. Founded in 1979, ACFB is the central hub in the fight against hunger in Atlanta and North Georgia. ACFB’s primary focus is collecting and distributing donated food and goods and managing all the logistics and partner relationships that go with it. In addition, ACFB offers some social services to those directly in need and has supplemental food pantries and mobile markets to get food to underserved areas their partner agencies can’t reach. “Last fiscal year, we distributed 93 million pounds of food to our over 700 partners in 29 county service areas,” said Ben Burgess, corporate relations manager for ACFB. ACFB foresees government cuts to the SNAP program this year and recently had the expiration of the Child Tax Credit, which helped decrease child food insecurity by over 25 percent during the pandemic. “Our goal is the make sure we have enough funding to purchase enough food to fill these food gaps in the coming year,” shared Burgess. ACFB is hoping to open one, and possibly two, Community Food Centers in their service area that will be focused on local areas with high rates of food insecurity and are designed to be open four days a week for food distribution to meet the growing demand and reduce barriers to food access. Funding from Yardi has provided enough support this year to help over 180,000 meals for families in need. Since March 2020, Yardi has helped ACFB give over 2 million meals to families in need. “The support we have received from Yardi has been unwavering and absolutely vital to our work,” shared Burgess. “Your support has literally saved lives, and you are a true community partner, and we are so grateful to you all!” Family support It was a tough school year for kids like Nathan, not just because of math class. Most nights, there’s not much food at home. His dad, Seth, works a lot, and when he is home, he’s tired and there isn’t much in the fridge. Nathan’s hungry, anxious about school, and worried about his Dad. That’s why this family is thankful for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Despite historically expensive food prices, they still have the chance to have the nutritious meals they need thanks to ACFB. “I do everything I can, but everything just isn’t enough anymore,” Seth said. “Knowing that this community won’t let my family go hungry is a relief I’ve never experienced.” Volunteer Opportunities The Atlanta Yardi Breeze Premier team recently volunteered at the ACFB’s Hunger Action Center. This center is available seven days a week except on holidays. Details below: Address: 3400 North Desert Drive, Atlanta, GA 30344 Shifts: Monday – Sunday 8:30 am – 11:30 am or 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm Shift maximum: 60 volunteers in a single shift  Activity: Join the fight to end hunger with a high-energy session of activities at ACFB’s brand-new Atlanta warehouse. As a Hunger Action Center volunteer, you may assist with many tasks, including sorting and packing recently donated food, repackaging produce or grains for families, or boxing non-perishable items for seniors across Atlanta. Several projects in the Hunger Action Center guarantee a fantastic day of volunteering! In addition, ACFB will train you on your day of service for the day’s project. So rest assured that the music is loud, the packing is fast-paced, and the personal reward of making a difference can’t be replaced. To register your group, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ben Burgess, [email protected] “You should know how supportive the company has truly been for the metro Atlanta and Northwest Georgia area and the people we serve. Thanks to Yardi, many families couldn’t choose between eating and keeping the lights on, getting the medicine needed, or paying the rent. So, from the bottom of...

Yardi has long supported The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, which has been the region’s leading food distribution and hunger-relief organization for over 40 years. Company support includes financial contributions, matching grants and frequent staff volunteer opportunities from departments across Yardi. Western Residential CSD team members volunteered with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, picking over 3,000 pounds of oranges for the Foodbank to distribute to families. Established in 1982, the Foodbank’s mission is to end hunger and transform the health of Santa Barbara County with good nutrition. The Foodbank’s strategic plan takes a holistic approach to fighting hunger through healthy food distribution, empowering nutrition and food literacy education, and disaster preparedness and response. “The Foodbank serves 200,000 unduplicated clients each year with over 10 million pounds of food, 43 percent of which is fresh produce,” shared Jenifer Sanregret, corporate giving manager. The Foodbank pairs food distribution efforts with various innovative direct-to-client services with programming focusing on food literacy and nutritional education. These programs address food insecurity and hunger by providing access to nutritious food and nutrition education, contributing to food literacy and healthy outcomes. The Foodbank uses census and school meal data to prioritize programs in low-income and rural areas with high rates of food insecurity. All food and nutrition education programs are offered free cost to children, families and seniors. Foodbank of Santa Barbara County staff. “The Foodbank is currently three-quarters of the way through our 2022-2023 fiscal year. Based on current trends, we expect to provide 1,500 seniors with 499,500 pounds of healthy foods, including 183,500 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, by the end of FY23,” said Sanregret. Funding from Yardi has helped provide healthy food and fresh produce to all food-insecure individuals countywide. Funds are used to make purchases of pantry staples such as rice, beans and whole grains, and fresh produce like apples, mandarins and artichokes. The Santa Barbara foodbank will be opening a new facility called the Sharehouse/Warehouse in December 2023. A place to share food, education, and hope for the community. The new Sharehouse will cut fuel emissions, reduce food waste, and increase food safety. Additionally, it will allow the Foodbank to store more than 750,000 pounds of food, making 585,000 meals available for immediate distribution and enabling them to accept 80,000 more pounds of food donations each week. Friendly competition: Yardi Santa Barbara participates in the End Hunger Games In November 2022 as well as in many past years, Yardi Santa Barbara employees participated in the End Hunger Games campaign, a friendly competition between local companies. Employees worked together to raise money, host internal food drives, volunteer at Backyard Bounty Glean and spread awareness about the efforts throughout the community. “Your partnership gives us a special sense of gratitude because we recognize the important value of collaboration in meeting the community’s needs.” Sanregret continued, “This tremendous support is very much needed as 38 percent of children in our county are food insecure, and we continue to see an increase in the cost of groceries. We are so grateful for the support from Yardi and the efforts made by all the employees to help us continue our work to end hunger and transform the health of our community.” Ongoing Santa Barbara County volunteer opportunities The Foodbank is always looking for volunteers to assist with its programs. Needs include volunteers to sort and pre-pack groceries for distribution at the Santa Barbara and Santa Maria warehouses, delivery drivers for seniors, and educators for children’s nutrition programs. “Volunteers who work with older adults provide clients with a source of comfort and socialization after two years of sheltering in place. The best way to get involved with the Foodbank is to create an account through Volunteer Hub and “Opt-In” to our emails. We will email you as new volunteer opportunities, and community distributions are added,” shared Sanregret. Find future non-profit profiles...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed, worldwide. Each year, Yardi offices distribute philanthropic aid to organizations selected by regional employees. The India Sponsorship Committee (ISC) of Mumbai, Maharashtra is a Yardi-supported NGO founded in 1967 that supports the protection of children and gender-based rights. ISC also aids in learning enhancements for children from vulnerable communities. For the last 15 years, ISC has focused on the children of migrant labor groups living around the city of Pune, where Yardi’s India office is located. ISC will prioritize the following in the year to come: Program quality benchmarking Technologically enabled operations Collaborations and partnerships Organizational performance Real estate optimization and environmental sustainability Sustainability in fundraising “We have aligned and shared values with Yardi in terms of ensuring impact in the vulnerable communities through direct, consistent, and effective intervention, which need a continuous response to the changing environments, especially in learning and technology,” said Medha Oka, executive director of ISC. Yardi has been an ongoing supporter and advocate of the work of the India Sponsorship Committee. “Yardi’s commitment towards the children from migrant and vulnerable communities is inspiring and admirable. The team has always been collaborative towards ensuring greater impact with consistent discussion, inputs and innovative solutions,” Oka said. Advocating for education Most families working in the brick kilns of India are vulnerable migrant laborers. Almost 70 percent of the children frequently migrate with their families and don’t get access to formal education. ISC focuses on bridge classes, protection from child labor and other child rights violations, and providing daily nutrition for all children. “Of the 30 percent of children who can stay back in one brick kiln for longer, ISC successfully enrolled them in mainstream schools over the last eight years. Currently, over 140 children attend ISC learning centers; 46 among them attend primary and middle schools, while five attend high schools. These children are often first-generation schoolers breaking the cycle of generational illiteracy and exclusion,” shared Oka. ISC supports its ongoing education through consistent support classes, innovative learning aids, and dedicated delivery teams. The children’s academic journey would not have seen this change without the changing attitudes of the parents, who have, over time and through consistent engagement with ISC, understood the positive impact of formal education. As a result, they are now an active supporter and participants in their children’s lives. The nearby schools and local government bodies that once resisted school admission of these children due to biases and structural inequalities have now become advocates of the program. “We at ISC have a unique journey for our beneficiaries where the child is supported from the age of six until they are able, capable, contributing and responsible citizens of the society,” Oka said. Volunteering opportunities ISC has ongoing volunteer and employee engagement opportunities to work directly with children and provide skills to enhance program implementation. To explore more synergies and opportunities, please get in touch with them at [email protected] Find future non-profit profiles...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. Let’s learn about Minnie’s Food Pantry of Plano, Texas, founded in 2008. Minnie’s Food Pantry provides healthy meals, educational resources, and red-carpet treatment to children and families in need across North Texas. In addition, families can receive support and life necessities at Minnie’s Boutique, allowing shoppers to pick up home-based items that they may need that are outside the usual food pantry offerings, such as toiletries, home cleaning products, and more. In April, Minnie’s Food Pantry will celebrate 15 years of service. “Over the last decade and a half, Minnie’s Food Pantry has provided over 21.5 million meals to children and families in need across North Texas, having been recognized as the leading food pantry in Collin County and the #1 Food Pantry in DFW,” shared Zoya Jackson, COO. This year, Minnie’s Food Pantry plans to continue providing for families in need with supplemental food assistance, including non-perishable goods, fresh meats, fresh produce, bakery items, and dairy products, along with toiletries, home goods, baby products, clothing, and other necessities through Minnie’s Boutique. Funding from Yardi allows Minnie’s Food Pantry to continue the programs and services they have in place to meet the needs of those they serve. “This includes serving families via our Feed Just One program every Wednesday-Saturday, delivering to schools and senior living facilities across North Texas to provide for the most vulnerable in society, seniors and children, and making an impact on our VIP (homeless) communities,” said Jackson. In addition, the generosity of Yardi provides new ways to further impact and change lives, such as the expansion of Minnie’s Boutique. Minnie’s Food Pantry expresses gratitude towards Yardi’s Michael Shaeffer, senior director of client services for Yardi Dallas. “Michael makes it a point to check in frequently throughout the year, and he and the team are always willing to answer the call when volunteers are needed! The intentional relationship serves as proof that giving to others and changing lives/our communities for the better are core values of Yardi and their employees,” shares Jackson (pictured with Schaeffer at left at a recent Lunch and Learn event). Community feedback Minnie’s Food Pantry shared a few success stories and feedback from clients: “I went to Minnie’s to get food for my family. I had plans to take my own life that day and didn’t want to leave them with another burden to worry about. When I got to Minnie’s, a lady greeted me with a hug and a smile. She was a stranger to me, but I don’t think she knew the impact that she made with such a small gesture. I’m still here to write this letter because of her kindness and the love that Minnie’s showed me that morning. Thank you for seeing me and giving me hope,” said one recipient of food and care. “COVID changed our lives. One day I had a great job paying good money, and a few hours later, I was unemployed. I was in a position I never imagined I would be in, and I was embarrassed to ask for help. When I got to Minnie’s Food Pantry, it was nothing like what I expected. The people were friendly and welcoming; the food they gave my family was just like what I would have picked out at the grocery store and didn’t make me feel bad for needing help,” stated another Minnie’s client. Celebrity support for a worthy cause Along with the community coming together at Minnie’s Food Pantry, celebrities have been involved, including Rihanna, Steve Harvey, Jim Parsons, and Floyd Mayweather. In 2018, Oprah Winfrey attended Minnie’s Food Pantry Annual Gala. “The law says whatever you put out into the world, with the energy and intention, will come back to you,” Oprah said...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to hundreds of organizations selected by its employees. Adelante Comunidad Conejo (Adelante) of Thousand Oaks, Calif. is a regional nonprofit that seeks to empower Spanish-speaking families, regardless of immigration status, fluency or income. Adelante provides support, networking and advocacy and acts as an advocate for Spanish-speakers throughout the community. “Adelante believes that everyone deserves to be recognized as valued community members. Everyone should have a seat at the table. The voices of our Spanish-speaking peers should be heard when decisions are made regarding neighborhoods, school transportation, and recreation,” said Carole Shelton, vice president of the nonprofit. “We continue to be responsive to the community as needs change. We are working to address food insecurity, to connect our families to support organizations, and to connect support organizations to our families,” Shelton said. “When we embrace cultural and language diversity, we make our community a better place in which to live and work.” “Our focus is on removing barriers to participation so that the children of local Latino families can access the same programs that their friends do.  The most significant barriers families face are transportation, language, and affordability.” Adelante focuses much of its efforts on high school students. They can receive assistance with applying for college scholarships, which can be daunting for families. “We are proud to support our local Latino Connection Clubs at our three comprehensive high school campuses, where their activities build leadership skills and provide opportunities to celebrate their language and heritage,” Shelton shared. Adelante provides volunteers with a welcoming place to be involved and includes community members of all abilities. “A youth with a developmental disability was given the opportunity to serve his community. He has gone from being a spectator, to a 2-hour shift, to a full Saturday shift, and a just recently added a 3-hour shift Friday shift. He has gained important skills during his time with Adelante!” said Shelton. Core mission objectives The core mission objectives for Adelante include the following: Support – Adelante steps in to make a difference in the lives of local Latino families with a special emphasis on the Spanish speaking members of our community. Efforts range from supporting families in crisis, advising community members who are struggling to interface effectively with local agencies, and hosting gatherings designed to better inform families, encourage pride, and build community connections while also addressing food security. Networking – Adelante believes that local community connections are key drivers of change. By attending events, participating in discussions, and meeting other community influencers, the organization positions Latino voices to be heard and seen as respected community voices. Advocacy – Adelante listens to and responds to community concerns, brings those concerns forward to local agencies and speaks on behalf of those who are not ready to speak for themselves. Its advocates have become quite the experts at offering insight during local government public comment opportunities. Yardi support makes a difference Shelton shared how the support provided by Yardi has had an impact on the organization. “Yardi funds allow us to continue to provide fresh milk, cheese, tortillas, beef, and chicken to our families during our monthly marketplace and pantry. Addressing food insecurity has given us the opportunity to develop a deeper connection with our families which has provided the opportunity to work together to reach our collective goals,” she said. “The support received by Yardi brought our volunteers to tears.  We know we are doing great work but receiving support within our community means everything.” Volunteer opportunities Volunteer opportunities with Adelante include prepping food distribution pantry and marketplace resources for recipients on Fridays and working at the Saturday Open Air Community Marketplace. In-depth details about work hours, expectations, time commitment and skills required are available at the Adelante Comunidad Conejo website. For more information...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees.. Get to know Reach for Excellence, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that serves middle-school children through educational enrichment. Founded in 2001, the mission of Reach for Excellence is to empower determined leaders and expand their possibilities in the classroom, in the community, and in life. Reach for Excellence is a tuition-free academic and leadership enrichment program that offers students of limited income a mix of academic, cultural, and community-based experiences that prepare them for the challenges of college-preparatory programs and high schools. Director of Development Matt McGee shares: “While there are many worthwhile educational enrichment programs in the Atlanta area, Reach for Excellence is one of the few that focuses on middle school-aged children. Research from ACT found that the academic achievement students attain by eighth grade significantly impacts college and career readiness. Therefore, it is critical for this age group to gain exposure to the academic and leadership skills necessary to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.” Program offerings Reach for Excellence keeps students focused on learning by engaging young scholars in academic and leadership enrichment classes over six weeks during the summer. The program continues throughout the school year with 16 Saturday sessions. Two hot meals are provided each day in the summer, and a hot lunch is provided on Saturdays, ensuring that students are well-fed and ready to learn. Reach for Excellence also provides transportation assistance. “The program requires hard work, commitment, and discipline, but the rewards can last a lifetime,” says McGee. He shared the story of Jocelyn Calvillo, a Reach for Excellence student who later became an attorney. “Jocelyn was eager to join Reach, but her parents were concerned about maintaining a commitment to attend classes on Saturdays and during the summer. She had three siblings, and both parents worked demanding schedules. Transportation to the program would be an issue. Her parents recognized the importance of education and worked with Reach and other families to negotiate Jocelyn’s transportation,” McGee shared. But once she was able to attend, “It was comfortable to be in an environment with kids from similar backgrounds, and she never felt like she was less than her peers. She recalls that there were always books available and visited Reach’s library often. She loved reading and was good at math, a big part of the Reach curriculum,” said McGee. Calvillo ultimately attended high school at Atlanta’s Marist School in Atlanta, Agnes Scott College, where she majored in political science and Spanish, and Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. She now helps her community as an immigration attorney with Catholic Charities Atlanta, an organization that helps families to overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. “Jocelyn believes that Reach for Excellence opens doors and helps students succeed despite all the barriers they face. Seeing all that her fellow Reach classmates have accomplished, she believes Reach students will change the world,” said McGee. Future goals In 2022 and 2023, Reach for Excellence is working to offset the impact of the pandemic on students’ academic growth. The pandemic has taken a particular toll on the education of children in low-income families. Research from Georgia State University recently found that many students in the Metro-Atlanta area experienced reductions in academic growth over the last two years. The math and reading achievement reductions were more significant among students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, students of color, and English language learners. All of Reach for Excellence students match these demographics and experienced more significant reductions in academic growth than their peers. “Additionally, Reach for Excellence will expand our enrollment by recruiting new students to our Hispanic Initiative,” shared McGee. “Our new Hispanic Initiative seeks to strengthen college enrollment and completion among Latinx students by providing academic enrichment and college...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. The Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA) works in partnership with the Forest Service and the local community to help the forest. Another goal is to enable residents to use Los Padres land enjoyably and sustainably. Founded in 1979 in Goleta, Calif., the LPFA is known for its robust trail work efforts. LPFA’s mission is to care for the Los Padres Forest, ensuring it thrives and remains safe and open for all to use and enjoy. “We spend over 300 days a year in the forest maintaining and building trails using a combination of volunteers and our professional LPFA Trail Crew,” shares Bryan Conant, Executive Director for LPFA. Los Padres National Forest is the second largest federal forest in California. With elevations ranging from sea level to almost 9,000 feet with ten designated wilderness areas, it offers spectacular natural wildlife and scenery. In addition to trail work, LPFA manages two visitor centers in the forest (Big Sur and Ojai), providing face-to-face information for visitors. LPFA also works closely with local Scouts groups and other individuals in joint efforts to help the forest. Some include repairing historic forest structures, installing and repairing signs, and more. “In addition to our ‘boots on the ground’ work, we also invest much time helping the forest user by providing trail and forest updates through social media, our newsletters, and a website we manage called HikeLosPadres.com,” said Conant. Los Padres Forest Association plans to work on getting its website revamped and updated this upcoming year. Funds from Yardi will be directly funding HikeLosPadres.com. In addition to being in the forest as usual. “The money is important, of course, but it’s truly wonderful knowing that a company such as Yardi supports the LPFA and our mission,” shared Conant. “We’re looking forward to our website revamp and could not make it happen without the support of Yardi and their employees.” Red Reef Trail The popular Red Reef Trail within the Sespe Wilderness and connects the Topatopa Mountains with the Sespe River Trail. It was frequented by backpackers and equestrians but had become highly overgrown over the past decade due to a lack of maintenance. The trail had gotten so bad that hikers couldn’t get through the path without crawling through long tunnels of debris and brush. By 2020, the trial was nearly non-usable, and LPFA had regular complaints about the loss of trail. In late 2021, LPFA secured funding to restore the beloved trail. “Over 14 months, we invested over 2,500 hours in the restoration of the Red Reef Trail, and it is now open, in great shape, and is used frequently by hikers, trail runners, and backpackers,” said Conant. “It was not easy but gratifying having the opportunity to bring back one of the more spectacular wilderness trails in the Los Padres Forest.” Volunteer Opportunities The Los Padres Forest is a magic piece of the California Coastal Mountain connecting Los Angeles with Monterey Bay. There are many great spots for all user groups to explore and recreate within the Los Padres. Whether you like a mountain bike, trail run, hiking, backpacking, or just listening to the birds, the Los Padres have something for everyone. Yardi Santa Barbara team members have been past participants in local trail work projects. Keep an eye out for future opportunities to volunteer on trail work efforts. Find future non-profit profiles...

Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara is a Yardi-supported nonprofit that has been serving residents in times of need since 1899. FSA’s commitment to help has grown alongside the local community. “We pair basic needs assistance with family support and mental health counseling—helping at-risk children, families, and seniors meet immediate needs and tools for long-term wellbeing,” shares Paul Katan, Director of Development at FSA. FSA’s four areas of service are: Basic needs assistance: help with applications for health insurance, unemployment, Calfresh, utility assistance, case management, and even food supply distribution and delivery since the pandemic. “We are collaborating with other nonprofits to identify and assist isolated seniors so that their needs for food, prescriptions, supplies, and medical care are met (partnering with private funders)— currently continuing special efforts in Guadalupe and Carpinteria,” shared Katan. Parent support and leadership development: parenting and healthy relationship education including phone lines and social media to help families with the challenges of children in school, changing work environments, and employment reduction. Services for seniors: Certified Ombudsman Representatives monitor resident care in all the county’s long-term care facilities and advocate for resident quality of care. Mental health support: school-based mental health counseling for elementary and secondary school students. Added during the pandemic was support and education for teachers specifically for mental health counseling, education, and mental health first aid training for youth, adults, families, seniors, and their caregivers. FSA will continue to provide emotional and concrete support to community members’ needs to stabilize and move forward on the path of long-term well-being in the coming year, focusing on strategic priorities from the pandemic. Funds from Yardi provide the flexibility needed to help people navigate complex and often unsafe situations. This support is a crucial supplement to what public funding sources will cover, which typically limits which services can help those in need of assistance. “Everyone at FSA is thrilled for the steadfast support of Yardi and its employees, especially as we continue to respond to increased community needs resulting from the pandemic,” said Katan. “Yardi’s investment in the people we serve is widely known among our 240 employees, many of whom have a family or community connection to Yardi.” Carla’s story In 2021, FSA served over 28,000 community members, ranging from age 0 to 103. One of those people is Carla. Carla, a survivor of domestic violence and a single mother of two, lives in a RV and subsists on earnings from restaurant work. In 2020, school closures meant no educational time for her children and no counselors available to assess the special needs of her youngest child, Alma. Carla had no family support or readily available childcare services. FSA family support service and school-based counseling services provided the lifeline Carla needed for her children. “Our Family Advocate met with Carla and created a plan to meet the family’s immediate needs and provide for their long-term self-sufficiency,” shared Katan. FSA helped Carla with necessities including food and clothing, health care coverage, therapy for Alma’s behavioral needs, and a parenting class for better support. Since being at FSA, Carla’s oldest daughter Sophia has now developed self-confidence, strength and coping skills to handle her depression. FSA’s family advocate continues to work with the family and in a recent school meeting, Alma’s school staff could not believe how much she has improved, all attributed to the collaboration with FSA. “We are happy to report that the family recently moved from their vehicle into an apartment, None of this would be possible without the support of Yardi and other generous partners,” shared Katan. Volunteer opportunities “Yardi employees have been terrific to work with at past FSA events, including the Senior Expo. Our event schedule has changed since COVID-19, though we are seeking volunteers to support smaller events designed to foster social connections with families, seniors, and caregivers,” said Katan. For Santa Barbara community members interested in becoming ongoing...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. In 2021, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. For the remainder of 2022, we will be bringing you the stories of those organizations and insight into how they aid their communities. Today we introduce you to the Wilderness Youth Project (WYP), a Yardi-supported nonprofit that was founded in 1999 in Santa Barbara, Calif. WYP connects children to nature in small groups guided by inspired, skilled, and committed mentors and volunteers. WYP envisions teaching the next generation of children to be peaceful, respectful, and confident stewards of the world. “Nature connection makes life better for kids,” shares Chandler McLane, donor relations manager for WYP. “Time in nature makes kids happier, healthier, and smarter.” At WYP children play, learn, and grow in Santa Barbara’s natural beauty. They get to have adventures and explore the outdoors for more green time, not screen time. Children gain confidence, a heart for adventure, and care for others. Having these types of experiences will help children grow up healthy and happy. WYP is planning to expand its fully subsidized Bridge to Nature program to more schools and community centers during the school year. The Bridge to Nature program serves the community and meets participants where they already are so they do not need to find transportation to WYP. Going outdoors is one of the best ways to keep children excited about learning and to build their connection with the natural world. “Our Bridge to Nature program exists as a way to bring WYP to locations that have more limited nature access at no cost to participants,” said McLane. Yardi has been in support of WYP since 2005. Funding from Yardi has helped WYP with its Bridge to Nature program by allowing them to purchase a new van. “Because of this, we will be able to take more children out to nature-rich locations all over Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria” shared McLane. WYP also plans to acquire two new vehicles in the year to come, that will help fulfill the vision of providing WYP programs to local youth across the demographic spectrum. Nico’s story Nico started WYP when he was four years old. His mother recalls calling the office and crying tears of joy at the possibility of a scholarship, which made his participation possible. As a child with developmental delays, Nico struggled with social interactions and the ability to balance input and stimulation. His early experience with Wilderness Youth Project, though, was the first time Nico was appreciated for who he was and not for all his deficiencies. WYP saw the bigger picture of who Nico was and respected his personality and the gifts he had to offer to the rest of the group. At age five, Nico was diagnosed with autism and ADHD. During that time, he was challenged with perseverating and getting stuck on concepts. With a one-on-one aide, he continued participating in a Wilderness Youth Project after-school program where WYP mentors channeled his challenges into productive energy. With time, Nico developed a connection to nature, as well as a connection with others. Through his regular time in nature with a WYP mentor, all of Nico’s deficiencies were built upon with intentional guiding and nurturing. Nico’s mom remembers one of the best phone calls she ever got from a WYP staff member. After Nico had been going to WYP with a one-on-one aide for years, a WYP mentor called to ask her if she would be open to having Nico come to the program without an aide. “She was in awe of the training and the heart our staff had to integrate all of what Nico was into our programs without additional support,” shared McLane. “WYP has a way of honoring the sense of...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. In 2021, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. For the remainder of the year, we will be bringing you the stories of those organizations and insight into how they aid their communities. In today’s spotlight, Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County (DVS), a Yardi-supported nonprofit, was founded in 1977. The organization provides safety, shelter, and support for individuals and families affected by domestic violence and collaborate with community partners to raise awareness regarding the cause, prevalence, and impact. DVS is the only service provider for those affected by domestic violence in Santa Barbara County, which would not be possible without the support of the community. “As a society, we all have a role in changing the narrative about what domestic violence is, to whom it happens, and how we can support those who are experiencing it, and, ultimately, prevent it entirely,” says Tina Ballue, Director of Development for DVS. “To be able to support survivors, and to prevent domestic violence in the future, we all need to normalize talking about it openly and candidly.” DVS’s goals for the year to come include expanding reach through more multicultural and multi-lingual service provisions, seeking out new transitional and permanent housing opportunities throughout the county, and maximizing federal and state resources to assist clients. Funding from Yardi is helping DVS to build the capacity to be able to help more clients. In addition, building a volunteer program that will allow DVS to be more present in the community to increase awareness and provide preventative education to end domestic violence. “Our ultimate goal is to have a future free from domestic violence, this can only happen with the support from community leaders such as Yardi,” shared Ballue. 24-hour assistance available              DVS has a 24-hour support hotline which has been an asset to many of its clients. One mother was especially grateful for it and Domestic Violence Solutions. “DVS gave me the tools to fight and be a survivor to stand strong and confront the situation with authority and confidence. They helped me with my self-esteem. I got to meet new friends that supported each other through the transition,” the survivor stated. “Thanks to DVS, I now have an apartment I can afford and feel safe with my children, our car, and a great job. My son will graduate in June, and he is safe now. My daughter sees a strong mother who will do everything she can for her children.” She spoke about how the support she received has changed her outlook on herself and on the need for resources like DVS. “I’m not ashamed anymore. I feel worthy and willing to receive help. Not only do they help in what they can, but they also place their lives in danger for us. I’m very grateful and blessed to have been a client. I thank God for generous the support of people like you to help and support DVS, allowing them to continue their mission of saving lives and keeping them safe.” Volunteer Opportunities “We need to change the conversation around domestic violence – and we need your help to do it,” shared Ballue. Domestic Violence Solutions is working to rebuild its volunteer program post-COVID-19 pandemic and begin training help to expand services. There are many unique opportunities available at DVS. From volunteering with clients to organizational committees such as events and outreach. For more information, please visit their website here. Find future non-profit profiles at...