First New Daffodil House Residents Move In

Large windows bring lots of light into Daffodil House apartments.

Daffodil House crossed a major milestone this week. Daffodil’s first new residents moved into their new home. A happy mom and her son are excited to be moving into their home, following their stay in a homeless shelter. “It’s beautiful — I love it! It’s wonderful to have your own,” she exclaimed.

Building Futures’ Maritza Falero welcomed them to their new home with a gift basket of cleaning supplies, a variety of household goods, a laundry kit, bath linens, some kitchen gadgets, bath soaps, and herbal teas. “It’s exciting for me for our first new resident to move in. We’re busy finishing apartments and showing them to new residents, and we’re getting really good responses.”

New apartments at Daffodil House feature new bamboo floors, an all-white ceramic tile bathroom, and closet organizers in its closets. The D.C. Department of the Environment is donating Energy Star refrigerators and HVAC units, plus new water heaters for each apartment, which will help new residents reduce their energy costs.

Building Futures staff plan to finish about one apartment per week over the next few months until all units are completed.

For more information about the efficiency apartments at Daffodil House, contact Maritza Falero at (202) 639-0361, x303.

Daffodil House's all-electric kitchens include Energy Star refrigerators provided by the DC Department of the Environment.

Volunteers

Volunteers from the American Association of Medical Colleges tackled the amazing completion of all of Marigold Place's yard facing the street. Their efforts were coordinated by Greater DC Cares.

Building Futures relies on community volunteers to contribute their personal time, effort, and care in support of our families and their housing. We work with both groups of volunteers and individuals.

Fixing up Daffodil House for new residents is our top priority right now. Groups of volunteers have helped remove old carpeting and tiles, damaged drywall, and old appliances, patched holes in walls, painted hallways and stairwells, and performed other tasks.  Special thanks to volunteers from these organizations:

• Fannie Mae (ERG and HIV/AIDS Committees)
• Greater DC Cares through its annual Servathon
• Yachad DC (and Congregation Beth-El in Bethesda)

Looking for a volunteer project for yourself or a group?

Check out our volunteer opportunities!

2009 One Day, One Ride, One Cause Charity Bike Ride Set for August 16

The 2009 One Day, One Ride, One Cause charity bike ride is set for Sunday, August 16! Starting and ending in Adams Morgan, the course crosses the 8 Wards of the District of Columbia and raises awareness and funds to combat HIV / AIDS in the community. Building Futures is one of the two nonprofit beneficiary organizations for the ride. The other beneficiary is The Women’s Collective, whose mission is to meet the self-defined needs of women, girls and their families living with or at-risk for HIV/AIDS, reducing barriers to care and strengthening their network of support and services.

Washington, DC leads the nation in HIV/AIDS rates, which rival those in sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, large groups of people at high risk of becoming infected or infecting others, believe they are not at risk.

One Day, One Ride, One Cause’s mission is to:

(1) Bring awareness to the community that the District holds the record for newly-diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases in the United States;

(2) Educate the community in preventing the spread of the disease; and

(3) Raise funds for eight (8) HIV/AIDS-related organizations that provide care and services to District of Columbia children, teens, adults and families infected with and/or impacted by HIV/AIDS.

With a minimum of only $100 to raise / donate and a $35 registration fee, riders can make a difference in the lives of children, men and women affected by AIDS in the District and the surrounding community. Ride sponsors challenge individuals to make a difference in their own lives by participating as a rider, crew (volunteer), or contributor in this year’s ride.

For details or to register, go to the One Day, One Ride, One Cause website.