OUR ANNUAL CHARITY DRIVE WAS A SUCCESS!
We would like to thank everyone that participated in our charity drive to help the Messiah Community Food Shelf’s efforts to feed and change the lives of those experiencing hunger. Through our efforts, Real Estate Equities was able to provide 713 pounds of food to the Messiah Community Food Shelf!
At Real Estate Equities, we believe that community development and responsible real estate ownership go hand in hand. Helping build a sense of community in the cities and neighborhoods that we manage in is an important part of what we do, who we are, and how we grow. Our site staff feel connected to our residents and share a sense of responsibility to enhance the quality of the residents’ lives though community sponsored activities and events. The innovative ideas, programs, and senior care services that we have developed and implemented over the years have added to not only the enjoyment of living at our communities, but the educational growth, early childhood development, transportation, and health and wellness needs of our residents.
Below is a list of the charities and programs Real Estate Equities is currently involved in to actively support and grow our communities. We develop and implement the appropriate programs based on the community’s needs and which ones we feel residents at that specific community will benefit from.
On-site Family Support Services
Founded in 1998, Opportunity Neighborhood promotes safe and supportive housing by providing family support services onsite at affordable housing communities throughout the Twin Cities metro. The agency’s mission is to support people and strengthen neighborhoods within affordable housing communities through cooperative partnerships. These goals are accomplished by working with residents to identify programs and services that meet their community’s needs. Programs are then developed through partnerships with local schools, law enforcement and community organizations. Some of the programs available at REE’s communities include early childhood education classes, after-school programs and summer camps for youth, and community building events (National Night Out, community dinners, crafts and games). Visit their website at www.opportunityneighborhood.org.
Senior Support Services
One example of how Real Estate Equities supports our senior residents is our active partnership with Cerenity Senior Care. They bring a broad variety of social and health services to the residents of the Rarig Senior Campus in St. Paul where Real Estate Equities owns and manages senior housing located on the shared campus. This senior campus currently provides a full continuum of care to its senior residents. The partnership integrates health and wellness services and amenities both on-campus and off-campus through outreach with local communities. This comprehensive service offering provides seniors a broad array of community, food-service, wellness, social services, and therapeutic benefits to the campus residents.
Random Acts of Kindness
This program has been implemented at all of our communities as well as the corporate office. It was developed to create an atmosphere of respect and kindness not just from the staff, but the residents and vendors that are on the property every day. Anyone can nominate another person or be nominated for Random Acts of Kindness. There are twelve $50 winners chosen each quarter.
Food Drives
By working with local food banks such as Second Harvest Heartland, many communities can participate in an annual food drive where residents are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items with their rent checks. At some communities, we even hold drawings to reward those that donate. This can be challenging for some residents at our lower income communities, but they too want that rewarding feeling of helping those in need and this is a low cost, reachable way for them to give back.
Toys Drives
Every year during the holiday season, select communities hold a Toys for Tots campaign to help out those in need. Residents are encouraged to give what they can to help local families enjoy the holidays. We understand that many families living in our communities also need this assistance during the holidays, so we are exploring other organizations and opportunities where residents can come to us in confidence if they need assistance providing toys for their children during the holiday season.
Back-to-School Supply Drives
Real Estate Equities holds a Back-to-School Supply Drive annually, where employees are encouraged to donate new and unused school supply items that are given to a local organization to help fulfill specific requests from schools and organizations. We believe in children receiving the education they deserve, regardless of their situation. REE has also partnered with homeless shelters such as People Serving People for book drives and blanket drives, and REE has participated in the annual MHA event fundraiser to support PSP.
Clothing Drives
From time to time, Real Estate Equities holds a gently used clothing drive to donate to a local Shelter or the Salvation Army. Both employees and residents are encouraged to donate any clothing items in good condition to pass along to those in need. Again, this is a very feasible activity for low income families to participate in as they or their children may have outgrown clothing that another family can use.