This brief note is my heartfelt thanks for supporting New Community Vision's Home Sharing for Happier Living crowd funding campaign that IOBY and the Chicago Sustainability Leadership Network (CSLN) made possible. 

Although the $1,279 that we raised was short of our original goal of $5,000 and the reduced goal of $3,000, we would not have had this money otherwise and will put it toward the database development – our first expenditure of funds from outside sources! Pop that champagne!

I talk with everyone I meet about this effort and, without exception, people think it’s a great idea and very much needed. I now realize that I am responsible to bring this idea to fruition, and that I’m capable of the stretch that this requires.

I’m delighted to report that a board of directors is in the formative stages and already helping. So far, we have a “good guy” banker with 30 years’ experience, a social worker with a bunch of letters (M.S., LPC, NCC, BCC) after her name, and a project manager from the computer/internet/data field. Because this board is still forming, I won’t name them until we’re farther along and rowing together in the same boat. Still, it’s looking good.

What’s happening now:

Our strategy is to cultivate relationships with churches, mosques, temples and community organizations anywhere in the Chicago metro area to explain the concept and request the opportunity to present the idea to their membership. For Housing Mixers to be effective, prospective participants need to understand what they are, the potential benefit, and have an idea of what to expect so that about 100 people show up to consider their housing options. Mixing with a big group is necessary because participants will connect with only a few. The mixers will be professionally facilitated with a special effort to ensure that shy people feel welcomed and comfortable.

I met with the Trustees of the People’s Church (a UCC church at 941 W Lawrence) weeks ago and learned that two other churches hold services in the same building. The minister that I met with yesterday was receptive and said that some members of their national organization are committed to housing issues and he will present this new idea to them. I hope to meet with the other minister this week.

One key element of this program is that no one will be stranded. We will vet, check and vouch for residents that are admitted to the program. Professional Homemakers will be carefully selected employees and will have the support of their peers, New Community Vision, the host organization, and the network of social service providers.

Another key element is that host organizations will designate a liaison team to help their members navigate the system and apply for housing. This solves two issues: 1) because the liaison team knows their members, they will be in a position to understand the applicant’s issues and needs; and 2) it frees us up to take housing mixers to many more communities.

As you might imagine, this is just the beginning. Because we are working at the household level, if we get this right (and I’m confident that we will) many related issues – child care, elder care, nutrition, health, education, loneliness, et al, will fall into place. We are at the forefront of making a significant improvement in how people are housed and designing this as a template that could be used anywhere in the country. Your contribution empowers this shift.

Please stay tuned and stay in touch – I love talking about this. Thank you again for your contribution which we will put to very good use. As New Community Vision is not yet a nonprofit, IOBY is acting as our fiscal agent and your contribution is tax deductible. If you didn’t receive the e-mail acknowledging your tax deductible gift, please let me know and I’ll make sure that you get that right away.

Sincerely,

Terry Edlin

Many donors are anonymous but please know how grateful I am for your support. If I can help you in any way, please let me know. Your contribution will be put to very good use as we work to create opportunities for everyone to live in housing that is safe, secure and harmonious! 

Hi Everybody, 

I'm so encouraged by your support for this project. Your contribution will go toward website and database development. Also I'm talking with people to organize this as a nonprofit cooperative, a sturday platform that will attract talented people to contribute to a cause that can change the way we think about housing. This will give many more people a shot at housing that is safe, sociable and that they can afford. Think what a difference that will make. 

With gratitude and heartfelt thanks, 

Terry Edlin

Thanks, Mary. I appreciate your support. I feel optimistic that this is going to work and will help a lot of people.