MIAMI VALLEY HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

LATE SUMMER 2021

From the CEO - Debbie Watts Robinson 

Dear friends of MVHO,

I am proud to lead this organization that is serving with dignity. Not only is MVHO working to meet the housing needs of vulnerable citizens in our community, but we are also taking the necessary steps to improve the quality of life for the tenants we serve. MVHO makes every effort to identify and remove obstacles to tenant success, housing stability, and self-dependence. We are pleased the strong donor support for the MVHO 30th Anniversary Campaign is helping remove the barriers our tenants face to everyday essentials such as personal hygiene products and household cleaning supplies. In early November, we will have the ribbon cutting at General Franklin on the VA campus to celebrate the renovation of this permanent supportive housing site.  MVHO tenants are enjoying moving back into fully updated apartments in this historic building! 

I invite you to read Veronica’s story of how her life changed with stable housing and the right kind of support. And, how MVHO is meeting tenants’ needs with an on-site food pantry. MVHO also celebrates the involvement of tenants, like Harlan, highlighted in the Tenant Shout Out.

The MVHO mission remains steadfast since our humble beginning in 1991. As we commemorate 30 years as a nonprofit, MVHO recognizes it takes a team of people working for the good of the community to have a positive impact. Thank you to the MVHO staff, donors, community partners, and volunteers who provide inspiration and give generously of their time and financial support!

Take care,

Debbie

"Improving Quality of Life" 

30th Anniversary Campaign

With financial support from the community for the 30th Anniversary Campaign, MVHO provides everyday essentials to improve the quality of life for our tenants and clients. Personal hygiene products and household cleaning supplies are purchased in bulk and assembled into kits for our tenants. The ongoing project is making a positive impact on both the tenants and staff. "This makes me so happy! Being able to do this for our tenants is a good part of my job!" exclaimed Tory, MVHO Tenant Services Specialist.

MVHO Tenant Services Specialist Tory is all smiles and ready to deliver a tenant kit

Tenant Shout Out and Staff Spotlight!

We couldn't manage the behind the scenes action of the 30th Anniversary Campaign without a great team! We are so grateful to Brad in MVHO maintenance who built sturdy shelves and MVHO tenant, Harlan, who is always ready to help move boxes and organize supplies. Thanks, guys! 

MVHO tenant Harlan (l) and Brad from MVHO Maintenance (r) are ready to lend a hand!

MVHO Celebrates 30 Years! 1991 - 2021

Hygiene is not a luxury. The inability to shower with shampoo or soap is a reality for many people in poverty and crisis. They often experience restricted options, such as not having laundry detergent.  By supporting the MVHO 30th Anniversary Campaign, you will help improve the quality of life for the vulnerable citizens entrusted to our care. Your gift of $60 supplies one tenant with six months of personal hygiene and household cleaning products. $300 provides five tenants access to the basics they need. Please consider making your donation a recurring gift! 

Improvements at Historic General Franklin

Fall 2021 is the official grand opening of a major renovation project. The ribbon cutting is on schedule for early November at General Franklin. This building once housed the MVHO administrative offices and is a longtime MVHO housing program. The building improvements made it possible to add more units plus keep the historical integrity of the building. 

MVHO CEO Debbie Watts Robinson and team check out the major renovation at the historic General Franklin building on the VA campus. The ribbon cutting will be early November. 

MVHO Taught Me to Live Again 

∼ Veronica's Story ∼

I was living place to place and then with a girlfriend until she passed away.  Drugs were my friends.  Until then, I wasn’t ready or willing to change. It was 2008, and I was staying at the shelter on Apple St. It was then that I got to know Tammy* from MVHO. Tammy said I could move to MVHO housing on the VA campus into a unit for two females. I said I couldn't because my boyfriend didn’t want me to move into housing where he couldn’t live with me. Tammy said he is not your friend if he stands between you and housing. I needed that harsh, brutal honesty. Before this, I had no one to talk to, never had a place to myself.  Tammy and MVHO gave me a chance.  After I heard Tammy, I had hope.  I prayed to the Lord that if He helped me stay clean from drugs for three days I would make it.  And I have.  It was a process. I have stayed clean from drugs since October 7, 2008. But, MVHO made it simple because I got so much support. My two daughters were there for the lease signing. That was important to me. 

After I moved into housing, I started watching my grandson when he was six months old while my daughter worked.  He was my helper. I got to love on him, and he kept me balanced. My second and third grandsons became a part of my life, and they kept me grounded.  In 2017, due to family circumstances, I had legal custody of three grandsons.  MVHO was there for me again, and they moved me into a house.  All of us have beds, a roof over our heads, and food. It was simply the act of God.

I love MVHO. I came back to life because they touched my soul. I have been with MVHO for such a long time. Tammy helped me. Now, Charles (MVHO Tenant Services Specialist) helps me. MVHO is renovating my home, and my grandsons are doing well.  MVHO taught me to live again!

*Sadly, Tammy Ackerman passed away in 2019.

MVHO tenant Veronica (l) with MVHO Tenant Services Specialist Charles (r) 

Recycling Program and Food Pantry

MVHO is making improvements at  River Commons to benefit the tenants and the planet! The additions of a food pantry and recycling program are just two of the latest projects. "We established a food pantry in the building because so many of our tenants do not have transportation," said Property Manager Daisy. "We also started a recycling program using containers supplied by partner agency, Homefull. The proceeds from the recycling program will fund tenant activities. 

MVHO CEO Debbie Watts Robinson gets a tour of the new food pantry at River Commons from Property Manager Daisy.

MVHO Recipient of National Park Service's

African American Civil Rights Grant

The National Park service awards MVHO a $53,930 grant for The Opportunity Center to help preserve sites and history related to the African American struggle for equality.  The Opportunity Center, formerly the West Dayton YMCA built in the 1920's, now houses the MVHO administrative offices. "It has a rich history and was a mainstay in the Black community for years," said MVHO CEO Debbie Watts Robinson.  The money awarded will go to the initial planning stages for improvements including developing plans for a new HVAC system and roof.   

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Support MVHO When You Shop

When you shop at Kroger, Dorothy Lane Market, or on Amazon, you can support MVHO. Sign up to use AmazonSmile and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the eligible purchases to MVHO.  You can select MVHO as your charity choice for Kroger Community Rewards and DLM Good Neighbor Program. Each time you shop and swipe your rewards card, your purchases count toward a donation!