Why I Give: Frank
WHY I GIVE: FRANK
Housing Up is excited to introduce “Why I Give”, a spotlight series on our monthly donors. Learn who they are and about their motivations to give. Recurring donations offer support to the families we serve and gives Housing Up the gift of long-term planning. With monthly funds from generous supporters like you, we can commit to new and exciting projects that benefit our clients, knowing we have recurring revenue to support them.
Tell me a bit about your journey with us at Housing Up and why you got involved.
Housing Up represents a strong local organization taking on and making marked progress in reducing housing insecurity and increasing family stabilization. As a housing finance professional, my experiences included working with the full continuum of housing issues, where my thoughts were always drawn to the fundamental role of housing as a platform for financial and community stability. My good friend introduced me to the organization, the work, and the opportunity to support. Support has included serving on the Board for over 15 years and as interim executive director. Housing Up staff have consistently committed themselves to leveraging best practices and caring support for the most vulnerable households in our community. Ending homelessness happens one family at a time, and while income inequality guarantees housing insecurity will continuously result in newly homeless households, Housing Up shows a way forward to reduce the duration, severity and recurrence of homelessness.
What made you want to become a recurring, monthly donor to Housing Up?
Housing Up needs continuous community support. Adding monthly donations to my annual donations for Living in the City focused my thoughts on the ongoing work. A recurring donation also provides a cash flow-managed approach to increasing the amount.
What has been your favorite memory at Housing Up?
Housing Up grew into its current role incrementally, with an initial parishioner bequest acquiring a building, teams of volunteers working on the original buildings, and parishes supplying units to the families entering the supportive housing program. That level of community commitment continues with mentors, financial supporters and advocacy for continuing the path.
What would you say to someone, maybe a fellow young person, who is considering becoming a recurring donor to Housing Up?
Housing insecurity is a daily challenge for thousands of our neighbors. Helping the community support families as they take on these challenges, build a foundation to overcome structural inequalities, and get control of their futures really needs the whole village to see and support this continuous effort. Our monthly household budgets can find room to help make the journey to stability feasible. Limiting donations to annual, tax season, or other events limits what you can think you comfortably do, while budgeting modest amounts monthly smooths out donor and Housing Up management.