Join us for a one-hour tour of our mission at MHP properties in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Wheaton. Get a schedule and learn more here.
MHP is opposing “public charge” regulation changes proposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that could damage immigrant communities by spreading confusion and prompting families not to seek help with health care, housing, and other needs out of fear.
Under the proposal, if authorities determine an individual is “likely to become a public charge,” they may deny that person’s application for lawful permanent residence or their entry into the U.S. The new proposal would broaden the programs that the federal government would consider in making public charge determinations to include health, nutrition, and housing programs that previously were not considered. The proposed rule could prevent legal immigrants and families with children from accessing public assistance for affordable housing.
In comments submitted to DHS’ U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, MHP President Robert Goldman described some of the negative impacts already being observed in communities served by MHP. “For example, our staff has spoken with parents of U.S.-born citizen children who are reluctant to apply for Medicaid for their sons or daughters out of fear that it could lead to their family being separated down the line. Parents are making difficult, if not impossible, choices that could harm their children’s health based on fear. This rule change will negatively impact the health and well-being of untold number of children, as well as that of the broader community.”
He challenged the stereotype that immigrants come to the United States looking for handouts. “Contrary to the myth that public assistance fosters a dependency on government, we have found that our residents who benefit from government programs want to lift themselves out of poverty. The proposed rule change is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the motivations for migration. Immigrants don’t aspire to receive public assistance, they aspire to achieve the American Dream: to get an education and create a better life for themselves and their families through hard work.”
The full text of the comments is available here.
At a recent MHP event, Catherine Leggett, former first lady of Montgomery County, described the security that home brings and the importance of MHP’s mission to make home possible for more than 1,700 area families:
The Bonifant, an 11-story, 149-unit building providing housing to seniors in downtown Silver Spring, is the first residential property built alongside a public-use facility in Montgomery County, the Silver Spring library. It is
part of growing efforts to use county-owned land to increase the supply of affordable housing available to low-income residents. Working with Montgomery County through a unique public-private partnership, MHP and the Donohoe Companies constructed The Bonifant to give seniors an opportunity to blend city living with affordability. The Bonifant is a modern, affordable apartment community designed for seniors who wish to age in place with easy access to services and amenities and many opportunities to participate in programming focused
The Bonifant project won the National Affordable Housing Management Association’s Vanguard Award for New Construction (Large). The Vanguard award recognizes newly developed or significantly rehabbed affordable multifamily housing communities that showcase high-quality design and resourceful financing. The award shines a spotlight on projects that serve as proof that affordable housing that is done well can transform neighborhoods, as well as the lives of individual residents.
That’s not all. The Bonifant also has received the following recognition:
- Community Impact Award from the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
- Capital One Architectural Design Award
- Finalist, Urban Land Institute of Washington Trends Award, Impact category
- First Place Architecture Award for New Construction, awarded by Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County
- NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association), DC/MD Chapter, Award of Excellence – Best Multi-Family – Montgomery County
- Maryland Building Industry Association’s Land Development Council Community Development Award
The 2018 Glenville Road community Fall Festival featured food, music, dancing, games, arts and crafts, prizes, a moon bounce and a great sense of community.
Check out this video.
In so many ways, Kony is what MHP is all about. As a young child, she grew up in an MHP home attending MHP afterschool programs. When she was old enough, she volunteered at the same programs. After high school, Kony worked as an Americorps member supporting MHP enrichment programs. Now, she is an employee, serving as the site manager for one of MHP’s community life programs. Through it all, with support and guidance from MHP staff, she aspired, inspired and overcame challenges that she didn’t let stop her. Get to know Kony — take a look at MHP’s latest annual report.
We are proud to be part of Community Development Network of Maryland‘s 2018 Community Development Week, which features an Oct. 23 panel discussion about opportunity zones and a tour of MHP’s The Bonifant, new affordable senior housing in Silver Spring. The event starts at 9:45am at the Silver Spring Library, 900 Wayne Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. All are welcome. Get detailed info and register here.
Young students in MHP enrichment programs are exploring nature thanks to a partnership with the Audubon Naturalist Society.
Take a look at this video.
MHP is holding a free training session on facilitating and taking notes at a focus group. After the training, you will get the opportunity to practice your skills at one of our sites!
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 7, 3 pm – 6 pm
WHERE: Great Hope Homes Community Center, 1081 Good Hope Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20905
Register here. Get a flyer here.
Contact MHP’s Naudia Porter with questions: (301) 812- 4146 or mporter@mhpartners.org.
Learn How to Facilitate a Focus Group
As the weather gets warmer, I can’t help but think of the adventures I enjoyed during the summer when growing up. Swimming at the pool. Going to the beach with my parents. Playing Capture the Flag at Camp Letts. Visiting the Air and Space Museum with the first IMAX movies. I had so much fun!
How did you spend the summers when you were a kid?
For children from low-income families, summers can be hard.
The stability of the school year, with a set schedule, warm meal at school, and, hopefully, a solid afterschool program, is interrupted. Their parents have to continue to work hard, two or three jobs, to make ends meet. Budget for family vacations, trips, or camps just isn’t a part of the equation.
I want to make sure children we serve have the fun summer memories like you and I. Will you help me?
At MHP, with the generous support from donors like you, we provide summer camps for low-income children as part of our Community Life programs. We focus on academics, making sure children don’t lose the knowledge they worked so hard to gain during the school year. But we also want to bring them the exciting experiences you and I enjoyed.
We take them to the pool. The Zoo. The Air and Space Museum. The Agricultural History Farm Park. They crave these experiences, and I strongly believe they need them. They have fun, and they learn a great deal without even knowing it.
It costs about $500 to take a class of children on a field trip. It doesn’t sound like that much, but with thirteen classes across seven community centers, and ideally a weekly field trip for each, the cost adds up.
If you donate $500 today, your gift will allow a class of 24 children to visit a museum, explore a new park, or spend a hot summer day at the pool. You will allow them to have the summer they dream of, and that their parents can’t otherwise afford.
One of our site coordinators just recently told me: “Our last summer program the kids were extremely excited because we took them to the Air and Space Museum. They got the opportunity to put their hands on the moon rock and learn about the history of aviation and space travel. I am hoping that experiences like this will inspire them to become our future generation of pilots and astronauts.”
And I agree. With your support, we will be able to provide more experiences like this and help to show our children the opportunities that may lie ahead of them. But they need us to be there for them. Today, and every day.
Thank you for your generosity.
Gratefully,
Robert A. Goldman, Esq.
President
Please Click Here To Make A Donation Today
