Photo: AHC Inc. celebrates 2016 Housing Hall of Fame honorees at 40th Anniversary Celebration. Front row, left to right: Dr. Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.; Patricia McGrady; J. Walter Tejada; and Rick Nelson. Back row, left to right: Walter D. Webdale, AHC Inc. President and CEO; Mike Ebrahimi, Harkins Builders; Dick Lombardo, Harkins Builders; Mike Mallow, Harkins Builders; Gary Garofalo, Harkins Builders; and Justin Oliver, AHC Inc. Board Chair.
October 14, 2016
More than 300 supporters joined AHC Inc. to celebrate its 40th Anniversary this fall. The event highlighted the organization’s growth and achievements, honored five new Housing Hall of Fame members, celebrated student winners who submitted winning essays and art work, and elected AHC Board members. “Our 40th Anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate all those who have helped AHC over the years – our supporters, donors, volunteers, community partners and advocates – preserve and build affordable, stable homes for those in most need, ” said Walter D. Webdale, AHC Inc. President and CEO. “We’re thrilled to direct the event proceeds to our Resident Services program, which serves more than 2,000 youth, senior citizens and families each year.”
Since its founding in Arlington, VA, AHC has developed more than 7,000 quality affordable apartments; touched thousands of children, families and senior citizens through its Resident Services programs; and expanded beyond its Arlington roots to also serve communities in Alexandria, Fairfax, Montgomery County, Baltimore and Washington, DC. AHC Milestones.
To commemorate the event, AHC named four individuals and an organization to its Housing Hall of Fame. Founded in 2001, AHC’s Housing Hall of Fame honors individuals and organizations for their vision, dedication and advocacy on behalf of affordable housing.
The 2016 honorees include Dr. Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr., Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington; Patricia McGrady, decades-long affordable housing activist and volunteer; Rick Nelson, former Director of Montgomery County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs; J. Walter Tejada, former Arlington County Board member; and Harkins Builders, long-time AHC Inc. business partner and supporter.
“AHC is proud to celebrate such an exemplary group of visionaries and supporters,” said Justin Oliver, AHC Board Chair. “It truly takes a village to provide affordable housing. Our honorees represent the community partners, volunteers, local government, elected officials, and business partners that are all critical to bringing affordable housing to life. Your commitment is what enables AHC to successfully continue building homes and futures. We are truly grateful for your support and honored to include you in our Housing Hall of Fame.”
The event also highlighted six students who submitted winning essays and artwork based on the themes of “How AHC’s Community Centers Affected My Life” and “The Place I Call Home.”
“The youngsters who live in AHC’s communities are the heart and soul of our programs,” explained Ginger Briggs Brown, former AHC Inc. Board member, who presented the children’s awards. “It is their futures we are working so hard to strengthen. Tonight we applaud their creative achievements.”
The Essay Contest winners include Jennifer Arevalo (First Place), Sara Berhe (Second Place) and Jennifer Rivera (Third Place). Art Contest winners are: Michelle Orellana (First Place), Angel Barrera (Second Place) and Loren Bonilla (Third Place). Read more.
During the event, attendees also re-elected four AHC Board members, David Barsky, Jason Dalley, Justin Oliver and John Snyder. C.C. Jenkins, a long-time AHC supporter and prior Board member, was elected to return to the Board. Gladis Bourdouane, who joined the AHC Board in 2011, retired from the Board and was celebrated for her service and commitment.
About AHC Inc.
AHC Inc., a nonprofit developer based in Arlington, VA, builds and preserves affordable and mixed-income housing in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. Since 1975, AHC has developed more than 8,200 apartments in the mid-Atlantic region, including 3,400 in Arlington. AHC’s Resident Services program reaches thousands of children, teens, adults, and seniors each year through onsite education and social service programs and activities.
Media Contact: Jennifer K. Smith, Director of Communications, jennifer.smith@ahcinc.org/ 703-486‑0626 x1118