2025 Second Quarter Report
Dear Faithworks Board and Advisory Board Members, and Friends,
A good word to summarize Faithworks' experience this quarter is "dynamic"... defined as " motion tending toward productive activity." In my update for the first quarter of 2025, I referenced the significance of Virginia Housing after Faithworks' activity had expanded into the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Our mission is to come alongside and assist nonprofits and congregations that seek to develop housing, community facilities, and programs that serve individuals and households in need. Virginia Housing has been a tremendous enabler of that goal!
Virginia Housing (also known as "VHDA") has strengthened Faithworks (and many other housing organizations) with its experience, network of relationships, and financial resources. When Faithworks began to work in the NSV in 2011-12, we connected with Virginia Housing and received grants to work with local housing and organizational development experts. I was introduced to the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC) and met a number of nonprofit and government leaders who were focused on community development. I also met Sandi Webster, and we decided to join her counseling and financial support with Faithworks' community development activity. Soon, Faithworks had offices in Front Royal and Winchester. Before long, the NSVRC board granted Faithworks certified Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) status which has provided HUD resources in support of our housing development work.
Those who have received our quarterly updates for a while are aware of the number of different projects we have tackled in the NSV, some small and some fairly large. When Rob Seidel became a Faithworks team member, our CHDO capacity was significantly expanded. Frank Curbeira, our Virginia Housing officer, recognized this and, while our clear focus remains in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, we are now invited to provide CHDO support to other nonprofit developers throughout the Commonwealth.
Our major project with Shenandoah Fellowship Foundation, to create a second "Winchester House" for low-income seniors has recently focused on a new site. As always, thoughtful, respectful dialogue will continue with the City of Winchester, neighbors, and the representatives of SFF member congregations. This process, often called "community engagement", is a key to virtually every successful 501(c)3 project. It has always been, and will remain at the heart of Faithworks' way of operating.
A powerful example of "community engagement" took place this quarter in the Town of Front Royal where Faithworks is currently working with the Hike Family Foundation on a housing project. The envisioned project would require a zoning ordinance amendment - no small task. Much predevelopment planning had occurred and the day came for a public hearing about the amendment. Sincere concerns were expressed by some citizens. (It's important to understand that "NIMBY" reactions are often based on legitimate questions and concerns of neighbors and local officials who need to understand the benefits that a project, done well, could bring to their neighborhood. I was asked to give testimony and briefly described the purpose of a certified Community Housing Development Organization (Faithworks is one of only two "CHDO"s based in the NSV). I briefly explained how community development standards must fully honor the Town's requirements, and that any project would be designed, built and operated to meet those standards. There was real surprise when the ordinance passed with only one "no" vote. The one dissenting member and I had a cordial conversation after the meeting.
Our project with Family Promise NSV to develop their first residential community continues to move forward, and they have recently hired a highly-qualified E.D. who is well-prepared to play an instrumental role
Another significant accomplishment this quarter was a Faithworks future-focused, Virginia Housing-sponsored 2025-2030 Strategic Planning Session facilitated by VH-approved consultant Erima Fobbs. Erima has previously worked with us on several major Faithworks-focused, and other multi-group community planning sessions. This was a well-attended session involving Faithworks' board and staff members, and a number of persons who are engaged in various aspects of our community development activity and related services. The session, 1. assessed our History and Finances, 2. engaged us in "Visioning", 3. facilitated a "Reality Check & Implications for Strategies", 4. identified "Key Initiatives to advance each Strategic Priority", and 5. established a two-year schedule for implementation planning. One key aspect of this planning is the awareness that I am getting older and, while I love and still feel called to this work, it is time from Faithworks' perspective to be strategically intentional about "succession planning". The goal is for Faithworks' mission to continue in a way that truly serves our community well.
Please don't hesitate to be in touch with any questions or suggestions this update may inspire. We are always grateful for your candid input.
Bob
