As part of NeighborWorks Weeks, NeighborWorks® America staff members joined organizations across the country to speak, volunteer and celebrate. This visit to a network organization in Arlington, Virginia, gave staff a chance to participate together.
Staff from NeighborWorks America paid a visit to Affordable Homes & Communities in Arlington, Virgina, this week as part of their volunteering effort during this year’s NeighborWorks Weeks celebration. Traditionally, NeighborWorks Week has always been observed the first full week of June, but this year the national celebration was expanded to two full weeks of groundbr
eaking activities, block parties, painting parties, neighborhood celebrations, homebuyer education and more. But even as the NeighborWorks weeks celebration come to an end, the community building and impact continue.
AHC’s Laura Jackson, program manager of Volunteer Resources, underscored the importance of events and partnerships such as this, to not only grow the communities they serve but to give firsthand experience with nonprofits to staff. “Volunteers are making snack bags for the students in our elementary school program, and they're making graduation gift bags for the high school seniors in our College and Career Readiness Program. It really brings them together. It's a nice touch that we're able to give these things to our students in moments of joy and celebration,” she said.
Tasked with coloring snack bags for the students, NeighborWorks Chief Financial Officer Kemba Esmond said moments such as these create strong bonds. “It's so important for us to get out of the office every now and again, and not only to give back, but to be able to engage with one of our local network organizations. We're so excited to be here. For me personally, it's important to take advantage of opportunities to give back to our community, and I'm so happy to do it with all my coworkers today,” she said. 
According to Tayna Frett, NeighborWorks' senior vice president, Administrative Services and Facilities, this marked her fourth time participating in NeighborWorks Weeks, and she's always found the events uplifting. “I come from humble beginnings myself, and so it's important to have opportunities that remind you why what we do is so important.”
Ylana James, a NeighborWorks Summer Scholar and student from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, described her experience as fun and relaxing. Just like many of her fellow interns, this was her first time being introduced to affordable housing and community development. “I had many questions about affordable housing, and they were answered during my visit and even stemmed more questions. Affordable housing isn't boxed in; it is a community effort." And when people work together, she added, great things can be accomplished.
NeighborWorks Weeks traces its origins to 1983, when Congress established Neighborhood Housing Week to recognize the work of community-based housing organizations. Today, observance continues to spotlight the impact of the NeighborWorks network and its commitment to expanding housing opportunities nationwide.
Volunteers didn’t just show up in Arlington; they showed up in nearly 200 communities across the U.S. Every bag packed, every wall painted, every moment volunteered is a proof that strong communities are built by hand. Be part of it next year!
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