The Jerry Grier Scholarship Program was founded in 2014 by the Ohio Capital Impact Corporation (OCIC), an affiliate of the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH). The program was named after longtime OCCH board member, Jerry Grier, and is administered by the nonprofit organization, I Know I Can. Applicants have the opportunity to apply to both a tuition and performance-based scholarship. The tuition scholarship can award up to $8,000 per academic school year to help cover tuition costs. While the performance-based scholarship, can award up to $2,000 per academic school year to assist with student-related expenditures, such as textbooks, laptops and other course requirements.
Jessica Smith, Wallick resident and Jerry Grier Scholarship recipient, recently graduated from Morehead State University with a 4.0 GPA and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Read more about Jessica’s college experience and her plans for after graduation in her personal statement below.
My name is Jessica Smith and I am a 39-year-old divorced mother of two wonderful teenage children, Kaitlyn and Kaleb. I just recently graduated from Morehead State University (MSU) in December 2016 with my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). My journey with higher education started shortly after my divorce in 2011. I originally wanted to study to be a Respiratory Therapist, but after taking two biology classes, I started to question my career choice. I went to my college advisor at Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) and told her about my concerns. I was also worried about the commute to Morehead State University’s main campus in Morehead, KY, which I had to make in order to complete the respiratory therapy program. My advisor then told me about MSU’s Ashland Campus and their social work program. So, I signed up for a couple of social work electives, loved them, and then smoothly transitioned into MSU’s social work program after my graduation at ACTC in May 2014, when I obtained my Associate of Arts (AA). I chose social work because social services helped me get to where I am today. Yes, I needed social services, but I didn’t take them as a handout, I used them as a hand up. Living here at Lawrence Village apartments gave me the ability to give my children safe and affordable housing, which alleviated a lot of stress. I worked very hard to make sure I got this degree, not only to become more self-sufficient myself, but to also learn how to effectively help others reach self-sufficiency as well. It’s just as rewarding to me to see others achieve self-sufficiency and reach goals, as it is for me to reach those same things.
In January 2015, I was officially accepted, after a challenging selection process, into MSU’s Bachelor of Social Work Program at their Ashland campus. I was one of 36 individuals chosen out of 70-some that applied for the program. We were the first group to go through this selection process and were called “The Chosen Ones”. Knowing that alone, boosted my confidence even more and motivated me to do the best I could in this program. My GPA soared from a 2.8 to a 4.0 after my first two semesters in the program. I had a close knit cohort and amazing faculty and professors to help get me through this program. With all the assignments we had, my cohort got to practice the skills we were learning together, on each other. We got constructive criticism not only from professors, but also from each other and it was the best learning experience I’ve ever had. Getting my Bachelor of Social Work was by far one of the most rewarding experiences of my life other than having my two children. They were one of my main motivations to make this change in my life.
Throughout my college experience I received several awards: Graduate Dean’s Scholar, Lola Crosthwaite Scholarship, and the Jerry Grier OCIC Scholarship. The Jerry Grier Scholarship was a huge help and covered all of my tuition my last semester plus my books. It was a huge relief to not have to add more debt onto what I had already incurred. Now that I have graduated, I am currently working on obtaining my social work licensure (LSW) and also waiting for an assessment to potentially obtain employment with the state of Ohio, working for Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, which helps Ohioans with disabilities obtain employment and reach self-sufficiency. I’ve also interviewed with several other jobs as well. I would also like to obtain my master’s degree in social work (MSW) after I get a couple years of work experience. My ultimate goal is to eventually become a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).
–Jessica Smith, Morehead State University Graduate & Resident at Lawrence Village
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Congratulations! Jessica Smith, Wallick Resident & Jerry Grier Scholarship Recipient, Graduates from Morehead State University
The Jerry Grier Scholarship Program was founded in 2014 by the Ohio Capital Impact Corporation (OCIC), an affiliate of the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH). The program was named after longtime OCCH board member, Jerry Grier, and is administered by the nonprofit organization, I Know I Can. Applicants have the opportunity to apply to both a tuition and performance-based scholarship. The tuition scholarship can award up to $8,000 per academic school year to help cover tuition costs. While the performance-based scholarship, can award up to $2,000 per academic school year to assist with student-related expenditures, such as textbooks, laptops and other course requirements.
Jessica Smith, Wallick resident and Jerry Grier Scholarship recipient, recently graduated from Morehead State University with a 4.0 GPA and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Read more about Jessica’s college experience and her plans for after graduation in her personal statement below.
My name is Jessica Smith and I am a 39-year-old divorced mother of two wonderful teenage children, Kaitlyn and Kaleb. I just recently graduated from Morehead State University (MSU) in December 2016 with my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). My journey with higher education started shortly after my divorce in 2011. I originally wanted to study to be a Respiratory Therapist, but after taking two biology classes, I started to question my career choice. I went to my college advisor at Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) and told her about my concerns. I was also worried about the commute to Morehead State University’s main campus in Morehead, KY, which I had to make in order to complete the respiratory therapy program. My advisor then told me about MSU’s Ashland Campus and their social work program. So, I signed up for a couple of social work electives, loved them, and then smoothly transitioned into MSU’s social work program after my graduation at ACTC in May 2014, when I obtained my Associate of Arts (AA). I chose social work because social services helped me get to where I am today. Yes, I needed social services, but I didn’t take them as a handout, I used them as a hand up. Living here at Lawrence Village apartments gave me the ability to give my children safe and affordable housing, which alleviated a lot of stress. I worked very hard to make sure I got this degree, not only to become more self-sufficient myself, but to also learn how to effectively help others reach self-sufficiency as well. It’s just as rewarding to me to see others achieve self-sufficiency and reach goals, as it is for me to reach those same things.
In January 2015, I was officially accepted, after a challenging selection process, into MSU’s Bachelor of Social Work Program at their Ashland campus. I was one of 36 individuals chosen out of 70-some that applied for the program. We were the first group to go through this selection process and were called “The Chosen Ones”. Knowing that alone, boosted my confidence even more and motivated me to do the best I could in this program. My GPA soared from a 2.8 to a 4.0 after my first two semesters in the program. I had a close knit cohort and amazing faculty and professors to help get me through this program. With all the assignments we had, my cohort got to practice the skills we were learning together, on each other. We got constructive criticism not only from professors, but also from each other and it was the best learning experience I’ve ever had. Getting my Bachelor of Social Work was by far one of the most rewarding experiences of my life other than having my two children. They were one of my main motivations to make this change in my life.
Throughout my college experience I received several awards: Graduate Dean’s Scholar, Lola Crosthwaite Scholarship, and the Jerry Grier OCIC Scholarship. The Jerry Grier Scholarship was a huge help and covered all of my tuition my last semester plus my books. It was a huge relief to not have to add more debt onto what I had already incurred. Now that I have graduated, I am currently working on obtaining my social work licensure (LSW) and also waiting for an assessment to potentially obtain employment with the state of Ohio, working for Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, which helps Ohioans with disabilities obtain employment and reach self-sufficiency. I’ve also interviewed with several other jobs as well. I would also like to obtain my master’s degree in social work (MSW) after I get a couple years of work experience. My ultimate goal is to eventually become a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).
–Jessica Smith, Morehead State University Graduate & Resident at Lawrence Village
Carriage Hill Receives Great Deal of Support After Fire Destroys Building 12
On Sunday, February 26 at approximately 4 p.m., a fire was reported at Building 12 of Carriage Hill Apartments in Athens, Ohio. The building’s roof and third floor were destroyed, while the rest of the building sustained extensive water damage. The fire was contained by 8:30 p.m., however, Athens Fire Department remained on the scene through the night to maintain flare-ups. Unfortunately, the building and its contents are at a total loss and will be demolished in the coming weeks.
Thankfully, no serious injuries occurred, although one person was treated for smoke inhalation. Ohio University (OU) opened the doors of Baker University Center to serve as a warming station on Sunday evening. On Monday, OU and Athens’ communities rallied to collect food, clothing and other essentials for the residents, who lost their possessions to the fire.
American Red Cross also extended their services by providing food, clothing, temporary shelter and emotional support to the residents of the 24 apartment homes that were lost. Additionally, OU’s Housing and Residence Life will work with the students, faculty and staff member affected by the fire, while the American Red Cross will continue to assist the rest of Building 12’s residents.
We would like to recognize Wallick team members Rowe Shockley, Layne Hurst, Mitch Rubin, Ashley Castle and others for their quick actions.
We would also like to thank Ohio University, American Red Cross of Southeast Ohio, the Athens Fire Department and everyone else who tirelessly helped during this time of need. We will keep those affected by the fire at Carriage Hill in our thoughts, as we continue to assess damages and plan for the future.
Amy Albery and Bill Hinga Represent Wallick Communities at Annual Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition Meeting
At the end of January, Amy Albery, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, and Senior Vice President Bill Hinga represented Wallick Communities at the annual Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) meeting.
The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition is a trade organization made up of developers, investors, lenders, and for-profit and nonprofit attorneys and accountants, who use legislative outreach and education to advocate for affordable rental housing, financed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). The Housing Credit is a public-private partnership that addresses the nation’s affordable housing needs. Since 1986, the Housing Credit program has financed nearly 3 million low-income units nationwide for families, seniors, veterans, and those with special needs. Over 128,000 of those units are located in Ohio.
On the meeting’s first day, Amy served as a panel member for the session “Promoting the Housing Credit in the New Congress and Administration”. During the discussion, she described the strategy behind Wallick’s grand re-openings of tax credit communities and the efforts used to attract Congressional members to participate in these events. The photo above, shows Amy Albery along with a presentation depicting U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan, of Ohio’s 4th District, at Fostoria Townhomes.
“During grand re-opening events, the inclusion of all business partners, who worked together to make these communities a reality, is the most successful way of fully explaining the importance of affordable housing to federal representatives. It’s about creating a story, that ends with a resident settling into their new home.”
— Amy Albery, SVP of Asset Management
The AHTCC annual meeting covered several other relevant topics as well, such as the latest issues impacting tax credit investors, how the outcome of the election could affect the Housing Credit program, and how to handle challenging questions from members of Congress, media and other sources.
If you would like to learn more about the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, please visit www.taxcreditcoalition.org.
Thank you Amy Albery and Bill Hinga for representing Wallick Communities at the AHTCC annual meeting. All of your efforts and dedication toward advocacy are greatly appreciated.
Mothers of Roll Hill Community Come Together to Tackle Infant Mortality in Hamilton County
On February 13, the Villages at Roll Hill opened the doors of their community room to nonprofit organization, Cradle Cincinnati, to assist with the creation of billboards promoting safe sleeping habits for infants. Cradle Cincinnati nurses, staff from children’s hospital and mothers from Roll Hill all came together to develop these billboards, which will be placed in 52 neighborhoods across Hamilton County.
Cradle Cincinnati is a nonprofit organization funded by the Hamilton County Health Department. The program began 3 years ago, when Hamilton County was rated as one of the United States’ 231 counties with the highest infant mortality rate. On average, for every 1,000 live births in Hamilton County, around 9 infants do not survive to see their first birthday. To achieve their goal of decreasing the infant mortality rate in Hamilton County, Cradle Cincinnati focuses on promoting safe sleeping arrangements for babies, reducing tobacco use and other substance abuse during pregnancy and encouraging the expansion of time between each woman’s pregnancy to prevent prematurity. The Villages at Roll Hill were one of the very first communities to welcome Cradle Cincinnati, when the program first started. Roll Hill will continue to work with Cradle Cincinnati by hosting educational monthly workshops at their community.
Cradle Cincinnati also works to provide pack n’ plays, so mothers and fathers-to-be can setup a safe sleeping space for their baby. The organization operates a diaper bank as well, which distributes diapers to community centers across Hamilton County and even delivers diapers straight to the homes of parents.
If you would like to learn more about Cradle Cincinnati, please visit www.cradlecincinnati.org. Thank you to everyone who participated in the creation of the billboards. Your efforts to promote the wellness and safety of infants are greatly appreciated.
Also, if you are in the Cincinnati area, don’t forget to look out for the Safe Sleep Billboards that will be located in the following areas from March 6 to April 2.
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Wallick Communities Welcomes Marian Jones
Wallick Communities welcomes Marian Jones, Vice President of Talent and Organizational Development. In this role, she is responsible for the strategic leadership of the Human Resources Department.
Marian brings with her a successful track record in strategic business consulting, process improvement, recruitment, employee relations, talent development and service excellence.
Prior to joining Wallick, Marian was a Director and Interim Regional Chief Human Resources Officer for Trinity Health/Mount Carmel Health. She has held progressive human resources roles in diverse industries including MS Consultants, Scotts, Nationwide, Ashland, Banc One, Borden and the Timken Company. She has served as an adjunct Human Resources faculty member at Franklin University since 2003.
Marian is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Wheeling Jesuit University and a Master’s Degree in Economic/Labor and Industrial Relations from the University of Akron. She is a long-time member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Human Resources Association of Central Ohio, and has served on various boards and advisory committees.
Marian and her husband, Shreve, reside in Columbus and have four children. She enjoys being involved in various community activities, teaching, spending time with family and gardening.
Grand Re-Opening and Renovations of Taylor Ridge Apartments
Independence KY – Federal, state and local officials and development partners gathered on Thursday to cut the ceremonial ribbon at Taylor Ridge, an affordable apartment community in Independence, Kentucky.
Attendees included: Shane Noem on behalf of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell; Chris Moriconi, Independence City Administrator; Howard Wallick, Co-Owner of Wallick Communities; Jeremy Ratliff, Managing Director of Multifamily Program at Kentucky Housing Corp.; Stephanie Brown, Vice President of City Real Estate Advisors; Jeffery Banker, Vice President, Lancaster Pollard; and Kevin Donovan, Vice President, Fifth-Third Bank.
The $14 million rehabilitation includes energy efficiency improvements throughout; new kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances; new bathroom vanities, cabinets and flooring; new patios, sidewalks and landscaping; new ENERGY STAR® windows and roof system; new bus shelter and playground equipment; new picnic patio area and new community room with kitchen and computer center.
“The Taylor Ridge renovation represents a reinvestment in the community and a commitment that the residents of Taylor Ridge, and families in the Independence area, continue to have decent, safe, affordable housing,” said Wallick.
Taylor Ridge consist of 99 units of project-based Section 8 Housing. The property was originally built in 1982. The project was financed through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, administered by the Kentucky Housing Corporation.
The Housing Credit is the primary source of financing in the country for creating affordable housing opportunities. The program provides tax incentives for private companies to develop, preserve and invest in affordable rental housing. In exchange for the credits, the property must remain affordable and available to households at or below 60% of the area median income.
Grand Re-Opening and Renovations of Falcon Woods
Holland, MI – U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga and other federal, state and local officials gathered today to commemorate the renovation of Falcon Woods, an affordable apartment community in Holland, Michigan.
Along with Representative Huizenga, attendees included: representatives for Senator Gary Peters and Senator Debbie Stabenow; Kevin Elsenheimer, Executive Director of Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA); Al Vanderberg, Ottawa County Administrator; Vince Bush, Holland Charter Township Treasurer; Michael Murray, Senior Vice President of City Real Estate Advisors; and Howard Wallick, Co-Owner of Wallick Communities.
“MSHDA is proud to provide financing toward this renovation and expect these changes will contribute greatly to a better quality of life for the individuals and families who call Falcon Woods home,” Elsenheimer said. The $5.5 million rehabilitation included new siding, roofing, windows and doors; new bathroom and kitchen fixtures and appliances, new playground, landscaping and parking lot, and energy-efficient improvements throughout.
The project was financed through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME funds, MSHDA Preservation Fund and MSHDA permanent debt financing.
“The Falcon Woods renovation represents a reinvestment in the community and a commitment that the residents of Falcon Woods, and families in the Holland area, continue to have decent, safe, affordable housing,” said Wallick.
Falcon Woods consists of 144 units in 18 buildings. The property was originally developed using Housing Credits in 1995. Wallick Communities acquired the property in 2011, and was awarded Housing Credits to renovate the property in 2014. Partners in the project include: Wallick Communities, MSHDA, City Real Estate Advisors and Hooker De Jong.
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Congratulations!
Well done Wallick. What a great achievement. You should be very proud. I wish you all the best and can’t wait to see what you will accomplish in the next 50 years!
OHFA Features Wallick Communities in 2016 Congressional Report
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency recently released their 2016 Congressional Report, “Building a Stronger Ohio.” The report features affordable housing communities throughout Ohio that serve as examples of how federal programs, such as HOME and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, positively impact local congressional districts.
We are proud that three Wallick communities were featured in the report:
Faith Village Apartments, Columbus
Congressional District Three
Representative Joyce Beatty
Rehabilitation of 144 apartments in 21 buildings
The Meadows Apartments, Marysville
Congressional District Four
Representative Jim Jordan
Rehabilitation of a 102-unit complex
Lawrence Village Apartments, South Point
Congressional District Six
Representative Bill Johnson
Extensive Rehabilitation of 70 apartments
OHFA reports the total housing investment in Ohio at $17.4 billion, and thanks Ohio’s senators and congressional delegation for making affordable housing a priority. A copy of the report is available on OHFA’s website, www.ohiohome.org.
Wallick Receives OCCH Award
On May 26,the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) recognized Wallick Communities for our 50th anniversary.
Tom Feusse, Chief Executive Officer, accepted the award on behalf of the company at the annual OCCH partners luncheon.
“It’s not what we do that matters most, rather it’s why we do it,” Tom said when he accepted the award. He acknowledged the contributions of Wallick associates as the key component to Wallick’s longevity and success.
“We look forward to the next 50 years,” he continued, which will include “great promise, great plans, and great opportunity.”
Following the luncheon, OCCH hosted an industry and legislative update. One of the key messages of the day was the continued need to advocate for the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and to encourage Congressional leadership and staff to visit communities developed using the LITHC program.
As a financial intermediary, OCCH has been a longstanding partner with Wallick Communities, and has invested in several of our communities through their equity funds. Communities that have OCCH investment are eligible for a variety of award and grant opportunities, including the Carol Mount Peterson Resident Development Fund and the Jerry Grier scholarship fund.
Wallick Receives Housing Credits for 3 Kentucky Communities
This spring, Wallick Communities received $1.2 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Kentucky Housing Corporation to rehabilitate three of our apartment communities in Kentucky. This is the first time Wallick has been awarded three deals from Kentucky in the same round.
The communities that will be rehabbed include:
Bedford Village – 40 apartments in Bedford, KY
Locust Ridge – 72 apartments in Dry Ridge, KY
Highpoint – 44 apartments for seniors in Ludlow, KY
These awards exemplify Wallick’s commitment to reinvesting in our communities and improving living standards for our residents.
Great job to Bonnie Harbage, Matt Shoemacher, Alexis Dunfee and others who committed time and effort into structuring these deals and putting these applications together.
Wallick Awarded Tax Credits for Cypress Commons Rehab
Wallick Communities was recently awarded federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency in order to rehab Cypress Commons in Middletown, Ohio (Butler County).
Cypress Commons is a 44-unit family community, and was awarded $483,000 in tax credits. The funding will be used for a variety of improvements, including, but not limited to, new siding, new flooring, kitchen counter tops, cabinets and appliances, hot water heaters, Energy Star HVAC, and bathroom fixtures.
Funding will also be used to build a new, larger community building that will have space for a resident service coordinator, and the one-bedroom units will be renovated to be handicap accessible. Construction is anticipated to start in mid-2017.
The Housing Credit is the largest funder of affordable housing in the nation. Credits are awarded by states on a competitive basis. In Ohio, fewer than half of the applicants received funding awards.
Congratulations to Tim Swiney, Nicole Boyer, Tyler Ponder and others who committed time and effort into structuring these deals and putting these applications together.
Wallick Adds 10 Columbus MHA Properties to Management Portfolio
Earlier this month, Wallick Communities began providing property management services for ten Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) communities.
Wallick was one of seven companies competing for the contract, acquiring 2/3 of the total business available. We are very excited to be partnering with CMHA and look forward to a long and successful relationship. The CMHA properties add 969 units to our management portfolio, and we are pleased to welcome 24 new employees. The new communities include:
Words of Inspiration: CEO Tom Feusse Addresses Ohio Housing Conference Attendees
This week, a record number of nearly 1,700 industry professionals attended the Ohio Housing Conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. At the opening session on Tuesday, Wallick Communities CEO Tom Feusse kicked off the day with a few inspirational words about the future of our industry, encouraged attendees to continue to make a difference, and revealed that Wallick Communities will celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2016. “In 1966, Jack Wallick formed our company, along with his business partner Sandy Goldston. He did so because he decided to take on the liabilities of a defunct, out-of-state contractor, even though he was not obligated to. He did so because he felt it was the right thing to do,” said Tom. “Today, 50 years later, we still work to do the right thing. It doesn’t just speak to the values of Wallick, but it speaks to the values of our industry.”
Wallick Communities was well represented at the conference. Senior Vice President of Asset Management Amy Albery participated in a panel discussion, A Comprehensive Analysis of Housing Credit Portfolio Trends; Vice President of Development Nicole Boyer moderated a PP&D Funding Programs panel; and Resident Resources Executive Director Shon Burch (formerly Bunkley) shared her story of triumph on a panel, 9:9 Stories.
Heart of Service: Holiday Help
Earlier this week, Wallick Communities volunteers provided dinner to nearly 100 residents, provided families with Kroger gift cards, and handed out gift bags filled with hats, gloves and scarves to all children in attendance. Several items were also raffled off to families, including a vacuum cleaner, microwave, crockpot, pots and pans, dishes, and Tupperware. Santa greeted all children and fun was had by all.
Also last week, volunteers participated in the Holiday Clearing House 2015 for People in Need, Inc. of Delaware County, which is a private, not-for-profit 501 (C) (3) agency dedicated to providing emergency assistance to Delaware County residents. Volunteers of the event sorted and organized food, clothing and toys for later distribution to families in need and senior and disabled homebound residents.
Wallick Communities is committed to serving all our residents. Through the act of volunteering, our communities are strengthened, our neighbors uplifted, and our associates embrace an attitude and a heart of service.