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A Message from Nancy BibermanIs there any single factor you can point to in your life that accounts for your success? That says, "This is the only reason why I am who I am"? What about your capacity to meet life's challenges? What about your ability to solve unexpected problems and to overcome obstacles? Have you managed alone? Probably not. The simple truth is that we all depend on a network of support. Friends, family, colleagues, mentors. Babysitters, teachers, doctors. People who recognize our unique gifts and talents, and nurture our development. At WHEDCo, we understand the multiple barriers to financial and family success faced by New York's poorest residents -- particularly in the Bronx, which remains the poorest urban county in the nation. Women and families are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of poverty and the stress that accompanies poverty. This includes delayed development due to malnutrition and environmental toxins; teen pregnancy and school dropouts due to substandard education; and poor mental and physical health because of a lack of healthy food, homes, and recreational activities. WHEDCo believes:
WHEDCo also believes that fixing individual problems, but failing to address the needs of an entire family and the context in which they live, often results in a continuing cycle of poverty. We started from these simple truths and created a 'whole-life' approach to economic development. WHEDCo addresses a family’s complex problems with a unified approach: we respect people and understand that they have full, complicated, and interconnected lives. We engage a whole family and provide all members with opportunities for success. And, we respect and honor the legacy of the Bronx, championing a healthy, financially stable future for all residents. WHEDCo builds beautiful, “green” apartment buildings so families can live in healthy homes that provide a pride of place and a respite from the daily struggles of poverty. Our buildings restore the lost grandeur of the Bronx and benefit the entire community. We recently purchased one of the last urban renewal sites in the city for $11.00 and assembled $45 million in financing from public and private sources to begin construction of Intervale Green, a “green” and affordable apartment complex. WHEDCo remains on the cutting edge of affordable housing by constructing green and wired-for-internet homes for the poorest among us -- and helping to bridge the digital divide. We are well into an exciting project to retrofit our existing flagship, Urban Horizons, into a model 21st century building. It can be argued, in fact, that energy retrofits for affordable housing were born in the Bronx. WHEDCo is in parallel step with the will and energy of Bronx residents. We welcome you to learn more about our high quality, forward-looking work. Please join us in investing in a healthy and prosperous future for all women and families in the Bronx. Sincerely, |