Common Ground Welcomes Scott Schaffer as New Executive Director
Common Ground is excited to announce the the appointment of Scott
Schaffer as Executive Director, succeeding Lynn Davison, who retired
from full time work in July. Schaffer will assume his new role
effective September 1, 2010 and looks forward to further
strengthening Common Ground's role in the affordable housing
community. He will oversee all business management and operations,
business development, and advocacy programs. Schaffer will also
work with the board of directors and staff to continue its focus on
Common Ground's 2009-2013 strategic plan and ensure that goals and
objectives are achieved.
Scott Schaffer is a nonprofit sector veteran with more than 20 years
of experience helping organizations to build their capacity and
achieve their mission oriented goals. In his most recent role as
Principal of Public Interest Management Group, Schaffer has consulted
with nonprofit clients to improve effectiveness and identify
strategies for sustainability. His past experience includes
leadership roles with Philabundance, the major hunger relief
organization serving Greater Philadelphia, Olympic Park Institute,
and NPower. He played an active role in Philadelphia's emergency
shelter system for over a decade there, and founded Community
Alliance for Affordable Housing, a regional advocacy group.
Common Ground gives a BIG THANK YOU to Corporate Strategies and
Development and the Board Search Committee (Nancy Henderson, Sue
Cary, Julie Honekamp, Harry Matsumoto, Heather Beaulieu, and Dinah
Thoreson) who spent countless hours over a four month period to get
to this point. We can't say how much we appreciate their efforts.
For more information on Scott, please visit our website to view the
full press release.
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Quick News
Senior Developer JoAnna Martin Bids Arrivederci - JoAnna Martin, who
has been with Common Ground for over 12 years, is heading to
Brindisi, Italy for at least the next two years. Italy is one of her
favorite places on the planet so when the opportunity came, she
couldn't pass it up! She hopes to become proficient in Italian
language, cooking and reconnect with her sketch pad. Her last day
will be Friday, August 20. Join us in wishing her all the best in her
next adventure.
YWCA Passage Point Begins Construction - After a 2-3 year delay,
construction has begun for YWCA Passage Point. The project will
create 46 units of housing for low income homeless parents seeking to
reunite with their children and overcome trauma, addiction, and/or
mental illness. Passage Point, which will repurpose the former
campus of the King County Cedar Hills Addiction Treatment facility,
is sponsored by YWCA of Seattle/King/Snohomish County.
HUD Section 202 Awards for Common Ground Projects - HUD announced
their Section 202 grant awards in July; Common Ground is the
developer for the two projects that were awarded in Washington State.
Congratulations to project sponsors Okanogan County Community Action
Council (Pine Meadows) and Providence Health Services (Joseph
House).
KWA Senior City Apartments Nominated for Reader's Choice Award -
Senior City Apartments made the cover of this month's Affordable
Housing Finance Magazine! The apartments, sponsored by Korean
Women's Association and developed by Common Ground, are a nominee for
the Reader's Choice Award in the senior housing category. Senior City
was selected as a finalist among 140 entries nationwide.Congratulations to KWA and Senior Developer Shirley Bekins, who was
instrumental in the project's success.
Common Ground Board Advocacy Project - Starting next month, Common
Ground will be presenting a series of trainings to help board members
and executive directors of nonprofit agencies become successful
advocates for housing and homelessness. Workshops will be held
throughout the state. Be on the lookout for an announcement launching
our new Board Advocacy website, and watch our Board Mobilization
Video to learn why community leaders like Norman Rice and Bill Gates
Sr. are strong supporters of this movement. For information or to
join our mailing list, contact Walter Zisette at walterz@commongroundwa.org.
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Thank You Supporters
Common Ground appreciates the support from our corporate and
individual donors. Your donation helps us keep the cost of our
services affordable to our nonprofit clients. To make a donation,
please mail your check to our Seattle office at 419 Occidental Avenue
South # 201, Seattle WA 98104. For a list of current donors and 30th
anniversary sponsors, click here.
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