Executive Director Insight - Now Is the Time
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Homeword Executive Director Andrea Davis has a brief message for you.
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Our 2022 Annual Report is finally here!
Thanks to your support, we've empowered hundreds of Montanans through our programs over the past year and improved the lives of over 2,000 Montanans by providing rental homes they can afford. Read more about our impact in the annual report.
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Adaptive Reuse and Historic Preservation: What Is It and What Does It Take?
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Adaptive reuse is a sustainable building practice that minimizes carbon impact by repurposing existing structures for new use and giving a second life to building materials. Historic preservation takes this a step further by repurposing historic buildings while preserving the fabric of our communities for generations to come.
Homeword has completed four projects that include the adaptive reuse of historic buildings. These include Acme in Billings, Lenox Flats in Missoula, Ouellette Place in Lewistown and Bluebunch Flats in Livingston. Right now, we are working on two more: Crowley Flats in Lewistown and Baatz Block in Great Falls, both originally built in 1913.
It isn’t easy work. For each historic project, there are numerous criteria to meet, steps to complete and unique challenges. |
Two Staff Members Promoted
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Two Homeword team members recently received promotions, and we couldn't be more proud. After over six years as our operations and program director, Karissa Trujillo has earned a promotion to deputy director. In this role, Karissa oversees the asset management, HomeOwnership Center, fundraising and communications departments at Homeword. We created this new position to support the organizational goals outlined in the strategic plan, and it allows our executive director more time to oversee strategy and focus on external partnerships and efforts.
Erin Ojala began working at Homeword in 2015 as our administrative specialist. Her role with us has grown and changed over the years, and Erin became more and more interested in asset management. After an open hiring process, we selected Erin for for the role of asset manager.
As an asset manager, Erin oversees a portfolio of rental properties. She conducts reviews, financial analyses and site visits. She also is responsible for asset management goals, from development through the sale or disposition of a property, to ensure all compliance requirements are met and resident satisfaction is achieved.
Erin recently passed her CHAM Asset Management Specialist Certification and is working to become a Housing Credit Certified Professional.
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A Full-Time Office Manager Joins Our Team
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In October we hired Laurel Ramsdell to be our full-time office manager. In this new position she manages registration and preparation for our classes and provides bookkeeping, administrative and human resources support.
Laurel grew up around animals and worked at a Richmond, Virginia, veterinary clinic as an animal care coordinator and veterinary technician for 10 years She also operated her own petsitting company. After moving to Missoula in 2014, she worked at the Humane Society of Western Montana for two years, then the University of Montana's research department for three years. After leaving UM, Laurel switched careers to become an accountant. She attended the University of Montana’s Missoula College and earned A.S. degrees in accounting technology and hospitality management. She also received certificates in accounting fundamentals as well as customer relations. Although her career focus is now on accounting and operations management, Laurel still loves animals and spends a lot of time with her cat and three ferrets. She also enjoys cooking, crafting and exploring Montana.
Laurel is dedicated to the Missoula community of Missoula, and she's excited to give back through her work at Homeword supporting our programs and home development. |
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Your Gift Makes Our Work Possible
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More than 2,000 Montanans live in our rental homes, including veterans, local workers, 466 seniors, 341 people with disabilities and 642 children. Our financial skill building and homebuyer programs, now online, empower over 1,000 people a year.
Your gift of any amount will help empower hundreds more Montanans through our programs and help create 381 more homes that Montanans can afford to live in. SAVE THE DATE FOR GIVING TUESDAY!
On November 29, your gift will be matched to give Montanans the ability to begin new stories. Help us reach our goal of raising $2,000 to empower local workers, families and seniors. |
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| Do you have a great experience as a Homeword resident or client that you'd like to share? We want to hear from you!
Share your story and be entered to win a $100 coupon for Home ReSource in Missoula. |
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Special Thanks to Our Generous Program Sponsors |
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Homeword uses sustainable methods to strengthen Montana communities by teaching homebuyer education and financial skill building and creating safe, healthy homes people can afford. |
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18,000+ Montanans empowered through our Regional HomeOwnership Center
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| 1,319 Safe, healthy homes Montanans can afford |
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1,000+
Program participants empowered last year |
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Our Contact Information
Homeword
1535 Liberty Lane, Suite 116A
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 532-4663
http://homeword.org
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