In this issue:
HomeAid Expands National Impact to North Texas
HomeAid Inland Empire begins project for seniors experiencing homelessness
July HomeAid Recruitment Event for Delaware Valley Affiliate
Term of the Month: Low Barrier Shelter
Ways to Give - How to Make an Impact with HomeAid
Insights from the ULI Spring Meeting in Denver, Colorado
New HomeAid Development Associate Added to National Team
Recommended Reading: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl-
Builder and Developer - HomeAid Austin
HomeAid Partners
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HomeAid Expands Its National Impact With the Launch of HomeAid North Texas
Key Findings from the local 2024 Point-in-Time Count showed that over 6,000 individuals are experiencing homelessness on any given night in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This includes families, children, seniors, veterans, and more who face the daily challenge of finding safe and dignified housing.
To help combat this issue, HomeAid has expanded its national impact to this area by launching its newest affiliate, HomeAid North Texas.
"The launch of HomeAid North Texas marks a significant step forward in our mission to build a future without homelessness," said Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America. "With the leadership of Scott Sheppard as our new Executive Director, we are confident that HomeAid North Texas will make a lasting impact by bringing together the homebuilding industry and community partners to develop much-needed housing and resources for those in need. We are excited to see the positive change this new affiliate will bring to the Dallas-Fort Worth region."
HomeAid North Texas is HomeAid's third affiliate in Texas and the 19th affiliate nationwide. HomeAid's mission is to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction, community engagement, and education.
We are genuinely excited to bring HomeAid to North Texas." Said HomeAid North Texas Board Chair Tom Cawthon. "We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the local community to help bring an end to homelessness in North Texas," he said.
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HomeAid Inland Empire Breaks Ground on Recuperative Care Center for Seniors Experiencing HomelessnessHomeAid Inland Empire and Operation Grace held the official groundbreaking for the Marian's House of Healing project on May 9, 2025.
This single-family home will be transformed into a recuperative care and short-term housing program for homeless seniors being discharged from the hospital, located directly across the street. This 6-bed facility will serve as a place for them to recover until they can get back on their feet.
This renovation includes new paint, flooring, HVAC, Electrical, ADA modifications, landscaping, demo of existing bathrooms and kitchen. This will involve new interior and exterior paint, bathroom toilets and vanities, laminate flooring, HVAC unit, new windows, appliances, kitchen cabinets and sinks.
Big thanks to Lennar Inland Empire for taking the reins as builder captain and bringing in help from their various trade partners.
For more information, please contact Brenda Ketah, HomeAid’s Chief Affiliate Officer at bketah@homeaid.org.
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Term of the Month:
Low Barrier Shelter:
Shelter or service provisions that are designed to screen-in rather than screen-out applicants with the greatest barriers, and assistance is provided without service participation requirements and restrictive rules related to pets, partners, possessions, etc.
Learn about service providers by clicking the button below to visit the HomeAid Glossary.
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Summer is a time for sunshine and giving back! As a national non-profit, we rely on the generosity of individuals like you to continue our vital work across the country. Whether you're enjoying a staycation or traveling, there are many meaningful ways to contribute. Financial donations, regardless of their size, directly support our organization. Consider a one-time gift or a recurring donation to provide sustained support throughout these warmer months.
Also, consider rallying your friends and family! Summer often brings people together, making it an ideal time for group fundraising efforts or spreading awareness about our mission. Together, we can make this summer a season of profound positive impact for communities nationwide.
For more information, please contact Marisol Parand, HomeAid’s Chief Development Officer, at mparand@homeaid.org.
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Insights and Takeaways from the ULI Spring Meeting & Resiliency Summit
By Monique Waddington
I recently attended the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Spring Meeting and Resiliency Summit in Denver, Colorado. I left both inspired and even more fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. The conversations, connections, and content were timely, thought-provoking, and a reminder of the responsibility we share in shaping resilient, inclusive, and adaptable communities that offer dignified and affordable housing for all.
I attended the conference with HomeAid Colorado’s Executive Director, Cindy Bell, and together we had the opportunity to learn more in-depth about the issues we and our communities face now and in the future.
“The ULI conference was both engaging and insightful, offering a
a comprehensive look at the complexities and successes of development
efforts across the country. I found the seminars on “Homeless to Housed”
particularly valuable, as they shed light on the diverse partnerships among
the public and private sectors, as well as non-profit organizations providing
critical services to individuals at risk of homelessness, said Cindy Bell.
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HomeAid Development Associate welcomed this month
Please join us in welcoming Stephen Bebich to the HomeAid family.
Stephen has joined the HomeAid national team as a part-time Development Associate, working alongside Chief Development Officer Marisol Parand in the Development department.
In his new role, Stephen will support donor engagement, fundraising events, grants, and data management, all aimed at expanding our national impact.
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Recommended Reading: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
At its core, Man’s Search for Meaning is a profound meditation on human resilience, dignity, and the unshakable drive to find purpose, no matter the circumstances. Written by Viktor E. Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, this classic work has transformed how millions of people think about suffering, perseverance, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
Frankl chronicles his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and draws from them the insight that even in the most brutal and dehumanizing environments, people can survive—and even transcend—when they find a deeper sense of meaning. He went on to develop logotherapy, a school of psychology centered on the idea that the primary human drive is not pleasure (as Freud suggested), but the pursuit of meaning.
For HomeAid, this message is deeply relevant. Our mission to build new lives for individuals and families experiencing homelessness goes beyond providing shelter—it’s about restoring dignity and empowering people to rediscover their sense of purpose and belonging. Like Frankl, we believe that hardship does not define a person’s worth or potential. What matters is their hope, their resilience, and the support systems that help them move forward.
In a time when so many struggle with loss, disconnection, and uncertainty, Man’s Search for Meaning offers both comfort and challenge. It reminds us that meaning can be found not just in achievement or comfort, but in service, struggle, and community.
We highly recommend this book to anyone seeking inspiration, not just in life's victories, but also in its challenges. Frankl’s words offer perspective and hope—qualities that sit at the heart of HomeAid’s work every day.
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