Fairfax, VA – The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® announces the outreach and philanthropy of its 2017 NVAR Cares Committee. This committee considered proposals for funding from 50 local nonprofits and foundations this year and made decisions to donate time and money based on each mission’s alignment with NVAR’s goal for charitable giving. In addition, NVAR awarded its inaugural NVAR Hero Award to a member who was exemplary in giving back to the community.
The winning recipient was McEnearney Associates Realtor® Stacy Hennessey, a practitioner for 10 years, who was selected because of her fundraising and support services to the Homestretch nonprofit.
Homestretch's mission is to empower homeless families to attain permanent housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills, knowledge and hope that its clients need to become productive members of the community.
Said Hennessey, “By supporting Homestretch, I am seeing real results that the clients achieve in all facets of their lives. It is so rewarding to see the trajectory of their lives change from despair to success. Results are everything as 95 percent of the [Homestretch] families remain self-sufficient years after leaving the program.”
Homestretch, a Falls Church based nonprofit, is becoming a national model for organizations that serve homeless families by providing a comprehensive and personalized approach to redirect futures on a positive path, according to Hennessey.
In 2017, the NVAR Cares Committee awarded more than $35,000 to various charities. 2017 NVAR Cares Committee Chairman Miguel Calvo said, “We are proud to build partnerships with these organizations that share our mission in helping local people who need nonprofit support services, as well as those people struck by natural disasters.”
In addition to local nonprofits, NVAR supported communities affected by severe weather in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.
“As an association of professionals who are dedicated to helping people find housing, it is important that we, as Realtors, donate our time, talent and funds to those in need, whether that be in our own backyards or nationwide,” 2017 NVAR Chairman Bob Adamson said.
Noting that the mission of the NVAR Cares Committee is a strategic priority, NVAR CEO Ryan Conrad said, “NVAR cares about the neighborhoods where our members and their clients buy and sell. We, as real estate professionals, make a much stronger impact by assisting these important nonprofits, all of which are equally committed to helping our neighbors lead successful lives.” The 2017 NVAR Cares Committee recipients are:
- Computer Core
- Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
- Good Shepherd Housing
- Rebuilding Together Alexandria
- Shelter House
- Homestretch
- Catholics for Housing
- Pathway Homes
- Graham Road Elementary School
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
- Centro de Apoyo Familiar
- The Brain Foundation
- Home Aid Northern Virginia
- United Community Ministries
- New Hope Housing
- First Home Alliance
- Devotion to Children
- Puerto Rico Association of Realtors
- Women Giving Back
- PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families
- Langley Residential Support Services
- Homes for Our Troops
- Final Salute Inc.
- National Association of Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund
- Texas Association of Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund
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The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® serves as The Voice for Real Estate in Northern Virginia and provides a variety of services to its members including educational opportunities, professional standards enforcement, market statistics, legislative reviews, issues lobbying, multiple listing and lockbox services, and more.
The purpose of NVAR is to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully, to promote member professional competency, to maintain members’ adherence to the Realtor® Code of Ethics and to promote the preservation of the right to own, transfer and use real property.
NVAR has grown to more than12,000 Realtors® and business affiliates who carry out an estimated $11 billion real estate industry in a community of more than 2 million residents.
Visit NVAR online at www.nvar.com, www.realtorschool.com, and www.realtorshop.com.