The Michael Group Helps GEDCO, Helps Baltimore

 

The Michael Group has a strong tradition of volunteering it’s time, talent and treasure to local nonprofit and community groups. This summer and fall, the Michael Group will be helping GEDCO raise money for the 2010 GEDCO ThanksGiving Tribute. Michael Shacklette, President and Owner of the Michael Group is heading up the Leadership Committee tasked to raise funds and increase corporate sponsorship for this event.

GEDCO is a nonprofit organization located in North/Central Baltimore City whose mission is provides affordable housing with supportive services and assist in meeting emergency needs of community residents.

GEDCO currently runs many important community programs including Ascension Homes, CARES, CARES Career Connection, Epiphany House, Gallagher Mansion, Harford House , Micah House, Shelter Plus Care and Stadium Place. They are also currently developing the new GREENHOUSE project at Stadium Place.

This year, the 2010 GEDCO ThanksGiving Tribute will honor five amazing individuals who have worked for, volunteered for, inspired and dedicated themselves to GEDCO. The honorees include:

Compassion: Becky Boynton

Spirit: Esther Bonnet 

Leadership: George J. Collins

Tenacity: Ralph E. Moore, Jr.

Vision: Kurt L. Schmoke

To become a sponsor, to buy tickets or to learn more, go to the 2010 GEDCO ThanksGiving Tribute site!

TMG and Friends Head to the O’s Game

It’s that time of year again. Last Friday night most of the Michael Group staff headed to the O’s game! This has become a great way to celebrate summer and get together outside of work for a night! It was loads of fun-despite the the fact that the O’s lost!

Michael Shacklette wins 2010 Volunteer Leadership Award

On June 29th, approximately 100 staff and volunteers from the Y of Central Maryland gathered together for a day of training, networking, planning and celebration. The day began with an amazing testimonial from James Torrence. It was a great reminder to everyone in attendance about how the Y personally touches peoples lives. Next on the agenda was a two hour training by famed sports agent and long time Y supporter Ron Shapiro. Drawing from his years of experience as a sports agent and motivational speaker, Shapiro used his book Dare to Prepare as a jumping off point to inspire and train the volunteers to be better volunteers and fundraisers for the Y.

Right before lunch, the Volunteer team that worked on the Druid Hill YMCA Family Center presented their experience as a case study of how successful projects are accomplished by dedicated volunteers. Speakers included Perry Savoy of Peristyle Design, our own Michael Shacklette, Dwight Taylor and Greg Taylor of the Druid Hill YMCA Family Center. Guests were shown a great slide show of before and after photos of the work at the Druid Hill Y. It was a real community success story!

As the last item of business for the day, John Hoey, President and CEO of the Y of Central Maryland presented Michael Shacklette, President of the Michael Group with the 2101 Volunteer Leadership Award for his tireless work on behalf of the Druid Hill YMCA Family Center. The award, created especially for Michael by Y participant Antoine Tates (shown below), was a special acknowledgement to Michael for his hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Michael and to the Druid Hill YMCA Family Center Team!

Vote for Monte Verde!

Finalist for Affordable Housing Finance Reader's Choice Award--Preservation

The MonteVerde Apartments, the Michael Group’s most recently completed project, was named a finalist for Affordable Housing Finance Readers Choice Award in the Preservation category. MonteVerde is one of only 33 finalists selected from more than 140 nominations this year.

Click here to vote for MonteVerde! If you don't already subscribe to Affordable Housing Finance, click here to do so, it's free!

Read more about the finalists in the July 2010 edition of Affordable Housing Finance.

St Stephen’s Apartment Project Begins Today!

There is always a lot of mixed feelings when a project finally begins: excitement, relief, nervousness and more. This is one of those projects that have been in development for years. I’m sure at one point or another along the way, most of partners thought to themselves “is this project really going to happen?”. But sure enough, everything came together and the long awaited renovation of the St Stephen’s Court Apartments begins today! Check back here for regular updates, photos and more!

Fundraising for GEDCO! As Easy as Going Out for Happy Hour!

Join GEDCO staff, former and current Baltimore Ravens and Maryland Terps as they guest bartend at Nc Devins bar at 801 Decker in Canton to raise funds for GEDCO. GEDCO provides affordable housing and support services to low income Baltimoreans many of whom have special needs.

So come out and eat, drink and mingle on Friday, July 23 from 5pm on…for a great night in support of a great organization!

EPA Lead Certification

As most of you know, lead paint is bad news. In 2008, the EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead safe practices to reduce the incidents of lead poisoning. In April 2010, the rule went into effect and is know as the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. What does this mean for contractors? Contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting jobs in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities must, before beginning work, provide owners, tenants, and child-care facilities with a copy of EPA's lead hazard information pamphlet Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF) Additionally, contractors must be certified and must use lead-safe work practices.

The Michael Group has become certified in compliance with the EPA ruling. For more information about the EPA rule, check out the EPA’s Website at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm