HAND in Baltimore

Last Friday, a group of Baltimore area affordable housing professionals met at the Michael Group’s offices to discuss how HAND (Housing Association of Non-Profit Developers) may be able to do more events in Baltimore in the coming years. While HAND is a regional organization providing training and networking opportunities to non-profit, for-profit and governmental agencies throughout Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland, the majority of their work has been focused closer to DC. With a strong affordable housing community in Baltimore and the surrounding counties HAND Executive Director, Jill Norcross was excited to explore options for more events in Baltimore.

For the 2011/2012 program year, HAND will offer 2-3 trainings in and around Baltimore some of which will be on topics specific to the Baltimore region. In addition to trainings, HAND will host a mixer in Baltimore that will provided networking opportunities to all HAND members as well as potential new members.

Jeff Hill, Vice President of Construction for the Michael Group, was instrumental in putting together this inaugural meeting. “HAND is a great organization” says Hill. “There is a lot of great affordable housing work being done in our area. Many local developers, design professionals, financers and contractors will benefit greatly from having more access to HAND trainings and events”.

If you are a Baltimore area affordable housing professional and are interested in learning more about HAND, please contact Jill Norcross at 703-587-4098.

The Michael Group Wins the HAND Housing Partner of the Year Award

 The Michael Group is proud to announce that we have been chosen as the HAND Best Housing Partner of the Year!

Michael Shacklette received the award at the 20th Anniversary HAND Annual Meeting and Housing Expo in Washington DC on May 26, 2011. The Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers or HAND, was formed in 1991, to support a professional community of housing providers in order to increase the supply of affordable housing in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C.-Richmond corridor.

Each year at their annual meeting, the HAND Housing Achievement Awards are given to individuals, organizations and projects that exemplify excellence and innovation in the field of affordable housing. The HAND Housing Partner of the Year award is being given to the Michael Group Inc of Baltimore Maryland for being a true partner in the effort to increase and preserve affordable housing in the region. The Michael Group not only promotes affordable housing, but also supports those nonprofit and government institutions developing and preserving housing.

The Michael Group was nominated for this award by the Bon Secours Foundation of Maryland. “The Michael Group has been a strong supporter of the Bon Secours Foundation for the past five years. Mr. Shacklette’s support has been technical, financial and strategic in nature.” says George Kleb, Executive Director of the Bon Secours Foundation of Maryland. “We are proud to have nominated the Michael Group for this award”.

Letters of support also came from GEDCO, the Y of Central Maryland and Episcopal Housing Corporation. Both of these non-profit housing developers have worked closely with the Michael Group over the past several years and strongly supported their nomination for Housing Partner of the Year. “GEDCO appreciates the Michael Group’s considerable efforts on our behalf over the past 3 years” said Mitch Posner, Executive Director of GEDCO. “We are excited to continue to grow our partnership with Michael and The Michael Group”.

From left to right: Magda Westerhout of Marks Thomas Architects, George Kleb, Executive Director of the Bon Secours Foundation, Dan McCarthy, Executive Director of Episcopal Housing Corporation, Michael Seipp, Executive Director of the Baltimore Station, Sebastian Soriano of the Michael Group, Randy Kuser of the Michael Group, Jeff Sprinkle of the Y of Central Maryland, Kristin Etzel of Marks Thomas Architects, Michael Shacklette, President of the Michael Group, Alice Williams, Barbara Corso of the Michael Group, Jeff Hill of the Michael Group, Roxanne Fiddler of GEDCO, Kristin Danielson of GEDCO

Community Gathers for HUD Press Conference Celebrating the Green Retrofit at Gallagher Mansion

This morning,  U.S. Housing and Urban Development Regional Director Jane C. W. Vincent hosted a news conference to announce Green Refinance Plus, a program between HUD and Fannie Mae to fund energy and water saving upgrades at existing rental housing properties.

The press conference was held at GEDCO’s Gallagher Mansion to demonstrate the benefits of greening at existing affordable rental housing properties. Gallagher Mansion houses 40, low-income seniors. Many of them told us today that reducing energy costs with more energy efficient products and systems was a very high priority for them.

The Michael Group was proud to have been the General Contractor on this important, resident-in-place green retrofit. “The Michael Group is committed to green building practices and products in all of our affordable housing work” said Jeff Hill, Vice President of Construction for the Michael Group.

 

The Michael Group wins the Governor’s Service Award

We are proud to announce that the Michael Group has won the 2011 Governor’s Service Award. The Governor’s Service Awards recognize significant contributions of Maryland citizens to the life and health of the State and its people.

Recipients of the Governor's Service Awards exemplify the following characteristics:
• Demonstrate sustained commitment to meeting Maryland's most pressing human and/or environmental community needs;
• Engage in meaningful service that makes a measurable difference in the community;
• Represent extraordinary acts of generosity and kindness; and
• Have an impact on the greater community.

Jeff Sprinkle of the Y of Central Maryland, Michael Shacklette of the Michael Group and Izzy Patoka of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives 

The Michael Group received the award for it’s leadership and work on the Druid Hill YMCA Family Center. We are so proud to have the opportunity to work with such amazing community partners like the Y of Central Maryland. Volunteerism is one of the Michael Group’s Core Values and we will continue to contribute our time, talent and treasures to group’s in our community that need support. Thanks to all of our partners who helped to make this project such a success!

Michael Shacklette, President of the Michael Group together with Perry Savoy of Peristyle Design and the Gary Moore of Allstate Floors celebrating the grand Re-Opening of the Druid Hill YMCA Family Center.

Supporting the Baltimore Station at the Homerun for Recovery

On a warm spring night, people of all walks of life came out to Nick’s Fish House at Cross Street Market to support the Baltimore Station.  The annual Homerun for Recovery is always a great event complete with delicious food, drinks and an exciting live auction. The Michael Group was proud to the lead sponsor for this year’s fundraiser!

Keith Mills was the MC for the event. He shared his own personal story of addiction and praised the Baltimore Station for the great work they do every day to help men in recovery.

From left to right: Sebastian Soriano, The Michael Group, John Batz, the Michael Group, Michael Seipp, ED of the Baltimore Station, Keith Mills, Jeff Hill, The Michael Group, Del. Brian McHale, Michael Shacklette, The Michael Group

Congratulations to the Baltimore Station and thank you for your important work!

The Michael Group Wins GEDCO’s Partner of the Year

On a cold, damp Spring night, a huge crowd gathers in St Mary’s Church Hall in Govans for GEDCO’s Annual meeting. While this is primarily a business meeting, this year the GEDCO staff has added an fun filled line up including Ms Beverly Burke as MC, special award ceremonies and the GEDCO’s Got Talent Talent Show. 

This year marks the 20^th year that GEDCO, Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation, has been serving the needs of low-income elderly residents of North/Central Baltimore. Their work attracts support from religious congregations of all denominations as well as businesses, neighborhood associations and residents themselves. You could tell by listening to songs, stories and more how important GEDCO is in the lives of those who were attending and to the community outside St Mary’s doors.

About half way through the evening, Perry Savoy, Vice President of the Board of Directors, stood to announce the Partner of the Year Award. “Each year, GEDCO recognizes a very special organization whose partnership greatly enhances the success of our work to build caring and compassionate communities. This year it is my honor to present our Partner Award to The Michael Group”

Left to Right: Ellen Frost, The Michael Group, Mitch Posner, GEDCO, Michael Shacklette, the Michael Group, Perry Savoy, GEDCO, Jeff Hill, The Michael Group

Michael Shacklette, President of the Michael Group Inc General Contractors in Baltimore has been a supporter of GEDCO for the past three years. Last year, Michael headed up the GEDCO ThanksGiving Tribute fundraising committee. While the committee was successful, raising a record amount of funds to support GEDCO’s operations, Michael wanted to do more. This year, Michael is heading up a year long campaign to secure corporate sponsors and major gifts that will allow GEDCO to continue the important, life saving work they are doing.

“Having gone to elementary school here in Govans, I feel like I still have a connection to the well being of the neighborhood” says Micahel Shacklette. “Since I began the Michael Group Inc nine years ago, we have committed ourselves to building affordable housing and supporting non-profits like GEDCO that are provide housing and services for low-income and elderly residents of our community. I am honored to receive the GEDCO Partner of the Year award.”.

The evening ended with laughing and dancing and celebrating the good works of GEDCO. The Michael Group is so proud to be a part of this amazing organization!

Celebrating a New Beginning at the St Stephen’s Court Apartments

Last Thursday, the new community building at the St. Stephen’s Court Apartments was filled to capacity. Residents chatted with architects, developers laughed with construction workers; despite the bad weather, everyone in attendance was full of joy. The renovation work at the St. Stephen’s Court Apartments was complete-and the property looked amazing!

Commissioner Graziano praising the work at St Stephen’s

The Michael Group began work at St. Stephen’s back in July. Since then, the transformation at the property has been striking. Residential units which had not been upgraded since the 70’s, were given a complete overhaul. New kitchens, flooring and fixtures were installed in addition to new windows, HVAC systems and doors. Common hallways were upgraded with new flooring and paint as well as a state of the art security system. Outside, all the entryways were updated with new siding, canopies and glass.

For 40 years, the residents of St Stephen’s had no community space where they could meet, hang out, socialize and have community get-togethers. All that has changed now that the community building has been built. This beautiful building, centrally located on what used to be empty space in the middle of the complex, is now the central meeting place of the residents. It’s filled with natural light, soothing colors and comfy furniture.

Dan McCarthy, Executive Director of Episcopal Housing Corporation MC’d the event. As the developer, Episcopal Housing brought the Michael Group in to the project early on to ensure a successful project. Sure enough, the project  was completed with months to spare, under budget, and with many happy residents.

The Michael Group staff was brimming with pride as Dan told the crowd about the positive experience he had working with the Michael Group. We were especially proud of the great work of Project Manager Jeff Hill and Superintendent Sebastian Soriano. This is the second large scale project that Jeff and Sebastian completed together. The first was the Monte Verde Apartments. Jeff and Sebastian are like a well oiled machine. Any owner interested in doing “resident in place” renovation would be lucky to work with this team!

Thanks to everyone who made this project such a great success-especially the Developer, Episcopal Housing Corporation; the architect, Marks, Thomas Architects and everyone at the Michael Group! Great work everyone!