The old saying goes “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Thanks to the help of JDog Junk Removal and Hauling, HDC MidAtlantic is bringing the idiom to life for central Pennsylvania veterans.
JDog is a junk removal and hauling business owned and operated by veterans and their family members. HDC MidAtlantic has worked closely with the JDog franchise in York, Pennsylvania, to find a second life for furniture from its Lancaster House North. Instead of throwing unwanted furniture in the trash, the items are donated to Mr. Sandy’s Homeless Veteran’s Shelter in York to furnish apartments and living areas for residents transitioning to new homes.
HDC MidAtlantic and JDog have worked together over the past year and a half to salvage furniture from Lancaster House North. Sean Haney, owner and operator of the York JDog franchise and a Marine Corps veteran, notes that bedroom pieces are the most useful and needed furniture for homeless vets adjusting to new living arrangements. Among the items donated are metal bed frames, nightstands, dressers and chairs, helping four veterans and their families furnish new homes.
When recalling his experiences with HDC MidAtlantic and Lancaster House North, one memory in particular stands out to Haney. He had visited Lancaster House North to clear items from the building’s storeroom and an apartment recently vacated by a tenant. He left with a chair, dresser, bed frame, nightstand and lamp. After loading the furniture onto his truck, Haney called his contact at the shelter to let her know what had been collected. She was overwhelmed. She had been working with a homeless veteran and his wife who had found an available apartment but had no furniture. Coincidentally, the items collected by Haney were enough to set up the couple’s new home. The furniture was delivered to the couple later that day.
“It’s what we’re all about at JDog,” he says. “We’re an organization formed by veterans and run by veterans to help veterans.”
HDC MidAtlantic Facilities Manager Ed Gower, who oversees the partnership with JDog, adds: “As a veteran myself, it is always refreshing to know we are able to assist veterans and their families. And it is a pleasure to have a business partner whose motive is more than profit.”
This story was shared in partnership with NeighborWorks America.
Finding a place to live that meets one’s basic needs and budget can feel like a never-ending challenge. The complexity of lower-income families and individuals extend far beyond simply finding a safe, affordable, and welcoming place to call home. At HDC, we are committed to being an ally in speaking to issues, programs, and policies that improve quality of life of our residents. Issues that we know are important to our residents include:
Every voice matters. At HDC, we are committed to raising up resident voices and opening doors so that residents can actively participate in the democratic process, speak out on issues important to them and their communities, and communicate how policies affect their everyday lives. We believe it is important to make the time and space to listen, and to support resident leaders in effectively using their voices. We support resident advocacy opportunities through our Resident Academy of Leadership & Inspiration, Voter Registration Drives, and holding constituent meetings and tours with elected officials.
We know we can’t solve the affordable housing challenge alone. We need champions to help change the conversation around what home means and why it matters. We are committed to educating elected officials to understand the needs and challenges of their constituents. We are here to provide solutions that work and offer affordable housing expertise that demonstrates the impact policy decisions have on lower-income families, seniors and those with disabilities. We work closely with and participate in alliances and coalitions to educate and advance shared policy priorities. Our advocacy partners include:
Wendy Smith serves as the Vice President of Property Management, responsible for the overall strategic direction for HDC’s management portfolio and the organization’s largest staff team. Previously, Wendy served as Asset and Operations Manager for a leading real estate firm based in New York City which owned over 11,000 affordable homes. Since 2008, Wendy has held roles in regional level operations for commercial and for-profit housing agencies. Wendy holds a degree in International Studies.
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