Do you remember when learning was fun? So fun that you didn’t realize you were learning because it just felt like playtime? I grew up playing “mad scientist” with my older brother, replicating his school experiments in our kitchen. My neighborhood friends and I played Jurassic Park as we trekked through the woods exploring plants, insects, and animal tracks. Those days of childhood play are at risk for many of today’s kids. kidSTREAM is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the art of effortless learning through play. Yardi Oxnard team member Wendy Aceveda-Solis serves as a board member with kidSTREAM. I spoke with her to learn more about this innovative organization. kidSTREAM: education through play kidSTREAM is founded on the basic principle that learning should be fun and engaging. The organization provides an interactive environment where kids explore, play and discover. Each experience aims to inspire and empower kids to become critical thinkers, innovators and life-long learners. Acevedo-Solis began working with kidSTREAM two years ago. In addition to being a board member, she assists with the fundraising and programs committees. She’s passionate about museums and is excited to share interactive learning with children. “I’ve been fascinated by museums since I was a child,” she shares. “I have shared this passion with my children, and it is incredible to see the curiosity and desire to explore through their eyes! Most children’s museums are outside of Ventura County, so when I heard about kidSTREAM, I wanted to help bring something to our community.” Since becoming a nonprofit in 2016, kidSTREAM has helped to educate more than 30,000 children and families around Ventura County. The non-profit focuses on experiences in science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math. A team of dedicated staff and volunteers host lessons where kids hang out the most: classrooms, parks, libraries and their (increasingly) their...

Compassion takes on a lot of forms. Sometimes it’s the coworker who helps you troubleshoot an issue for a client. Other times, it’s like coworkers coming together to support a peer during their darkest hours. The Yardi Atlanta team recently celebrated a virtual Valentine’s Day that showcased compassion, love and camaraderie in their many forms. #YardiLove in Atlanta Organizers Michelle O’Neal and Carolyn Goldin encouraged employees to share their appreciation for their terrific teammates by visiting the office’s Confluence page. There, they could post Valentines “javascript style.” In the comments section, teammates left kind notes, GIFs and memes to brighten one another’s day. They could also post a picture of themselves with their favorite Yardi employee(s) or Valentine(s). The contest encouraged Yardi employees to celebrate togetherness even while they are apart. O’Neal explains, “I think we all are searching for ways to reconnect with our friends and colleagues.  Because Valentine’s Day is thought of mostly for love relationships, we thought we’d play off the relationship idea and swing it towards the relationships we have here at Yardi. We are a tight-knit culture that enjoys the social aspect.” The photo submissions showcased the creativity of Yardi Atlanta. They shared digital collages, screenshots of Teams meetings with fun backgrounds, wedding photos, as well as group pictures taken in past years. Each collaborative effort confirms that team spirit and Yardi’s corporate culture are alive and well, even in our remote work environment. Some employees opted to also share their images and kind words on social media under #YardiLove. Carolyn Goldin, consulting practices at Yardi said, “We wanted to share the #YardiLove especially because we haven’t connected with officemates who aren’t on our immediate teams in a while.” Participants were eligible to win Tango gift cards in a...

Who knew that the 2019 “Yardi Gras” celebration at YASC DC would be a prescient window to the future? This year, instead of typical Fat Tuesday revelry, the citizen of New Orleans are celebrating in a very different way: at home, due to the ongoing pandemic. It’s a theme we’re all familiar with at this point, after nearly a year of working, living life and celebrating milestones – all from home. Our yards may be very familiar at this point, but they are also a creative space for expression and fun. Nowhere is that more true than in New Orleans today. Historic Tradition, Reimagined “Since 1857, Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans have been called off only 14 times, because of war, mob violence, or labor disputes,” reports Bloomberg News. “This year will be the 15th. Much as the city came together after the devastation of Hurricane Katina, turning Carnival into a celebration of hope amid the mourning, Crescent City citizens are still letting the good times roll and supporting each other while they’re at it.” Originally, Yardi Gras, as city officials are calling it, began as a fundraiser. The Krewe of Red Beans was looking for a way to help the artists who create the city’s typically over-the-top parade floats. With no parades, no income was coming in. After the fundraiser as publicized, the idea gained grassroots traction – often on actual grass. As a result, this year there are more than 3,000 “house floats” at individual homes around New Orleans and beyond. A Spirit of Celebration “It’s a spirit of celebration just like that we had in Washington D.C. at YASC two years ago,” said Tim Hoover, creative director for Yardi. “We brought in Sierra Green and the Soul Machine to entertain...

Pets can change us for the better. Pets offer companionship, humor and unconditional love. (Except for some cats, or maybe most cats, who love you quite selectively. But if you’ve ever known and loved a cat, their personalities are part of the charm!) Santa Paula Animal Resource Center (SPARC) is a nonprofit shelter that provides resources, progressive programs, and community education to rehabilitate and rehome abandoned and stray animals. SPARC’s efforts unite pets and pet lovers for long-lasting family bond. Join us as we learn more about SPARC’s innovative work from its president and CEO Tara Diller. What’s the big deal about pets? Pets are, in themselves, a pretty big deal. It’s their influence on communal wellbeing, however, that is making news. Decision makers including clinicians and city planners are realizing the benefits of pet care for the wellness of community members and communities. Homeowners seek neighborhoods with pet parks and services. The boost in desirability correlates to higher home prices and property taxes for local governments. In short, dog parks and other pet services help to sustain relative value in neighborhoods. Additionally, pets contribute to individual wellbeing: “Studies show that owning a pet improves one’s mental and emotional health and pet owners tend to have a greater sense of well-being and motivation knowing that their pet depends on them,” says Diller. SPARC celebrates the human-animal bond and aims to eliminate the barriers that hamper the advancement of companion animal welfare. Their efforts promote a future that considers all pets within the community, not just those who end up at a shelter. “We recognize the emotional, mental and physical benefits a pet brings,” says Diller. “SPARC is working towards keeping pets and people together and being part of a more robust system of support....

Even brief lives can leave a lasting impact. Baby Angela Policastro departed from this world shortly after her first birthday. Her life inspired the creation of a unique non-profit that supports medically frail children and their families. Yardi united efforts to support this groundbreaking organization. About Angela’s House Angela’s House is a not-for-profit agency that offers support and services for the families of medically fragile children. By coordinating an array of essential home care services, Angela’s House gives families an opportunity to focus on each other rather than finding, negotiating, funding and scheduling necessary resources. Home care services were only the beginning. Since 1992, the organization has expanding to include three residences. On average, the residences and home services serve 600 children each year. Programs cover medical supplies, therapeutic equipment, assistive technology, home modifications, respite, counseling and crisis assistance as well as special camps and other enrichment resources. These offerings are called the Everyday Wishes, providing for the everyday needs of kids as well as critical care. Angela’s House + Yardi The Angela’s House 3K Walk raises funds for the Everyday Wishes. Yardi has participated in the walk for the past three years. The 2020 Virtual 3K Walk theme, “At Your Place, Your Pace” encouraged participants to practice social distancing while supporting the organization. Patrons walked with their families, friends and neighbors to raise funds for the cause. CSD team leader Mark Skapinski and fellow planning committee members Sue LaGuardia, Joseph Montesano, and Cristine Gleason led the initiative at Yardi. #TeamYardi showed up in full force! In total, 31 Yardi employees participated in the walk, including eight from CSD. Different departments walked at different times, continuing support for the organization throughout the day. CSD team members walked with one another via Microsoft Teams video...

Take a look behind-the-scenes of the Yardi Corporate Training group to discover what drives their performance and how they help new employees develop the skills needed to be effective, thoughtful and proactive. Online training and onboarding Yardi Corporate Training group has offices in Raleigh, Santa Barbara, Cleveland, Toronto and Saskatoon. A team of 10 provides fellow employees with the knowledge and skills needed to optimally perform their jobs. “The team objectives are to offer programs that will foster career and personal development either in job-specific training or soft skills,” explains Jamie Hall, team lead. “We provide new employee training, training through our Aspire product and employee webinars. Our well-designed programs help employees become more productive and efficient, increase motivation, reduce turnover and help convey our company culture.” Hall has 20 years of experience in education and training. He joined Yardi five years ago, drawn to the company culture. “I learned more about Yardi and the culture that just made me enjoy my work much more. I think it’s important to share the Yardi culture with new employees so that culture continues as we grow,” says Hall. He and the Corporate Training team have worked closely with the Yardi Aspire department to educate about 500 employees each year. That includes new employee training and onboarding. Hall leverages the Aspire product to deliver knowledge and information to new hires across the globe. It’s a testimony to the strength of Aspire and the company’s confidence in its own product. Learn how you can automatically distribute role-based learning plans for your organization. The power of cloud-based eLearning A challenge for workplace students translates to a challenge for the Corporate Training team. With over 7,000 employees worldwide, the greatest challenge to date has been access. “One of the challenges...

Remote work environments have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Seven months into telecommuting, Yardi employees across the U.S. weigh in. March madness, IT edition In mid-March, Yardi’s IT department miraculously (read: after much hard work and dedication) managed to transition more than 30 global offices into a remote work environment in about two weeks. It was no easy feat. The diligence of the IT department and the patience of fellow employees made for a relatively smooth transition. Virtual town hall meetings kept employees up-to-date on the latest developments from the corporate headquarters. Productivity remained steady as team members learned to navigate workflows from home. Gradually, a new normal set in: video conferencing replaced conference rooms and chats replaced quick conversations over cubicle walls. Social committees reconvened team-building activities to maintain camaraderie and engagement. Pets became coworkers who made (sometimes) unsolicited appearances on calls. Yardi team members around the world began to witness firsthand the joys and challenges of their remote work environments. Different, but still efficient Some characteristics of office culture simply cannot be replicated when working from home. Chatting with coworkers in the lounge, grabbing lunch together and team functions are just a few of the office features that employees missed. “Working at home can be a bit stagnant,” admits Luis Estrada, a marketing writer in Miami. He conducted his interview for this post via Microsoft Teams chat. “My dining room is my new office. It’s routine, same old stuff.” “I miss my coworkers and the close collaboration in the office,” says Evan Hearn, energy management analyst in Atlanta. Taylor Leandro, HR generalist in Santa Barbara echoes the sentiment. “I mostly miss the daily interactions with my teammates and fellow colleagues. I also miss the ability to walk over to someone...

The Yardi Atlanta office recently completed a successful Halloween Week! Going virtual was no easy feat, but the events committee tapped into the office’s love of competition to make a fun and memorable event. Hype years in the making Over the years, the social committees at Yardi Atlanta have helped to develop its office culture. The office is known as a place that fuels its hard work with camaraderie and fun. Annual Halloween celebrations brought team members together in pursuit of glory —until this year. With most of Yardi Atlanta working remotely, the office would not come together to celebrate Halloween. What would normally be a week of in-office costume parties and cubical decorations faced a great challenge in 2020. How could Yardi Atlanta take the festivities into a remote work environment? Would it still be fun and engaging? Undaunted by the task, the social committee launched a series of virtual events that encouraged creativity and competition. Each weekday featured a new challenge or activity to engage team members in the holiday spirit. Monday kicked off with a Pumpkin Selfie contest. Employees showed off their carving skills along with their smiles. The Best Pumpkin Selfie award went to Camilo Perez! After clocking out for the evening, a virtual call taught team members how to be Absinthe mixologists. Tuesday’s Throwback Halloween Costume Pictures conjured fringe haircuts, teased bangs and other horrors better left in their graves. There were real gems and great conversation starters among the submissions. Wendy Caffery received the Best Throwback Costume award. Working from home offers even more creative freedom to decorate! Wednesday’s competition received submissions of Halloween Home Décor, from fun and festive to ghoulish and frightening. Amber Brown earned the Best Decorations award. The workday then ended with Ghost Stories...

Like many engineering students, Neharika Jha wasn’t completely sure about her concentration. At the time, she chose computer science engineering. “Not paying too much attention to computer courses taught in school didn’t help initially,” she laughs. But with time, Neharika realized how computer science solved a variety of real-life consumer and business problems. “I realized the positive impact I could have with my learned skills,” she says. “A smartphone today is a million times faster and more efficient than the computers used for the Apollo 11 mission, enabling our first step onto the surface of the moon. This thought of connecting present with past and wondering where it would take us in the future keeps me very excited about the path ahead.” Her knowledge of the computer sciences helped her land a job, but her leadership skills have helped her forge a career and create a legacy at Yardi. Helping clients prepare for the future Neharika joined Yardi immediately after receiving her degree from Pune University. It was 2008, the peak of the financial crisis, and she considered herself fortunate to secure employment. A software company that hired during a recession bode well for her and the organization. “I believed that the company must have very sound fundamentals to be recruiting in those times,” she recalls. “And 11 years later, I can’t thank Yardi enough for the opportunity to join this wonderful organization and be a part of its growth both as a contributor and a beneficiary.” Neharika is currently a manager for an International Practice Global Solutions team. The unit builds, manages and strengthens Yardi’s relationship with some of its biggest clients including Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE and Prologis to name a few. “As a team, we promote the continuity of the clients’...

When you think of a knight, do you imagine him perched atop an ergonomic office chair? Does he don a headset, wield a mouse and fry fish dinners for those in need? If not, you’ve got a lot to learn about modern knights. Larnoe Dungca is a knight who embodies versatility, strength and compassion in unexpected ways. Starting a career at Yardi Dungca’s career with Yardi humbly began 13 years ago. After his previous company closed, he attended a job fair in Ventura and submitted his resume for a web developer position. Fast-forward and Dungca is now a RentCafe technical analyst. He assists RentCafe account managers in CPG Practice Group SB5 as well as other teams. Basically, he helps those who help others. “I really enjoy the satisfaction I get when issues are resolved,” says Dungca.  “I love to imagine the smiling faces of RentCafe account managers when they say ‘thank you so much!’” Through his work, account managers receive the troubleshooting and guidance needed to solve the toughest software problems that clients face. A knight in a techie’s clothing Dungca is a bit of a hero to our account managers and the clients that they serve. He’s also a hero to his local community—he’s a knight, actually. For a decade, Dungca has volunteered with the Knights of Columbus Council 9969 Holy Cross Catholic Church in Moorpark. The group consists of about 150 men who host regular fundraising and outreach events for the community. One of his most memorable events was the Special Olympics Softball Tournament. “This was my favorite event,” says Dungca. “We made sandwiches for all players, umpires and staff that day at the park. It was great to see all of their cheer while they enjoyed the sport that they loved.”...

No one would have been surprised if it had all gone downhill. As shelter-in-place and social distancing measures hit California, a nonprofit focused on social interaction and time outdoors for seniors was unlikely to emerge unscathed. But where there is a will, there is a way. John Seigel-Boettner found a way. Leaning in to change Cycling Without Age is a Denmark-based organization that uses cycling as a cure for feelings of loneliness, alienation and depression amongst the elderly. Bikers, known as pilots, take seniors on two-hour rides through local neighborhoods. It’s an opportunity for the passengers to enjoy the outdoors, socialize and make new friends even when they’re nonverbal. As the new year began, the Santa Barbara chapter of Cycling Without Age experienced a surge in support and resources. Founder Seigel-Boettner built a relationship with eight senior centers that he and his pilots visited twice a week. He had just received two new tri-shaws–custom rickshaws with bucket seats and an electric motor —and trained 25 new pilots. With these resources, Cycling Without Age was prepared to make an even greater impact among Santa Barbara’s 17,000 senior citizens. “But the day that the bikes showed up is the day that we got locked down,” recalls Seigel-Boettner. Protocols set in place by Governor Newsom aimed to protect vulnerable populations from exposure to COVID-19. The unfortunate side effect was the increased loneliness, alienation and depression amongst seniors. “We were scratching our heads. We can’t pilot because we can’t get in the doors. Families can’t even get in the doors,” says Seigel-Boettner. Cycling Without Age came to a grinding halt. Seigel-Boettner and his team paused to take in the news, and them immediately sought new ways to serve the elderly. Getting creative, providing hope Seigel-Boettner began to brainstorm...

Many of us have done it. In conversation with a small child, we casually ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But how often do we make sure that child has what they need to succeed? When Samuel J. Ashe II looked around his community, he saw a deficit in educational resources specifically in the areas of math, fine arts and the sciences. As an active mentor, he wanted to support the big dreams of the neighborhood kids, but he couldn’t do it alone. Fortunately, his family and the community stepped in to help. Bringing people to the forefront of business After graduating with his MBA, Ashe joined Yardi as a marketing specialist with the RentCafe Reach Team. “I have clients all over the country. I manage their digital marketing needs including but not limited to SEO, PPC, and social media management,” he says. Ashe joined Yardi because its corporate culture didn’t feel corporate at all. “Yardi is very people-focused and collaborative,” he says. “We have so many departments, yet I still feel like one big team as we all collaborate to provide superior customer services.” “From day one, I noticed this was a nurturing environment,” adds Ashe. “There was a great deal of energy put into the development of employees, as many of my first days were spent training online in Aspire. That was a breath of fresh air compared to a past of ‘figure it out’ job trainings. Over time, there have been more opportunities to improve upon my already solidified strengths and certifications coursework.” The Ashe Arts & STEM Academy: Representation matters Yardi’s focus on employee development resonated with Ashe, who is the Executive Director of The Ashe Arts & STEM Academy. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit supports the...

There is a common saying that every lesson you need in life, you learn in kindergarten. A few fortunate people, like Gretchen Walker, get to learn those lessons again through the eyes of a professional adult. As a team leader with Yardi RentCafe Reach services and an active member of a Montessori community, Walker regularly takes her lessons from the classroom to the conference room. The far-reaching benefits of work-life balance The RentCafe Reach team is a digital marketing agency for Yardi clients using RentCafe websites. Clients can take advantage of add-on features such as search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC), social posting and reputation management. Walker enjoys her work with the team and the company for three major reasons. “Corporate culture at Yardi is collaborative, transparent and family-oriented,” reflects Walker. “It’s collaborative because everyone is willing to help, no matter what! I’m consistently impressed with the ease at finding answers by asking around. It’s transparent because Yardi’s open-door policy allows for anyone and everyone to know what’s going on with the company from the top down.” “Lastly, and importantly, I believe Yardi is family oriented.  The work-life balance here allows for employees to excel in both areas. I can be an engaged team member and parent without pressure to choose.” South Coast Montessori: lessons for life Yardi’s work-life balance has made space for Walker to serve as a founding board member of South Coast Montessori School. The school stands on the grounds of a previous Montessori school. For the last three years, Walker and her peers have worked hard to revive, redefine and remarket the new entity. In addition to her role as a board member, Walker serves on the fundraising committee and volunteers regularly as a class mom. It’s a lot...

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question that kids throughout the nation have considered with light-hearted curiosity. Doctor? Astronaut? Director of an investment management consulting team? That’s is an unlikely response, but Jace Swank has thrived in an unexpected field. Yardi: the right fit Shortly after graduating from UCSB, Swank began his career at Yardi as a technical account manager. About seven years later, he serves as director of consulting practices. He now oversees support and implementations across North America for the Investment Management Suite of products including Investment Manager, Investment Management, and Investor Plus. Though the account manager position interested the recent graduate, he accepted the job offer because of corporate culture at Yardi. “As I asked around and learned more about what Yardi did, I was excited to see the cross hairs between technology and real estate management,” says Swank. “I come from a family of contractors and have always been interested in computers. Using technology to professionally manage properties was of high interest to me.” “Upon further research about the company,” he continues, “I found nothing but great things about the culture and how well Yardi takes care of employees. I can confirm that after nearly eight years here, all my findings were an understatement. Yardi is a great place to be!” Learning investment management firsthand Once he identified the right company, it was time to learn his new role within it. Investment management is new terrain for most entry level new hires. Though the demand for investment management personnel is high, there are surprisingly few programs to prepare young adults for careers in the field. In addition to technical knowledge of the software, discerning clients seek consultants with a firm understanding of their business...

It all started with a baby.  In 1995, Catriona Orosco welcomed a handsome baby boy into the world. She was quickly dissatisfied, however, by the drab and impractical clothing on the market for nursing moms. “I thought I could do better,” she says. She had no idea that her career with Yardi was in the making. Nursing Mamas and Internet Marketing A few years later, while pregnant with her second son, Orosco created Nursing Mamas, a clothing line for breastfeeding mothers. She teamed up with a friend and began making trips to the Los Angeles Garment District. After each trip, they returned to Santa Barbara with cozy, natural fabrics that they’d take to a local pattern maker and producer. Once a few good products were in development, Cat turned her attention to marketing. “I started a website because I really just wanted to sell the clothes online and work from home,” she says. “It was an incredible learning experience.” Orosco witnessed the birth of Google, and quickly saw the marketing opportunities with AdWords. “I used AdWords very early on and figured out how to optimize my website back in the days when there really were only 10 blue links,” Orosco laughs. “I learned a lot about marketing, and it was exciting to participate in everything that was happening online.” At that time, the average jane did not build her own website. There weren’t handy drag-and-drop features or convenient widgets. There certainly weren’t many resources on increasing organic rankings with search engines. Cat explored the terrain of website building and online marketing, talking to as many people as she could find and testing on her own. When she exhausted her available resources, she got the help of a SCORE consultant. “While they were impressed with...

You ever get a warm, fuzzy feeling when you do something good for someone else? It’s not that dissimilar to the first bite of your favorite dessert made by a loved one. Both are rich with compassion, joy, and the warmth of the holidays. Yardi Atlanta introduced its first annual Bake Off, a baking competition that honors the spirit of holiday giving. It has set the tone to be a favorite for years to come. Creating The Bake Off Yardi Atlanta’s first annual Bake Off was bittersweet. In the past, the office hosted a potluck for Thanksgiving. Yardi corporate provided the ham and turkey and all additional sides and desserts were made by employees. It was a fun and much anticipated event. Yet as the Yardi Atlanta team grew, volunteer coordination of the potluck became less feasible. A fantastic local caterer saved the day. Yet devoted bakers—as well as devoted eaters of homemade goodies—sought a creative way to continue the tradition. “The Bake Off now serves three purposes,” explains volunteer coordinator Kelsey Aslani, technical account manager, consulting practices at Yardi. “The Bake Off was formed because so many of the employees here really enjoy making food to share. This helps maintain the sense of community that Thanksgiving at Yardi has always garnered. Secondly, we were able to maintain a focus on corporate social responsibility by supporting local nonprofits.” With a smile, she adds, “Lastly, everyone loves a good competition.” Baking for Good: North Fulton Community Charities Proceeds from The Bake Off benefit North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) and Atlanta Food Bank. Yardi contributes ongoing support to NFCC , a local nonprofit that serves more than 4,000 people. Families turn to NFCC for emergency aid and enrichment programs. Through the organization, they access resources to promote...

The 6th Annual End Hunger Games is now underway! Foodbank of Santa Barbara County warmly welcomes you to mercilessly crush our competition. Only one organization will receive the Golden Turkey—will it be Yardi? Yardi SB is Up for the Challenge The End Hunger Games is a creative winter campaign that adds a competitive edge to fundraising. Local organizations are encouraged to out-donate one another in three categories: Pounds of Food Nonperishable items are essential but there is also need for fresh produce Funds Raised Monetary donations are allocated to programs with the highest need Volunteer Hours Help to collect, sort, distribute and more! Volunteers are the backbone of the foodbank The most generous organization will win the coveted Golden Turkey and receive bragging rights as Santa Barbara’s fiercest giver. Yardi Santa Barbara has participated in every End Hunger Games competition since the competition started six years ago. Several times, Yardi has emerged as the victor! Yardi team members are encouraged to show their support for the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Yardi employees can click here for details on how to accrue points. Increasing Need for Food in Santa Barbara County Natural disasters, the closure of other foodbanks, and economic hardship have increased the need for supplemental food services in Santa Barbara County. The foodbank has opened three new locations to meet the growing demand. The newest location recently opened at St. George Community Church at 1032 E. Mason Street. This distribution center will serve the lower east side and west side of the county. The St. George location opened shortly after the Westside Neighborhood Center and Catholic Charities sites. (Foodbank SB distribution occurs in conjunction with regularly scheduled Catholic Charities distributions.) Within the first week of opening the new locations, the Foodbank served more than...

Yardi Vancouver cherishes its sense of community. Employees participate in philanthropic outreach that benefits members of the local neighborhood, from the smallest pets to neighbours in their hours of need. Each year, Yardi Vancouver selects recipients for grants and group volunteer opportunities. Employees nominate non-profits that are effective, passionate, and engaging. This year, the four grant recipients include: British Columbia and Alberta Guide Dogs Want to know why Yardi Vancouver supported BC & Alberta Guide Dogs? Meeting Spoof may give you an idea. The playful and determined black lab puppy is working towards becoming a guide dog, autism support dog, or PTSD service dog. He demonstrates the discipline and compassion needed to fulfil his role in Guide Dog’s mission: to change the lives of the blind or visually impaired, individuals with autism, and military and RCMP Veterans. In addition to navigation support, Guide Dogs offer emotional support. With their assistance, people feel more comfortable and confident venturing out into their communities, making new friends, and living their lives to the fullest. “Important lesson: People with service dogs are just trying to get about their day. If you really want to greet the dog, greet the person first. Otherwise, you might just wind up getting patted on the head when the person wonders what their dog is up to,” smiles Edward Glen, General Manager, Yardi Vancouver. Aprons for Gloves Few would see the immediate connection between teenagers, boxing, food services and health care. But for Aprons for Gloves, it all works together. Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association is a non-profit organization focused on providing community outreach through the sport of boxing. Many participants are at-risk women, teens, and youth. They receive free mentorship, training, meals, social and health service. Yardi Vancouver visited a local gym...

The year’s end brings lower temperatures and cloudier skies. It’s the perfect time of year to cozy up under blankets or enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire. Not all families are so fortunate. Yet through acts of compassion, residents of north Metro Atlanta who are facing dire straits can stay warm this season. NFCC Coat Drive To support neighbors in need, Yardi Atlanta embarked on a mission to contribute new and gently used outerwear to North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC). For one month, employees shopped and Marie-Kondo’d their homes in search of warm gear. They brought their findings to work with them. Collection boxes throughout the office steadily filled with attire. Volunteers Lyndsay Griffin, Shela Johnson, Kayla Roth, and Marilyn Duffield helped to keep things organized. This week, organizers announced that the 2019 Yardi Atlanta Coat Drive was a success! Team members were able to deliver 120 coats to NFCC in addition to jackets, scarves, and gloves. Last year, NFCC was privileged to distribute approximately 1,400 winter coats, making Yardi’s donation about 10 percent of the nonprofit’s annual contribution. “These coats are hand delivered to the homeless and to our most in-need community members,” reports Marilyn Duffield, Residential Project Manager, Residential Client Services at Yardi. “We made a difference, and it was not trivial! I love this company!” Emergency Aid in North Fulton Each year, NFCC serves more than 4,000 families amongst North Fulton’s growing population of economically marginalized families. The nonprofit operates in cities north of Atlanta proper including Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, and Roswell. In these cities, the average wage needed to pay for a two-bedroom apartment is more than $21 per hour. The minimum wage is only $7.25. Through emergency aid and enrichment programs, NFCC builds self-sufficiency and prevents...

No one said growing old was easy. Thankfully, you don’t have to go it alone. There’s a wealth of aging agencies and community-based organizations ready to help. In Santa Barbara, many of these local services come together every year for the Senior Expo, which provides a central location for seniors and their caregivers to find educational information, fitness activities, health care and more. This year’s fair took place in early October, and nearly 1,000 attendees and 125 vendors packed the showgrounds. The Senior Expo, now in its third decade, is hosted by the long-running Family Service Agency (FSA). Established over 100 years ago, FSA has continuously been one of Santa Barbara County’s most effective nonprofit organizations for families and individuals of all ages and diversities. They routinely provide food, shelter and other basic needs, as well as mentoring, case management and mental health programs, to create and preserve a healthy community. Yardi returned to the Senior Expo of Santa Barbara once again this year to give back. Nearly 20 employees from the Santa Barbara and Oxnard offices volunteered their time for the full event. “The seniors in our community love this event,” said Lyn Shirvanian, coordinator for the Senior Expo as well as FSA’s mental health awareness training. “And it is due not only to all the services provided that day, but all the young people that they interact with as they enjoy the festivities.” Serving the Santa Barbara senior community For such a big event, the Yardi volunteers split into teams to tackle setup, breakdown and everything in between. Groups arrived early for a quick on-site training before taking their posts. Some directed parking as guests arrived. Others unloaded cars and trucks for vendors, carting goods to their booths in the expo hall....

Nearly one in four women and one in seven men have experienced a violent or abusive relationship. It’s a stunning statistic, but despite the prevalence of domestic violence, the issue doesn’t get the attention and action it deserves. October is National Domestic Violence Month, and organizations across the country, Yardi included, are rededicating themselves to breaking the cycle of violence and raising awareness for the cause. In our Boise office, the team has taken a stand for local nonprofits who serve victims of abuse in their community. Every year, our offices select hundreds of nonprofits to support. The Boise team chose to partner with the Women and Children’s Alliance and Faces of Hope. In addition to sponsorships, employees have participated in tours, donated goods and volunteered their time. Women and Children’s Alliance Originally founded more than 100 years ago, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) endeavors to build a community where individuals can thrive in safe, healthy relationships. Its crisis program offers plenty of services to women, men and their children who are healing from abuse, including 24-hour hotlines, shelter space, therapy and education. WCA staff recently visited our Boise office to host a “tour in a box,” where they gave a presentation on their mission and provided a virtual tour of their facility. Each employee left with a better understanding of domestic violence and the work WCA does for the community. In honor of National Domestic Violence Month, the Boise team also spent time putting together purple ribbons for WCA at a corporate event. While its origins are unclear, the purple ribbon has grown into a symbol of courage, survival and dedication to ending violence. The WCA will use the ribbons to help raise awareness during the month. Employees in Boise plan to...

Strong communities stick together to ensure that each member can thrive. Yardi Atlanta has forged an ongoing relationship with Mimosa Elementary School to help even the littlest community members become their best selves. Beating the Odds Mimosa Elementary School is a Title 1 school with about 800 students. As a school within an Economic Opportunity Zone, participating families often have incomes below the poverty line. As a result, approximately 95 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch rates. Economic difficulty has not stopped the community’s passion for quality education. The academic growth of Mimosa’s students is higher than 74 percent of schools in the state and higher than its district. About 34 percent of its third grade students read at or above the grade level target, an important milestone for youth. Mimosa Elementary School is Beating the Odds, meaning that it performs better than similar Title 1 schools. Yardi Atlanta Loves Friendly Competition The Roswell, Georgia community bands together to help Mimosa students prepare for class. Each year, Yardi team members collect the supplies that local kids need for confidence and success in school. Christie Daniel, Keiya Huguley, Shawn Walker, and Terence Walker of the Yardi Atlanta School Supply Drive Committee organized this year’s event. To tap into employees’ sense of friendly competition, organizers turn the supply drive into a game. Teams were challenged to be: the first to collect all the items on the school’s wish list. Winners received lunch on the house! the team that gathered more donations than all other teams. Winners receive an ice cream party! The first team to collect all items on the school supply list was the Classic and Genesis 2 team. The team to collect the most items was the Affordable Programming team. Congratulations to both hardworking and...