Irvine, CA – Jamboree Housing Corporation’s resident services division, Housing with HEART (Helping Educate, Activate and Respond Together) recently gathered at its Rowland Heights Apartments in Rowland Heights, California to announce this year’s scholarship winners. Sponsored by Wachovia and WaMu, the awards are open to all residents of Jamboree’s communities and are part of a three-year scholarship program created by Jamboree Housing in 2005 to celebrate its 15th anniversary by expanding Housing with HEART’s reach and programs. Recipients are given the opportunity to further their education by selecting from either $1,000, a new computer or $2,000 in tuition towards the school of their choosing.
Sam Mistrano, Director of Housing with HEART, is quick to point out that Jamboree Housing was one of the first nonprofit housing providers to recognize, and integrate into its program, the vital link between housing and onsite resident services. It was established as Jamboree’s in-house resident services division in 1999 and incorporated as its own 501(c)(3) in 2004. “Housing with HEART offers an innovative, comprehensive approach to developing long- term resident services programs. These scholarships are just one of the many ways we seek to make a difference in the lives of our residents – hardworking families so vital to each of our communities.”
“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Jamboree since 1996, providing lending support for multiple properties, said Wayne Bradshaw, Regional President, Community & External Affairs Division for WaMu. Recognizing Jamboree as one of the industry’s most competent and professional affordable housing developers, Bradshaw went on to note that its innovative in-house resident services division, Housing with HEART, leads by example. “We are pleased to provide support for this scholarship program. The students of all ages today are tomorrow’s future leaders and policy makers.
They’ll compromise our workforce and help define our economy. A college education helps ensure students receive the necessary skills and knowledge needed for success, both in business and life.”
"The Wachovia Foundation is committed to making every community we serve as strong as it can be," said Rey Ocañas, Community Relations Executive for Wachovia's Western Region. “We know that access to education can open doors and lead to a better life. We’re proud to partner with Jamboree Housing to provide scholarships to these deserving recipients.”
Maria Reyna, 47, a four-year resident of Jamboree’s Mendocino Apartments in San Clemente, California, plans to use her scholarship to purchase books. She is intent on pursuing a four-year degree in art and child psychology. In the meantime, she lives out her passion for the power of art as self-expression by teaching art to students from ages 13 to 19 at a local nonprofit. “Everyone deserves a safe, decent place to live because it changes your perspective on everything,” said Reyna, pointing to the transformation in her own life personally and professionally over the last four years. Reyna was one of the many residents instrumental in successfully petitioning the Capistrano Valley Unified School District to add Mendocino to its regular bus route by expanding existing routes.
Karen Chang, 18, and Joannie Chang, 49, moved to Jamboree’s newest development, Montecito Vista in Irvine, fourteen months ago and were both delighted to receive scholarships – that they were related to each other was something of which the judges were unaware. Mom plans to use the scholarship for a new laptop in her business and her daughter will use the funds for tuition at Irvine Valley College this fall. She plans to pursue environmental studies.
Yenizeth Nuñez, 18, has lived with her family at Jamboree’s Citrus Grove community in Fontana since 2000. She has benefited from Housing with HEART’s after-school program and is now helping younger students in the program with their studies. “I enjoy helping the kids with homework and appreciate that I have someone who can help me with homework, job and college applications.” Nuñez plans to use her new laptop to attend Chaffey Community College this fall.
Josefina Gonzalez, 18, grew up living at La Puente Park Apartments. She begins her studies at Cal Poly Pomona this fall and plans to major in psychology. “My dream is to attend college and though my parents want to help financially, things are tight,” said Gonzalez. “This scholarship is a boost to my dreams and a tremendous help to my family.”
Maria Tapia, 40, has benefited from the programs offered by Housing with HEART at Cienega Gardens in Covina – home to her and family the last five years. “The women’s workshops are educational for me and my ten-year-old son is tutored in math, social studies and writing.” She is a student at Mt. San Antonio College and is eager to complete studies towards a degree in substance abuse counseling.
Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) is one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services companies, with assets of $719.9 billion and market capitalization of $97.5 billion at June 30, 2007. Wachovia provides a broad range of retail banking and brokerage, asset and wealth management, and corporate and investment banking products and services to 13 million household and business customers. Wachovia has 3,400 retail financial centers in 21 states from Connecticut to Florida and west to Texas and California, and nationwide retail brokerage, mortgage lending and auto finance businesses. Globally, clients are served in selected corporate and institutional sectors and through more than 40 international offices. Our retail brokerage operations under the Wachovia Securities brand name manage more than $795 billion in client assets through approximately 10,800 registered representatives in 774 offices in 48 states and through service affiliate offices in Latin America. Online banking is available at wachovia.com; online brokerage products and services at wachoviasec.com; and investment products and services at evergreeninvestments.com. In May 2007, Wachovia announced an agreement to acquire A.G. Edwards, Inc., a financial services holding company whose primary subsidiary is the national investment firm of A.G. Edward & Sons, Inc. A.G. Edwards and its affiliates employ 6,623 financial consultants in 741 offices nationwide and two European locations in London and Geneva. This proposed acquisition is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2007, pending the approval of A.G. Edwards shareholders and applicable regulatory approvals.
WaMu, through its subsidiaries, is one of the nation's leading consumer and small business banks. At June 30, 2007, WaMu and its subsidiaries had assets of $312.22 billion. The company has a history dating back to 1889 and its subsidiary banks currently operate approximately 2,700 consumer and small business banking stores throughout the nation. WaMu's press releases are available at http://newsroom.wamu.com.
About Jamboree: Founded in 1990, Jamboree Housing Corporation is an award-winning, broad-based nonprofit housing development company that develops, acquires, renovates and manages a growing portfolio of more than 5,000 permanently affordable rental and ownership housing for lower-income families and seniors in more than 35 communities throughout California. As Orange County’s leading nonprofit developer, Jamboree Housing currently has 270 units under new construction, another 482 units under renovation and an additional 1,110 units of new construction or renovation in predevelopment over the next four years.
Housing with HEART (Helping Educate, Activate and Respond Together) is a 501 (c)(3) organization and a division of Jamboree Housing that provides onsite services to more than 3,400 low- and very-low income families living in 28 affordable housing communities statewide. Housing with HEART complements Jamboree Housing’s belief in creating communities that provide opportunities and resources for residents to improve their lives by offering an innovative, comprehensive approach to developing a long-term resident services program tailored to each of its communities.
Currently, Housing with HEART programs and services are offered at 24 Jamboree Housing communities. More information is available on the company’s websites at www.jamboreehousing.com and www.housingwithheart.org.