When the DACKKs Group was incorporated in October of 2000, it was little more than three friends together, working out the details of a vision to address homelessness. By the end of 2001, we had purchased our first housing unit and rented it to a formerly battered woman and her young daughter. We held our breath and hoped that things would go well for her. And they have, for the most part. Her twelve-year old car died recently so now she and her daughter must take the bus everywhere. But she is taking it in stride and saving for a new one. Anxious to replicate this first success, the DACKKs Group turned its attention to letting people know who we are and what we do, and to raising the funds necessary to purchase a second unit.
Early in 2002, the Board of Directors established an organizational goal: to purchase one housing unit each year. To that end, we applied to the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) McKinney-Vento program for funding to purchase and operate five housing units serving eight individuals. And in September we held our first fundraiser, a wine and food tasting event to introduce the DACKKs Group. We were successful with both. First, our fundraiser netted enough to supplement earlier donations and allow us to purchase a second unit. Similar to our first property, it is a one-bedroom condo in a garden-style apartment complex. We will close in February and begin minor renovations before a tenant moves in. And second, we received an early Christmas present in December when we were notified that our HUD application was successful and we were approved for a matching grant in the amount of $674,000. While we have already arranged sources to match funds for some of the grant, a large portion of the amount we must match remains. We are now lining up potential state and county program applications and planning another fundraiser to supplement the remainder.
Consider this our closure to a remarkable year and our nod to what lies ahead of us in 2003. Our work is already described. Early next month, we will help to make a house a home for another person who is struggling with homelessness. And then we will focus on our next project to do the same for eight more individuals. We know that you have kept us in your hearts and minds this year: we have seen the results of your generosity. For those of you who live in the Bergen-Passaic-Hudson area, we ask you to contact us if you have household items, including new or gently used furniture, so that we can furnish our newest household.
We enjoy hearing from you and urge you to watch the website for updates. Thank you for joining us in the work we do and for sharing our belief that everyone should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live.
Karen E. Amy
President
February 2003