Avalon Housing celebrating its 20th anniversary at the Ann Arbor Art Center
In 20 years, Avalon Housing has grown from a single supportive housing apartment community to 25 locations with around 400 tenants. Their model takes affordable housing a step further by managing cases and connecting tenants to resources and services, offering programs such as after school programs, operating food pantries, and much more.
To celebrate Avalon Housing's accomplishments and its 20th anniversary, the Ann Arbor Art Center will host "Opening Doors to End Homelessness," an exhibition of artworks made by tenants and a gala fundraiser featuring a silent auction of artworks by 25 local working artists.
Avalon Housing tenants' artworks will be on display at the Ann Arbor Art Center beginning Oct. 30.
The gala and silent auction, on Nov. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m., will feature live acoustic jazz by Deondre Richmond, a strolling dinner buffet provided by EAT Catering, wine and beer, and attendees can view the tenants' artworks.
The theme of the event, "Opening Doors to End Homelessness," speaks to Avalon Housing's mission and philosophy. To highlight this, the gala will be decorated by a number of doors that were salvaged during apartment rehabs and turned into art by Avalon Housing staff, members of the Women's Caucus for Art, and kids in an Avalon Housing after school program. The doors will probably end up hanging as art in their five community centers and main office.

Avalon Housing tenant John Seale with one of his artworks
Kim Wilcox, director of development and communications, points out that making art is good therapy for many of the tenants. Many have battled homelessness, health and mental-health issues, substance abuse, and poverty. "Many use it as art therapy," Wilcox explains.
The silent auction will feature artworks by talented area artists (non-tenants) including Jessica Lively, Karin Wagner Coron, Matruka Sherman, Ethel Potts, Clayton Lewis, Chris Lewis, Glenna Schweitzer, Barbara Melnik Carson, Margaret Parker, Stephen Kinnard, Jude Walton, Lynn Ochberg, Mark Mardirosian, Dawn Zuber, Motawi Tileworks, Ted Tavora, Lynn Whitney, Cheryl Bradetich, Allison Correll, Susan Clinthorne, Laurie Longo, Karin Bodycombe, Rich Wood, Jill Ault, and Jonathan Wright.
Money collected from tickets, donations, and the silent auction will support Avalon Housing's various programs. "We help them get attached to the resources they need such as medical care, for instance, we operate food pantries, after school programs, fitness programs, things like computer training, health fairs, and get-togethers that build community. It takes all of those things to keep people stably housed," Wilcox says.
Avalon Housing is still rehabbing properties, as well. Demolition on Pauline, a property that was recently burned down, has been under way and the plan is to move tenants into 32 units by the end of 2013.
Wilcox shares her thoughts about the value of permanent supportive housing as a national model for affordable housing: "Our work is to keep vulnerable individuals housed, safe, healthy, and living independently. It takes a very coordinated effort—that is what is unique about supportive housing," she says.
She also sees supportive housing as a cost-saving model. "When the most vulnerable people are housed, they aren't in the emergency rooms, court systems, and streets," Wilcox says. Avalon Housing hopes to spread this message and celebrate their tenants and successes at the upcoming fundraiser.
Reserve advance tickets for Avalon Housing's anniversary gala by contacting Kim Wilcox at kwilcox@avalonhousing.org or call 734-663-5858 ext. 212. You can also register online at www.avalonhousing.org
Comments
pbehjatnia
Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
Sadly I live down the street from two Avalon houses and lived for seven years next to another one. I have yet to see anyone vulnerable living in an Avalon unit. Sorry. What I see are people with all the amenities of a middle class lifestyle: big tvs, nice cars, satellite dishes, manicured faux nails, high end sneaks, expensive dogs etc. Where are the people Ms Wilcox is speaking of?
roadsidedinerlover
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
I am a former tenant of Avalon Housing. (twice) I lived off Pauline. I never had a big tv, satellite dish (not allowed) etc. What I had were middle of the night raids on my drug dealing neighbors, my neighbor below me prostituting herself and domestic assault on another neighbor. I had to deal with men peeking into my windows and much more abberant behavior. Avalon Housing did not do much to help us normal tenants. I was a working person with no drug etc problems. I just could not afford the Ann Arbor rent. I am scarred for life from my experience with Avalon.
mkm17
Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.
We can't tell who is vulnerable at a glance. Two family members have lived in Avalon housing for 15+ years. All of their "nice" things were gifts from us and other family members.