Dear Friends of In Our Backyard,
So much has happened since my last update in June. We have raised approximately $160,000 through donations ranging from $10 to $10,000. Board members have presented to multiple faith based groups, Lions’ clubs, civic organizations, Rotary groups, and community councils citywide. We have professionals donating their services for architecture, electrical engineering, civil engineering, structural engineering, and project management. Volunteers are lining up to help with construction, painting, collecting donations of supplies and welcoming new occupants. Memorandums of understanding are being drafted for case management and support services. A code of conduct for occupants is being developed with input from social service experts, people with lived experience, housed neighbors and board members. A management plan has been written and we also now have a Certificate of Insurance!
Needless to say, this whole project is so much more involved than I ever imagined back in June of 2023. It is a good thing that I “didn’t know what I didn’t know” when In Our Backyard began. I might have said, “No way. This is never going to happen.” Instead, we have a strong passionate board that works to get to a “yes” when barriers arise. We have support from the faith community, business community, the Mayor’s office, the Anchorage Assembly and individuals throughout the city, state, and country.
Huge thanks to the Rasmuson Foundation of Alaska for their generous grant to help us get the utilities in place before winter; to Matson Shipping who awarded a grant to cover the cost of shipping the restroom/shower trailer to Anchorage; and to Northrim Bank and the ELCA Alaska Synod who both provided grants to help us get started. A huge thanks also to the nearly 150 individuals and organizations who have believed in what we’re doing and donated funds to make this dream a reality.
We did have a huge funding setback when the application process for a HUD Community Development Block Grant we were conditionally awarded for capital expenses was recently determined to need a whole new application process. We now will need to resubmit our application following the new process for determining awards. That being said, we are trying to raise $55,000 to keep In Our Backyard on track to welcome people by November 1st. While that amount might seem daunting, I am constantly overwhelmed by the support and faith our community has for this project and its mission.
Loaves & Fishes,
Julie Graham, Board Chair
