2022 | Celebrating CHOC's Year Full of Milestones & Memorable Moments

Reflecting on a Successful 2022...

As we look back on 2022,

hearts are full. This year, we saw the groundbreaking of Placita Dolores Huerta in Coachella, significant progress on The Monarch Apartments in Palm Springs, expansion of CHOC Energy, and many more pivotal moments. It’s been a year full of connecting with those who matter most — and celebrating accomplishments both large and small.

our

behalf of all of

at CHOC, we want to thank you for contributing to another successful year. We’re grateful for the enormous support from municipalities, construction and finance partners, agencies, fellow nonprofit organizations, and the hundreds of resident families who live within our affordable housing communities.

On

us

Our achievements would not be possible without you.

With your support, we are able to continue serving our community, assisting low-income families, and expanding our resources even farther than ever before.

Please join us in reflecting on CHOC’s 2022 milestones and successes

Honors and Awards

1. CHOC Energy Receives Award from ALOM

On Thursday, October 13, CHOC Energy Program Manager Sarah Vallimont and Field Production Manager Chris Lakin were invited to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ALOM Tech.

ALOM is one of CHOC Energy’s largest distributors, supporting our Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program supply chain. Gathered in celebration were some of ALOM’s suppliers and business associates, including 23 and Me, Face to Face, and many more.

Sarah and Chris received a Supply Chain Excellence Award on behalf of CHOC Energy, in recognition of our stellar performance and collaborative partnership. We value our partnership with ALOM and look forward to our future endeavors together! Learn more about our ESA program and ALOM. Opposite page from L to R:

Lynn Pensa, Alom Business Manager, Sarah Vallimont CHOC Energy Program Manager, and Chris Lakin, CHOC Energy Field Production Manager

2. CHOC Services’ Terri Smyth and Juan Pulido

Honored

By NAMI Yolo County and

More

Our two team members, VP of Community Impact Terri Smyth Canillo and Project Coordinator Juan Pulido, were honored by NAMI Yolo County this past October during Mental Illness Awareness Week. Recognized for their respective mental health contributions, Terri and Juan continue to work tirelessly with the Homestead Cooperative in Davis, CA, building community and ensuring the safety, comfort, and happiness of residents.

With their help and guidance, Homestead is a better, safer community for all residents.

Learn more about the success of CHOC Services’ Summer Stars

Enrichment program, spearheaded by Terri, in collaboration with United Way California Capital Corridor Region, in our recent story here.

3. The Monarch Apartments Wins IDA 2021 Design Recognition

Maria Song, AIA, LEED AP, won Honorable Mention from the International Design Awards for her landmark designs for The Monarch Apartment Homes, the first affordable housing in Palm Springs in over a decade.

Receiving her award, Maria said: “Interactive Design is honored and humbled to be a part of this team—client, agencies, investors, designers, engineers, and contractor—recognized by the International Design Awards.” She added, “We’re hopeful this honor continues to bring attention to the need for housing at all economic and social levels.”

Interactive Design Corporation Architect

Maria Song, AIA, LEED & AP. (Photo: IDC Palm Springs)

And now, our Highlights of...

1. Breaking Ground at Placita Dolores Huerta

In April, we saw the historic groundbreaking of Placita Dolores Huerta, in Coachella, CA, one of CHOC’s two affordable housing communities under construction in Coachella Valley. The social justice icon Dolores Huerta attended and gave a speech which roused spirits and support among residents, government officials, and CHOC staff in the audience.

Learn more on how construction on Placita Dolores Huerta is making headway at our recent story here.

Photograph courtesy of Noé Montes.

2. CHOC Energy Expands

Our energy services made major strides in 2022 with the move toward greener technologies and team training opportunities.

With Vice President of CHOC Energy Fabiola Ortiz at the helm, the division worked to upskill existing staff, while also opening new job opportunities in the San Francisco peninsula.

CHOC Energy Employee and Employee Training. Images courtesy of Anastasiya Lyashenko

Director of CES Integrated, Yegor Lyashenko and CES’ HVAC lead, Reza RadImages | Photo courtesy of Anastasiya Lyashenko

4. Construction Progresses on The Monarch in Palm Springs

Nearly one year after breaking ground, The Monarch Apartments saw major construction updates throughout 2022. Currently, the foundation and framing are in place, which can be seen from both San Rafael Road and N. Indian Canyon.

Derek Davis, president of davisREED, said: “I’ve been working in the Coachella Valley personally since 1994 and these communities have come along so rarely, and they’re just so needed. It’s been good to be a part of that solution. It’s really great to be working with CHOC, which has vested interest long-term in the [Coachella] Valley.”

Image courtesy of davisREED

5. In the Press: Chief Strategy Officer Joy Silver & Architect Maria Song

The headlines were all abuzz with CHOC this year. We received features across local and national news, the likes of which included Forbes Books, NBC Palm Springs, KESQ, and more. A few highlights:

• The Public Record, a popular business podcast, interviewed Chief Strategy Officer Joy Silver on affordable housing projects in the Coachella Valley.

• The Desert Sun featured an op-ed by Chief Strategy Officer Joy Silver, who eloquently addressed why affordable housing must be expanded in the Coachella Valley.

• Multi-Housing News spoke with architect Maria Song for a story on making wellness integral to affordable housing.

• Coachella Valley Independent featured Joy Silver and addressed the need in Coachella Valley for more workforce housing to support the population.

Image of Joy Silver by Carly Aronson, The Hoyt Organization

Additional Important Facts & Figures

• CHOC Youth Services distributed 9,814 meals (lunches/snacks) to CHOC resident youth in 2022.

• CHOC Real Estate Development and partner davisREED are currently constructing 116 units of multifamily affordable housing in Coachella Valley, CA.

• CHOC Energy in Vacaville, CA employs 68 people at a living wage, across a variety of office and field-based jobs.

• CES Director Yegor Lyashenko has international construction experience and has visited 31 countries around the world (and counting).

• CHOC was founded in Davis, CA in 1984.