SUPPORTER NOTES NOAH IS THE COUNTY'S OLDEST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

NOAH Executive Director Thomas Roberts took time during the organization's June 2008 retreat in Delray Beach to thank the businesses and agencies that support NOAH's efforts to improve housing and empower individuals. Representatives of two supporting partners attended the banquet.

Annetta Jenkins, senior program director at South Florida Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) and the keynote speaker at last year's retreat, attended along with Juanita Gadsen of the Community Financing Consortium.

"I really appreciate the opportunity to come and break bread with you all," Jenkins said. "It is so impressive to see the camaraderie and the spirit of team ship that you all have as board and staff and supporters, and we are just so proud at LISC to be associated with you in doing the work.

"Community development is not easy on a good day and with challenges we have here in Palm Beach County, you wonder why do people stay the course? You've been around longer than any other community development corporation in this county. I don't know if you all knew that. The record of success that you have and the record of accomplishment is something you have to be proud of.”

Gadsen seemed equally impressed after listening to Roberts as he listed NOAH's accomplishments and supporting organizations. Her organization, the Community Financing Consortium, Inc., promotes, facilitates, and manages the financing of affordable housing in Palm Beach, Martin and Broward counties. Roberts acknowledged a litany of supporters including The Children's Services Council, Family Central, Department of Children and Families, Palm Health Care Foundation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mary Alice Fortin Childcare Foundation, Allegany Franciscan Foundation, USDA, LISC, Community Financing Consortium, Bank United, Commerce Bank, United Way, Wachovia and The Knight Foundation.

"I always knew NOAH did a lot, but I'm sitting here like, 'My God, what don't they do? What agency is not supporting you?' "Which is a good sign," Gadsen said. "When you can get others to buy in to what you're doing, that mean's you're doing something well.

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