Honoring the 2008 Housing Heroes

Travelers
Recipient of the Legacy Award

George C. Lang
Recipient of the Edward J. Flahavan Award

Shirley Land
Recipient of the Joe Errigo Advantage Award

Legacy Award

CommonBond Communities does not work alone. Over the years, CommonBond Communities has partnered with local municipalities, faith communities, nonprofit service providers, professional groups, for-profit developers, businesses, foundations, and private investors to build affordable housing so that today more than 6,000 people have safe homes to grow up, hopeful places to build futures, raise families, and live out the later years of their lives.

With this award, we recognize and honor an individual or group that has demonstrated a long-term partnership with CommonBond Communities to meet the challenge of providing affordable housing.

2008 Legacy Award Winner
Travelers

Previous Award Winners
The Pohlad Family, Minneapolis (2006)
Frey Family Foundation, Minneapolis (2007)

Edward J. Flahavan Award

It was Edward Flahavan’s vision that shaped CommonBond Communities in 1971. As Executive Director of the Urban Affairs Commission of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis from 1968-1977, he led an initiative to build safe, decent, and affordable housing for people with low-incomes. As an activist, visionary, and teacher, Ed Flahavan lives out the social gospel that gives preference to the poor. As a change agent and tireless advocate for social justice, he works to help others help themselves while making systems more responsible to the needs of the poor.

With this award, we honor and recognize an individual who, through his or her personal actions, has demonstrated a passion for ensuring that economically disadvantaged people have access to affordable housing.

2008 Edward J. Flahavan Award Winner
George C. Lang

Previous Award Winners
Roxanne Smith, Brooklyn Park (2000)
Maureen Geddes, Minneapolis (2001)
Sr. Joanne Lucid BVM, Minneapolis (2002)
LaDonna Hoy, Wayzata (2003)
Herb Frey, Minneapolis (2004)
Carol Mork, Edina(2005)
William Cosgriff, St. Paul (2006)
Mary Jo Richardson, Shoreview (2007)

Joe Errigo Advantage Award

The success of CommonBond’s housing model is measured by the lives that are changed. Each year, CommonBond residents participate in the supportive services offered in onsite Advantage Centers – technology-based resident resource centers located within each CommonBond housing community. By their participation, adult residents achieve increased economic self-sufficiency, youth residents excel academically, and senior residents remain living independently.

This award recognizes a resident or volunteers whose active involvement in CommonBond’s Advantage Center has changed lives – theirs or those around them.

2008 Joe Errigo Advantage Award Winner
Shirley Land

Previous Award Winners
Joan Clarno, Minnetonka (2006)
Learning Places Team of the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul (2007)