Women of habitat luncheon preview 

Having a safe, stable and affordable home impacts many aspects of a family’s life; Education is one of the areas where we see a dramatic influence.  

In a 2015, a study completed by Wilder Research showed Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity the impact that housing has on Habitat homeowner’s educations. The study showed Habitat homeowners have better study habits, better grades, and many adults going back to school to finish their education, since moving into their Habitat home.  

During the Hope Builder’s Luncheon on October 4^th, we will dive into issues revolving around education and affordable housing with a fantastic panel. MayKao Y. Hang, the President and CEO of Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, will moderate the panel of: Becky Roloff, President of St. Catherine University; Sondra Samuels, President and CEO of the Northside Achievement Zone; Yeu Vang, Principal at Jackson Elementary in St. Paul; and Kathy Tunheim, CEO and Principal at Tunheim.

MayKao Hang is the President and CEO of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation aims at improving the lives of the greater St. Paul community through research, community building and more. MayKao became president of the foundation in 2007, and has a vast background in serving low-income and disadvantaged populations.

Newly appointed President of St. Catherine’s University, Becky Roloff, will join the panel to discuss how affordable housing impacts education at a college level. Becky graduated from St. Catherine’s University in 1976, and went on to become the President and CEO of the YWCA of Minneapolis. The YWCA not only provides a health and fitness center for women, but also helps families fight homelessness, helps people find employment and empowers at-risk youth.   

Sondra Samuels, President and CEO of Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) will also be joining the panel at the Hope Builder’s luncheon 2016. Sondra is working to end multigenerational poverty through family stability and education and close the achievement gap in North Minneapolis. NAZ recognizes the impact housing has on education; they partner families with NAZ Housing Specialists to ensure families are receiving support and services to create a long-term housing plan.

Principal of Jackson Elementary school, Yeu Vang joins the panel to give perspective from an elementary school standpoint. Jackson Elementary school located in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul, was one of the first schools in the nation to provide a Hmong Dual Language Program; this program helps children achieve academically, but also helps them become proficient in two languages. Yeu sees firsthand within Jackson Elementary school how unstable housing impacts students in school.

Our final panelists for the Hope Builder’s Luncheon is Kathy Tunheim, CEO and Principal at Tunheim. Kathy co-founded Tunheim Public Relations firm in 1990 with four colleagues, and has served as president and CEO ever since. The firm has many partnerships with education nonprofits. Kathy has a vast background ranging from the business world to working with under served communities.

If education is a topic near and dear to your heart, please join leaders in our community at the Women of Habitat Hope Builders Luncheon, to discuss solutions around education and housing. The luncheon, on Tuesday, October 4 at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, is a great place to network and meet people passionate about building a greater Twin Cities.

This 4^th annual Women of Habitat luncheon is open to men as well. Tickets, table, and sponsorship information is online at www.tchabitat.org/luncheon.