'What Home Means to Me'

VIRGINIA—The children of Pine Mill Court recently had the opportunity to draw posters for a contest—and to tell “What Home Means to Me,” the contest theme. The Virginia Housing and Redevelopment Authority had its annual poster contest event at Pine Mill Court March 20 in collaboration with the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials’ Housing America Campaign.

The poster contest invites children from kindergarten to 12th grade residing in affordable housing and community developments administered by NAHRO member agencies to participate. The theme of the contest “encourages participants to reflect on the significance of home in their lives,” as stated in a news release.

“We are thrilled to host events that bring joy to the lives of our young residents. Supporting them every step of the way to enhance their lives and provide them with opportunities is at the core of our mission,” said Dana Hiltunen, executive director of Virginia and Eveleth HRA and vice chairwoman of housing at MN NAHRO.

Hiltunen added, “The poster contest event at Pine Mill Court is an exciting opportunity for young residents to showcase their creativity and express what home means to them. It is part of Virginia HRA’s ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering its community members.”

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials encourages local housing authorities to conduct local contests and submit winners from each age category to compete in the state-level contest. The top three winners from each age category advance to the national competition, and 13 national winners are selected.

These national honorees will be announced during Housing America Month in October. Additionally, all eight NAHRO regions will be represented in the calendar, with the cover winner and one legal guardian receiving a tour of Capitol Hill and attending NAHRO’s Washington Conference in Washington, D.C., where they will be honored. Each of the national winners will also receive a $100 Visa gift card.

For more information about Virginia Housing Authority’s programs and initiatives, visit www.vhra.org or contact 218-741-2610.