Connected Communities Foundation

09/29/2026

🐴 Giving children a leg up!

We were honored to be recognized by City to Saddle at their Farm-to-Table Dinner on Sunday evening, celebrating a partnership that helped bring meaningful equestrian experiences to children in our communities this summer.

City to Saddle has been creating equestrian opportunities for underserved children for more than two decades, helping young people build confidence, learn new skills, and experience the joy of horsemanship.

When City to Saddle connected with a farm interested in providing these opportunities to local children, CCF Team Lead Melissa Madera jumped into action and identified Allen Park as a community where the opportunity could make a meaningful impact.

That connection helped bring City to Saddle Week at Vining Hill Equestrian Center Inc to Allen Park this summer. Children spent the week learning about horse care and equipment, participating in outdoor activities and arts and crafts, and developing confidence and riding skills through daily group lessons. The week culminated in a horse show and pizza party celebrating their accomplishments.

Community Coordinators at North Village and Wellington Community Apartments also coordinated equestrian opportunities for children in their communities this summer.

It’s a great example of what can happen when we connect community, opportunity, and partnership.

At Connected Communities Foundation, our six areas of impact are interconnected. Opportunities like these can support Community Engagement, Education, and Health, while giving children the chance to learn, grow, build confidence, and discover something new.

We’re grateful to CITY TO SADDLE for recognizing this partnership and for creating opportunities that enrich the lives of children in our communities. And we’re proud of our Community Coordinators and Team Leads who continue to find creative ways to bring meaningful opportunities directly to residents.

Sometimes giving a child a leg up starts with simply connecting them to an opportunity. 🐴

09/23/2026

A new cohort. A new beginning. A growing opportunity.

Yesterday, Connected Communities and WinnCompanies welcomed Cohort 7 of our Maintenance Apprenticeship Program (MAP) as they began their journey toward careers in skilled trades.

This year’s cohort includes 29 apprentices, our largest cohort to date. The demand for this opportunity continues to grow, with 1,136 applications received for Cohort 7.

Fourteen of our 29 apprentices onboarded yesterday at Loft 27 in Lowell, one of our two dedicated MAP training units, marking the beginning of their hands-on learning, technical training, and professional development.

A special shout-out to Saraugh Fitah, Director of Workforce Initiatives, and Ping Zhou, Program Associate, for helping welcome and prepare our newest apprentices for the journey ahead. 🔧🛠️

We are proud to invest in pathways that help residents build skills, gain experience, and advance toward careers in the skilled trades.

Welcome, Cohort 7! We can’t wait to see what you accomplish.

09/22/2026

Great Resident Services partnerships bring resources closer to home.

Resident Services is about more than connecting residents to programs. It’s about building partnerships that make those resources easier to access, bringing services directly into communities and creating opportunities for residents to connect with trusted organizations.

This past August, residents at PAC10, Stone Mill Lofts, and Loft Five50 had the opportunity to participate in Coffee with a Nurse, a partnership with Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital.

The event brought health screenings, blood pressure monitors, education on stroke prevention and other health risks, follow-up guidance, medication organizers, and a few treats and giveaways right to residents where they live.

That’s the power of partnership.

When we bring services to residents’ doorsteps, we help remove barriers, create connections, and make it easier for residents to access the support and resources they need to be stable, connected, and empowered.

We’re grateful to Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital for helping us bring meaningful health resources directly into our communities.

09/15/2026

Education is one of Connected Communities Foundation’s six outcome areas, and we’re proud to see that commitment in action through WinnCompanies’ WinningEdge Scholarship program. 🎓

As the resident services arm of WinnCompanies, CCF is proud to support efforts that help residents and families access opportunities that strengthen their futures.

This year, $70,000 in scholarships was awarded to 59 residents across 11 states and Washington, D.C., along with 10 dependents of WinnCompanies team members.

Congratulations to all of the 2026-2027 WinningEdge scholars! We’re excited to celebrate your achievements and the opportunities ahead. 💙

09/10/2026

09/09/2026

If you’re looking to better understand the work of Connected Communities and the role resident services can play in creating lasting impact, this conversation is a great place to start.

A word from our Board Chair, Trevor Samios, on what it takes to make resident services more than an add-on to housing.

In this conversation with Chris Papa, Trevor shares perspective on housing stability, employment, savings, education, access to benefits, community engagement, and the importance of building trust with residents. He also talks about the operational side of the work: how you scale services, measure impact, and build teams that take ownership and close the loop when a resident asks for help.

These are at the heart of what we do at Connected Communities: connecting residents to the resources, relationships, and opportunities that help them become stable, connected, and empowered.

If you want to know more about our work, this is a great overview and a worthwhile conversation to listen to.

Thank you to Chris Papa for creating the space for this conversation and to Trevor for sharing his perspective and experience.

Check it out here (Links in Comment Section):
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g45pmBSS
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gFbx493z
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3I3nkG9

09/08/2026

Making memories. Building community. Setting kids up for success. 📚✨

Summer is about having fun, but it’s also about creating moments that help children feel connected, supported, and ready for what comes next.

At Grace West, residents came together for Family Fun Day, where more than 65 bookbags were generously donated and distributed to local kids. Families enjoyed outdoor games, hot dogs, ice cream, and plenty of smiles along the way.

And during Mad Scientist Week, kids got to explore, experiment, create, and let their curiosity run wild with volcanoes, slime, and robots. 🔬🌋🤖

These are the moments that make a community feel like home: neighbors coming together, kids discovering new possibilities, and families creating memories they’ll carry with them.

Because when we invest in connection, curiosity, and opportunity, we’re helping set the next generation up for success. ❤️

09/01/2026

Fresh Food, Stronger Community 🥕🥒🥛

Food Distribution Wednesday at Lakeland Place in Waterford, Michigan! 🥬

Wednesdays at Lakeland Place are all about bringing fresh food and community connections together. Through partnerships with local food providers, including Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, residents have access to fresh produce and dairy while we work together to help address food insecurity in the community.

These distribution days are made possible through the collaboration of partners, the property team, and residents who come together to support one another. We’re grateful to Jazley Trouser, Community Coordinator, and the entire Lakeland Place team for helping bring these opportunities to residents.

And a special thank you to the resident volunteers who give their time to lend a helping hand to their neighbors. That spirit of service is what community is all about. ❤️

And would you look at all those tomatoes and cucumbers?! 🍅🥒 Fresh salad, anyone? 🥗😋

Fresh food. Caring neighbors. Stronger community. 💚

08/25/2026

Celebrating Culture, Community & Connection

What a wonderful day at Madison Park Village! 🌎🎶🎒

The Multicultural & Back-to-School Celebration brought residents together to enjoy music, food, games, activities, and plenty of community spirit. Most importantly, it created an opportunity for neighbors to come together, celebrate one another, and recognize the diversity that makes Madison Park Village such a special community.

Thank you to Madison Park Development Corporation and the WinnResidential Team for putting together an event that did more than celebrate the start of a new school year. It brought the community together to celebrate one another, build connections, and create lasting memories.

These are the moments that help create strong, connected communities. 💙

08/20/2026

The best advertisement for an award-winning program? Our apprentices. 🔧🏆

Last Friday, Jevon Melendez, a current Cohort 6 Maintenance Apprentice at Prospect Heights, represented the Maintenance Apprenticeship Program (MAP) at the Wiggin Villages Backpack Giveaway & BBQ. While there, Jevon connected with residents and shared his experience in the program with a potential applicant.

There’s no better way to showcase the impact of MAP than through the apprentices experiencing it firsthand. Through paid, hands-on training and career development, MAP helps participants build valuable skills and create a pathway toward a rewarding career in property maintenance.

We’re proud of Jevon for representing MAP in his community and helping others see what’s possible through an apprenticeship.

🏆 2026 NAAEI Anthony V. Pusateri Comprehensive Program Award Winner

Know someone who may be interested in getting started?

👉 Explore Maintenance Apprenticeship opportunities (Link in Comments).

Please share this opportunity with someone who may be a great fit!