Greetings from George Guy

Greetings NAHRO Family!

Please allow me to re-introduce myself. I am George Guy, President & CEO of Lighthouse Youth & Family Services. I hail from the Midwest, specifically Rock Island, Illinois. I mention this with a strong sense of identity because in the Midwest, we hold a deep pride in our heritage. We are the heart of industry, home to large factories, the backbone of the middle class, hardworking families, close-knit neighborhoods, thriving communities, and of course, Big Ten Football enthusiasts. But, of course, we can’t forget to show our allegiance to the Bears. Our pride in our roots runs deep!

I was fortunate to grow up in public housing, an experience that granted me invaluable practical learning experiences. My upbringing in public housing instilled in me a profound understanding of the significance of collective efforts. It illuminated the advantages of nurturing strategic alliances and impressed upon me the transformative potential of collaborative partnerships. Most importantly, it taught me the value of questioning institutional practices that hinder the growth and progress of those they are meant to serve.

As we embark on this collective journey, it’s important to note that our strategic plan is already in motion. Among our initial objectives, we are committed to resurrecting the NAHRO education task force. We recognize that to nurture the future generation of housing professionals, it’s essential to educate and inspire their innovative spirits. This task force is purpose-built to achieve precisely that. Furthermore, with numerous like-minded individuals currently pursuing higher education, it is imperative that we represent our industry effectively. To accomplish this, NAHRO will elevate awareness of our national internship programs. Both endeavors will enable us to identify and engage with emerging leaders in the affordable housing sector.

NAHRO has reached its 90th year, and collectively we must chart the course for the next 90 years. To accomplish this, we need to rise to the occasion and harness our inner superhero abilities to confront the challenges affecting our industry. During my tenure as your national president over the next two years, I extend an invitation to you to join me in meeting with elected officials from all branches of government. Together, we will seek their collaboration in formulating legislation and policies aimed at addressing critical issues such as redlining, housing equity, mobility, and food insecurity. Our mission entails engaging with HUD, HHS, USDA, and any other federal agency we believe to be essential in our pursuit of these objectives.

To realize these and many other objectives, we must operate as a unified NAHRO. We cannot afford to maintain separate agendas, exclude one another from crucial discussions, or neglect to reserve a seat at the table for our colleagues. Our power lies in our collective unity, and there is so much to gain from one another’s expertise. By working together, we can not only strengthen our positions but also harness the full potential of collaborative partnerships.

It is a profound honor to assume the role of your president, and I am eager to collaborate with all of you as we raise the profile of NAHRO, both within our local communities and on a national scale. Remember, this organization is yours to fully embrace. I encourage you to make the most of all that NAHRO provides. Participate in conferences, legislative sessions, and state meetings. Forge new connections, exchange thoughts, and pool resources. It is my hope that through intentional collaboration, we will have a collective impact and become the catalyst for change that our organization and communities need.

#WeAreOneNAHRO #CollectiveImpact #Intentional #Collaboration