Housemate Match Receives National Award; Georgia Senators Chambliss and Isakson Praise Housing Program's Success

On Thursday, January 25, 2007, The National Community Development Association
(NCDA) honored The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta's Housemate
Match program with the 2007 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement
Award for outstanding achievement and exemplary use of the Community
Development Block Grant Funds. The NCDA is the national advocate and umbrella
group for community development agencies serving more than 500 cities across America. 

Housemate Match, sponsored by the MJCCA since its inception in 1984, is a unique and innovative nonsectarian program that links older adults who have extra room in their homes with compatible
younger adults seeking safe and affordable shared living arrangements. The
ultimate goal of the program is to allow older adults to remain living independently
in their own homes for as long as possible. The tenant is most often a student
or a professional person. All potential roommates are carefully screened before
a match is completed.

The MJCCA's Housing Services Director Rita Zadoff accepted the prestigious award during a ceremony held at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Saxby
Chambliss (R-GA) was on-hand to personally congratulate Zadoff.

“I applaud Director Rita Zadoff and all of those at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta for this well-deserved recognition,” said Chambliss. “It was indeed a
privilege to join this fine group of Georgians as they were honored for their
commitment to improving the quality of life for our citizens in the Atlanta area.
Numerous Georgians benefit from the important services provided by this
organization.”

The day before the awards ceremony, Zadoff met with U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R -GA) outside the venerable Senate Chamber at the Capitol.

“It was a privilege to meet with Rita last week, and I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Housemate Match program,” Isakson said. “I would like to commend all of the
people involved in this outstanding effort.”

“We feel very honored to receive this award,” said Zadoff. “Housemate Match is the only housing program
in Atlanta to be honored in this manner. And, of course, we are very proud to assist clients
with this type of innovative housing in Fulton County.”