In May of 2020, Tabor Community Services and Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) began the process of merging. Over the summer, administrators and board members dealt with the legalities of funds transfers and by fall, approvals by local and state agencies had been granted. At the same time, board members were updating bylaws, and the organization was working through setting organizational procedures that would create a single entity working to offer housing advocacy and financial empowerment to area residents.
Now, the organization is ready to announce its new name - Tenfold - and introduce supporters and those who are less familiar with the work of the organization to the next chapter in the vision for providing affordable housing. On Tuesday, May 11, at 7 p.m., Tenfold will hold a virtual celebration called "Unlocking Opportunity, Multiplying Our Impact." The event will be hosted by Brian Roche of WGAL TV. According to Mike McKenna, CEO of Tenfold, the event will include a video that tells what Tenfold brings to the community through the experience of a client who benefited from services from what were once Tabor and LHOP. "We will also be talking about the future of this combined organization and sharing what that vision looks like," said McKenna, who added that a silent auction and two musical performances will round out the hourlong presentation. "There's a lot of great content, and we are going to keep it moving," said McKenna.
As the merger was happening, COVID-19 restrictions and the resulting impact on clients presented challenges for the organization. "The clients we were serving were really hard hit by the loss of income ... which put a lot of households at greater risk of eviction," said McKenna, who noted that although homeless services were strained, adaptations were made to continue to provide support. In addition, although LHOP personnel had moved into the Tabor building at 308 E. King St., Lancaster, all offices were closed, and employees were working remotely. "We didn't see clients in person with a few exceptions," said McKenna. "Most of our counseling and case management was happening through Zoom and phone and text."
Challenges were apparent in bringing the two teams together as well, but regular virtual meetings are addressing those growing pains. "It's more challenging in a virtual environment, but it has forced us to be more intentional," stated McKenna.
The virtual event will have several goals, according to McKenna. "We want to reinforce to everyone that the programs and services that they have known and cared about are continuing (to address) affordable and financial empowerment through the lens of partnership," he said. "We value all the partners we work with in the community, and ... we see all of that as contributing to the idea that there will be a future with greater equitable housing and financial security."
There is no cost to watch the livestreamed event, and Tenfold invites members of the community to hold watch parties with family members and friends. More details about the Tenfold celebration may be found at http://www.tabornet.org/celebration. A link to watch the event will be available on May 11 at http://www.tabornet.org.
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