And the Housing& Children’s Essay Contest Winner is…

Jordan Tolen — resident of Hubbard Place

Jordan is a 12-year-old who is a thriving resident of Somerset Development’s Hubbard Place and community member of Communities Together. Her essay on “What Dose Injustice Look Like to Me?” was selected as the winning one in the annual contest sponsored by Communities Together.

Reading her moving essay to a packed ballroom of the region’s leading affordable housing professionals gathered for the Housing& 35th Annual Meeting & Housing Expo — held May 13 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC — she received a standing ovation.

Jordan delivered a thoughtful, courageous, and clear-eyed take on racism, segregation, anti-immigrant sentiment, and the ongoing challenges faced by Black and Hispanic communities in the United States, seeming mature beyond her 12 years. She reminded everyone watching her that young people are paying attention and see the injustice clearly. And, when given the opportunity, they are more than ready to lead conversations about fairness, belonging, and change.

As an organization that provides development programs for individuals, youth, families and seniors, Communities Together creates spaces where young residents can build confidence, use their voices, and realize their potential.