The Vecino Group

Art, storytelling, and community. Yesterday, Vecino had the pleasure of our C-Street neighbor and creative mind MosaicaRose (Christine Kreamer Schilling) install a custom piece for the entryway to Sankofa. It turned out absolutely amazing!

Residents, partners, and community leaders gathered yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of Bodhi Kansas City—45 new affordable and supportive homes designed to bring comfort, stability, and opportunity to the community.

As resident Geno shared, “Living here, I’ve just been blessed and I’m so grateful.”

Bodhi KC transformed an unused site into a vibrant community centered on connection, wellness, and support for fellow Kansas Citians.

Yesterday, we said goodbye to our Director of Design, Mark Tuttle, as he steps into a well deserved retirement! Mark’s impact on Vecino isn’t just seen—it’s felt. It lives in the lines of his sketches, in the ideas he refused to let go of, and in the people he continuously challenged to be better. He is, in every way, an example of what it means to “Do Good”. His influence will remain part of who we are, and for that, we are deeply thankful.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“198 NEW UNITS — let that sink in. 198 new units is 198 families who get to stay in the neighborhood they love…and who are now at less risk of displacement or homelessness.” ��The words of District 3 Austin Council Member José Miguel Anwar Velásquez earlier today as we gathered with partners to officially welcome our residents to Libertad Austin!

Missouri State Representative Kimberly-Ann Collins put it best - “These vacant lots have memories. To see public-private partners, community partners, and residents come together to make this happen is truly a dream come true.”

On Tuesday partners broke ground on Alumnus West, a 52-unit permanent supportive housing development for The Ville in St Louis. It’s the second collaboration between the Nash Group (Troy Nash), Vecino Group, and Care STL Health—the same team behind Alumnus Gardens (currently under repair from the St Louis tornado earlier this year).

We are SO very excited for Springfield’s newest community art piece “Hitchhikers” to be on Vecino’s very own The U in downtown! Immense thanks to Meg Wagler and Overlay for being tenacious, fantastic champions of art & community and all-around great partners. Major props to artists Emily Ding and Osiris Rain for delivering an inspiring piece that celebrates the Ozarks, our community, and of course Historic Route 66 - which will celebrate its 100th Anniversary next year right next to our building! Check it out!

WHAT a DAY. For a second time, the Home Depot Foundation donated 400 volunteers and all the materials for a day of improvements at Freedom Springs in Colorado Springs, CO. We updated the garden beds, painted murals, painted all the commons areas with fresh paint, updated the patio furniture, built a dog park, installed a sprinkler system, updated all mulch, and resodded. To end the day, each Veteran got a new bike! A huge thank you to The Home Depot Foundation and their incredible volunteers for bringing so much energy, generosity, and joy to our community.

We officially cut the ribbon at Warehouse @ 700 Broad Street in Utica, NY! This newly redeveloped historic building raises the bar for what affordable housing should look like. The grand opening featured guided tours, inspiring speakers, and a celebration of progress and partnership. Huge thanks to People First and everyone involved for bringing this vision to life. This is just the beginning — stay tuned as we continue building a brighter future for Utica, one home at a time.

Independence. Emancipation. Freedom.

Today is Juneteenth.

As we celebrate our Black/POC communities, today stands as a reminder that America is for all people, not simply a select few. Freedom isn’t a given—each of us must work together to protect and ensure it is there for everyone.