Partnership Supports Chicago's Hispanics

 CHICAGO -- As part of a national program in support of affordable housing in the Hispanic community, Moen Incorporated, the #1 faucet brand in North America, has joined forces with the Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, a leading community development corporation in Chicago and will donate water-efficient bath and kitchen fixtures for two major housing developments. To celebrate the partnership, Bickerdike and Moen will host a welcoming ceremony onDecember 13 at 11 am at Jaks Tap Restaurant.  Chicago Aldermen Rey Colon and Roberto Maldonado will join Bickerdike's Executive Director Joy Aruguete and Board Members at the ceremony.

Through it's Alcanzando Suenos con Moen ("Achieving Dreams with Moen") program, Moen will donate the all the fixtures for the Zapata Apartments, comprised of 61 newly constructed homes priced for working families and residents who earn between $20,000 to $44,000. Situated in the culturally diverse Logan Square community, Zapata Apartments will ensure that long-time residents continue to call the neighborhood home.  

Moen will also donate water-saving bath and kitchen fixtures in the rehabilitation of a 29-unit Section 8 affordable housing development located at 1704 N. Humboldt.  For Moen, "thinking green" is not a new concept – in fact, it's something the company has been doing for the last quarter-century. Moen was recently selected as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) 2010 WaterSense® Manufacturer Partner of the Year.  

According to Kathy Flinn, Moen's Director of Advertising and Brand, "Home ownership and affordable housing is central to the American Dream and Moen is delighted to empower the Hispanic community to achieve it."

Joy Aruguete, Executive Director at Bickerdike, said "The collaboration between Moen and Bickerdike serves as a catalyst for the creation of affordable, sustainable and eco-friendly living environments for Hispanic families.  We applaud Moen's efforts and appreciate the work they are doing to ensure that all Americans achieve the American dream of affordable housing and home ownership."

Bickerdike was founded in 1967 by local residents and institutions to address a housing crisis brought on by disinvestment, abandonment and arson. Today, Bickerdike positively impacts thousands of residents annually, through affordable housing development, housing preservation through property and asset management, technical assistance, foreclosure resources, and economic development with a focus on jobs.