Latest news with #TransformationProject
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's tariffs may impact next phase of Norfolk housing redevelopment, official says
Norfolk officials and other community members celebrated the beginning of the third phase of Kindred, a massive housing redevelopment project in the St. Paul's area. However, the timeline of the project could be impacted by President Donald Trump's tariffs, according to a developer. Officials broke ground Thursday on the third phase of the St. Paul's Transformation Project: An $85 million, 191-unit mixed-income apartment complex called Kinship at Kindred. 'The groundbreaking really shows the real grit, the real challenges, the real decisions that had to be made to keep the project moving forward,' said Nathan Simms, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority executive director, during the event. Hampton Roads beer, cider businesses tense over Trump's aluminum and steel tariffs, uncertainty Former Norfolk public housing complex undergoing redevelopment is receiving new name So far, few Tidewater Gardens residents are returning to the first redeveloped apartments Norfolk housing authority releases timelines for Calvert Square, Young Terrace redevelopments The apartments, at the former Tidewater Gardens public housing project site, will include varied bedroom sizes, a playground and retail space. Of the 191 units, 73 will be designated as replacement units for former Tidewater Gardens residents. Richard Sciortino, co-founder of lead developer Brinshore Development, said they plan to finish the third phase of development by the end of 2026 and complete the last phase by the middle to end of 2027. When complete, the entire Kindred redevelopment will include 714 units with 240 reserved for returning Tidewater Gardens residents. However, Sciortino acknowledged tariffs could impact or delay the construction process. He said contractors for Brinshore have told him tariffs haven't impacted projects yet, but he suspected impacts could happen in the future. In mid-March, Trump enacted 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, and imported steel is heavily used by the U.S. construction industry. Sciortino estimated the total project cost at $320 million, an increase over an earlier project cost of $300 million. City officials have long sought to tear down and redevelop the three public housing developments in St. Paul's. City Council members approved a plan in 2018, and began to demolish the 600-unit Tidewater Gardens in 2020. So far, two apartment buildings are open: the 120-unit Origin Circle and the 72-apartment Reunion Senior Living. Norfolk announced the two buildings were fully leased in September. The city says 44 former Tidewater Gardens residents have chosen to move back into those units. Below is a timeline of construction milestones and estimated completion: April 2022: Construction begins on the first two buildings: the 120-unit Origin Circle and the 72-apartment Reunion Senior Living. September 2023: Developers break ground on Unity Place, 140 multifamily apartments. December 2023: Reunion Senior living opens. February 2024: Residents begin moving into Origin Circle. April 2025: A groundbreaking ceremony for Kinship, an $85 million, 191-unit mixed-income apartment complex. July 2025: First building in Unity Place expected to be complete. September 2025: Second building at Unity Place expected to be complete. Late 2026: Construction on Kinship is estimated to be completed. Mid to late 2027: The final phase of construction is estimated to be finished. Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345,
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
One gender care option ends, patients face hurdles
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – When Jack Fonder heard that gender-affirming care ended at Avera Health, he acted fast to connect transgender patients to the care they needed. 'When you talk about losing access to health care, that does affect a lot of people,' said Fonder, outreach facilitator for the Transformation Project. Would FEMA cut cost South Dakota millions? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), gender-affirming care is defined as healthcare that supports a patient's gender identity, in treatments such as medical (hormonal replacement or surgery), behavioral, psychological and social. Over the past month, Fonder learned through many voices at the Transformation Project that transgender patients received letters from their Avera physicians stating an end to gender-affirming care. 'Within the Avera health system, we have some really great allies, doctors, nurses that are 100% OK with serving all of the population of Sioux Falls and surrounding areas,' said Fonder. 'What it looks like now is, unfortunately, individuals do have to find a different healthcare provider.' In a statement provided to KELOLAND News, Avera Health said the following: Avera treats all people who come to us with dignity and respect. As a Catholic healthcare provider, there are certain interventions we do not provide. In such situations, patients have the opportunity to seek a provider that would offer those interventions. Avera Health In 2023, South Dakota passed a law banning gender-affirming care for anyone under the age of 18. The U.S. Supreme Court is also considering a case regarding gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender minors. 'I'm a trans person myself, too, so I know how important this care is, and I know how hard it is when you have to just constantly worry about am I going to have access to the care that I need to survive every day?' Fonder said. As Fonder explained, finding new health care options as a transgender person can be difficult. A transgender or gender diverse person seeking gender-affirming care must present a letter from a therapist to access care from a physician, Fonder explained. This could be a months-long process for individuals, as scheduling appointments for either a therapist or doctor can book out fast. 'That's not good because when you are on hormone replacement therapy, you need your prescriptions to be filled in a timely manner,' said Fonder. 'It's very important that you stay on those things on a schedule.' On one hand, there's receiving timely care, and on the other hand, there's making sure insurance covers that care, Fonder added. He said transgender individuals with Avera-only insurance will face a new struggle. Alleged victims of former massage therapist in detail claims of inappropriate touching 'They're going to have to start paying out of pocket to go to other places to get to have access to the care that they need,' said Fonder. Fonder encourages anyone in the community to reach out to the Transformation Project if they've lost access to healthcare through Avera Health. Fonder said the Transformation Project can help connect transgender patients to new doctors and therapists, or offer support to anyone feeling overwhelmed by the entire process. 'It's terrible, but it was good that we knew and we were able to kind of inform some of our clients and our population of people that we work with so they could start taking steps to move forward with what they needed to do in that situation,' said Fonder. The Transformation Project is an organization supports transgender individuals and their families, while educating state communities about gender identity and expression, according to its website. According to its website, Avera Health is a non-profit, ministry-driven health system in the upper Midwest that offers over 60 medical specialties. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
South Dakota activist runs supportive community center for trans population
In 2017, Susan Williams' 10-year-old child wrote her an eight-page letter. 'I can't do this anymore,' the letter read. 'I am a boy, and I have always been a boy. I have never been your daughter, and now I need you to help me.' So, blindly and completely self-taught, his mother did. Five years ago, Williams founded the Transformation Project, a resource and educational nonprofit organization for the trans population in South Dakota, a state that tends to discount the LGBTQIA2S+ community and in 2023 banned doctors from providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender youth. Williams' efforts to support her son, Wyatt, who today is an 18-year-old college student in Chicago and 'thriving,' have lauded her as South Dakota's honoree for USA Today's 2025 Women of the Year program. The Transformation Project includes an advocacy network, which influences policy against legislative discrimination, and Prism, a community center designed to support, mentor, gather and empower a vulnerable population in her community and region. 'Transgender South Dakotans have faced misunderstanding, hostility and outright discrimination simply because of who they are, and they deserve better,' Williams said. Love Your Neighbor effort: Art and fashion show highlights Sioux Falls students' artwork Wyatt always showed signs of gender dysphoria, a condition where a person might feel convicted that their body does not reflect their gender identity. Williams said Wyatt first resisted girl clothes or long hair, then by age 9 started experiencing severe anxiety, depression and angry outbursts. 'We felt very alone,' said Williams, who was shunned by her church community and distant family after she and her husband began supporting Wyatt. 'There were no resources or connections to a transgender community in our state.' She first hosted a weekly support group in her basement for trans youth and their families until more than 50 people would show up and stay for the entirety of the day. She was growing a community of hope right in her home. Today, portraits of transgender activists Marsha P. Johnson and Harvey Milk hang next to colorful LGBTQ2S+ flags in the Prism center. They host game nights, 'hang out hours' for youth and adults, a virtual Discord and name change clinics, or they watch movies and have coffee as friends. 'South Dakota is full of folks who are ready to surround transgender kids with love and support,' Williams said. 'I will continue to wrap my arms around them.' The Argus Leader sat down with Williams for a special question-and-answer session as part of USA Today's Women of the Year project. The conversation has been edited for conciseness and clarity. My hope is that I pave the way for people to educate themselves and engage in allyship for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Through my work and through sharing our story, I strive to create a path where understanding, support and advocacy become the norm, not the exception. It was a time when several low moments seemed to collide all at once. Professionally, our state government withheld federal funding intended to support the population we serve at the Transformation Project, leaving our organization in a severe financial bind. We made the difficult decision to sue the state, and navigating a lawsuit was incredibly stressful. During that process, I was diagnosed with skin cancer, and my mom was diagnosed Parkinson's disease. There were a lot of tears and months where I was anxious and stressed, but even in that season of struggle, there were moments of joy and growth that reminded me to be grateful. Courage is about authenticity – having the strength to embrace vulnerability and bravery to show up as your true self, no matter the expectations or judgments of others. Since I started getting to know folks in the gender-diverse community, I have witnessed incredible courage – both in their stories and allyship. My son has been my greatest teacher in courage. Watching him live his truth inspired me to reflect on my own life and realize I was not allowing myself to be authentic. I've learned there is so much freedom in breaking away from who society expects me to be. Growing up, both my parents and grandparents modeled lives of service and generosity, with volunteerism at the heart of our family values. Those lessons instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to give back. I strive to make a positive impact. My grandmother Evelyn was one of my biggest champions. I felt extremely connected to her. She'd gone through a lot of unimaginable things, but her courage, entrepreneurial spirit and desire to care for others will always inspire me. I've built a strong foundation through the challenges I've faced in life. But I'm a positive person who holds onto hope, which keeps me moving forward. My faith, family and inner circle provide grounding support, and I've learned to reach out for help – through therapy, mentorship or seeking guidance from others who've been through similar circumstances. Practicing gratitude or self-care is another powerful tool. Finally, knowing I've overcome challenges before gives me confidence that I will do it again. Stop worrying so much about what others think of you. Being a people-pleaser is exhausting, and you're not living authentically by doing that. Discover who you are and who you strive to be, and focus on developing confidence. Set boundaries, trust your instincts and embrace your unique self – the world needs you, not the perfect version you think you're expected to be. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Susan Williams Women of the Year for USA Today
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
South Dakota activist runs supportive community center for trans population
In 2017, Susan Williams' 10-year-old child wrote her an eight-page letter. 'I can't do this anymore,' the letter read. 'I am a boy, and I have always been a boy. I have never been your daughter, and now I need you to help me.' So, blindly and completely self-taught, his mother did. Five years ago, Williams founded the Transformation Project, a resource and educational nonprofit organization for the trans population in South Dakota, a state that tends to discount the LGBTQIA2S+ community and in 2023 banned doctors from providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender youth. Williams' efforts to support her son, Wyatt, who today is an 18-year-old college student in Chicago and 'thriving,' have lauded her as South Dakota's honoree for USA Today's 2025 Women of the Year program. The Transformation Project includes an advocacy network, which influences policy against legislative discrimination, and Prism, a community center designed to support, mentor, gather and empower a vulnerable population in her community and region. 'Transgender South Dakotans have faced misunderstanding, hostility and outright discrimination simply because of who they are, and they deserve better,' Williams said. Love Your Neighbor effort: Art and fashion show highlights Sioux Falls students' artwork Wyatt always showed signs of gender dysphoria, a condition where a person might feel convicted that their body does not reflect their gender identity. Williams said Wyatt first resisted girl clothes or long hair, then by age 9 started experiencing severe anxiety, depression and angry outbursts. 'We felt very alone,' said Williams, who was shunned by her church community and distant family after she and her husband began supporting Wyatt. 'There were no resources or connections to a transgender community in our state.' She first hosted a weekly support group in her basement for trans youth and their families until more than 50 people would show up and stay for the entirety of the day. She was growing a community of hope right in her home. Today, portraits of transgender activists Marsha P. Johnson and Harvey Milk hang next to colorful LGBTQ2S+ flags in the Prism center. They host game nights, 'hang out hours' for youth and adults, a virtual Discord and name change clinics, or they watch movies and have coffee as friends. 'South Dakota is full of folks who are ready to surround transgender kids with love and support,' Williams said. 'I will continue to wrap my arms around them.' The Argus Leader sat down with Williams for a special question-and-answer session as part of USA Today's Women of the Year project. The conversation has been edited for conciseness and clarity. My hope is that I pave the way for people to educate themselves and engage in allyship for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Through my work and through sharing our story, I strive to create a path where understanding, support and advocacy become the norm, not the exception. It was a time when several low moments seemed to collide all at once. Professionally, our state government withheld federal funding intended to support the population we serve at the Transformation Project, leaving our organization in a severe financial bind. We made the difficult decision to sue the state, and navigating a lawsuit was incredibly stressful. During that process, I was diagnosed with skin cancer, and my mom was diagnosed Parkinson's disease. There were a lot of tears and months where I was anxious and stressed, but even in that season of struggle, there were moments of joy and growth that reminded me to be grateful. Courage is about authenticity – having the strength to embrace vulnerability and bravery to show up as your true self, no matter the expectations or judgments of others. Since I started getting to know folks in the gender-diverse community, I have witnessed incredible courage – both in their stories and allyship. My son has been my greatest teacher in courage. Watching him live his truth inspired me to reflect on my own life and realize I was not allowing myself to be authentic. I've learned there is so much freedom in breaking away from who society expects me to be. Growing up, both my parents and grandparents modeled lives of service and generosity, with volunteerism at the heart of our family values. Those lessons instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to give back. I strive to make a positive impact. My grandmother Evelyn was one of my biggest champions. I felt extremely connected to her. She'd gone through a lot of unimaginable things, but her courage, entrepreneurial spirit and desire to care for others will always inspire me. I've built a strong foundation through the challenges I've faced in life. But I'm a positive person who holds onto hope, which keeps me moving forward. My faith, family and inner circle provide grounding support, and I've learned to reach out for help – through therapy, mentorship or seeking guidance from others who've been through similar circumstances. Practicing gratitude or self-care is another powerful tool. Finally, knowing I've overcome challenges before gives me confidence that I will do it again. Stop worrying so much about what others think of you. Being a people-pleaser is exhausting, and you're not living authentically by doing that. Discover who you are and who you strive to be, and focus on developing confidence. Set boundaries, trust your instincts and embrace your unique self – the world needs you, not the perfect version you think you're expected to be. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Susan Williams Women of the Year for USA Today
Associated Press
10-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
KeyBank to Give $1.5 Million to West Side Market's Transformation Project and Food Access Programming, New Produce Arcade to be Named in Their Honor
KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation have awarded the West Side Market $1.5 million towards its Transformation Project. The gift includes support for the renovated East Produce Arcade, which will honor KeyBank's commitment to the community, along with funding for food access education and programming to be developed with the new arcade's launch. The landmark gift comes as KeyBank celebrates its bicentennial and marks the first major corporate contribution to the Market's $68 million masterplan project. KeyBank joins the George Gund Foundation and an array of government sources including the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio as strong supporters of West Side Market's future. 'We are so proud to support the West Side Market and its mission to provide fresh, healthy food to Cleveland's diverse communities,' said Kelly Lamirand, KeyBank Cleveland Market President. 'This investment is about more than revitalizing a historic landmark; it's about strengthening access to resources that empower individuals and families here in our hometown of Cleveland. By contributing to this transformation, we're helping ensure the Market remains a vital part of our community for generations to come.' 'KeyBank's 200-year legacy is built on a commitment to supporting the communities we serve and driving positive change,' said Eric Fiala, KeyBank Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO, KeyBank Foundation. 'Our investment with the West Side Market reflects that dedication by enhancing access to fresh produce for many of Cleveland's families and creating new opportunities for small businesses that call the Market home. We are honored to play a small role to ensure this historic landmark continues to serve as a vital resource for decades to come.' 'We are thrilled by KeyBank's generous support,' says Rosemary Mudry, Executive Director of Cleveland Public Market Corporation, the nonprofit entity managing the Market and the masterplan. 'KeyBank is a leader in the greater Cleveland community and its belief in West Side Market is pivotal as we look to transform the Market. The East Arcade is an essential part of this transformation – as access to fresh and healthy produce is a critical element to provide a well-rounded shopping experience for customers from all backgrounds.' Of the Market's 800,000 annual visitors, more than 25% qualify for SNAP/EBT benefits and utilize those benefits while grocery shopping at West Side Market. Through community partnerships and program development, the Market will create new and expand existing food access and education programs, many of which are centered around the importance of providing fresh produce for our neighbors with low incomes. Upon completion of the masterplan, the current East Arcade will be named in honor of KeyBank and will be home to the Market's produce vendors. 'KeyBank's support is a major step toward achieving our ambitions to make the West Side Market far more than it was ever imagined to be,' said David Abbott, President of the nonprofit's board of directors. 'Not just a wonderful place to visit and shop, but also a positive force throughout our region. It's all part of the Market becoming the best in America.' ABOUT THE MARKET'S MASTERPLAN The full masterplan holistically addresses Market operations and opportunities to improve existing facilities and systems, as well as transform previously unused spaces into additional places where visitors and can gather and enjoy their Market experience. Updates and improvements include a major overhaul of the Market's systems infrastructure, including refrigeration, HVAC, storage access, and power resiliency; a renovated produce arcade, the transformation of the north arcade into a prepared food hall with bar-style seating, a permanent outdoor seating courtyard, teaching and commercial kitchens, and the repurposing of unused Market spaces into additional seating and event areas. The full plan can be viewed at ABOUT CLEVELAND PUBLIC MARKET CORPORATION Cleveland Public Market Corporation strives to make West Side Market the nation's premier public market by meeting the evolving needs of merchants, customers, and the community. CPMC preserves the city's public market tradition while making the local food system more accessible, equitable, and diverse. ABOUT KEYBANK In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at December 31, 2024. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit KeyBank Member FDIC.
