Recognizing Aubrey Patino's Dedication to the Neediest in Her Community

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Aubrey Patino, the Executive Director of Avalon Housing in Ann Arbor, MI. After eighteen years with Avalon, including seven as ED, she is moving on. Her work in service to the homeless population of Washtenaw County is worthy of commendation.

Aubrey graduated from Western Michigan University in 2004 before achieving her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2005. During this time, she was an assistant at the Michigan Neighborhood Partnership in Detroit as well as an intern with Avalon. Before coming onto Avalon's team full time, she was the Intensive Case Manager at the Downtown Emergency Service Center in Seattle, WA, where she dealt with Homeless Outreach and Transition.

Aubrey joined the Avalon team in 2007 where she started as a Senior Property Manager. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Housing Support Services Leader in 2010 and the Associate Director of Avalon Housing in 2012. In 2014, as one of five homeless services providers across the country, she was invited by the National Alliance to End Homelessness to complete the Transatlantic Practice Exchange, where she went to the United Kingdom and studied best practices in the field of housing and homelessness. Her experience in the UK still guides her work in Washtenaw County to this day.

In 2017, Aubrey was selected as the new Executive Director of Avalon Housing. Her tenure at the helm has been a world of change and has been a boon to the homeless in her community. Aubrey's work on supportive housing funding has resulted in growing and innovative efforts. As a key member of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, Aubrey helped develop the City of Ann Arbor's affordable housing millage ballot initiative, which citizens overwhelmingly supported. This millage provides a significant, ongoing source of financing for affordable housing development. Aubrey has also consistently advocated for harm reduction across the agency and the community, using a compassionate, evidence-based model for engaging people who struggle with substance use disorders. She continues to advocate for unarmed crisis responses at Avalon properties and throughout the community. Aubrey has also built productive relationships with local law enforcement. Aubrey's efforts have in turn led to Avalon providing full-time staff at the Washtenaw County jail to support returning citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognition of Aubrey Patino's hard work and dedication to the homeless community. Though we will miss her presence at Avalon, she has set them on a great path of success. We wish her the best in her future endeavors, and thank her for her service. I thank Aubrey.

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