FHLBank Topeka’s newest employees visited a Nebraska affordable housing project in June to connect with our housing mission.

Nearly 30 employees, which we call business partners, who have started in the past year joined representatives from the Leadership team to tour Shadow Lake, a 48-unit community for adults with developmental disabilities in Papillion, Nebraska.

Shadow Lake, which is run by the nonprofit Sheltering Tree, received a $565,000 Affordable Housing Program grant from First National Bank of Omaha to support the construction of this unique space that supports the social needs of its residents.

“We have a long history of working with FHLBank Topeka to bring capital into our community,” said Whitney Baker, director of philanthropy and giving for First National Bank of Omaha. “Shadow Lake is particularly meaningful because it creates greater independence for people.”

Denise Gehringer, executive of Sheltering Tree, shared about the evolution of their nonprofit. The Shadow Lake complex serves adults with disabilities, many who work. The complex provides safe and affordable housing but, more importantly, supports a community.

“Our community space is paramount to giving our residents a way to make meaningful connections,” Denise said. “We treat it like a dorm or a cruise ship with robust and exciting activities planned.”

The vast community room is the heart of the building with comfortable seating and kitchen facilities staffed by tenant assistants from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. On any given day, the center may host a movie night, garden club or fishing club. The space is arranged so that even if the resident doesn’t want to participate in a particular activity, they can still sit and read or talk with others in a common space.

Flooring and ceilings were chosen to address sound sensitivity residents with autism may experience. All heating and cooling systems are accessible in hallways outside each apartment, which means repairs do not need to disrupt the peace of the resident’s routine.

Shadow Lake is such a success they have 230 individuals on the waiting list for an apartment. “We have found that this is the right recipe for our tenants and we’re breaking ground on a similar new location soon,” shared Denise.

The visit also included a video of Jenny, a Shadow Lake resident, whose mom now has the peace of mind that Jenny has a home and independence long after her family is gone.