FAIRPORT, NY (August 15, 2022) – WinnCompanies today announced the appointment of Rochester resident Stacey Thompson as the first community coordinator in the 50-year history of the Pines of Perinton, one of the largest privately owned and managed affordable housing communities in greater Rochester.

Thompson, who has a bachelor's degree in social work and is fluent in Spanish, will provide individualized care to each of the community's 508 households and deepen relationships with local nonprofit partners to improve access to financial, health, job, and educational resources for the more than 1,000 adults and children who call Pines of Perinton home.

As we prepare for a top-to-bottom renovation of the Pines of Perinton early next year, Stacey’s work will be equally important. She will be devoted to improving the quality of life for residents while we work to improve the quality of the apartments, amenities and building systems,” said WinnCompanies CEO Gilbert Winn. “I am confident she will build on the strong partnerships already in place with the community partners that help us serve residents every day.”

A native of Monroe County and a graduate of Robert Wesleyan College in Rochester, Thompson has over 15 years of experience in human services, working with people of all ages and abilities. She comes to WinnCompanies from Person Centered Services, a Buffalo-based multispecialty non-profit that provides care coordination for more than 17,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Western New York, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier regions.

“My role as a community coordinator is to be a voice and a resource to the residents of the Pines of Perinton,” Thompson said. “My goal every day is to create positive relationships and build trust with the residents to create a sense of community here. I’m grateful to WinnCompanies for the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of so many families.”

One of her top priorities will be to support the creation of the community’s first-ever Resident Advisory Council, which will help develop programs and services based on the needs and interests of residents and will represent residents during the redevelopment process and in the management of the property in the future.

Thompson works for WinnCompanies' Connected Communities division, which partners with residents, stakeholders and nonprofit organizations to design, develop, and implement cooperative programs and initiatives that benefit individuals and families at WinnResidential-managed properties across the nation.

With affordability constraints set to expire and residents at risk of displacement, WinnCompanies bought Pines of Perinton in December 2019 and anticipates finalizing funding for a $50 million phased rehabilitation of the property this December. The project, led by WinnDevelopment, will dramatically upgrade the apartments and amenities, delivering new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and roofs; upgraded mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; and improved common areas, breezeways, laundry rooms, and playgrounds.

Importantly, the renovation will also include $850,000 to significantly upgrade the Community Building at the Pines of Perinton to include a modern computer lab, fitness center, and event space for community meetings and gatherings.

Property management staff already works closely with numerous local groups to host resident services at the Pines, including Generations, an accredited childcare provider, The Perinton Recreation and Park Department, which runs a summer camp at the community, and Learning Links of Fairport, an educational provider supported by the Fairport United Methodist Church and other civic groups.

The Perinton Food Shelf, Fairport Rotary Club, Pittsford Community Church, Church of the Assumption Mercy Fund Ministry and many other groups and individuals are also actively involved in supporting residents on a weekly basis.

The property recently hosted its annual National Night Out celebration, an event that promotes police- community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. More than 100 people attended the event, which featured participation from numerous local officials, Walgreens, the Monroe County Sheriff’s, Fire and Emergency Medical Services departments, the Perinton Recreation and Parks Department, and the U.S. Army Reserves, among others.