El Reflejo Newsletter (Third Quarter) by Edinburg Housing Authority

3rd QUARTER 2016

EDINBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY

El Reflejo Newsletter Volume 3 Issue 3

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RODOLFO “RUDY” RAMIREZ

Main Office

Edinburg Housing Authority 2016 Board of Commissioners CHAIRMAN VICE-CHAIRMAN RESIDENT COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER JOSE RODRIGUEZ ARMANDO BARRERA EDUARDO GONZALEZ ELIAS LONGORIA JUAN GUZMAN

Ciro Treviño Administration Building 910 S. Sugar Rd. Edinburg, Texas, 78539 Office Hours: Mon.- Thurs.: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fri.: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Principal Deputy Assistant, Lourdes Castro Ramirez, visits EHA Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) Executive Director Mr. Rudy Ramirez recently had the privilege to meet with Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Principal Deputy Assistant of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at EHA’s administrative building board room on Sept. 6. As a result of the visit there was a round table discussion primarily focusing on educational initiatives, community collaborations and future projects EHA plans to establish. The round table discussion included San Antonio’s Public Housing Director David Pohler, Rio Grande Valley community leaders, staff from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), County delegates, Hidalgo County District Attorney, EHA’s Board of Commissioners, and City & Housing Authority representatives from Edinburg, Pharr, Hidalgo, and McAllen. Castro Ramirez was born in Juchitlan, Jalisco, Mexico; she was 4 years old when she moved to the states. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science and Chicano studies and later a Master’s in urban planning. Castro Ramirez resume exemplifies her dedication to the community and people. Some of her professional experience and service to the community include commu-

nity development planner for the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, project manager for Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, chief executive officer for San Antonio Housing Authority and coordinator of Kick Cancer Soccer Camp., Today Castro Ramirez serves as the Principal Deputy Assistant of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Ramirez had the opportunity to share some of the recent initiatives established at the agency. He mentioned the demographics and statistics, which currently make up the EHA population and emphasized the importance of education. Ramirez also mentioned the partnerships established with different UTRGV colleges, departments and community organizations. The current executive director of the EHA, Mr. Rudy Ramirez is empowering the residents by providing them with ed-

ucational resources and implementing many programs to help and further lead EHA residents to a more successful life. “We are extremely grateful that the HUD Principal Deputy Assistant, Lourdes Castro Ramirez made the time from her remarkably busy schedule to visit our agency. She shared with us a wealth of valuable information that will immensely help our housing agency.” said Mr. Ramirez when asked about the visit of Castro Ramirez. EHA offers many opportunities for the residents they accommodate. New initiatives and project are on their way. Mr. Ramirez along with all the staff at EHA is beyond excited for the future of the agency. Visit www.hud.gov to learn more about HUD and their mission, and visit www.edinburgha. org to learn more about EHA and their ongoing involvement with the community.

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination, and transform the way HUD does business.

Highlights

- First Annual 5K, Page 2 - EHA College Ring Challenge, Page 3

A publication by the Edinburg Housing Authority, 2016.

- Summer Activities, Page 2 - Back to School Bash, Page 3

Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) held their First Annual 5K on Aug. 6 in Edinburg, TX. Over 250 runners, 50 volunteers, 45 sponsors and donors, ten organizations, four drum lines and two cheerleading groups all made the EHA First Annual 5K Fun Run/ Walk a huge success. In collaboration with the University Recreational Center (UREC) from The University of Texas of Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and the City of Edinburg EHA was able to have a safe and well laid out route for their First Annual EHA 5K Fun Run/Walk. Water stations and volunteers designated to cheer the runners were spread throughout the course which went through UTRGV’s covered walked way. Edinburg North High School and Edinburg High School drum lines and J. Economedes High School and Robert Vela High School cheer teams and drum lines kept runners motivated with some

As part of our efforts to emphasize learning and education year-round, our agency is excited to announce the completion and success of our third annual Summer Activities Program. The program gave students in our developments the opportunity to take part in fun robotics, arts and fine arts classes held throughout the week. These educational activities were held from July 6 to August 12 at the Ciro Treviño Administration Building. Thanks to our partnership with the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, instruction during the classes was provided by certified teachers. This year, Victor Cantu taught the

EHA’s First Annual 5K

music and cheers as they ran to complete the 3.1 miles. EHA would like to thank Rodeo Dental, Dynamic Children Therapy Resources, Windsor Arbor View, Family Endeavors, Rick Villarreal Insurance, AACT, Cigna, Amigos, the City of Edinburg Fire Department and Kona Ice for their participation, contribution and exhibits at the First Annual EHA 5K Fun Run/Walk, which provided services, information and giveaways to the participants.

“Education opens the doors to more opportunities. We are making a difference in providing a quality of life and giving our EHA families the tools and resources to provide a better future for their families.” - Zulema Garcia, Public Housing Manager EHA Executive Director Rodolfo “Rudy” Ramirez in continuing to push the efforts to pursue higher education presented the idea for a 5K to Edinburg Housing Authority 2016 Board of Commissioner: Chairman Jose Rodriguez, Vice-Chairman Armando Barrera, Commissioner Eduardo Gonzalez, Commissioner Elias Longoria and Resident Commissioner Juan Guzman in order to raise funds to create scholarships for graduating seniors and first time university students.

Summer Activities

robotics and art classes and Rosalinda Cantu taught the fine arts class. As a result, to celebrate the end of the program, students held a special musical performance and a robotics presentation on July. 26. Parents attended the event along with EHA staff and Board Members. During the event, students who attended the fine arts class performed a musical inspired by the 1950’s era, which featured some popular songs like Rock and Roll Is Here To Stay by Danny and The Juniors. Following the musical, kids in the robotics class did a presentation of their work. Additionally, an Art Exhibit featuring the students’ artwork was displayed in the Ciro Trevino Administration Build-

“It was definitely a journey and things fluctuated quite a bit, but once we got a hold of things we made sure our first annual 5K would be a success.” said Mr. Ramirez when asked about putting together a 5K. The First Annual EHA 5K Fun/Run had a great turnout and EHA looks forwards to next year’s event. Save the date Aug. 5, 2017 for the Second Annual EHA’s 5K Fun/Run!

ing. Our agency is thankful for the success of this year’s program and would like to thank parents and kids for participating. We hope to see more students take advantage of these opportunities next summer.

First Resident, Fernando Sanchez from Texas A&M, to complete the EHA College Ring Challenge Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) Executive Director Rudy Ramirez, residents Consuelo Sanchez (Mom) and Gladys Sanchez (Daughter) went up to College Station Texas A&M University this weekend for the Aggie Ring Day Ceremony to celebrate with Fernando Sanchez (Son) for receiving his A&M College Ring. Mr. Sanchez is the first EHA resident to complete our College Ring Challenge, which encourages our young adults to pursue higher education and complete a university level education. Upon completion the student is rewarded with a college ring paid

in full by the EHA Scholarship Fund. EHA staff, residents, friends and family are extremely proud of Mr. Sanchez for his great accomplishment! We hope his story encourages others to challenge themselves to pursue higher education and strive for better opportunities. “Sometimes the greatest thing to come out of all your hard work isn’t what you GET for it, but what you BECOME for it.” - Steve Maraboli

Back to School Bash On Aug. 11 more than 500 Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) residents grade kinder to 12 received backpacks filled with school supplies at the Annual Back to School Giveaway. This event would not have been possible without the partnership and contribution of the sponsors: State Representative Terry Canales, A Vision for You, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, RGV FC Toros, and Superior Health Plan, some who donated school supplies, and/or backpacks. Other community school supplies contributors included the City of Edinburg Fire Department and RGV Food Bank.

Staff, volunteers, and representatives from A Vision for You, Juniors Vipers Academy and Terry Canales were stationed at different community centers from the developments in order to help give away backpacks with school supplies to the

4,000 + School Supplies

youth residents from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Later in the day EHA held their First Annual Fun Day at La Posada for all the residents to come out and enjoy. Waterslides, badminton, soccer, bounce houses, and a variety of other activities were displayed for the families to enjoy.

EHA would like to give special thanks to Rio Grande Valley Vipers, RGV FC Toros and STX Skills Basketball Academy for contributing the fun activities for the residents. EHA would like to thank Rodeo Dental, A Plus Smiles, Anthony’s Home Health Care, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Easter Seals RGV, Alpha Home Health Care, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Ashley Pediatric, AVANCE, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Dynamic Children Therapy Resources, Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas, RGV Food Bank, and Hidalgo County Health & Human

500 Backpacks 3

Service for their participation and exhibits at the First Annual Fun Day, which provided services, information and giveaways. EHA also invited United Blood Services to the EHA administrative building where staff, residents, volunteers, agency participants and community members who qualified stopped by to donate blood for a good cause in order to help give back to the community.

The events for the day were possible thanks to the efforts of three Social Work interns from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The interns who helped were Stephanie Gonzalez, Gloria Jalife and Oscar Lopez. EHA will continue to partner up with community stakeholders and other entities to bring more services and events that will inform, provide and present our residents to greater opportunities.

300 + families served

Summer Food Program

The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District (ECISD) summer food program served over 8,000 meals to students from the Edinburg Housing Authority (EHA) developments and community from June 6 through August 12. Edinburg CISD summer food program provides healthy meals to children of the city of Edinburg, in an effort to continue proper nutrition to students even when not at school. Due to the program’s past success, this year all five EHA developments were distribution sites for the community. Students 18 years old or younger were encouraged to pick up their breakfast and lunch meals at the community center at their development. Conscious of the poverty rate in the Rio Grande Valley, EHA Executive Di-

rector Rodolfo “Rudy” Ramirez first introduced this program to the agency in hopes of promoting proper nutrition.

ECISD and EHA both hope to provide and serve the local communities by continuing initiatives like this. “We strongly believe that the Edinburg Con-

Announcements

solidated Independent School District summer food program was a great success this summer. Our agency is truly fortunate to collaborate with ECISD. The numbers speak for themselves. This year the school district provided its food services to all 5 developments with 2 meals a day. A total of 8,574 meals were distributed to our children that live in our housing developments. The Edinburg Housing Authority looks forward to working with the school district in continuing to help its community.” said Mr. Ramirez when asked about this year’s summer food program. The EHA executive director feels it is important for children to be educated about nutrition and for them to practice good eating habits year round. EHA staff and Mr. Ramirez are extremely grateful for the help that the ECISD summer food program provided.

Homework Help Sessions:

At this moment homework help sessions dates and times for all EHA properties have not been set. Tentatively El Jardin, Lantana and La Posada have a 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. session on Mondays. Visit our social media profiles for more dates and times to be announced soon. * Computers are available for students to use in the designated time slots and books available to check out. Please assure that your son/ daughter brings their homework and any other materials they may need. If you have any further questions regarding the homework help session, please contact Araceli Porras @ (956) 383-3839.

If you know any EHA students that are currently attending college or have attended, as well as any residents that are doing or have accomplished outstanding things, please contact us so we can feature them in the EHA Achievers blog by calling Juan Garcia at 956-383-3839. To view the EHA Achievers Blog please visit http:// mediaha.wix.com/ehablog.

Fall has begun!

Become a great leader! EHA welcomes all housing

Look forward to these upcoming events!

students 13 to 19-years-old to join the Youth Leadership Association! If you have a child that would like to learn more about or be a part of the Youth Leadership Association, he/she can contact Diego Oros at doros@edinburgha.org or call him @ 956-383-3839.

Can Food Drive Christmas Toy Drive Keep up with our social media accounts to receive updates on dates and times!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS Rent deadline Due monthly by the 1st, but EHA gives you

Resident Meeting Interested in finding out what’s happening at EHA or your

Community service Residents 18+ years old who are not exempt

*Please make arrangements to attend to receive one hour of com-

development? Come find out at our next Resident Meeting. Meetings are led by the Executive Director Rodolfo “Rudy” Ramirez and all residents are invited. Please contact your property manager for next meeting location, date and time.

until the 5th to pay in full. There is a $15 fee for late payments.

must volunteer 8 hours a month in order to comply with HUD’s Community Service Requirement.

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