March 2013 Resident Newsletter

Newsletter Title Inside This Edition

March 2013

Free tax filing services

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FSS Update

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Calendar of Events

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Residents’ Association Mes- 4 sage Photos

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Easy Recipe for Grilled Pota- 5 to Packets Walk Across Williamson

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Important Reminders For our Residents

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A Note from Derwin Jackson, FHA Executive Director Spring begins on March 21st and it symbolizes new beginnings and new opportunities.

Spring will bring new opportunities to the Franklin Housing Authority as well.

One such opportunity relates to the Reddick property and our recent submission for tax credits, which, if awarded, will allow us to begin the next phase of redevelopment. The plan includes 65 additional rental units to be built on that site.

The message from each of the representatives was that regardless of which school you choose, pick one and continue your education. This is great advise for our parents to convey to their children and encouragement for their children to do their best in school. Grade are important when colleges are selecting students and awarding financial aid scholarships.

The Franklin Housing Authority awards two $500 scholarships as a way to help our children attend college. If you have a senior in high school, I encourage them to apply for the scholarship. There are also other Opportunities exist for our residents to partici- options available to help pay for a college pate in life-changing programs. If you have not education. The residents section of the webparticipated in one of the programs recently, I site has information about additional scholencourage you to get involved by participating arships, and ROSS Coordinator Tena Hardy in one. There are many options such as the can also assist you.

Walk Across Williamson program, using the exercise equipment at Pro-Health, attending Take the opportunity this spring for a new the interviewing and resume writing workshops, beginning. getting involved in the Residents’ Association.

My hope is that you will try something new. This month’s newsletter includes information about Sincerely, many of these opportunities.

There were many events and activities in the first months of this year. Residents and students were able to speak with representatives from Derwin Jackson Columbia State Community College, Kaplan Career Institute, Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee State University about options for attending college.

Please Note: The deadline to apply for the Franklin Housing Authority $500 scholarships is April 1st.

Contact Tena Hardy at 794-1247, ext. 212 with questions or for assistance with the application.

Mark your calendars: Upcoming workshops Workforce Essentials will have a two-part interviewing workshop on March 5th and 7th at 9:00 a.m. at the TN Career Center located on 225 Noah Dr. There will also be a resume preparation workshop on March 6th at 1:00 p.m. at the FHA Community Center. These programs will help prepare residents for the job fair that will be held at the Williamson County Library on March 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The job fair will be conducted by the TN Department of Labor-Workforce Development.

There is also a MoJo workshop planned for March 21st from 11-1 in the community center. Come and learn more about esteem and balance in your life.

Newsletter Title

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Free 2012 tax filing services offered by United Way If you have not filed your 2012 taxes, the FHA ROSS program would like to inform you about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site located in Williamson County. You can get your 2012 taxes prepared free if you make less than $57,000 per year!!! Thanks to the United Way of Williamson County, this program saves filers an average of about $300.00. Take advantage of this service by calling 615-830-7940 to schedule an appointment. If you need additional information and transportation, please call Tena Hardy at 615-794-1247, ext. 212. Below is list of items needed for your appointment: 

Proof of identification

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Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration Birth Date for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return

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Wage and earning statements from all employers (W-2 statements)

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Interest and dividends statements from banks (Forms 1099)

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A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available

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Bank routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit

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Total paid for daycare provider and daycare provider’s tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security number or the provider’s business Employer Identification Number)

VITA Site Locations GraceWorks Ministries 104 Southeast Pkwy., Ste 100 Franklin, TN 37064 Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-4pm

Williamson County Library 1314 Columbia Avenue Franklin, TN 37064 Wednesdays. 4pm-7:30pm; Saturdays. 9am-12pm Self-Help Kiosk: Mon. 9:30am-12:30pm

Remember the last day to file your 2012 taxes without an extension is April 15 th.

Family Self Sufficiency Update Participants are continuing to work toward developing activities that will enable them to become selfsufficient and empowered, with a goal of moving out of public housing and providing for their families without depending upon any assistance.

Participants are encouraged to save a portion of their income for emergencies and to augment their escrow accounts. In an effort to give participants every opportunity to build family assets, a partnership is being formed with the Christian Community Services, Inc. to provide IDA accounts. Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are matched savings accounts that help people to save towards the purchase of a lifelong asset, such as a home. These IDA accounts will provide matching funds 2:1 for every dollar participants save up to $5,000.

FSS participants have access to business clothing from the clothes closet started in partnership with one of the groups from the Leadership Franklin Class of 2012. These clothes are in excellent condition and provide participants the opportunity to secure good quality business attire for interviews and work. Those participants who are working can select clothes when needed; non-working participants must earn credits by working on self improvement activities, in order to take advantage of this clothing opportunity. Again, the primary focus is to instill in each participant that self-sufficiency must have a foundation of accountability and responsibility. In other words they must work to earn the things they want.

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Rent Due Walk Across Rent Due Wmson Kick-off Sassy Seniors 9:00 am 11:30 am-1:00 pm Pinkerton Park Interviewing Workshop 9:00 am TN Career Cetr.

Franklin Transit Comm.

Outreach Mtg 5:00 pm Comm Ctr.

Job Fair 10-2 Wmson Co. Lib.

RABOD RABOD ECExecutive Mtg 5:00 pm Committee RA Tenant Mtg 6:30 pm

Daylight Savings Time Begins

Meeting 5:00 pm RA Tenant Meeting Late 6:30pm Fees Apply

Resume Preparation Class 1:00 pm Comm.

Ctr. Tutoring

for 8-12th grade Tutoring students; 4-6pm

for 8-12th grade FHA FHA Computer Lab

Computer Lab 4-6 pm

Tutoring Tutoring for 8-12th grade students; 4-6pm FHA Computer Lab

Tutoring Tutoring for 8-12th grade

Board of Commissioner Mtg. 5:30 pm 200 Spring St. Board Boom

Pest Control, 8 AM—4 PM

Easter

College Info class, 4:00 Comm. Ctr. Tutoring

Interviewing Work-

Youth shop 9:00 am TN Career Cetr. Sassy Seniors Cooking Sassy Seniors Class Youth Cooking 11:30am-1pm 11:30 am-1:00 Class 3:30 pm3:30 pm Comm.

Comm. Ctr. Ctr.

Youth Cooking Youth Sassy Seniors Cooking Class 3:30 pm Sassy Seniors 11:30 am-1:00 11:30am-1pm Class Comm. Ctr. 3:30 pm Warrants Filed Comm. Ctr. MoJo 11am Comm. Ctr. Warrants Filed Clothes Closet Ribbon Youth Sassy Seniors Cutting- Noon Sassy Seniors 11:30am-1pm Cooking 11:30 am-1:00 Youth Cooking Class Class 3:30 pm Comm. Ctr.

Sassy Seniors Good Friday, FHA offices are closed

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Resident Association Message Fellow RA Members, First we would like to thank last month’s residents’ meeting guests, members of the African American Heritage Society, for their insight on local African American History here in Franklin.

Also we would like to thank the Franklin Police Department and Chief David Rahinski for hosting our security meeting on March 19.

This month’s meeting guest will be Jamie Melton from the Williamson County Fire Marshal’s office. He will talk about fire safety and severe weather preparedness. With Spring right around the corner, this is a great time to learn how to protect yourself from a fire and severe weather. We hope you will attend the meeting on March 12 at 5:00 at the Community Building.

This is a exciting time for Franklin Housing. We would also like to remind all residents there are programs and activitis going on at the Community Building all the time and it would be a shame to miss out . So we urge you to give Residents Services a call and get involved.

THIS MONTH’S TRIVIA QUESTION: What is the most important Fire Prevention tool in your home?

The Residents’ Association is in the process of coming up with an event for Easter. We will be working with several organizations around town to do this. The date of the event and time are not yet finalized, so if you have any ideas, please give us a call at 794-1247 ext. 3 then 6. Keep an eye out for the Easter Event Flyer, it will be coming to you soon.

March 12 from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. will be Residents’ Association Elections. We hope that all residents from Cherokee, Harpeth Homes, Johnson Circle and Natchez / Short Court will exercise their right and come out to vote.

The Residents’ Association is our tool and our voice to make our community better.

By improving living conditions, sponsor educational programs, sponsor cultural and recreational activities and foster a sense of responsibility and community awareness . Only through you, the FHA Residents can this be done. It is not about one person but about all who live in our community. If you feel there needs to be a change in your organization, then now is your time to act. Talk to you Neighborhood Director about who they will be voting for in the leadership and make your feeling known. If you don’t know who our Director is, give the RA Office a call.

Remember our community to change if we work to change it.

Calvin Scruggs FHARA, President

College Info.

Session was a success.

Congratulations to Racquel Guzman. She was the winner of the resident food collection contest for the food pantry at Faith Community Church. She received $100 to be applied toward her rent.

The clothes closet is being sorted and organized and the ribbon will be cut on March 21st.

If you know the answer to the question, call the RA office with the answer at 794-1247 (press #3, then #6). Be sure to speak clearly in your message!

Please give your answer, your name, and your phone number in the message. If you do not leave a phone number or we cannot understand your message, we will not know how to get in touch with you if you win!

Volume 1, Issue 1

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Grilled Potato Packets Cooking potatoes in a foil packet means one less pot to wash, and highlights the delicate, earthy flavor of just-dug new potatoes.

Ingredients for four servings

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2 pounds new potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices 3 medium shallots, thinly sliced 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Nutrition

Preparation

1. Heat grill to medium-high.

2. Meanwhile, place potatoes, shallots, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl; toss to coat. Place

3.

Per serving: 172 calories; 3 g fat ( 0 g sat , 2 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 5 g protein; 4 g fiber; 299 mg sodium; 1032 mg potassium.

two 24-inch-long pieces of foil on the counter and lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange potatoes and shallots in a single layer, slightly overlapping, on half of each piece of foil. Leave a 2-inch border on all sides. Fold foil over and pinch the edges together, making two packets.

Place packets on the grill. Cover the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. (When you open a packet to check doneness, be careful of steam.) Serve immediately.

Walk Across Williamson County FHA would like to encourage everyone to participate in the Walk Across Williamson event this month. By averaging 60 minutes of physical activity every day during the month of March, a person can walk across WilWilliamson County Complex liamson County!!!

From March 1-31, record the number of minutes each day you are physically active including time spent at P. E. , participating in afterschool activities, workouts in the gym, or engaging in active free play with your family.

The kick-off event will be held on March 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Pinkerton Park. The Celebration Walk will be held on April13 at 9:00 am. and will include drawings and prize announcements (you must be present to win). If you are interested in attending, please contact Tena Hardy for transportation. Please contact Tena Hardy at 615-794-1247, ext. 212, if you are interested.

*****If you need assistance in mapping out a mile, you can walk over to the Williamson County complex and follow the route to accomplish your mile.

A group is also working out daily at Pro-Health doing Zumba, walking on the treadmill and lifting weights. If you want to participate, contact Tena.

F ra n k l in H o us in g S er v i c es C or p o ra t io n Non Profit US Postage Paid Franklin TN Permit #297

200 Spring Street Franklin, TN 37064-0304 Phone: 615-794-1247 Email: sminor@franklinhousingauthority.com “LIGHTING YOUR PATH TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING”

Return Service Requested

Important Reminders for Our Residents 

We are required to file warrants by the 22nd this month for all previous month balances, all balanc- Important Dates For MARCH:  Rent due on the 1st es should be paid by that date.

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All money orders and/or checks should be com Warrants filed on the 22nd pletely filled in prior to mailing, dropping it in the rent collection box or at the reception window.

Also, please do not use the abbreviation of “FHA” in the “Pay to the Order of” line but write out the entire business name, Franklin Housing Authority, on that line. Rental checks should be mailed to: Do You Have A Facebook 200 Spring Street, Franklin TN 37064.

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Income Reporting: ALL income has to be reported, whether it is Child Support, Social Security, Wages from a job, Unemployment and or AFDC from the Department of Human Services. This includes income from all heads of-household and adult (18and over), household members. HUD has a system in place, called EIV [Enterprise Income Verification System] that can pull all income sources, except child support and AFDC.

It is important to us that you understand these policies.

If you have any questions, call 615-794-1247, ext.

204 and speak with Michael.

Late fees apply on the 12th

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