August 2015
THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Volume 211, Issue 8
HRHA Celebrates 75 Years of Motion
Monthly Reminders:
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HRHA celebrated its 75 anniversary on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at the Beacon Theatre in Hopewell, Virginia. Executive Director, Steve Benham, preceded the key note speaker, Dr. Marcus Campbell of Abundant Life Christian Center International with a reflective speech that spanned the HRHA Executive Director, Steven Benham 75 years of the agency’s operaand Dr. Marcus Campbell of Abundant tion. He educated attendees Life Christian Center International picon the creation of affordable tured above. housing being the result of the needs of tens of thousands of workers of the DuPont Company. The huge influx of people into the city had a great need for affordable housing in 1916. Thus the Hopewell Housing Authority was established to meet this need. In 1946 the agency was renamed the Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority as its mission evolved to include clearing of slums. Both Benham and Campbell emphasized the importance of education as a cornerstone to breaking the often generational cycle of poverty that affects public housing residents. “We will continue to invest in people through education. Research continues to demonstrate that education remains the best vehicle for moving low-income persons out of poverty. Everything that supports educating our children must remain our priority,” said Steve Benham. Other areas of focus for the agency include: improving housing quality, reducing government subsidy in housing, more private investment within the city, raising the income level of low-income households and providing housing choice vouchers. Dr. Campbell encouraged the HRHA staff to continue its work in the communities. “So, I say to all of you, continue in the lifetransforming work that you are committed to doing. What have been doing for 75 years is leaving a true legacy of hope,” said Dr. Campbell in his closing remarks. HRHA will continue to seek opportunities to serve citizens of the TriCities through its Resident Services department. Both speakers were former childhood residents of public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program in other states and are testaments to the impact that education has on the quality of life.
Community/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place — August 5, 2015 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court — August 12, 2015 1:00 pm Piper Square — August 19, 2015 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe — August 20, 2015 1:00 pm Rental payments are due on the 1st of each month and must be paid at SunTrust Bank by 5:00 p.m. Any payment received after 5:00 p.m. is considered next day and a late fee will be assessed. Employment assistance every Tuesday from 9:00—11:00 a.m. in the Piper Square community center.
Computer classes every Friday from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Piper Square community center.
Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure
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National Night Out
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Job Fair
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Management Policy
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Back to School Kickoff
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Head Start
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Shoebox Angels
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HRHA Grievance Procedure HRHA has a Grievance Procedure that seeks to assure just and unbiased treatment of all residents and to provide procedures which are not unduly time consuming or complicated. The Authority will take required actions to ensure all grievants with special needs are accommodated to provide access to this Grievance Procedure. Should it become necessary for you to file a grievance, present your grievance personally, either orally or in writing, to the Authority’s Central Management Office or the Management Office where you reside within seven days, after the occurrence giving rise to the grievance. The oral or written presentation should state:
1. That the complaint is being pursued in accordance with the Grievance Procedure. 2. The actual basis of the grievance. 3. The action of relief.
A copy of the Grievance Procedure can be found at the Community’s Management Office and at the Authority’s Central Management Office. If you are not satisfied with the resolution of your complaint, you may contact your HRHA Chairmen of the Board of Commissioners at 804-720-2581.
National Night Out
National Night Out is a yearlong community building campaign that is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. This year National Night Out will be held Tuesday, August 4th at Kippax Place, 100 South Kippax Street, starting at 5:30 p.m. There will be plenty of food, games, music and prizes for everyone. This is an event you do not want to miss!
Job Fair The Progressive Adult Rehabilitation Center Incorporated of Petersburg will be hosting a “Ready to Hire” Job Fair on Thursday, August 6th. This job fair will be held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Good Shepherd Baptist Church located at 2223 South Crater Road in Petersburg. This job fair will consist of over 40 employers whom have job openings, some of which will be interviews on site. All attendees are encouraged to dress for success and bring all personal application information, your resume and form of identification. This job fair is open to the public and will include jobs for non-degree and degree holding individuals. For more information, please contact Cheryl Nici-O’Connell at 804-909-0038 or Rita Winfield at 804-732-0685. 2
Management Policy HRHA does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in the admission or access to housing or employment in its federally assisted programs and activities. Mrs. Madelyn Peay has been designated to coordinate compliance with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) regulations implementing (Section 504 CFR Part 8, dated June 2, 1988) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. You may contact her at: P.O. Box 1361 Hopewell, VA 23860 (804) 458-5160
Back to School Kickoff Mount Pleasant Baptist Church will be hosting a Back to School Kickoff at Thomas Rolfe Court on Saturday, August 22 from 10:00am-2:00pm. This event is free and will consist of food, drinks, singing, praise dancing and games. All residents are encouraged to come out and participate as we kickoff a fresh start to a new school year.
Head Start Woodlawn Learning center is looking for children that are or will be four years old by September 30, 2015 to register for their preschool services. Parents/Guardians that will be registering their child must have the following required documents to register: Proof of income (W2’s/1040 tax forms/child support/TANF/SSI documentation), child’s vital record birth certificate, proof of residence, health insurance card, immunization record, custody papers (if applicable), current 2015 physical and current 2015 dental examination (or appointment card). Children in Head Start will participate in interactive learning, story time, field trips, computer and technology activities as well as other educational programs. To register, please bring all required documents to Woodlawn Learning Center located on Dinwiddie Avenue in Hopewell. If you have any questions, please call (804) 541-6414.
Shoebox Angels
On Tuesday, August 10th there will be a community wide Operation Christmas Packing Party. This party will be held at Covenant Christian Church, 542 South Park Boulevard in Colonial Heights starting at 9:00 a.m. The goal of this years project is to pack 750 shoeboxes for children in the community. Donations of washcloths, bars of soap, any types of school supplies (except liquid glue) sandwich bags are being accepted the day of the event. All churches, youth groups, summer programs, community leaders and organizations are also welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Covenant Christian Center at 804-526-8966 or Pat McGowan at 804-9141072. 3
Public Housing Staff Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Madelyn Peay, Public Housing Director – (804) 458-5160
P.O. Box 1361 350 E. Poythress Street Hopewell, VA 23860
Lillian Quintana, Administrative Assistant to the Public Housing Director – (804) 458-5160
Phone (804) 458-5160 Fax (804) 458-3364
Tina Raatz, Housing Manager – (804) 452-1880 ext. 3 Thomas Rolfe Court/Extension & Davisville/Bland Court
Website www.hopewellrha.org
Lafonia Thornton, Acting Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 2 Piper Square & Kippax Place
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Kathryn Thompson, Resident Services Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 4 Terence Barber, Resident Services Specialist – (804) 452-1880 ext. 4 Jennifer Campbell, FSS Coordinator — (804) 855-7065 Emergency After Hours – (804) 640-9337
Commissioner Hotline Number- (804) 720-2581
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