December 2015 Grapevine

December 2015

THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Unlimited Potential!

Volume 211, Issue 12

Monthly Reminders: 

Miesha Faison is a Piper Square resident and one of the newest members of the HRHA Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. She has lived in public housing for three years and is well on the way to meeting several of her goals, including moving out of public housing.  As a FSS participant, Miesha was given an opportunity to join the Child Development Associate (CDA) training program. This program was made available through a partnerMiesha Faison, CDA and ship between HRHA and Smart Beginnings FSS program participant with 2014 CDBG grant funding. The CDA is a  pictured above. nationally recognized entry level credential in the field of Early Childhood Education and is issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. The CDA is designed for those individuals who have an interest in working with young children in any setting.

Miesha says she wants something more for her life which is one thing that all FSS participants have in common. “The CDA program has given me the chance to learn new information and meet new people. The best part is being able to be active in children’s learning process and having fun with them. I have had cerebral palsy all my life and I have personally overcome my disability by not letting that define what I do in life,” said Miesha. Jennifer Campbell, FSS Coordinator, always encourages her participants to remain focused on goal completions. “I am amazed at her progress in both programs,” said Jennifer.

Miesha’s ultimate goal after completing the CDA program is to find a job in early childhood education and open her own childcare center. She also wants to learn how to budget and become financially stable by participating in the FSS program. Miesha said, “I am going to reach every goal I have set for myself because I know with God all things are possible. I want to let everyone know that no matter what you may go through in life you can do anything that you want and don't let where you start in life be where you finish.” Residents interested in joining the FSS program should contact Jennifer Campbell.

Community/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place — December 8, 2015 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court — December 9, 2015 1:00 pm Piper Square — December 16 2015 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe — December 17 2015 1:00 pm Rental payments are due on the 1st of each month and must be paid at the HRHA main office drop box by 5:00 p.m.

Any payment received after 5:00 p.m. is considered next day and a late fee will be assessed.

Computer classes every Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Piper Square community center.

Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure

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Employment Serv./Adult Ed.

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Christmas Giveaways

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Management Policy

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Digital Marketing Internships 3 New Community Partners

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City Point 5K Victory

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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.

Employment Services/Adult Education The Tri-Cities one stop centers have received funding through a grant from the Department of Labor to provide a Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC) to help individuals receiving disability benefits obtain employment. Citizens interested in working, improving skills, taking advantage of their ticket-to-work and learning how to keep some or all of Social Security Administration benefits should consider this program.

The primary goal of the Disability Employment Initiative grant is to help individuals with disabilities become aware of, understand, and successfully utilize the wide variety of employment-related services and programs available within the job centers and other area agencies. The DRC can be your connection to the Virginia Employment Commission’s employment search services; the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services’ job development/accommodation services; Adult Education classes specializing in helping persons with disabilities improve academic and employability skills; the Social Security Administration’s Ticket-to-Work program, and much more.

If you would like more information about the Disability Employment Initiative, contact Ryan Follett at 804-7327053 ext. 207.

Christmas Giveaways Thanks to a generous donation from the Hopewell Rotary Club, HRHA will be giving away five $100 Christmas gift cards to residents. Interested residents will need to complete and turn in applications to Kathryn Thompson or Terence Barber by Wednesday, December 9th. To be considered for this donation, the resident must be in good standing with the housing authority. Applications are available at the Piper Square and Thomas Rolfe management offices.

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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

Digital Marketing Internships HRHA and 3V Design Media are teaming up to provide the agency’s newest economic development program targeting high school juniors and seniors. A digital marketing program will begin in January 2016. Participants in the program will learn web design, graphic design for print, data analytics and audio production.

Internships are a great way to introduce career opportunities and can be a bridge to gainful employment.

The program will be available to 10 high school students with preference being given to public housing and/or HCVP youth. The program will last approximately 90 days and will give 320 hours of instruction. Participants will work on projects for real clients. This is a great opportunity to develop professional skills in a high demand career field. Students participating in the program will have unpaid training and will work with course instructors upon completion to secure paid internships and if qualified employment.

HRHA is very excited to offer this opportunity to its youth as it promotes self-sufficiency within the technology industry. Please contact Kathryn Thompson at 804-541-0392 ext. 4 with questions.

City Point 5K Victory The Davisville Fireballs participated in the City Point 5K Kids Run in November. The Fireballs was the first run club established in Hopewell and is now among several that operate out of Hopewell schools. A special congratulations to Jacquasia and Nakeem Morse for taking first and second place in their races. Travonta Diggs and Jacquasia also completed the 5K course in 34 minutes with Coach Tracy! What an accomplishment for their first race!

Davisville Fireballs are pictured above with Coach Malinda and Coach Tracy.

The run club gives children in the community a positive extracurricular after school activity that also promotes a healthy lifestyle. The run club is led by volunteer coaches Tracy Edmonds and Malinda Williams, both of whom find it important to give back to the community and be role models for the youth.

The Davisville Fireballs will resume practice in January to prepare for the Virginia 529 Kids Run in Richmond. This will be their second time participating in the race. Youth interested in becoming a part of the team should register in January for the spring training session.

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New Community Partners for FSS Program HRHA is excited to announce we have two new additional community partners, the Purpose Bound Parents Program and Woodlawn Presbyterian Church. Both partnerships are demonstrating their full support for residents participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. The partnership with Woodlawn Presbyterian Church has been established specifically for HRHA’s FSS participants only and will assist contracted families by providing them with a community support system. The variety of supportive services offered by Woodlawn aim towards assisting our FSS participants in the following ways:  FSS participants are pictured above with LaWanda  Woods, Executive Director of Purpose Bound  Parents.

Emergency financial needs such as unexpected vehicle repairs Educational goals such as providing required exam fees Employment goals

On November 7, 2015, Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, also assisted by providing a wonderful luncheon for our FSS participants. The luncheon provided those who attended an opportunity to introduce themselves to others also participating in the FSS program and to share their successes thus far in accomplishing goals prior to beginning the first on-site Purpose Bound Parents program orientation. The mission of this program is to end the cycle of poverty for single-parent households through support as parents earn a four year college degree.

This mission led to developing a Single Parent Network for single parents who are challenged in their efforts in the achievement of fundamental life accomplishments. Establishing this network for HRHA residents begins by providing them with the resources to obtain a college degree. The goal is to build a strong economic status that will ultimately allow them and their families to enjoy a better quality of life. Purpose Bound Parents program participants will receive supportive services that are focused in four main areas: 

Educational Support

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Health & Wellness

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College & Career and Planning

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Community Networking

The activities to support these core areas include parenting skills, management of family resources, nutritional education for the household, problem solving, employment skills, job-search techniques, career placement opportunities and finally housing assistance. The ultimate vision of this program is to establish several housing communities in the cities of Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, of single parents who support one another and their families, while excelling in education that will ultimately lead to self-sufficiency.

The first meeting was a huge success and the next one will be held on Saturday, December 5th at 1:00 p.m. in the Thomas Rolfe Community Center. The program is also open to non-HRHA residents and all single parents are encouraged to attend this meeting.

The new partnerships with the Purpose Bound Parents program and Woodlawn Presbyterian Church significantly enhances the Family Self-Sufficiency program and will increase successful program goal completions as participants work hand-in-hand with a supportive network specifically to eliminate the various barriers which are preventing self-sufficiency. HRHA is very excited about working with our newest community partners!

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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

Like our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/ Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

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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