July 2015
THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Peers Making a Difference
Volume 211, Issue 7
Monthly Reminders:
Students of Hopewell High School’s Life Skills class worked together to raise money for HRHA’s Indiegogo campaign entitled S.T.O.R.Y. HRHA launched the campaign after Na’Seem Hopson, a seventh grade Piper Square resident, won the Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Students and teachers of Hopewell Mayor” essay contest. The essay High Schools “Life Skills” class picmentioned the importance of pub tured above. lic housing youth having access to activities within the community centers of their neighborhoods. Lisa Mann, one of several teachers of the Life Skills class, read about the S.T.O.R.Y. campaign in the newspa- per, showed it to her class and asked if they were interested in helping. “They were very excited to help kids in their community,” said Lisa.
Community/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place — July 7, 2015 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court — July 8, 2015 1:00 pm Piper Square — July 15, 2015 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe — July 16, 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.
The Life Skills class is composed of students grades nine through 12 and post graduate students through age 22 who have disabilities. These students decorated boxes and collected money from fellow students, staff and faculty in the cafeteria for six days. During this period of time, students also took decorated soda bottles home to collect money from their family and neighbors. After each day of collecting, the students were responsible for counting, sorting and rolling the money collected. Not only was this a good deed, but it was an educational opportunity for these students. At the end of the project, a school wide announcement was made to announce that they had raised over $200 and to thank everyone for participating. The students then sent the donation to HRHA with a letter explaining the project.
Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure
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The Resident Services Department was very speechless to hear how these young students found it important to donate to the campaign. Among those students who helped raise money was Natonie Stith. Natonie, a ninth grade resident of Piper Square, said “This was important to me because I wanted to raise money for the children in my community. Children need help and they need money in order to have activities.”
Kids Go GUI
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HRHA’s 75th Anniversary
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Management Policy
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Summer Activity Guide
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The Life Skills class makes it a habit to do something positive on a frequent basis. Lisa said “This was a wonderful experience for our students because they were able to give back to their community and see the concrete benefits of what the money was raised for.”
Hopewell Is Alive
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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.
Kids Go GUI
HRHA recently received a grant from the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) to send middle and high school age girls to an Aspire IT summer program entitled “Kids Go GUI.” Kids Go GUI is a summer program designed to attract young girls within the community into the areas of computer science and programming by exposing them to a computer program called Scratch. The program will further the girls interest in computing by introducing them to computer programming through fun activities. The main goal of this program is to give these girls a sense of purpose and hope by introducing them to possibilities for the future. This program will be held on the campus of Virginia State University on July 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The program is limited to 15 individuals and lunch and transportation is being provided. If you have any questions about this summer program, please contact Kathryn Thompson at 804-541-0392 ext. 4.
HRHA’s 75th Anniversary
HRHA was established in 1939 and is celebrating 75 years of providing affordable housing to the City of Hopewell. In honor of 75 years of service, HRHA will be holding an Anniversary Celebration at The Beacon Theatre located at 401 North Main Street on Thursday, July 16th from at 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The requested attire for this celebration is business professional (black tie attire is optional). Tickets are $35 and can be obtained by contacting Sherry Henderson at 804-458-5160 no later than July 2, 2015. 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
Summer Activity Guide
The Hopewell Department of Recreation and Parks believes in enhancing opportunities for a variety of recreational activities for the citizens of Hopewell. They promote public wellbeing in a safe, friendly and healthy environment. The center offers a 25-meter indoor heated swimming pool, two racquetball courts, a full-size gymnasium, cardio and weight equipment, meeting space, locker rooms and snack lounge. For convenience, the Department of Recreation and Parks offers several membership types and each membership includes access to the pool, gym, locker rooms, sauna, and fitness equipment. Additional fees apply for racquetball, instructor-led fitness classes and meeting space. In addition to membership packages, the Department of Recreation and Parks provides a variety of recreational programs that take place at the community center such as youth summer camps to arts and crafts for senior citizens. The Department of Recreation and Parks has a summer activity guide with information regarding various events being held this summer for all ages. For more information about the events and activities being held this summer, please visit the Hopewell Department of Recreation and Parks at 100 West City Point Road, visit their website at www.hopewellva.gov or contact them at 804-541-2353.
Hopewell Is Alive On Saturday, June 6th, local music artist Chiquita L. Cross and HRHA hosted a kickoff celebration for Hopewell’s newest music program for youth entitled Hopewell Is Alive (HIA). The event was held outside of the Thomas Rolfe Court community center and included musical performances by Allison Lilly, Jesse Statton & Total Praise, Chiquita L. Cross and more. HIA is a music program with a mission of positively influencing youth within the city by teaching them how to express their talent and exposing them to new opportunities, strong community figures and entrepreneurs who are impacting lives daily. HIA is for all children ages six through 15. The event was attended by Mayor Brenda Pelham, 63rd District House of Delegates candidate, Gerry Rawlinson, and citizens of the Tri-Cities. Those who were not able to register at the event may still register by contacting Chiquita L. Cross via email at hopewellisalive@gmail.com. 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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