June 2015 Grapevine

June 2015

THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

FSS Participant Purchases First Home

Volume 211, Issue 6

Monthly Reminders: 

Carmen Trowell, a participant of the HRHA Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, purchased her first home after living in public housing for 12 years. She resided on the property formerly known as Langston Park and was one of the first residents to con-  tract into the FSS program. Carmen had set a personal goal to reside in public housing for no longer than five years prior to joining FSS. However, due to life challenges such as credit problems, lack of finances  and employment loss, she was unable to complete the goal within the timeframe Carmen Trowell pictured above she established.  at her new home.

After searching for three years, Carmen says “I feel blessed, I looked all over the Tri-Cities for a house and this is the only one that felt right.” Carmen worked closely with FSS Coordinator, Jennifer Campbell, to make sure she was completing her goals and eliminating barriers that stood between her and self-sufficiency.

Community/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place — June 2, 2015 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court — June 10, 2015 1:00 pm Piper Square — June 17, 2015 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe — June 18, 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.

“From the beginning, she was always a very driven woman but had slight difficulty in completing her large goal of homeownership. This resilient woman possesses admirable strength and has taken every opportunity possible offered by either HRHA or other sources to ensure her life was what she wanted it to be. She accepted and took control of her circumstances and used public housing for exactly what it was created for; a stepping stone,” said Jennifer.

Filled with joy and happiness, Carmen was excited for her huge accomplishment. When asked if she had any encouraging words for other HRHA residents she said, “Even though you may feel stuck, don’t give up. Join every program you can and have patience and faith and you will succeed. There is plenty of help, you just have to take the first step and ask for it.”

Now that she has achieved homeownership, Carmen is focused on her next goal of entrepreneurship. “I will be opening a before and after school day care in September and soon will start a transportation service for all elderly individuals through Social Services.

For more information on how to join the FSS program and to get help achieving your goals, please contact Jennifer Campbell at 804-8557065.

Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure

2

Conflict Resolution Training

2

REAC Inspection

2

Management Policy

3

Changing the S.T.O.R.Y

3

Paint the School

3

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.

Conflict Resolution Training Richmond Peace Education Center (RPEC) will be having a basic two-day training in conflict resolution. This training is the foundation for all of RPEC's conflict resolution programs and provides essential skills and insights to adults of all experience levels.

This two-day training is open to any adult interested in learning methods to resolve disputes peacefully. The training will include engaging exercises to give you opportunities to strengthen your communication, listening, and conflict problem-solving skills. The skills you'll learn are helpful for addressing everyday interpersonal disputes at home, in the workplace and community. Successful completion of the two day training is also a first step for those interested in becoming certified RPEC conflict resolution trainers.

This two day training is well suited to educators, individuals who work with youth, and any member of the general public who wishes to strengthen their conflict resolution skills. Educators taking the training will earn a minimum of 15 points toward recertification of their Virginia teaching certificate. Participants who wish to enhance conflict resolution skills for their personal development are also welcome to attend.

The training will take place on July 7th – 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily at the Fan Free Clinic located at 1010 North Thompson Street, Richmond, VA. Tuition for the workshop is $175 and includes the cost of a 100+ page training manual. Pre-payment is required and partial scholarships are provided if needed. Email your name, address and phone number to rpec@rpec.org to pre-register. Please mail all checks to RPEC, 3500 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221 with T4T on the memo line.

REAC Inspection HRHA has been scheduled for it’s annual HUD Real Estate Assessment Center’s (REAC) inspection June 1st through June 3rd , 2015, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. The Kippax Place inspection will be June 19th. Once the REAC Inspector arrives to the sites, twenty percent of units will be randomly selected for inspection. Notices have been delivered explaining what you as a HRHA resident can do to help ensure our inspection receives the highest score possible. We hope everyone will be prepared to show that HRHA is the best!

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

Changing the S.T.O.R.Y. The furnishings in the Thomas Rolfe community center have been upgraded thanks to local disk jockey and entrepreneur, Tanya Smith. Tanya donated brand new tables, desks and file cabinets after the Change the S.T.O.R.Y. Indiegogo campaign launch. She decided to make a contribution to the campaign after seeing the NBC 12 news segment that featured the content Na’Seem Hopson’s essay. The essay outlined the need for community resources within HRHA’s public housing communities.

A few weeks later, HRHA received a phone call from Tanya who was moved by Na’Seem’s story.

“I saw the segment on television about the young man and I remembered growing up in public housing and not having the resources. Hearing his story really took my heart and I was shocked that a seventh grader had so much to say about his life at this age. I began to tell everyone I knew about it and knew I had to do something because I could relate,” said Tanya.

Tanya Smith is pictured above with her certificate.

Tanya is a member of the Jefferson Davis committee in Chesterfield and often donates her time, but donating items to the community was a first for her.

“Volunteering on a regular basis and donating for the first time feels good, especially knowing I am helping someone,” said Tanya.

Having experienced such barriers before, Tanya knew she had to make a difference for her future. After working numerous jobs over the years, she began to follow her passion and started her own business. “I encourage everyone to follow your dreams, goals and desires. Don’t live based on your present situation, but live to succeed for the best future. Your dreams are your reality and life is about living. In order to live, you have to go through trials and tribulations but if you believe, you will achieve,” said Tanya.

HRHA honored Tanya with a certificate of appreciation for her amazing contribution.

Paint the School Churches across Hopewell will join together Monday through Saturday, June 18th—July 2nd to paint Carter G. Woodson Middle School. Men, women and youth are welcomed to attend as volunteers. Please join OC3 and others in the community to coordinate this project.

Approximately 312 volunteers are needed to complete this project which will consist of 63 classrooms and 15 hallways being painted. The project is expected to take 1500 man-hours to complete. For more information, contact Jeff Butler at jeffb3812@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, Interim 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

4