March 2014
THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
HRHA Resident Earns College Scholarship
Volume 210, Issue 3
Monthly Reminders:
In February, Hopewell High School held a scholarship signing for two of their seniors, one being our very own, Tabyus Taylor. Through hard work and dedication, Tabyus, a resident of Langston Park, earned a full football scholarship to Virginia Tech. Tabyus has lived in public housing for roughly 16 years, and says “It doesn’t matter where you come from, you can make it anywhere.” This talented young man has been playing football for 11 years, executing various positions. He is also involved in basketball, baseball and soccer.
Vannette Taylor is very pleased with the accomplishments of her son. “It was very important for me to support him. I felt that if I didn’t do it, nobody else would, and even if you do have your father in your life, children typically go to their mother first,” she said. She is grateful for the community support she received through sponsorships allowing her five children to participate in sports. When asked to give some en- couraging words to other parents, she said, “The most important part is to always be there from the beginning, once those years are gone, you can never get them back.” Tabyus is very appreciative of the support that he receives from his family, especially his mother. “It makes me feel good to know that my parents are always there at the games to support me.” With his busy sports schedule, Tabyus still finds time to play games, go to the movies, and hang out with his friends. At the scholarship signing, Tabyus, a future Business major, expressed the importance of academics. “The first year of high school is very important, I didn’t realize that at first. Graduation is important to me because I want to get my diploma and go to college.” With his talent, good grades, and support, Tabyus is destined for future greatness. “If you want to be successful, you can be successful and you won’t let anything stop you.” HRHA would like to congratulate Tabyus and his family on this significant accomplishment!
Neighborhood Watch/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place— March 4, 2014 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court— March 12, 2014 1:00 pm Piper Square—March 19, 2014 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe—March 20, 2014 1:00 pm Langston Park—March 26, 2014 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. Laos Outreach Karate Program every Tuesday at Laos Outreach Center. Tutoring Program every Tuesday and Thursday in the Davisville community center from 3:00—5:00 p.m. Piper Square Good News Club in the Piper Square community center March 22nd from 2:30-3:30. FSS Program orientation in the Piper Square community center March 22nd at 1:00 p.m. Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure
2
HRHA Employee Spotlight
2
Management Policy
3
Jumpstart Pizza Party
3
Woodlawn Recruitment Day
3
Management Corner
4
Kippax Valentines Social
4
Community Participation
4
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.
HRHA Employee Spotlight
James Pope has served as a Maintenance Mechanic here at HRHA for roughly the past 20 years. Previously serving as the Lead Mechanic, James says he loves it here at HRHA. James served as an Appliance Technician for 13 years prior to beginning his employment at the Housing Authority. James, a natural born peace maker, loves for everyone and everything to be unified. “I like things to run as smooth as possible and I love to help people any way I can.” He was born in North Carolina, but primarily raised here in Hopewell. He enjoys fishing, bowling and running his company, Popes Appliances. James has been an entrepreneur for the past 32 years, where his motto is: If it’s broke, call Pope’s. He has dedicated a gracious amount of time to HRHA and says he loves to see the maintenance staff and other HRHA employees being a family away from family. 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 Madison-Hyde 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
Jumpstart Pizza Party
HRHA will be honoring students for their academic accomplishments this past quarter, and would like to encourage all honor roll students to send a copy of your report cards to the Resident Services Department. Resident Services will be having a pizza party for all students who made the second quarter honor roll this month. If you are in need of academic assistance please join the After School Tutoring program in the Davisville community center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00—5:00 p.m. If transportation is an issue, please contact Resident Services for more information.
Woodlawn Recruitment Day Hopewell Head Start Program will be having a recruitment fair March 19-20th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and March 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Woodlawn Learning Center located at 1100 Dinwiddie Avenue. Head Start is a program that makes differences by providing a variety of experiences for your child and your family. Head Start is based on the belief that you, the parent, are the primary educator and most important person in your child’s life. Head Start helps prepare children for success in school and in life. Children receive a positive introduction to education, learn to play with other children, eat a variety of nutritious foods, and practice healthy habits. The program also builds confidence in children as well as their parents. Parents attending the recruitment fair must bring proof of income, child’s vital records, birth certificate, and proof of residency. Children must be between the ages of three (by September 30, 2014) and four to register for the Head Start Program. Families with children who have disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information please call: (804) 541-6414 3
Management Corner Hours of Operation and Appointments The scheduled times of the HRHA Community Offices have been established to ensure that HRHA provides the best in customer service to all our residents. Each Housing Manager is responsible for managing multiple properties, located throughout the city. Housing Managers visit and inspect their specific properties throughout the business hours and cannot guarantee availability to walk-in traffic. For this reason we ask that residents try to set up an appointment with their specific Housing Manager to discuss matters of concern. If an appointment has been made, we encourage the resident to keep the scheduled time to meet with the Housing Manager and if the resident is unable to keep the allotted time, we ask that they contact the Housing Manager as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule. Housing Managers are expected to return all phone calls within 24 hours as long as a detailed message, and telephone number is left on their voice mail. The HRHA Community Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00pm. The Community Offices are closed on Wednesday to walk in traffic and open for appointments only.
Valentine’s Day Social
HRHA would like to thank Clearr Vission Support Services for hosting a Valentine’s Day Social for Kippax Place residents. Congratulations to all the winners of the dance contests!
Community Participation Resident Services seeks to create an enhanced sense of community in HRHA neighborhoods through activities and events through partnerships with service providers within Hopewell and surrounding areas. Resident participation is a critical component to overall program success. When there is lack of participation, the agency is at risk of losing partners that are willing to invest time and resources into our communities. HRHA has been awarded grant funding to service 25 families in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and staff has developed relationships with several workforce development organizations that can provide job and employment related training. There are also opportunities for youth to become involved with mentoring, tutoring, dance and other programs. Most services and activities are provided free of charge to assist HRHA residents in creating strong, happy families. HRHA asks that you please take advantage of the on-site resources. If you are interested in becoming the representative to help plan your community events please contact Resident Services. 4
Public Housing Staff Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Madelyn Madison-Hyde, 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
Julie Derr, Assistant Housing Manager – (804) 452-1880 ext. 2 Thomas Rolfe Court/Extension & Davisville/Bland Court
Like our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/ Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Greg Pe’ay, Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 3 Piper Square, Kippax Place & Langston Park Lafonia Thornton, Assistant Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 2 Piper Square, Kippax Place & Langston Park Kathryn Thompson, Resident Services Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 4 Terence Barber, Resident Services Specialist – (804) 452-1880 ext. 4 Jennifer Campbell, FSS Program Intern — (804) 855-7065 Emergency After Hours – (804) 640-9337
5