November Grapevine

November 2014

THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Volume 210, Issue 11

Monthly Reminders:

Thomas Rolfe Lighting Improvement 

The Gordian Group and contractors pictured above at Thomas Rolfe Court

HRHA has submitted proposals for the 2013 and 2014 Emergency Safety and Securities grant to update the lighting and security measures in its communities. Both grant applications made it into the lottery, but were not chosen for award. HRHA will utilize funds from its capital fund to begin the much needed security upgrades  in partnership with The Gordian Group.

The Gordian Group is a facilitator of job order contracting (JOC contracting) that helps HRHA purchase construction services through a proprietary purchasing system. JOC is a way for organizations to get numerous, commonly encountered construction projects done quickly and easily through multi-year contracts. JOC reduces unnecessary levels of engineering, design, and contract procurement time along with construction project procurement costs by awarding long-term contracts for a wide variety of renovation, repair and construction projects. The service provides “on-call” contractors from concept to closeout.

Tina Raatz, Housing Manager of Thomas Rolfe, says “HRHA takes the safety of our residents very seriously. We received complaints from residents and the Hopewell Police Department (HPD) about poor lighting.” In effort to improve security, HRHA and HPD toured Thomas Rolfe Court to determine where the lighting would be most beneficial.

This information was then shared with the Gordian group which resulted in the implementation of phase one of HRHA’s security improvements.

Matt Rigsby is the Account Manager working on the lighting project in Thomas Rolfe Court. He has been with The Gordian Group for about a year and a half and has over 20 years of experience in the construction field. Rigsby says the project thus far is going well, partially because the system simplifies the process for HRHA. The project is planned to be completed by the end of 2014 and will brighten the Thomas Rolfe community in hopes of making it safer and more enjoyable for residents.

HRHA plans to update current security cameras to have a better view of what takes place on the property. Property improvements were reviewed in the Annual Plan meeting held in October.

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Community/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place — November 4, 2014 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court — November 12, 2014 1:00 pm Piper Square— November 19, 2014 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe—November 20, 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.

Job Corps Orientations at Hopewell VEC every Thursday at 9:00 am

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Employment assistance every Tuesday from 9:00—11:00 a.m. at Piper Square

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FSS Program Orientation in the Piper Square community center November 1st at 1:00 p.m.

Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure

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Destination Theater

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It’s Dance Time

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Management Corner

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VAHCDO Workshops

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Girl Scouts

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Management Policy

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FSS Program Orientation

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P.O.W.E.R. Program

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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.

Destination Theater

Destination Theater is a newly renovated, two screen cinema located in The Crossings Shopping Center at 5246 Oaklawn Boulevard in Hopewell. The theater was restored by volunteers from Destination Church.

Movies are offered at discounted rates and 10 percent of all profits will be given back to the community through donations to nonprofits and organizations that operate local programs.

The theater is now operating on weekends and cost five dollars. The movie listings and show times can be found by liking the theater’s Facebook page or by calling 804-415-4000.

It’s Dance Time

The Empowerment Zone, HRHA’s newest community partner, will operate a youth dance program in the Piper Square community center. Classes will begin on Saturday, November 8th from 3:00—4:00 p.m. and will be held monthly on the second and fourth Saturdays.

The program will begin with an introduction to ballet and participants will learn various dance techniques.

Classes are open to all youth of HRHA and the Hopewell community. Registration is required.

If you have questions or would like additional information contact Terence Barber at 804-452-1880 ext. 4.

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Management Corner “What’s In Your Bed?” Bed Bugs can pose a threat to decent, safe, and sanitary housing. The nation’s bed bug problem has reached epidemic proportions, especially for multi-family apartment communities. Bed bugs are natural parasites of people that have evolved with the human population for ages. Increased population growth, due to international travel and chemical resistance, has made bed bug treatment very demanding. ORKIN, one of the leaders in the eradication of bed bugs, indicated in their statistical data that Richmond, VA ranked 11th in the country for reported Bed Bug infestations last year.

HRHA implemented an action plan to insure that the agency will take a proactive approach when dealing with reported and non-reported bed bug problems.

HRHA Management began by ensuring staff was properly trained on identifying bed bugs. HRHA then solicited different pest management companies to seek the best approach in treating the problem. ORKIN Pest Management was selected to treat the units utilizing an “ambient heat” treatment in addition to the use of canine dogs and visual inspections of all units. This takes place three times a year and assists in identifying units with possible bed bug activity, as well as provides ongoing education and awareness of bed bug prevention. Heat treatment is the most effective form of treatment, with easy preparation on the resident’s behalf. ORKIN submits a comprehensive report identifying which units showed bed bug activity after every canine and visual inspection.

HRHA maintains a database to document when residents report possible bed bug activity, the date of inspection and the date(s) of treatment(s).

VAHCDO Scholarship Workshops The Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials (VAHCDO) has an annual scholarship program for graduating seniors residing in public or assisted housing.

HRHA will begin scholarship interview preparation workshops for all high school juniors and seniors for the 2014-2015 school year. The workshops will focus on interview preparation, letters of reference and other applicable topics that will prepare students for success after high school. HRHA has had two scholarship recipients in recent years and hopes there will be many more.

Scholarship applications will be available in the beginning of 2015. Resident Services staff will work with students to ensure all paperwork is completed and submitted to the VAHCDO scholarship committee for review.

Transportation and lunch are provided for all students selected for a scholarship interview. To learn more about upcoming workshops or the scholarship program requirements contact Terence Barber at 804-4521880 ext. 4.

Girl Scouts The informational meeting for the HRHA Girl Scouts troop was held October 24th in the Piper Square community center. Troop leaders gave an overview of the Girl Scouts, participation requirements and registered girls wanting to join.

Meetings will be held every second and fourth Saturday of the month in the Piper Square community center at 1:00 p.m. The troop currently has 12 girls registered. Volunteers are needed to add additional girls. Parents may have their daughters placed on the waiting list to join and will be contacted when there is an opening.

Parents interested in volunteering will earn community service hours (if needed) and should contact Leslie 3 Cross at 804-746-0590 ext. 331 or Terence Barber at 804-452-1880 ext. 4.

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

Family Self-Sufficiency Orientation Monthly orientations for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program are held on the first Saturday of every month in the Piper Square community center. A program overview and requirements are given to interested residents.

Recently contracted participants are reminded that attendance at one monthly orientation is required.

To register or for more information contact Jennifer Campbell at 804-855-7065.

P.O.W.E.R. Program The Promoting Outstanding Work Ethics & Responsibilities (P.O.W.E.R.) program is administered by the Surry County Office on Youth (SCOOY) staff and seeks to assist high school juniors and seniors achieve their goals, further their education and gain employment experience through internships. SCOOY has been in partnership with HRHA since 2012.

The program is funded by the Crater Regional Workforce Investment Board and is available to students of Surry, Sussex, Prince George and Hopewell. Interested applicants must complete a pre-screening applications and meet one of several eligibility requirements.

Jer’tara Clary is a senior at Hopewell High School, a Davisville resident and P.O.W.E.R. program participant. She was awarded a summer internship with HRHA and assisted the Resident Services staff with the summer feeding program and various special events. She is an honor roll student who plans to attend colJer’tara Clary is pictured lege for nursing or education. When asked about her internship experience above.

Jer’tara said, “It was good, I had the opportunity to be involved in the community more. I had a lot of fun helping others.”

HRHA would like to congratulate Jer’tara on her recent employment and academic achievements. The agency hopes she will be one of its 2015 VAHCDO scholarship applicants. “We are committed to assisting Jer’tara succeed with her post high school plans and providing her with work experience through our partnership with SCOOY. She was a tremendous asset in helping us with the youth this summer,” said Kathryn Thompson, HRHA Resident Services Manager.

The P.O.W.E.R. program’s main goal is to ensure students graduate high school with a post graduation plan.

Program staff work out of the Hopewell High School offices every Wednesday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. HRHA residents may contact Kathryn Thompson at 804-541-0392 ext. 4 for a program referral and appointment 4 with SCOOY staff.

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 Coordinator — (804) 855-7065 Emergency After Hours – (804) 640-9337

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