September 2015
THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Volume 211, Issue 9
Monthly Reminders:
Hopewell is ALIVE takes RVA
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On Saturday, July 11 , participants of Hopewell Is ALIVE (HIA) took a field trip to Richmond for the East Coast Gospel Music Summer Fest. HIA is the city’s newest music program for youth and is led by local recording artist, Chiquita L. Cross. Participants of Hopewell is ALIVE pictured Sheilah Belle ‘The Belle,” radio above prior to their performance at the personality for Praise 104.7 FM, third annual East Coast Gospel Music personally invited HIA to come Summer Fest. and be a part of this event. This
free event was located at the Fifth Baptist Church and lasted from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. The youth of HIA were able to participate in various workshops, a master class, M.I.C. check and a leadership round table discussion. The children also attended a meet and greet with “The Belle” and BET’s Sunday’s Best season five runner up, Alexis Spight.
Community/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place — September 1, 2015 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court — September 9, 2015 1:00 pm Piper Square — September 16, 2015 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe — September 17, 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.
Not only did HIA participate in these activities, but they also performed the HIA anthem with their director, Chiquita. “Since I’m used to performing, I had fun and I wasn't nervous,” said six year old participant Mikayla Pearson. After a long day of activities and interacting with special guests, the participants went to CiCi’s pizza for a well-deserved dinner. Afterwards, Bernard Walker paid for all the youth to play in the arcade. Bernard was a contestant in America’s Got Talent with the Virginia State University Gospel Chorale in 2013. 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. “I am very proud of our youth in the HIA program for how well behaved they were for their first field trip. It was a long day and they were very disciplined,” said Chiquita. For more information or to register for HIA, contact Chiquita L. Cross via email at info@hopewellisalive.org or visit the website at www.hopewellisalive.org
Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure
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Certified Renovators Training 2 Resident Advisory Board
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Management Policy
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Striving for Unity
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Summer Dance Camp
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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.
Certified Renovators Training
On Thursday, July 29th HRHA hosted a Certified Renovators Training in the Piper Square Community center. This training was attended by Housing Managers and Maintenance Staff of HRHA, JLJ Construction and Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority (RRHA). The training lasted for eight hours and included demonstrations on how to set up and prepare a containment area. The containment area allows for proper removal and disposal of contaminated material. Staff members were tested on the content of the day and upon completion were awarded a certificate. Brian Charity, HRHA Amp Two Maintenance Team Lead, said “the class was very informative and is a must for any maintenance mechanic. These types of courses are training the upcoming maintenance technicians to be very knowledgeable in their field. “
Resident Advisory Board HRHA would like to congratulate Vicki Collins of Thomas Rolfe Court, Dorothy Mason of Davisville, Valerie McDougal of the Summit of Hopewell, Victoria Jackson of Thomas Rolfe Court and Tanya Johnson of Piper Square for being chosen as the new members of HRHA’s Resident Advisory Board (RAB). Section 511 of the United States Housing Act and the regulations in 24 CFR part 903 require that PHAs establish at minimum one RAB as part of the PHA Plan process. RAB membership is comprised of individuals who reflect and represent the residents within HRHA’s properties. The RAB will assist HRHA in developing the PHA Plan and in making any significant amendments or modifications to the plan on behalf of the residents within our properties. HRHA feels these individuals will work diligently to express the concerns of the residents and help make the best decisions for the Authority. 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
Striving for Unity HRHA, Union Baptist Church and the Mason family of Davisville will be hosting a Back to School Supply Drive and Giveaway. This event will be held in Davisville on Saturday, September 5th from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. This event is to help bring the community together as one as well as supply school supplies for the youth within our communities. Union Baptist has been collecting school supplies for roughly a month and will be collecting until the day of the event at 212 Rev. C.W. Harris Street in Hopewell. This event will be lots of fun with music, food, games, face painting, cotton candy and more. Mayor Brenda Pelham will be in attendance in addition to Hopewell’s own Police Department and Fire/Rescue Squad. For more information please contact Larry Mason at (757) 401-2265 or Pastor Nutt at (804) 301-6442.
Summer Dance Camp HRHA received funding from the Virginia Commission of the Arts to partner with Kevin L. Jones, founder of CLAVES UNIDOS, to conduct a Summer Dance Camp pilot program in Thomas Rolfe Court. This dance camp started on July 28th for children ages 12-18. Claves Unidos is providing three hours of dance instruction for a duration of eight weeks from three dance professionals who introduced forms of contemporary movement ranging from African Diaspora, Ballet and Modern dance. CLAVES UNIDOS translated means United Rhythms and is a group of artists who work under Kevin’s direction. He believes that beyond the barriers of race, age, gender, religion and geography, that it is the African presence in the arts that unites the world. CLAVES UNIDOS presents dance productions and events that are life and community-affirming including a free African Roots Community dance class on Saturday mornings at Dogtown Dance Theatre at 9:00 am. Kevin, LaMarr Jones is pictured above with Katina Moss and students from the Summer Dance Camp.
The ‘clave’ or ‘key’ is the basic African rhythm found in many of the best known forms of Latin American music. It came from Africa and, by way of Cuba, informed music throughout the world. All forms of music have an underlying rhythmic base. Through acknowledging and celebrating the similarities and differences of those rhythms and the people behind them, we demonstrate how closely-related we are no matter where we are from. “It is a privilege to be working with teens in Hopewell to encourage them to incorporate more dance in their lives. Our students are eager and open to learning about the diverse world of dance from local artists and that makes it fun and fulfilling. I hope this is just the beginning of some great dance-related programs and events for the Tri-Cities area,” said Kevin. 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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