New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
Newsbriefs Rethinking Homelessness since 1977
Page 1 New Hope Housing, Administration Office 8407-E Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309 703-799-2293
Volume 19 Issue 1
January 2, 2015
The New Year is full of promise, though you may also get a fair share of tough times. With each progressing year, you find yourself growing confident, experienced, and wise. That's the gift of the New Year. Raise a toast to the year that holds many promises. Make this year an inspiring one to remember! Enjoy reading the Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions below. I’ve already spotted a couple that I have on my list. 1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening. 2. Fit in Fitness The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. 3. Tame the Bulge Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds. 4. Quit Smoking If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! 5. Enjoy Life More Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Courtesy of Albrecht Powell, & Simran Khurana About.com
Where has your New Hope Housing “Orange� Polo been? We are tracking our logo footprint in our community! When you are out and about town serving NHH residents and/or volunteers, please snap a photo of you wearing your NHH polo and send to jsacharko@newhopehousing.org! Our goal is to make New Hope Housing a household name in this area; so show off that ORANGE spirit wherever you go! If you would like a New Hope Housing polo shirt, please send your shirt size to your program site director.
WELCOME NEW Employment Liaison (Community Services Team)
Tania Sarnor BIO Tonya has a Bachelor of Arts, Political Science - International Relations from Kent State University – Kent, OH. Ms. Sarnor is a Skilled Professional with experience in employment development, administration, research, and social work backed by expertise in the coordination of major projects related to government and community relations. Tonya has years of experience facilitating workshops for clients, providing one-on-one job coaching, working with community organizations, and helping clients find and maintain employment as well as any other resources they are in need of. Her expertise will be used to seek and establish relationship with potential employers of the community we serve. Tania is also noted for leaving a professional and well respected impact on those she encounters (staff, clients, and employers), evidenced by her hard work at Work Opportunities Unlimited, Pasadena, MD.
Interesting Fact About Me
My favorite TV show is
WELCOME NEW On Call RSS (Falls Church Winter Shelter)
Samantha Vaughn BIO I am originally from Northern California and moved to Virginia to go to school. I have worked in homeless services for about 3.5 years, but I am so excited to learn from the New Hope Housing Team!
Interesting Fact About Me I have bungee jumped off a bridge, next on my bucket list is to skydive! I am the shortest person in my family, and I am 6 ft. tall. I am a Pescetarian.
There is a website available where employees may go to print their own pay statements. The website is: https://ipay.adp.com Use your ADP user id and password to log in. Please be advised that all options mentioned on the site may not be available for our usage, but feel free to check it out Did you recently move? If you move, please remember to update your new mailing address by filing out the “Change of Address� form in ADP (located on the main page) and submit to Lee Voltmer at the New Hope Housing admin office. Lastly, if you move to another state, it is very important that you complete new State and Federal Tax withholding and submit to payroll. Otherwise, you could end up with a tax liability at tax time.
Please get your timesheets completed and submitted on time on a daily basis!
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES Did you know that federal and Maryland/Virginia/D.C. earned income tax credits are available to certain low-income individuals and families? These credits can reduce the amount of income tax you owe or increase your income tax refund; and, you may qualify to receive some of these credits even if you did not earn enough income 路to be required to file a tax return. 2014 Maryland/Virginia/D.C. Earned Income Taxcredit (EITC) Maryland/Virginia/D.C. EITC is a credit for certain taxpayers who have income and have worked. The state EITC reduces the amount of state tax you owe. The local EITC reduces the amount of county tax you owe. Some taxpayers may even qualify for a refundable Maryland/Virginia/D.C.EITC. Most taxpayers who are eligible and file for a federal EITC can receive the Maryland/Virginia/D.C. and local EITC. The allowable Maryland/Virginia/D.C. credit is up to one-half of the federal credit. To be eligible for the federal and Maryland/Virginia/D.C. EITC, your federal adjusted gross income and your earned income must be less than the following: $46,997 ($52,427 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children $43,756 ($49,186 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children $38,511 ($43,941 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child $14,590 ($20,020 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children
To receive the Maryland/Virginia/D.C. EITC, you must be eligible for the federal credit. If your income is less than the amounts shown in this notice, visit the Internal Revenue Service Web site at www.irs.gov, or contact your tax advisor, to learn if you meet the other requirements. You also may be entitled to a refundable state EITC and to a local EITC. If you are a part-year resident or a nonresident of Maryland/Virginia/D.C., you may be entitled to a prorated share of the credit, if you have state earned income. For more information about the Maryland EITC, visit the Web site at www.marylandtaxes.com or call 1-800-MD- TAXES (1-800-638-2937), or 410-260-7980 from Central Maryland. You mu st have a valid Social Security Number and file a tax return to claim this credit. For Virginia, you may visit www.dss.virginia.gov and for D.C., the site is otr.cfo.dc.gov Reminder: Legally married same-sex couples must file as married filing jointly or married filing separately for tax year 2014. Employees wishing to adjust their withholding to reflect married status should complete a new Maryland Form MW507 (VA & D.C. when applicable), as well as federal Form W-4.
2014 Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) For more information about the federal EITC, visit: www..irs.gov/individuals or call the IRS at 1-800-829 1040
NEW IRS MILEAGE RATE EFFECTIVE January 1, 2015 The IRS has published an new mileage rate of 57.5 cents. A new mileage form will be posted on the ADP homepage after January 2, 2015. Please use this for all mileage on and after January 1, 2015. All mileage through December 31, 2014 will be reimbursed at the current rate(56 cents) using the current form. Please make sure you have completed all your mileage forms through December 31, 2014 using the current form and rate. The 2014 form will remain on the home page as well. You must use a separate form for each calendar year. Any mileage submitted on an incorrect form will be returned to you for correction. This will hold up the processing of your check so please be careful which rate/form you are using.
Come join the New Hope Housing Young Professionals Board Sunday, January 18th from 4-6 at Pinstripes, for an afternoon of bowling! $30 covers shoes/ socks, 2 hours of bowling, 1 raffle ticket, and great company. We will also be selling additional raffle tickets 1 for $5 and 3 for $10. Raffle items include: Starbucks Giftcard, Uber Gift Card, Urban Chic Shopping Party, and a Soul Cycle Gift Card.
“The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” by Nicole Dillion & Jan Sacharko
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
Yvonne Kedoin sends kudos to: Pam Longshore and Ellen Shepard for taking the time to meet and plan. That was a big de-stressor for me! Celestine Chew and Janine Rushing for working with Steve Piscitelli by phone to get the front desk computer internet and Microsoft Outlook access!!! Eden for sending her updates via e-mail while on vacation! Natalie and Simajah for all of their extra help while Eden is on vacation and for all their assistance in moving residents into Housing First units! And, for helping the voucher recipients!
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Samir Suarez kudos (cont’d): Bernatria and Roxanne for your tireless efforts in helping our families. Alba for being a great leader and supporting our team through the very busy holidays. You've always got our back.
Nicole Dillion sends kudos to: Khristina and Martha for all of their hard work preparing Christmas food baskets. Shanice for picking up and delivering her gifts so swiftly Susan V. for sending her girls to help sort Christmas gifts...what a life saver!
Simajah for delivering numerous food baskets for Thanksgiving to her rapid rehousing clients. Kudos to LaKesha for all of her positive energy and Christmas Richard Honesty for “looking out” for his colleague Cheer! and finding some “lifting power”. Luke Taylor for finding the Housing First apartments in the City of Alexandria. Sue Ryan, Jan Sacharko, Martha Faconer, Jeff Elder, Eddie Davis, and others who have helped furnish the apartments.
Martha Faconer sends kudos to: Jan and Nicole for all of the hard work during the holiday season! Sue Ryan, for her amazing job getting the new units put together for residents.
Pam Michell, Jo Mullen, and Susan Keenan for our Pam and Susan V., for helping to sort out donations impromptu meeting. during the holiday season. Kudos, kudos, kudos to Christina Trotter for her miraculous work to ensure that the ACS residents had another joyous holiday season!!!
Samir Suarez sends kudos to: Nicole and Jan for all your hard work getting the gifts together for our families.
Stacey Osborne sends kudos to: Veronica Letsinger for covering my shift on 12/26/14
Chimere Stanley sends kudos to: Nicole and Jan for working hard to give our client’s a good Christmas!
Khristina and Ms. Martha for coming in on a weekend to put together the food baskets for Next Steps. Ashley and Aylss for great team work! Chavon and Shanice for going the extra mile to make sure your families had giftsand food baskets for Christmas.
OPEN POSITIONS New Hope Housing is currently accepting resumes for the following job opportunities:
On Call Resident Service SpecialistsMondloch House/Mondloch Place/Kennedy/ACS Responsibilities include monitoring the shelter, answering the phones, greeting visitors, and most importantly interacting in a positive manner with our residents. $13.13 an hour. Must be flexible, dependable, and have the ability to work with a diversified group of individuals. A High School diploma or GED is necessary, and previous experience with the homeless/mentally ill a plus. Successful candidates will be called to duty when we are short staffed. Hours are flexible, not scheduled, and you must be willing to cover shifts at a moment’s notice. $13.13 an hour. EOE/ADA that values diversity. On-Call Residential Service Specialist for Susan’s Place and Max’s Place On-Call Residential Services Specialist (RSS) for chronically homeless adults with substance abuse/mental illness/or co-occurring disorders located in Arlington and Falls Church Virginia. Must be able to establish rapport and build trust with residents and be comfortable working in a program with few rules. Need to be flexible and have an ability to handle crisis situations. RSS will assist Outreach Counselors with leading life skills groups/activities, cooking and cleaning with residents and general upkeep of the house. RSS monitors residents medication. Must be able to work well independently and must be reliable. Provides On-call coverage. Must have a valid driver’s license and BA in behavioral science or related field. Experience can be substituted for education. BSW preferred. Two years experience with homeless adults, adults with mental illness or substance abusers. Counseling and crisis intervention skills. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Salary is $13.13 an hour. EOE/ADA that values diversity.
If interested, please send resume to hr@newhopehousing.org New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE/ADA that values diversity!
OPEN POSITIONS New Hope Housing is currently accepting resumes for the following job opportunities: Case Manager-Full Time (Bridging Affordability II) Reporting to the Community Services Director, the Case Manager will provide the support services needed to ensure that program participants succeed in securing and retaining their housing. Emphasis is placed on regular home visits and utilizing programs and benefits designed to increase income, financial stability, and quality of life. You will be responsible for assessing participants to determine eligibility for both prevention and rapid re-housing assistance. Will work closely with the Housing Locator in identifying suitable housing for program participants. Must be able to develop a Housing Services Plan with each household; meeting with households as often as needed, at least on a monthly basis to ensure that the participants are working towards the goals stated in their Housing Service Plan, such as paying rent on time, maintaining the terms of their lease, maintaining employment and taking care of their financial obligations by maintaining a budget. Bachelor’s Degree in a social services field required. Must be a self-starter, have excellent written and oral communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Ability to work with persons with serious mental illness and/or substance addiction is critical. Empathy, patience, and persistence are fundamental characteristics required for this position. Knowledge of Word, Excel, and Homeless Management Information System databases is required. Candidate must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and willingness to use personal vehicle to perform work related duties. $40,000 annually EOE/ADA that values diversity.
Full Time Case Manager-Kennedy Shelter Full Time Case Manager needed for our single adult shelter serving individuals with mental health issues and substance abuse. You will be part of a dynamic, “Case Management Team”. Responsibilities include resident assessment, service plan development, counseling, and crisis interventions and committed to rapid re-housing. Some early evenings may be required. Bachelor degree required, preferably in social services. Bilingual preferred. Candidate must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and willingness to use personal vehicle to perform work related duties. $40,000 annually EOE/ADA that values diversity.
If interested, please send resume to hr@newhopehousing.org New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE/ADA that values diversity!
OPEN POSITIONS New Hope Housing is currently accepting resumes for the following job opportunities: Case Manager Position - Full Time (Housing First Case Management) Reporting to the Program Coordinator, HUD PROGRAMS, you will case manage up to 14 single adult residents at scattered sites in Fairfax County. Will work with area agencies to identify individuals on waiting lists and/or in programs in need services of supportive housing. Works with residents, and other service providers to develop a plan of service to meet social, health, emotional and economic needs to prevent or end homelessness. Coordinates services using a wraparound approach. Provides individual and group life skills training, socialization skills, and enrichment activities, including money management, cooking, nutrition, etc. · Addresses and if necessary, diffuses crisis situations with residents. Assesses safety issues and assists residents to access emergency services as needed (e.g., mental health services, adult protective services, women’s shelter, homeless shelter). · Advocates for and actively assists residents in obtaining services (e.g., health, mental health, intellectual disability, alcohol and drug, housing referrals, financial assistance, home based services, training, medical services, mentoring, and socialization). · Assists residents with upkeep of apartments by meeting regularly with residents in their units. Through life skills training, teaches residents simple household chores, upkeep, and cleanliness of their homes. · Develops and maintains a positive relationship with the property management for units. · Transports residents as needed. · Meets with the resident as needed to provide feedback. Regularly assesses, supports, and facilitates resident progress. Maintains case notes in HMIS. · Maintains records in compliance with agency policy and compiles requisite statistics. · Attends interdisciplinary meetings regarding resident progress. Prepares clinical reports for inter disciplinary team. · Works flexible hours in order to accommodate residents’ needs. · Models caring, concerned, respectful attitude toward residents. Maintains adherence to resident guidelines and is familiar with and complies with policies and procedures of New Hope Housing, Inc. · Identifies and addresses volunteer needs for program. Develops and maintains a positive relationship with volunteers and donors. Performs other duties as assigned. BA/MA degree and considerable experience working with adults with serious mental illness. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Experience with chronically homeless adults and adults with substance abuse issues. Strong counseling and crisis intervention skills. Flexibility, creativity, and leadership skills. Able to make decisions independently and work autonomously. Will rotate “on call” phone with other team members. Candidate must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and willingness to use their personal vehicle to perform work related duties. $41,000 annually EOE/ADA that values diversity! If interested, please send resume to hr@newhopehousing.org New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE/ADA that values diversity!
OPEN POSITIONS New Hope Housing is currently accepting resumes for the following job opportunities: Case Manager Full Time– Next Steps Family Program Reporting to the Director of Family Programs, the Case Manager will provide the support services needed to ensure that program participants succeed in securing and retaining their housing. Emp-hasis is placed on regular home visits and utilizing programs and benefits designed to increase income, financial stability, and quality of life. Will be responsible for assessing participants to determine eligibility for both prevention and rapid re-housing assistance. Will work closely with the Housing Locator in identifying suitable housing for program participants. Must be able to develop a Housing Services Plan with each household; meeting with households as often as needed, at least on a monthly basis to ensure that the participants are working towards the goals stated in their Housing Service Plan, such as paying rent on time, maintaining the terms of their lease, maintaining employment and taking care of their financial obligations by maintaining a budget. Bachelor’s Degree in a social services field required. Must be a self-starter, have excellent written and oral communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Ability to work with persons with serious mental illness and/or substance addiction is critical. Empathy, patience, and persistence are fundamental characteristic required for this position. Knowledge of Word, Excel, and Homeless Management Information System databases is required. Candidate must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and willingness to use their personal vehicle to perform work related duties. $40,000 annually. EOE/ADA that values diversity!
If interested, please send resume to hr@newhopehousing.org New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE/ADA that values diversity!
JANUARY Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thu 1
Fri 2
Sat 3
PAYDAY 4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
PAYDAY
Board Mtg. 18
19
20
21
22
23
24
28
29
30
31
MLK HOLIDAY 25
26
27
Quarterly Mtg.
Team Meetings
Name
PAYDAY
Location Sacramento Drive Every Wed ACS Every Wed EUKS Every Thu
Next Steps Team ACS Team EUKS Team
Dates
Times 9:15am 2pm 2pm
Housing 1st and Bridging Affordability Gartlan, Susan's, Max's, Just Homes Team
MP Conf Rm Susan’s Place
4th Tues of each month 3rd Tues of each month
Mondloch House and Mondloch Place
MH Conf Rm
Every 1st Wed of each month
Community Services Team
Name Lara Ostapiej Anthony Hartnett Phillip Mitchell Bonsetta Rushing Ashley Jennings Celestine Chew Yvonne Kedoin LaKesha McGuire Helen Berhane Vera Johnson-Stewart Stacie Thomas
Month JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN
Admin
Day 2 5 7 9 11 12 12 20 24 24 30
2pm 10am
Every 1st Monday of each month
11:30am 10am
Name
Month
Day Years
Alba Mathewson
JAN
13
1
Sharina Jagoonanan
JAN
12
6
Dana Murray
JAN
7
7
Stanley Royals
JAN
2
8
Veronica Letsinger
JAN
17
11