New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
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Newsbriefs Rethinking Homelessness since 1977
New Hope Housing, Administration Office 8407-E Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309 703-799-2293
Volume 19 Issue 3
January 29, 2015
QUARTERLY MEETING RECAP New Hope Housing’s Quarterly meeting was held on January 27, 2015. New Hope Housing Executive Director Pam Michell presented a screening of the critically acclaimed movie “Crash.” The provocative film tells stories about race, class, family and gender in Los Angeles. Characters include a district attorney and his casually prejudiced wife, a victimized Middle Eastern store owner and a wealthy African American couple humiliated by a racist traffic cop (IMDb). Following the movie, Oliver Reid and LaKesha McGuire lead open discussions with staff about their reactions to the film. Staff also reviewed the definitions of the movies most important themes (see next page). “ I valued the opportunity for staff to talk and share their opinions about the movie. I learned a lot about people’s perspectives, and the real issues we all experience in life.” - Jessica Higham (Susan’s Place CM) The quarterly meeting movie screening of “Crash” begins New Hope Housing’s celebration of Black History Month. During the month of February there will be educational field trips, programs, and forums offered to staff as well as residents. For more details speak with your program site Employee Engagement Committee Representative.
How can we apply what we have learned from the movie and life experiences to our personal and professional lives? I would like to thank everyone who view the movie “Crash� and participated in the film discussion at the quarterly meeting. Thanks for viewing the movie with an opened mind. I feel this film highlights the enviable fact that although we are all different, we directly and indirectly crash into each other. The significance of this film clearly illustrates that regardless of race, culture, sex, and class, we are all interconnected by the common thread of humanity. Now that the movie is over it’s time for application. As we work with a variety of both staff and residents, it is important to recognize the lenses we look out of. It is important to note that we all come to the table of life with experiences, ideologies, stigmas, and beliefs systems. On the other hand, it is equally important to become aware that others (internal and external team members, clients) sitting across from us also come to the table of life with baggage as well. Awareness is key. Remember we will never all agree but awareness of the prospective of others is vital. I firmly believe, that you really can never get to know or understand a person until you dialogue with them. There are great things ahead of us at NHHI and life in general but we must seek to peel back the layers of diversity. I strongly urge that we remain true to ourselves and embrace our similarities as well
as differences. Oliver Reid (Director of Community Services)
Major Movie Themes Prejudice- an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason. Racism- a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others. Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. Classism- a biased or discriminatory attitude based on distinctions made between social or economic classes. Sexism- prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. Elitism- consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favored group. Superiority complex- an exaggerated feeling of one's own superiority. Stereotype- a generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group. Privilege- a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people. Discrimination- the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. Reverse racism- reverse racism is in the form of giving special benefits or opportunities to people who belong to a group which has been under privileged in the past. In effect, you are essentially committing a racist act by giving preference to one person over another because of their race, religion, or ethnicity, rather than their personal merit, skills, or knowledge.
Congratulations Samir Suarez (Next Steps Family Program)
Employee of the Quarter!
The New Hope Housing Annual Black History Month Celebration February 26, 2015 6:00pm—8:30pm Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane Alexandria, VA 22306 “From adversity to triumph, we shall overcome!”
Falls Church Winter Shelter Out of Poverty Graduation February 27, 2015
New Hope Housing MLK event at Kennedy Shelter featured in the Mount Vernon Voice
Please see below for an easy reference of our Emergency and Inclement Weather Policy. If you have questions, please see your supervisor.
Section 4.8 Personnel Policy Manual: Emergency and Inclement Weather Conditions As a residential, emergency housing agency, New Hope Housing is to remain open and operating at full staff under any and all conditions. Extra planning and care should be made by staff to insure they are able to report to work as scheduled when there is inclement weather. Our residents need us more than ever during times of crisis in the community. Should an emergency or extreme weather condition exist that results in the Fairfax County government (not schools) closing, New Hope Housing will operate under “emergency status�. Under emergency status, residential staff is expected to report to work as scheduled and will be compensated at a rate of 1.5 times their normal pay rate for the hours they work during the time frame of the emergency status. Should an emergency or extreme weather occur after normal business hours when it is unlikely that Fairfax County government would make a determination about being open, the Executive Director will inform the executive team whether or not the agency is considered to be in emergency status. Should the Governor of Virginia declare a State of Emergency due to an extreme weather condition or other emergency, all staff is expected to stay where they are. Staff on site will be required to stay on site and staff at home is required to stay at home until the state of emergency is lifted and it is determined safe to be on the roads. Management staff is expected to check in with their teams to determine how they can best be supported during any emergency or crisis situation.
W-2’s were mailed out on
Friday, January 16th If you haven’t received your W-2, please contact staff accountant, Lee Voltmer at 703-799-2293 ext. 12 or lvoltmer@newhopehousing.org
Did you recently move? If you move, please remember to update your new mailing address by filling 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 forms 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!
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
Anthony Harnett sends kudos to: Last week, Melissa Davis and Chandra Beander took time away from their demanding workloads in order to help me condense and organize a tremendous number of outreach materials. I want to recognize their collaborative teamwork and selflessness. It served me well, eased my anxiety, and allowed me to gain control of an overwhelming number of supplies.
Summer Hall sends kudos to: Latasha younger thank you for being my sounding board and support. You are the backbone of this team! Nicole and Jan thank you for finding art projects for my client. They are being put to good use. George Montgomery thank you for cleaning up the “crime scene” in the kitchen involving the rat!!! You are my hero.
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Tava White kudos cont’d: Ms. Ollie I don’t know what I would do without you! Thank you for assisting with a challenging APS client and everything else that you do! Zach thanks for continuing to try to engage with residents and get them to participate! I’m excited about “Getting Fit With Zach” I’m excited to see this grow! Stacey, Veronica, Roscoe, Sheila, Michael, Louis, and Marion for your continued commitment and dedication to our residents and always willing to step up and cover shifts. The start of this new year has been eventful and challenging already, but with you all on my team I think we are going to continue to stride!
Pam Michell sends kudos to:
Oliver and LaKesha for planning and facilitating a great quarterly meeting and to all staff who participated so openly Sue words cannot express how much I am thankful for and respectfully in our discussion after the you being my supervisor. Thank you for getting me movie. Let’s keep talking.
through this difficult time.
Dana Murray sends kudos to: Thank you to all those that participated in my baby shower. It was fabulous! There are some serious party planners at New Hope. Thank you for all the support over the past few months. I really appreciate it.
LaKesha McGuire sends kudos to: Oliver Reid for facilitating the staff quarterly meeting. Your ability to ask the right questions and lead a discussion with great diplomacy is appreciated. You got the dialogue flowing! Job Well done! Samir congratulations on receiving the Employee of the Quarter award. You deserve it! Also, I appreciate you coming to the church early on a snowy day to help me set up. What would I do without you?
Tava White sends kudos to: Ashley, Chimere and Alyss for being great team players and always willing to go above and beyond when necessary!
Max’s staff, Sue, Latasha, and especially Summer for working with an extremely challenging resident with patience, dignity, and respect. Lee for continuing to get those checks cut and sent in a timely manner and for ensuring we all get paid correctly. Let’s ALL help her out by doing and approving timesheets correctly and on time and by getting check requests in as soon as you get the bill so we avoid as much last minute work as possible. Shelter case managers keep up the good work on the rapid re-housing challenge. Dana for responding quickly to my various unscheduled requests for data. Tania for organizing a great volunteer employment workshop for Kennedy residents with Accenture volunteers. I heard so many good things. Jessica and James for taking on extra cases in our new PSH programs while we hire. Shanice, Chavon, and Simajah for taking on shelter cases in addition to your community cases.
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
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Martha Faconer sends kudos to: Special thank you to Jan for assisting with the Chipotle food pick up. Donna and Alex for putting all the food baskets together for special projects. Jeff and Eddie for all the hard work setting up units for residents in the new programs.
DANA MURRAY BABY SHOWER
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 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:
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!
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
Location Sacramento Drive Every Wed ACS Every Wed EUKS Every Thu
Next Steps Team ACS Team EUKS Team Housing 1st and Bridging Affordability Gartlan, Susan's, Max's, Just Homes Team Mondloch House and Mondloch Place Team 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
Month JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN
PAYDAY
Times 9:15am 2pm 2pm
MP Conf Rm Susan’s Place
4th Tues of each month 3rd Tues of each month
MH Conf Rm
Every 1st Wed of each month
Admin
Day 2 5 7 9 11 12 12 20 24 24
Dates
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