Newsbriefs Rethinking Homelessness since 1977
New Hope Housing, Administration Office 8407-E Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309 703-799-2293
Volume 22 Issue 18
April 14, 2017
Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits How Giving to Others Makes You Healthier and Happier With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to you, your family, and your community. The right match can help you to reduce stress, find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career. Giving to others can also help protect your mental and physical health. Learn more about the many benefits of helping others and find tips on getting started.
Why volunteer? Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. Volunteering and helping others can help you reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose. While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day. Giving in even simple ways can help others those in need and improve your health and happiness.
Benefits of volunteering: 4 ways to feel healthier and happier 1. Volunteering connects you to others 2. Volunteering is good for your mind and body 3. Volunteering can advance your career 4. Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life
Benefit 1: Volunteering connects you to others One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need. And volunteering is a two-way street: It can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills. Article courtesy of: www.HelpGuide.org Authors: Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. and Lawrence Robinson. Last updated: April 2017.
Benefit 2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health. Volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety. The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being. Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person. Working with pets and other animals has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Volunteering combats depression. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against depression. Volunteering makes you happy. By measuring hormones and brain activity, researchers have discovered that being helpful to others delivers immense pleasure. Human beings are hard-wired to give to others. The more we give, the happier we feel. Volunteering increases self-confidence. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose. Older adults, especially those who have retired or lost a spouse, can find new meaning and direction in their lives by helping others. Whatever your age or life situation, volunteering can help take your mind off your own worries, keep you mentally stimulated, and add more zest to your life. Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not. Older volunteers tend to walk more, find it easier to cope with everyday tasks, are less likely to develop high blood pressure, and have better thinking skills. Volunteering can also lessen symptoms of chronic pain and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Benefit 3: Volunteering can advance your career If you’re considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your area of interest and meet people in the field. Even if you’re not planning on changing careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, and organization. You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings at work once you’ve honed these skills in a volunteer position first.
Benefit 4: Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life. Many people volunteer in order to make time for hobbies outside of work as well. For instance, if you have a desk job and long to spend time outdoors, you might consider volunteering to help plant a community garden, walk dogs for an animal shelter, or help out at a children's camp.
How to find the right volunteer opportunity There are numerous volunteer opportunities available. The key is to find a volunteer position that you would enjoy and are capable of doing. It’s also important to make sure that your commitment matches the organization’s needs. Ask yourself the following:
Would you like to work with adults, children, animals, or remotely from home?
Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?
Are you better behind the scenes or do you prefer to take a more visible role?
How much time are you willing to commit?
What skills can you bring to a volunteer job?
What causes are important to you?
Consider several volunteer possibilities Don’t limit yourself to just one organization or one specific type of job. Sometimes an opportunity looks great on paper, but the reality is quite different. Try to visit different organizations and get a feel for what they are like and if you click with other staff and volunteers.
Getting the most out of volunteering You’re donating your valuable time, so it’s important that you enjoy and benefit from your volunteering. To make sure that your volunteer position is a good fit: Ask questions. You want to make sure that the experience is right for your skills, your goals, and the time you want to spend. Sample questions to your volunteer coordinator might address your time commitment, if there’s any training involved, who you will be working with, and what to do if you have questions during your experience. Make sure you know what’s expected. You should be comfortable with the organization and understand the time commitment. Consider starting small so that you don’t over commit yourself at first. Give yourself some flexibility to change your focus if needed. Don’t be afraid to make a change. Don’t force yourself into a bad fit or feel compelled to stick with a volunteer role you dislike. Talk to the organization about changing your focus or look for a different organization that’s a better fit. If volunteering overseas, choose carefully. Some volunteer programs abroad can cause more harm than good if they take much-needed paying jobs away from local workers. Look for volunteer opportunities with reputable organizations. Enjoy yourself. The best volunteer experiences benefit both the volunteer and the organization. If you’re not enjoying yourself, ask yourself why. Is it the tasks you’re performing? The people you’re working with? Or are you uncomfortable simply because the situation is new and familiar? Pinpointing what’s bothering you can help you decide how to proceed.
National Volunteer Week April 23-29 National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice and support to causes they care about in their community and around the world. During National Volunteer Week, we want to highlight and thank the volunteers that are helping us achieve our mission of ending homelessness in Northern Virginia! We will be having quite a few projects during the week and want to ensure that all of our volunteers feel special when they come in to see us. While we thank volunteers every day for their service, we want this week to be extra special for them! We will be dropping off special gifts and thank you cards to each site that can be handed out during that week, so if a volunteer comes in, please take a second to give them the gift and some extra thanks!
Do you have a particular volunteer or volunteer group that has gone above and beyond? We’d like to send them a personalized card! Please send their name and their service to Sami Smyth, Volunteer Coordinator, at ssmyth@newhopehousing.org or 703-799-2293 x 11!
National Volunteer Week April 23-29 National Volunteer Week Events April 21—Volunteer Fairfax Service Awards. NHH nominated Kirsten Olechnowicz, Denise Mackie-Smith, Ron and Linda Heald, and the Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha for awards! April 22—Volunteer Orientation at the Admin office April 23—Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church will be hosting a BBQ event for Mondloch residents, gardening and landscaping at Gartlan House, and serving lunch at Kennedy April 24—Out of Poverty Co-Facilitator training at Admin April 25—Girl Scout Troop hosting a children’s activity April 29—Rebuilding Together Day at Max’s and Alexandria Community Shelter
Recent Volunteer Projects First Mount Zion Baptist Church’s Military Outreach Group served lunch on 3/25 and breakfast on 4/1 at the Kennedy Shelter. Polley Hargrove hosted her birthday party at Mondloch House on 3/26, with a catered meal and gifts for residents. Volunteers assisted the children’s group with homework and reading at the library. Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Bravo Company served dinner on 3/29 at the Kennedy Shelter. Ebenezer Presbyterian Church hosted a cleaning supply drive.
Save the Date: Spring Celebration - April 19th! Save the date: Wednesday, April 19th, at The Carlyle Club, for our Spring Celebration - All That Jazz! We hope you can join us at this one -of-a-kind establishment in Alexandria for a night of music, dancing, and auctions to raise funds for homeless families and individuals. Technical Sergeant Paige Wroble, lead vocalist for The Airmen of Note the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force - will be performing jazz favorites while you enjoy a selection of heavy hors d'oeuvres and an open beer & wine bar. Tech Sgt Wroble is a member of Team Red, White, and Blue and has regularly served meals with us at the Kennedy Shelter. Our event website will be launching soon. The event begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $50 and sponsorship opportunities are available! The Carlyle Club is located at 2050 Ballenger Ave, Alexandria VA 22314. For general information on the Spring Celebration or please contact Nicole Dillon at ndillon@newhopehousing.org or 703-799-2293 ext 22.
Staff Quarterly Meeting
Tuesday, April 25th 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Pillar Church of Woodlawn 9001 Richmond Highway Alexandria, VA 22309 RSVP Your Attendance With Your Supervisor
Webinar Available On Demand April 18, 2017 at 12:00pm
Compassion Fatigue: Increasing Resiliency Caregivers often take on the emotions of those they help or rescue. After understanding how compassion fatigue can develop, you'll learn specific strategies to reduce stress and to develop resilience. To View Webinar On Demand visit the INOVA EAP Website: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
www.inova.org/eap Click on “Member Login” Enter Username: newhopehousing Enter Password: Mondloch To access webinar, on homepage click on “Online Seminars” link.
You no longer need to register in advance to attend Online Seminars at a set time. Seminars will be prerecorded and uploaded on the third Tuesday of each month. If you have questions, type them into the "Ask a question" box. You will receive an e-mailed answer within five business days. All questions and answers will be posted on the FAQ tab.
Please get prior approval from your supervisor if you will view webinar during work hours.
Chavon Bell sends Kudos to:
Denae Hilliard sends Kudos to:
Roxanne- Thank you for always picking up the pieces with the clients to ensure that their needs are always met accordingly. I appreciate you!
Stacey Osborne for assisting when needed at MP.
Martha Faconer sends Kudos to:
Eugenia Young sends Kudos to:
Roxanne and Eddie for all the work flipping the Housing First units.
I would like to give kudos to Paul for being so caring all the time, and for all the great changes he is with our paper work. Paul you ROCK
Ollie for working with one of our difficult clients to get her moved.
Ellen Shepard sends Kudos to: The entire RSS Staff at ACS……YOU ROCK!!!!
Alyss, Roxanne and Simajah for doing the first Life Skills group and making it such a success! Awesome Job!
Oliver for always being caring and concerned about the well-being of your team. So blessed to have a great boss!!!
Dana for all the hard work she has been doing with HUD.
Khristina for always being a great team player!
LaKesha for all that she does to help the organization.
Bahira Parker sends Kudos to: Ashley for being a team player and providing information when I am not at the office.
Donna and Anthony D. for taking Fernando food and checking on him on your personal time. I really appreciate it and I am sure Fernando does also.
Laura for her support and feedback. Eugenia for her unlimited support to the case managers and residents. Jeff for continuous high work ethic.
Latasha and Akira for all your help with packing/ cleaning the Quantrell unit.
Ellen Shepard sends Kudos to: Latasha Younger.....you're the best! Thanks for being an awesome team leader.
Richard, for his honesty! Jo, wishing you a speedy recovery and return to NHH.
LaKesha McGuire sends Kudos to: Ollie for coordinating the loveliest office spring social I’ve ever experienced! It was beautiful and I appreciate the way you always put your heart and soul into everything that you do for staff and residents. It was a great morale booster and made everyone at Admin Office feel super special. Thanks for the extra color and creative flair you brought into our world!
The entire ACS Case Management Team. You work hard daily to better the lives of our residents. Great work!!! Kenny Smith for being a great team player. Your hard work is appreciated. Susan's Place RSS Team. You are simply awesome!!!!
Akira Brown sends Kudos to: Operations Team! Special thank you to Ms. Roxanne and Ms. Martha. I appreciate you and thank you for all that you do! The Kennedy Shelter Kitchen (Donna & Anthony D.) for always having food baskets ready for pickup whenever clients are in need. Jan for supplying my clients with needed furniture to enhance their living space and much more. Nicole for always coming through with needed toiletries and care packages when my clients need it. Latasha for working with me during my transition to a new team. You are a great assistant director! Lance for keeping a smile on his face despite assisting his clients with their many health concerns! Chavon for all your hard work with families! You are doing a great job! Samir for maintaining a positive demeanor and working hard with the families! Pam Michell for coming to our team meetings and being a great support! NHH Operations Team wished Stephen Maxey (Custodian) best wishes in his new endeavors last week. His final day with NHH was Friday, April 7th (staff from left to right Roxanne, Eddie, Martha, Stephen, Donna, Anthony D., and LaKesha
Burke Lake Park 7315 Ox Road Fairfax Station, VA 22039 Mark Your Calendar!
Case Manager Position - Full Time (Housing First Case Management) Reporting to the Assistant Director, Fairfax Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Programs, you will case manage up to 18 single adult residents at scattered sites in Fairfax County. Will work with area agencies to identify individuals for services and supportive housing through Fairfax County Coordinated Entry process. 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 the 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 interdisciplinary 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. Ability to successfully pass a background check and possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record to be approved by our insurance carrier., and willingness to use their personal vehicle to perform work related duties. $42,000 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!
Full-Time Custodian
Custodian is responsible for the overall cleanliness of the shelter facility. He/She is a member of the Operations Team. Tasks to be Performed:
Responsible for cleaning dormitories, bathrooms and shelter trailer. Responsible for cleanliness and upkeep of grounds (pick up trash, shovel snow, maintain garden areas, etc.) Maintain plants in greenhouse and garden.
Responsible for stripping, shampooing and waxing floors.
Launders all linens, towels, blankets, etc. Places all clean and dry linen in their appropriate place in the linen closet.
Responsible for maintaining the inventory of cleaning and laundry equipment and supplies. Reports to Facilities Manager when cleaning supplies need to be ordered and when repairs are needed.
Is responsible for cleaning all areas of the administrative offices.
Occasionally assists with moving and storage of donations. Assists with preparing off-site units for occupancy.
Participates in all staff meetings.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Models caring, concerned, respectful attitude toward residents. Maintains adherence to all resident guidelines and upholds procedures. Is familiar with and complies with policies and procedures of New Hope Housing, Inc.
Qualifications:
Ability to complete a variety of routine tasks on a regular schedule. The ability to successfully pass a background check and possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record to be approved by our insurance carrier. Ability to lift 50 pounds. $14.13 an hour. New Hope Housing, Inc. is an ADA/EOE employer 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!
Outreach Counselor (Full Time)- Max’s Place Provide case management and house coverage 8am-4pm Monday-Friday at Max’s Place. Max’s Place is part of New Hope Housing’s Permanent supportive housing programs, serving single adults with severe and un treated mental illness. Applicants must have a 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; strong counseling and crisis interven tion skills; flexibility, creativity, and leadership skills; able to make decisions independently and work autonomously and as part of a team. Some evening hours are required. Microsoft Office experience. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive agency vehicles as needed. $42,000/ EOE/ADA employer that values diversity! On Call Resident Service Specialists- Kennedy Shelter Responsibilities include monitoring the shelter, answering the phones, greeting visitors, and importantly interacting in a positive manner with our residents. Must be flexible, dependable, and have he 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.$14.13 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!
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Team Meetings
Name
Location ACS EUKS
ACS Team EUKS Team
Dates
Times 2pm 10:30am
Every Wed Every Thu
PSH Team– Singles
Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday Rotating Locations of each month
10:00am
PSH Team– Families
Every 2nd and 4th Monday Rotating Locations of each month
10:00am
Name
Name
Month
Day
Laurel Schaepman
April
20
Linda Tucker
April
24
Monica Harrison
April
26
Melissa Davis
April
29
Camille Simms
April
30
Christian Boamah
April
30
Month
Day
Years
Lisa Washington
April
23
11
Martha Mickens
April
22
9
Patricia Edmonds-Caples
April
22
8
Melissa Davis
April
4
6
Luke Taylor
April
4
6
Workiversary Correction: Anthony Johnson’s March 16th work anniversary was omitted by mistake in the previous edition of Newsbriefs. AJ we appreciate your 8 years of service and dedication to NHH. Congrats!