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 18 Issue 4
August 14, 2014
3 Very Simple and Daily Habits That Help You Stay OPTIMISTIC These 3 habits will help you bring more optimism into your life.
1. Ask yourself questions that let you see the optimistic viewpoint. When you’re in what seems like a negative situation the most common way of making something better out of that is to ask yourself questions that promote optimism and helps to find solutions. Questions like:
What is one thing that is positive or good about this situation? What can I learn from this situation? What is the opportunity within this situation?
These questions are not something that you can always use right away when you wind up in one of those situations. Sometimes you’ll need some time to process and accept the feelings and thoughts that arise. But after a bit of time, when those thoughts and feelings have mostly passed, you can ask yourself one or more of these questions.
2. Get optimistic support from the world around you. One the most important factors for being able to stay optimistic are the influences around you. Optimism is just like enthusiasm, contagious. So find ways to create an environment that supports you.
The people in your life. Try to spend more time with optimistic people and less time with people who seem to always be negative about things. One practical way to gain a more optimistic viewpoint is by just talking to someone close to you about your current issue. Just letting it out and saying it out loud can often help you to hear how exaggerated your thoughts and emotions have become. And by talking about it with someone that is supportive you can get a positive and constructive change in perspective.
The information you let into your mind. One of the simplest things you can do to create and support your own optimism is simply to regularly read blogs and books and listen to or watch recordings created by optimistic people.
3. Start your day in an optimism creating way. The way you start your day often sets the tone for the rest of your day. A stress-free morning leads to less stressed feelings and thoughts during your day. A work out early in your day leads to more energy throughout the day. And optimism while you are eating your cereal or having your coffee can help you to stay positive and constructive as you go through the ups and downs of your day. Practical ways to get this good start is to read or watch something optimistic. Or to have an uplifting and/or motivating conversation over breakfast or early in your day.
(Article courtesy of Henrick Edberg-The Positivity Blog)
WELCOME NEW Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator
Nicole Allen BIO Nicole Allen comes to us from Richmond, VA. She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Roanoke College as well as a Certificate in Wedding and Event Planning from the University of Richmond. She was previously employed as Special Event Planner at the JamestownYorktown Foundation and the Valentine Richmond History Center where she worked closely with volunteers to implement history related outreach programs in the local school system and planned fundraisers and appreciation events for the organizations’ donors. Prior to working in the museum field, she was the Tourism Assistant for Henrico County, VA. She was influential in establishing a tourism program for the County, including developing systems to track and analyze visitors who use County resources such as the Tourist Information Center and County operated museums and sports facilities. Nicole is excited to be at New Hope Housing and believes that she has been preparing for this role since she was a child. Her mother taught her at a young age to respect all people. As a little girl, she would work with her church during their annual Caritas ministry and served meals every Thanksgiving. Beginning at age 12, she became a member of the performing arts team where she travelled around the country each summer to volunteer in low income communities and shelters. In college, she was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, national service fraternity where she had the opportunity to volunteer at a food pantry on a regular basis as well as participate in college alternative break trips. She looks forward to meeting and working with all of you.
Interesting Facts - The craziest/scariest thing she has done is climb an active volcano in Guatemala. -She is a craft-o-holic, and can spend hours in the craft store. -She also enjoys running with her Italian Greyhound Dachshund mix, Odie.
SCENES FROM g n i n i a r ff T
Sta
NHH staff participated in Out of Poverty Training on Thursday, August 7th. The class allowed the team to learn the basics of the OOP curriculum and gain perspective on how the class is administered and received by residents. The class began with a group reading of the NHH assembly statement (next page), followed by instruction on the following subjects pertaining to self sufficiency: Who am I?, How I came to be here, Living beyond my history, How to get moving (Changing unproductive behavior and thinking), Creating a new world and a new me, and Getting and spending a paycheck. The featured pictures show staff participating in a vision board exercise. “Your brain will work tirelessly to achieve the statements you give your subconscious mind. And when those statements are the affirmations and images of your goals, you are destined to achieve them! Creating a vision board is probably one of the most valuable visualization tools available to you.� - Jack Canfield
Assembling Statement I am here to change the poverty in my life. Poverty takes many forms. It is more than a lack of money and material things. Poverty robs me of my true self, and poverty alienates me from my community. My entire being cries out for liberation from the prison poverty has created for me. I am willing to challenge poverty in all its forms. Through the ministry of these companions and with the intervention of the active goodness that seeks me out, I can be free. I seek to realize the ways in which I have helped sustain my poverty. I am prepared to reassess the choices and actions that have led me here, and I desire to reform my life. Through my work and the loving support of others, I will restore my life. I will wait and work in hopeful anticipation, rejoicing for myself and others.
Out of Poverty was developed during 1995 by a group of professionals from Catholic Charities and Shelby State Community College of Memphis, Tennessee. We had seen the horrible impact that poverty had on the people with whom we worked, including the homeless, mentally ill, alcoholics and drug addicted, AFDC recipients, refugees, and non-custodial fathers. As we looked at the job training/placement/vocational programs, we felt there was something missing—something that was important to helping people escape the experience of poverty. The goal is to understand how the experience of poverty distorts a person’s perceptions, choices and actions, and to develop a plan that anyone could use to become prosperous and free.
MONDLOCH HOUSE Resident Andrew Rector delights in watering the plants and vegetables in the community garden.
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 ď Š - Lee Voltmer
Mount Vernon Nights Free Summer Concert Series This series of free public concerts features a wide variety of musical acts reflecting Fairfax County's diversity and community spirit. I encourage you to bring a picnic dinner and a blanket and to sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Grist Mill Park 4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria Fridays, June 6 – August 29 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. * June 6: Steady Rollin Bob Margolin (Chicago Blues) June 13: Ted Garber (Americana) June 20: Veronneau (World Jazz) June 27: Squeeze Bayou (Cajun) July 4: NO PERFORMANCES – HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! July 11: The Annandale Brass (Broadway Tunes) July 18: Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (Bluegrass) July 25: Bill Coulter (Roots/Rock) August 1: Pan Masters Steel Orchestra (Caribbean) August 8: Ruthie & the Wranglers (Country) August 15: Mystic Warriors (Andean Fusion) August 22: Hang-Over Royale (Swing) August 29: Seldom Scene (Bluegrass) * Concerts at Grist Mill Park are canceled if it's raining. If there is a threat of bad weather, call 703-324-7469 after 6 p.m. for updates. Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton 9601 Ox Road, Lorton Saturdays, June 7 – August 30 7 – 8 p.m. * June 7: April Verch (Bluegrass) June 14: Alt Washingtonia (Bavarian) June 21: Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra (Jazz) June 28: Rhodes Tavern Troubadours (Roots) July 5: Caravan of Thieves (Gypsy Swing) July 12: The Duhks (Fusion/Folk) July 19: Little Red & the Renegades (Zydeco) July 26: Alexandria Kleztet (Jazz/Jewish) August 2: Town Mountain (Bluegrass) August 9: Soul Crackers (Motown/Soul" August 16: IONA (Celtic) August 23: The United State Air Force "Singing Sergeants" (Chorale) August 30: Chaise Lounge Band (Jazz/Lounge/Swing) * Concerts at the Workhouse Arts Center are held rain or shine. The official Mount Vernon 2014 Program flyer can be viewed/printed here: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ performances/downloads/mtvernonflyerweb.pdf For complete information about the Summer Entertainment Series, including locations of additional performances, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/.
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
Alyss Aune sends kudos to: Tava for organizing the Mental Health First Aid Training. There was a lot of great information demystifying mental illness and breaking down stereotypes. I really enjoyed it! My kickball teammates: Jan, LaKesha, Jessica, and Luke. The OOP Facilitator’s (Millie, Ollie, Roxanne, Christina T. and Dana,) and Participants!
Dana Murray sends kudos to: Mike D. for being the bestest Controller on the planet! Mike was able to put something together at the last minute that saved the day. You are awesome!
Ellen Shepard sends kudos to: Major thanks to Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie and Eden for always working as a great team! Yvonne, welcome back from a well deserved vacation! Thanks to the entire ACS Residential Team for “stepping it up” when we need a higher level of support to ensure safety! Clarence and Luke for putting together cribs,150 lb. train sets, moving boxes in preparation for office renovations, and all other tasks that are truly “other duties as assigned”. Thanks a million times over. Rosetta L. for your sincere compassion in working with the homeless population.
Millie Jefferson sends kudos to: Jessica Higham, welcome to the EUKS team! Raymond, Steve, Darcel and Vera JohnsonStewart for keeping me very well informed during the weekdays and Michael Byrd during the weekends.
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Millie Jefferson kudos (cont’d): Tony and Darcel for the extra time you have dedicated to EUKS for our little/big issue. Clarence, Louis and Luis for stepping up to fill in the extra shifts. Kudos to all that facilitated (Ollie, Dana, Roxanne, Oliver and Christina T.) and all that attended the staff OOP training. It was a good class and I’m glad you got something out of it. LaKesha gets big KUDOS for feeding us during the training! Big kudos to Stanley and Troy for transporting our clients to the laundry mat. Tonya for always having your ear open and for being understanding. Tava for helping me out ;-) Lara Ostapiej sends kudos to: Big kudos to Jamie Davis for organizing the speaker for the CST boot camp. Thanks for helping to make it such a success! Kudos also to Natalie Campos for helping me find some food resources for a client in need in Alexandria City. Thank you!
Martha Faconer sends kudos to: Donna, for the dinner she prepared for the new NHH board members. Tonya, Vera Johnson-Stewart, Darcel and Tony for all the help with our bug problem. Tony thanks for making EUKS look nice in preparation for the new board member orientation meeting.
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
Tava White sends kudos to: Sheila and Ollie! Thank you ladies so much for stepping up and covering shifts and working out emergency coverage situations! You guys are GREAT TEAM PLAYERS! Whether it’s covering a shift, assisting with home visits, or taking a client to the store; I can always count on you! You two are AWSOME!!!!!!!! :o) Veronica, Roscoe, Byrd, Cherice, Marion, Stacie O. and Sue Ryan; thanks for all that you do! Ashley, Chimere and Alyss KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK LADIES!!!
Yvonne Kedoin sends kudos to: ACS Case Managers: Eden, Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie, and Pam Longshore for enduring the month of July while we were tasked with handling centralized intake (along with Carpenter’s shelter). It was a little chaotic in the beginning, but everyone was very willing to help Eden who assumed most of the responsibility for it. Great teamwork! Ellen Shepard and Susan Keenan for keeping things running smoothly while I was out on vacation! It’s a pleasure to work with such competent, trustworthy, and reliable folks. Stacie Thomas sends kudos to: NHH Case Management Team for attending and participating in the Boot Camp. Shanice for being a great office mate. Jamie, Luke, Lara, Dana, Megan, Oliver and Rosa for being great team players! Pam L. for “getting me”. Stephanie, Natalie and Nicole for making sure your clients meet with me. Alba for having an open door policy.
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Susan Keenan sends kudos to: Tonya, Martha, Millie, Darcel, Stanley, Tony and Priscilla for all of your help dealing with the serious bug issue with the Kennedy Trailer. I know it is not a job that anyone wants to help with, but I’ve heard you all went above and beyond to do what needed to be done. Megan Carter sends kudos to: Rosa for attending a landlord meeting with me and translating so that a BA II client could find housing. Oliver Reid sends kudos to: CST Team for running an awesome CM Boot camp! OOP facilitators: Roxanne, Millie, Ollie, Dana, and Christina T.
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
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OPEN POSITIONS New Hope Housing is currently accepting resumes for the following job opportunities: Operations Assistant This is a NEW Full Time position working for the Director of Operations. Will assist in all areas of operations including donation pickups and drop-offs, repair work in areas such as furniture, plumbing, home maintenance issues, installation of everyday household items, etc.; custodial/ janitor work as needed. Qualifications include: Flexibility in work schedule as you may be called upon 24/7 in an emergency, must have a valid driver’s license and have a driving record that is acceptable to our insurance company (motor vehicles record will be pulled and approved before an offer can be made), must have reliable transportation, ability to safely drive a van and agency truck, ability to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis. Handyman experience, donor relations, and ability to work with a diversified staff and client base required. High school or GED is required. Salary is $13.13 an hour with full benefits. This announcement of draft job duties may change as we finalize job description. EOE
Falls Church Winter Shelter Coordinator– Full Time Seasonal Position Responsible for the successful operation of our FCWS program. Hire, train, and supervise Resident Services Specialists, develop staff schedules, cover the 4 to midnight shift, and perform intakes. Attend monthly meeting with City of Falls Church Human Services , Attend all Friends of Falls Church Board meetings (between October-April, Track data and complete monthly reports for the Friends of Falls Church and City of Falls Church Human Services. Provide daily updates to the Shelter Director for weekly telephone conference with the OPEH, complete end of season evaluations on RSS staff, Provide on-call coverage for FCWS (phone provided by OPEH) Meet with RSS staff for supervision , Review RSS staff documentation on a daily basis (including shift reports, intake paperwork, etc.) Ensure a safe and manageable living environment for the shelter residents. Monitor residential areas, is visible and interacts regularly and informally with shelter residents. On call to cover shifts as needed. Valid driver's license with reliable transportation and the ability to serve as essential personnel during weather emergencies. Seasonal position starting on or about Nov 20th, and ending on or about the first week of April 9th. Reports to the Kennedy Residential Coordinator. $18 an hour
If interested, please send resume to hr@newhopehousing.org New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE that values diversity!
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
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OPEN POSITIONS New Hope Housing is currently accepting resumes for the following job opportunities: Residential Services Specialist- Mondloch I Full Time-7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday thru Friday Shift In this position you will serve the residents residing in a group home environment. You must be reliable, on time, and willing to work with a diversified group of residents suffering with different forms of mental illness. Daily duties include: interaction to help residents with living skills such as cooking, cleaning, motivation to get out and do activities outside the house, answering questions, working with case managers, monitoring the house, etc. You also will be the face of New Hope Housing to donors and volunteers as many stop by to drop off donations and to assist. Answering phones, basic office work, and working with the NHH team will all be part of your daily duties. May be called upon to assist the operations team in stocking supplies and moving light furniture. Qualifications include: Successful experience working with residents in similar environments, understanding of the NHH philosophy, dependable, reliable transportation, flexible, good with people, basic computer skills, etc. Must be able to lift 25 pounds on a regular basis. Salary is $13.13 an hour with benefits. On Call Resident Service SpecialistsKennedy/Mondloch House/Mondloch Place/ACS/Susan’s and Max’s Place 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. EOE
If interested, please send resume to hr@newhopehousing.org New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE that values diversity!
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
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OPEN POSITIONS New Hope Housing is currently accepting resumes for the following job opportunities: Director of HUD Programs Responsible for all aspects of HUD funded programs for single adults at New Hope Housing. This includes grant writing, reporting, monitoring and day to day operations of Max’s Place, Gartlan House, Susan’s Place, Just Homes and Alexandria Housing First. Director is a member of the senior management team and reports directly to the Chief Program Officer. Is an advocate for single homeless adults and represents programs and agency in Arlington. He or she is on-call and works a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and overnights as required. Tasks to be Performed:
Hires trains and supervises the Residential Coordinator for HUD Programs as well as the Outreach Counselors for Max’s Place, Gartlan House, Susan’s Place, Just Homes, and Alexandria Housing First. Builds and maintains a relationship with the community. Serves as the main contact for neighborhood advisory councils, HOA’s, and other neighborhood entities for the programs. Ensures grants, reports and other required documentation are completed accurately and timely. Examples include Exhibit 2, APRs, monthly and quarterly quality data reports. Maintains and updates policy and procedures manuals and resident hand books to ensure compliance with agency philosophy and funding requirements. Audits files and HMIS on a regular basis for form and documentation compliance. Serves as the main contact for HUD representatives in each jurisdiction. Is a member of HUD related task groups within each continuum of care. Works closely with New Hope Housing Operations team and landlords to ensure facilities are safe and efficient and meet habitability standards. Ensures budget compliance for all programs. Handles financial issues related to disbursement approval and petty cash. Is visible and interacts regularly with program residents. Models a caring, concerned, and respectful attitude toward residents where each community member is treated with dignity and respect. Is familiar and complies with the policies and procedures of New Hope Housing, Inc., including the utilization of Mandt principles and Out of Poverty curriculum. Provides crisis intervention and crisis management services as needed. Assists in the coordination of shelter activities and transports residents when requested in agency vehicles. Interacts positively with New Hope Housing staff, Fairfax County/ Arlington County/Alexandria City staff, staff members from collateral agencies, the general public, and all volunteers. Works flexible hours including evening, weekends, and overnights as assigned. Is on-call to provide last minute shift coverage as necessary including evenings, weekends, and overnights.
Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications: BA required, Masters degree preferred. Other qualifications include: strong supervisory, management, and team building experience with a minimum of two years’ experience working in a human service setting; experience working with homeless adults and/or adults diagnosed with a mental illness and/or addiction disorder; counseling and crisis intervention skills; the ability to communication effectively both orally and in writing; valid driver’s license with a driving record that satisfies insurance requirements, the ability to treat all community members with dignity and respect. EOE that values diversity
If interested, please send resume to hr@newhopehousing.org New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE that values diversity!
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
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OPEN POSITIONS New Hope Housing is currently accepting resumes for the following job opportunities: Case Manager (FT)– 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. 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 rehousing 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 Man-agement 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 annual Case Manager (FT)-Alexandria Community Shelter Compassionate and caring person to provide full range case management services to residents at ACS. Residents include families and single adults with mental health and/or substance abuse issues living in Shelter. Responsibilities include resident assessment, service plan development, counseling, and crisis interventions. Some evenings are required. Bachelor degree required, preferably in social services. Valid Driver’s License required. Bilingual preferred. EOE/ADA that values diversity. $40,000 a year plus benefits
Outreach Counselor (FT)- Susan’s Place Provide case management and house coverage 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. Susan’s Place is part of New Hope Housing’s Permanent supportive housing programs, serving single adults. 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 intervention skills; flexibility, creativity, and leadership skills; able to make decisions independently and work autonomously and as part of a team of on-call rotation serving once a month. Will rotate on-call coverage. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive agency vehicles as needed. $41,000/year, EOE that values diversity.
If interested, please send resume to hr@newhopehousing.org New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE that values diversity!
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
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AUGUST 2014 Sun
3
Mon
Tues
4
5
Wed
Thu
6
Fri
7 OOP Staff Training New Board Mbr. Orientation
10
11
12
13
14
New Board Mbr. Orientation
Sat
1
2
8
9
Case Manager Boot Camp
15
16
PAYDAY
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24/31
25
26
27
28
29
30
PAYDAY
Team Meetings
Name
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 Summer Hall Pamela Longshore Eden Ghebretinsae Tony Richardson Daryl Wagner Stephanie Sheehan Sue Ryan
Month AUG AUG AUG AUG AUG AUG AUG
Admin
Day 5 5 9 10 15 20 27
2pm 10am 11:30am
Every 1st Monday of each month
Name
10am
Month
Day
Years
Vera Johnson
AUG
14
13
Michael Byrd
AUG
28
7
Essie Marble
AUG
29
4
Zach Milton
AUG
10
4
Carlos Washington
AUG
25
2