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 22 Issue 7
September 27, 2016
Here’s To The Helpers Whenever there is a major disaster – a flood or hurricane or bombing – the Mr. Rogers’ quote on “Helpers” makes its rounds on Facebook and everyone finds a way to thank an emergency responder. But there are smaller scale personal disasters that regularly affect one person or family and they need helpers, too. Call them social workers or caseworkers or navigators, these are some of the most helpful and least thanked people in the world and I am in awe of what they do. Two years ago, I was reading an article Steve Lopez of the LA Times wrote on getting real help for mentally ill people and I got stuck on the first paragraph about a person the writer knows: There is little in Andy's appearance or manner that offers a clue as to what he's been through. The arrests, the jailhouse beatings, the commitments. He's soft-spoken and unassuming, so much so that the story of his life doesn't seem to go with the man who tells it. And suddenly, reading that, I knew Andy. I have met many people that fit this description; that have experienced horrors and trauma that I cannot begin to understand and would never have guessed from interacting with them. I have never been a case manager. I have worked with clients; I have gotten to know them, and worked with them to help them tell their story. But I have never had to be the one to try to convince someone to seek shelter or to guide them through that long and difficult process to employment or housing. I don’t know if I could. Walking the line between getting to know someone and showing the tough love that might be necessary is such a fine skill. A couple summers ago, I escorted a woman that I think is wonderful to Capitol Hill to meet with our Congressman as part of the National Alliance to End Homelessness Advocacy Day. She was very nervous to talk about her past but as I had told her before, you don’t have to tell him everything that has happened to you or everything you have done. Focus on what you did to succeed and the programs that helped you along the way. I wanted her to share how strong that she has been because I wanted her to know. A few months before that she had told me two things about herself that had left me with my mind racing. She had been an addict and had been “not really living anywhere” for a period of about ten years all around North Carolina. I know some pretty horrific stats about homelessness; about what can happen to addicts and especially women who are homeless. The likelihood of assault against a homeless person is startling. Life expectancy for a person experiencing homelessness can be cut short by 20 years or more due to poor health, disease, and assault. Focusing daily on sheer survival pushes hopes, dreams, and goals to the very back burner. You can forget who you are. It’s up to the case managers and outreach workers to make connections with people and tell them there might be a way out. These are the helpers who seek out people that others walk by. I don’t know how to express my appreciation for what you do. I hope that I can help tell stories of people that you have helped so that you hear, in their stories, that most important role that you play. Thank you.
- Jan Sacharko (NHH Director of Development)
Staff Quarterly Meeting Tuesday, October 11th 12:30pm- 3:30pm Pillar Church of Woodlawn 9001 Richmond Highway Alexandria, VA 22309
WELCOME NEW
On Call RSS Kennedy Shelter/FCHS
BIO “I have been working in homeless services since December 2008. I started out working in hypothermia programs, where I did HMIS data entry and client transportation. Working in this field is not so much about the money; it’s the excitement and happiness my heart has for helping people to not give up when they think things will not get better.”
Interesting and Fun Facts I love eating at nice seafood restaurants.
I have only one child (28 year old son).
I love going to the beach, but I do not get in the water
WELCOME NEW
On Call RSS Kennedy Shelter/FCHS
BIO “I have certifications as a Nurses Aide, Office Manager, and Group Facilitation. I was born and raised in the South Bronx. I am the third child of six children. I am 55 years old and still active and excited about life; the things I am learning and teaching others. I love God and am a member of Oakland Baptist Church.”
Interesting and Fun Facts I love being by the ocean.
I have 30+ years in the customer service field.
I love watching movies!
New Hope Housing Thanked Volunteers at Annual Recognition Ceremony
Saturday, September 24th NHH Board Member Kirsten Olechnowicz is the 2016 Volunteer of the Year!
In FY16 volunteers worked 16,000 service hours for New Hope Housing!
Webinar Available On Demand October 18th, 2016 at 12:00pm
Better Health Through Screening Find out which health screenings are most important for you and what those numbers mean To View Webinar On Demand visit the INOVA EAP Website: 1. www.inova.org/eap 2. Click on “Member Login” 3. Enter Username: newhopehousing 4. Enter Password: Mondloch 5. 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.
Congratulations to Lawrence Daniels Award Recipient
Samir Saurez
Samir is pictured receiving his $500 award from his supervisor Director of Community Services, Oliver Reid
Samir celebrated his 5 year work anniversary with New Hope Housing on September 12, 2016
Last Newsbriefs, Jeff Lisanick was the first NHH staff member to answer this question correctly. Kudos to the Kennedy Shelter Team & Jeff!
What can you catch, but not throw?
The first NHH Team Member to respond with the correct answer to this puzzle will receive a special treat! Email your guess to lmcguire@newhopehousing.org
Bahira Parker sends Kudos to:
Yvonne Kedoin sends Kudos to:
Mahera, Shannon, Richard, and Jeff for being great team players!
Eugenia Young and Khristina Koontz for their tag team efforts and moving residents into permanent housing!
ACS leadership team: Yvonne, Ellen and Khristina. I appreciate all that you do.
A.J., Eddie, Ms. Martha, and Stephan for lifting, hauling, and bringing us furniture for the singles lounge to get ready for the site visit!
Good job to the ACS case management team: Paul, Eugenia, Laurel, and Ashely.
Bernatria Alexander sends Kudos to: The entire KENNEDY TEAM for remaining professional and positive while faced with challenges daily!
Nicole Dillon sends Kudos to: Lance- I can always count on you! Thank you for having great communication with the development team! Jan, Sami, and LaKesha for a job well done assisting with the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony!
Richard Honesty sends Kudos to: LaKesha McGuire for compiling the New Hope Housing Policy Handbook. It looks very professional and is much needed. Great job LaKesha, as usual.
Samika Roy sends Kudos to: Paul, Troy, Kevin, Qui'va, Linda, Byrd, Brandon, Yvette, Dominic, Jocelin, and Dexter whom are all weekend RSS staff. We did a great job supporting one another over "Summer 2016" weekends!
Eugenia, Jeff, Khristina, Ellen, Christina T., and Tomarr for getting the shelter ready for the site visit!!! Case Management team: Ashley, Bahira, and Laurel are making those rapid rehousing referrals while taking on additional clients since Jennifer left. Kudos also to Khristina for helping out during this transition. Christina T. for transporting our residents to Dress for Success, and enduring van trouble, and to Richard Honesty for ALWAYS finding a solution and being willing to help! Christina T. for planning a great cookout for our residents for Labor Day and for taking residents to the Recovery Celebration! Paul Kola for assisting our residents in finding employment and to Jan Sacharko for arranging the meeting with the Ignatian volunteer to help with employment services. Luke Taylor for doing all that he does and for most recently securing some additional units (corporate leases) for our TRAILS program. Vincent Tibavido for his flexibility in processing so many disbursements. Arnita Latimer, Shannon Williams, and Richard Honesty for their log entries about repairs or supplies needed. Dana Murray for her assistance with our residents in the Alexandria Veterans House and TRAILS!
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
Page 11
OPEN POSITIONS IMMEDIATE NEED SPREAD THE WORD! Case Manager Full Time Position- 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. Must have a valid driver's license, be able to provide an acceptable DMV record, have reliable transportation and be able to drive agency vehicles as needed. Bilingual preferred. $42,000 a year plus benefits EOE/ADA that values diversity.
PSH Full Time Outreach Counselor Provide case management services and house coverage from 8am-4pm Monday-Friday at our group home in the Arlington. The group home is part of New Hope Housing's permanent supportive housing programs, serving 6 single adults with mental illness. Will also provide case management support to 3 scattered site Housing First units in Arlington. Daily activities may include routine case management duties (this is a HUD program, therefore paperwork can be heavy at times), life skills, engaging with residents, and proactively seek opportunities to assist residents to be positive members of society. Assist residents in finding appropriate services and transportation to get to appointments. Will rotate the on-call phone with other team members. 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; ability to make decisions independently and work autonomously and as part of a team. Some evening hours are required to meet residents’ needs. Must have a valid driver's license, be able to provide an acceptable DMV record, have reliable transportation, and be able to drive agency vehicles as needed. $43,000/year EOE/ADA 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
Page 12
OPEN POSITIONS Residential Service Specialist Full Time Position - Alexandria Community Shelter 12 am to 8am Monday thru Friday Duties include: In this position you will serve the residents residing at Alexandria Community Shelter that serves single adults and families 24/7. You must be reliable, on time, and willing to work with a diversified group of residents that may suffer from some form of mental illness, addictions, or both. Daily duties include: interaction to assist residents when they are in the shelter, answers telephone, greet all guests, including donors, staff, and outside agency individuals. You will be the face of New Hope Housing to donors and volunteers on your shift. Will maintain alert, and provide good documentation in log book of activities on your shift. Will assist with medication dispensing along with your team worker. Other duties as assigned. 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. Salary is $14.13 an hour with benefits. EOE/ADA that values diversity.
On Call Resident Service Specialists- Kennedy Shelter & Alexandria Community Shelter Responsibilities include monitoring the shelter, answering the phones, greeting visitors, and most importantly interacting in a positive manner with our residents. 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. $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 that values diversity!
New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs
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ACS Team EUKS Team
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Times 2pm 1pm
Every Wed Every Thu
Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday Rotating Locations of each month
PSH Team Community Services Team
Name Nathalia Brown Rosa Rapavi Denae Hilliard Luke Taylor Brandon Wright Qui'va Burroughs Chimere Stanley Ashley Marshall Reed Livers William Turner George Montgomery Martha Mickens Oliver Reid Latasha Younger
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Month September September September September September September September September September September September September September September
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Day 1 4 4 5 6 6 9 10 11 12 14 15 25 26
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Every 1st Monday of each month
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Name Martha Faconer
Month September
Day 12
Years 33
Reed Livers
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Arnita Latimer
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Ellen Shepard Monica Harrison
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Osborne West
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Chandra Beander
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Samir Suarez
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Khristina Koontz
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