RESIDENT NEWSLETTER
April 2012 Phoenixville PA
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APRIL 2012
Bev’s Bulletin Wow, what an amazing month this has been! It feels like we sped through faster than a speeding bullet. It’s been so busy, one day I even had a line waiting at my office door! Between free cell phones, food stamps, house cleaners and many other programs and services, we have been able to save money and improve the lives of many of our residents.
Beverly Sarduy, Social Service Coordinator
Some residents have expressed concerns about growing bank fees and charges. Don’t be afraid to check into other banks. I know it is frightening to switch financial institutions but there are many that offer TOTALLY free checking and give you rewards! Currently our local Credit Union is offering a $100 gift card for opening a Free Checking and they will complete everything over the phone. Feel free to contact me if you would like more information. Part of my job is building relationships with local organizations that can help us. One of those that have helped many of our residents is Apprise. Apprise is a group of volunteer Medicare Counselors that is funded through the Chester County Department of Aging Services. They provide individual guidance on Medicare and additional healthcare choices. We are happy to announce that Apprise will provide a volunteer counselor once a month at either the Flag House or Bard Complex to serve our residents and the community at large. Please let me know if you hear of any helpful programs in the area. I will be happy to check them out and share that information with our neighbors!
Additional news from your Social Service Coordinator Besides all the helpful suggestions I share, as your Service Coordinator, there are some ongoing concerns that need to be addressed. The atmosphere of a community starts with its leadership. HUD requires for me, your Service Coordinator to “work with Resident Organizations to create strategies that develop and maintain resident interest in fostering community spirit…” To accomplish this requirement, I must be actively involved with the officers of the Resi dent Associations to promote good governance. In addition, my job description at Phoenixville Homes states that I will periodically consult with the Resident Association of each facility. So I am faced with the dilemma of how do I fulfill my job description, offer support and encouragement while not intruding on the independent privileges of each Resident Association? Let me clarify my goal is to foster community spirit. To accomplish that I intend to assist and encourage the following:
·Leadership ·Community inclusion ·Interdependence ·Healthy governance for each community In order to achieve these goals, I believe each association should be given the education and support necessary to foster the skills needed to succeed. As your Service Coordinator I will provide an Annual Orientation for all newly elected board members that will include:
·A review of the Resident Association’s by-laws and resident meeting protocol ·Definition of positions and the responsibilities of each ·The availability of additional tools, training & resources designed to assist as needed This will be provided at the beginning of each term to all new and reelected Board members in the hope that each member will fully understand and feel empowered to lead their community on a positive path. There have been many positive changes in the past 6 months, my hope is that these will continue.
RESIDENT NEWSLETTER New Name for Phoenixville Homes
APRIL 2012
On January 18th, 2012 at the Annual meeting, the Phoenixville Homes board of directors voted to change Phoenixville Homes name to Petra Community Housing. You may be wondering why Petra Community Housing?? What does Petra even mean?? The word petra means stone, representing a solid foundation. As developers interested in providing affordable, quality housing in the greater Phoenixville area, the Board of Directors believe that we have SOLID residents and a SOLID team of staff and organizational structure. Building upon a strong record of success in the field, Petra continues to move forward fulfilling our mission. The staff of Phoenixville Homes is taking major steps to have Petra Community Housing be the official name starting May 1st, 2012. One of the changes that has already taken place is a new logo (picture on left). In addition, a new tag line has been developed (in picture on left), a new mission statement, and core values. A new brochure is also being developed. The staff and board of Phoenixville Homes is extremely excited about our new name. We believe that this is just one step that will help us continue to “Strengthen Communities and Empower Lives!” (To learn more about what’s happening here at Phoenixville Homes read Kambic’s Korner on page 2 and also learn how you can win a $10.00 gift card to WAWA on page 2).
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at Flag
By: Morine Madden
Flag House had their St. Patrick’s Day dinner on Saturday, March 17th. Many of the residents who attended were dressed in green. The menu included cabbage, ham, string beans, rolls and butter, applesauce and delicious desserts supplied by the Flag residents. The residents sang some Irish songs, including a favorite, “When Irish Eyes are Smil ing.” They also had a 50/50 drawing and Dolly Bierwirth won the pot. The residents would also like to thank all the family members who helped with the dinner. (More pictures on page 5 “St. Patrick’s Dinner”)
Pat Samtillo, Betty Knapp, Florence Simmons, Doris Strunack, Treva Kelly, Bertha LaCosta
New V.P at Bard The Resident Association at Bard Complex would like to formerly introduce the new Vice President, Peggy Quinn. Peggy was voted in on March 13th. The Resident Association and residents are excited to have Peggy aboard.
Irene Herr, President and Peggy Quinn, new Vice President
Page 2
RESIDENT NEWSLETTER
Kambic’s Korner
By: Steve Kambic
Name Change and Family Day in the Works
Steve Kambic, Executive Director
To create a stronger relationship with our funders and friends, we are changing our name. After receiving feedback from many sources, including our fundraising and marketing consultant, the Phoenixville Homes board of directors has approved the name new name: Petra Community Housing. The word petra means rock or stone and is used in the word petrified; the process of turning wood into solid rock. We believe success is built on a rock solid foundation, and that foundation is our residents. By associating the new name with our commitment to the welfare of our residents, a stronger statement of our core values is communicated to the community.
It takes a lot of work to change a corporate name. If the public is to understand who you are, you have to brand it with a marketing campaign. The culmination of this campaign, will be a Family and Friends Day party to commemorate the grand opening of the resident activity center now under construction in the Bard Complex basement. This means all residents of Phoenixville Homes managed properties and their families along with local dignitaries and other supporters are invited to the celebration. Save the date, July 28, 2012, for the big event that will include a Friends and Family Walk on the Schuylkill River Trail including wheelchair participants, prizes, a Dunk Tank and many activities for the kids including a bouncy Moon Walk. This planned celebration addresses some of our goals for the year listed in the January issue of this newsletter, including: √ Create closer communication with residents, √ Create a Resident Activity Center, and √ Acts of Kindness and Encouragement We strongly encourage you to invite your family and friends to join us for a great day of celebration on July 28th. We want to show everyone that we appreciate you; our residents. Watch for more details in future issues of the Newsletter.
WIN A $10 Gift Card To WAWA!!! Phoenixville Homes is having two contests! 1. We need a name for the Resident Activity Center and want your help! We are looking for a name that reflects who we serve (residents of Petra Community Housing managed properties) and what the center offers (fitness, café, Wii, computer learning, etc.) 2. We are looking to change the name of the resident newsletter. We would like to have a name that compliments our new name, Petra Community Housing. The staff of Phoenixville Homes will entertain each suggestion and the winner of each contest will be given a $10 gift card to WAWA. To enter into the contest fill out the attached coupon and put in the rent box. We need all suggestions by April 16th. The new name for the newsletter and center will be announced in the May newsletter! We look forward to hearing everyone’s input!
APRIL 2012
Page 5
Carpet & Tile at Flag Floors of the elevators, lobby, and visitor bathrooms received a makeover! The original carpets and tile was replaced. Everything looks great!
Phoenixville Homes Reminders ·
Flag House and Bard Complex residents if you are interested in participating in the computer learning classes contact Beverly Sarduy at 484-933-4955.
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The staff at Phoenixville Homes would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter! Don’t eat too many chocolate bunnies
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With the renovation of the Bard basement there may be noise and other disruptions, we would like to apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your patience.
Bingo Night at Bard On March 19th, the Women’s Club of the Methodist Church in Royersford sponsored a free bingo night for the residents at Bard. Many residents attended the bingo and there were also refreshments. The Women’s Club brought a variety of prizes in Francis Sosnowski,Bucky Buckwalcluding soaps, shampoo, picture frames, ter, Nancy Umstead and more.
Millie Fichtel & Peggy Quinn
Anne Gelormo & Jack Walters
Sara Cooper
St. Patrick’s Day cont. from page 1
Eleanor Heaton, Elaine Shillingford, Willie Brownback Picture Above L to R: Martha Moses, Lorraine Filoreto, Doris Walters, Joan Traber Picture on Left: Mark Kamp, June Grimley, Clara Matthews, Sallylee Varsaci, Kath Wiginton
The Women’s Club
Photos by Sande Gelet
Grand Opening Celebration A Family & Friends Day is being planned in celebration of the opening of the Resident Activity Center in the Bard Basement. A committee is being formed & residents are needed to participate. It’s sure to be a great day of fun and celebration. If you are interested in being part of the planning committee, contact Beverly Sarduy at 484-9334955.
Photos by Morine Madden