Niagara Carrier - Winter 2016 by Niagara Falls Housing Authority

Niagara carrier

JAN. 2016 V18 Issue 1

The Official Magazine of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority

HOUSIN G LLS A F

lit

Pressing Towards the Mark of Excellence

RIT THO Y • AU

• NIAGARA

Happy New Year!

P o ssi b i

NEW CORNERSTONE TOWNHOMES NFHA NEW STAFF APPOINTMENTS YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WITH YOUTH CHOIR

on the cover

Winter 2016

contents 2

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE BULLETIN

COVER STORY

MY HOME. MY CHOICE.

EMPOWERING OUR RESIDENTS

Another Corner Turned Story Page 5.

13 SCHOLARSHIPS 19 IN THE KNOW 31 A WORD FROM OUR STAFF 49 CALENDAR

N I A G A R A FA L L S H O U S I N G A U T H O R I T Y

50 DIRECTORY

We Empower. We Enrich. We Build Strong Communities! Board of Commissioners Jeffrey M. Paterson, Chairman Cynthia A. Bianco, Vice Chairman Vivian M. Watkins, Secretary Rev. Kevin Dobbs, Member Carmelette M. Rotella, Member Owen T. Steed, Member Frank Soda, Member Stephanie W. Cowart, Executive Director Jason J. Cafarella, Counsel

Anonymous Tip Line You can report suspicious or criminal activity anonymously by calling the NFPDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anonymous Tip Line at (716) 286-4711. For emergencies (716) 285-6961 Place a work order request (716) 284-9675 Visit our website www.nfha.org Email us nfha@nfha.org

Cover photo: Cornerstone Townhomes The Niagara Carrier is published quarterly by the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, 744 Tenth Street, Niagara Falls, New York 14301. If you have any articles or announcements, please contact Kelly Mariano at (716) 285-6961. Contributors: Thank you to our staff for your articles and photos. Editorial management and creative design provided by Jackson Parker Communications LLC.

There’s No Place Like Home S t e p h a n i e W. C o w a r t , E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r

Most of us have heard of this phrase, there’s no place like home, recited by the character Dorothy in the classic story the “Wizard of Oz”. However, I really thought about the meaning of this phrase. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Broadway musical “Annie“ with Amayah, where I had a wonderful time; however, the play caused me to think about the blessing of having a home. I guess as an advocate of affordable and quality housing my focus would be on the level of poverty in the play and Annie’s desire to be part of a family. Annie, as an orphan growing up in the midst of the 1930’s Great Depression, main focus was on seeking a family and a home. Sadly, my thoughts included a comparison of current economic conditions that continue to plague a number of Americans. For instance, since 2008 our country has experienced a severe shortage of affordable housing affecting individuals and families. Our older housing stock is deteriorating across the U.S. and in our city. There must be a continual effort to restore and maintain affordable housing properties.

However, despite numerous stories of rising homelessness across the United States and calls for additional affordable housing, there has been little progress and continual cuts of HUD funding to restore, maintain and build housing. As I watched the play I was also reminded of how our country stood up during the Great Depression and devised projects that helped spur the economy. Led by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Congress worked to put people first and passed a bill that created not only jobs but affordable, decent and safe housing. Due to President Roosevelt’s frustration of seeing 1/3 of the nation without adequate housing the Housing Act of 1937 was passed in an effort to improve living conditions for low-income families. The Importance of a home and the ability to have affordable, safe and quality housing is essential for our city and our country. Yet, for some people, it remains out of reach. Public housing serves approximately 2.2 million people across the U.S., but the need is much greater; more than half a million people are on housing waiting lists. According to the ReThink Survey: Perceptions of Public Housing 2013, the majority of Americans believe U.S. citizens deserve a safe and

decent place to live. So, we ask, what is the disconnect? Good News: A dream came true in Niagara Falls, NY in November 2015 when the former Apple Walk housing development, which had become older and dilapidated housing, was rehabilitated into the Cornerstone Townhomes, a beautiful and modern community where families can thrive. I am proud to be part of a collaboration that develops housing where individuals and families have an opportunity to have a home and to be part of a community. Providing families with affordable and quality housing has always been the NFHA’s guiding compass. We have witnessed that what some may view as just a building becomes the foundation for many to pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty. At the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, We believe in people. We believe in families. We believe in strong communities. And to quote orphan Annie, yes “The sun will come out tomorrow.” A great reminder that there is always hope in the next day. I place my bet on the soul of Americans to step up and understand the importance of all Americans having a home.

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EXECUTIVE BULLETIN

New Appointments I am proud to announce the appointment of Tomorrow L. Allen-Collins to the position of General Manager for the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building. Ms. Allen-Collins is a solution focused, team oriented individual with over ten (10) years of family and student based experience. She has a proven ability to implement standards and procedures that improve business functionality. Led by solid interpersonal skills, she has the ability to motivate individuals to maximize personal productivity, while maintaining a cohesive team environment. She is also an exceptional communicator, focused on building strong relationships. Tomorrow comes to the Niagara Falls Housing Authority from the Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative where she developed solutions to address the lack of access to healthy and affordable foods and identified desires for lifestyle change indicated by residents in the most challenged neighborhoods. She was responsible for leading resident engagement, project oversight and evaluation and the coordination of marketing and communication within the work group and the targeted neighbors. Prior to her employment at the Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative, Ms. Allen-Collins worked as a clinical associate for Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center where she engaged and coordinated all clinical and psychosocial aspects of care to clients of the Health Home program through collaboration with the client, caregiver, physician and community based programs. She also worked as a Senior Healthcare Integrator for the Hillside Family of Agencies where she conducted writing-intensive analysis and assessment in order to develop health plans to optimize individual strengths. Shortly thereafter she was promoted to Team Supervisor of Youth Advocates where she 3

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managed a caseload of thirty-three (33) at-risk youth providing mentorship, academic enrichment and served as a liaison between school administration, parents and employers. From 2008 – 2010, Tomorrow worked at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority as the Assistant Senior Services Coordinator and also as an Assistant Manager at Anthony Spallino Towers. Ms. Allen-Collins holds a M.S. in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College (Rochester, NY), a M.S. in Psychology from Walden University (Minneapolis, MN), and a B.A. in Communications from Buffalo State College. She is also a certified Public Housing Manager. I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Lamont L. Glover to the position of Community and Supportive Services Coordinator at the Beloved Community. Mr. Glover has over thirteen (13) years experience in excellent customer satisfaction. He worked as a relationship banker for First Niagara where he consistently provided exceptional customer service, directly improving the attainment of branch goals. He exceeded branch expectations with 155 consumer checking units, 57 savings units and 23 business units totaling $1.5 million in deposits, as well as, being the leading producer in the branch with $860,000 loan deposit growth. He was chosen as First Niagara’s “Work Champion” due to his outstanding relationships with local businesses. Prior to First Niagara, he worked for HSBC Bank where he successfully assisted in the completion of the bank conversion, ensuring that each branch was operationally sound and within compliance. As a Customer Experience Associate, he provided initial contact with current and potential customers and worked to identify needs, meet customer demands and deepen relationships. Lamont attended Daemen College in Buffalo, New York.

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COVER STORY

Another Corner Turned C o r n e r s t o n e To w n h o m e s R i b b o n C u t t i n g

Ribbon cutting at Cornerstone Townhomes It was a proud moment as the ribbon was cut on 84 newly renovated townhomes at the site of the former Applewalk housing development located at 3100 9th Street in Niagara Falls. Now called, Cornerstone Townhomes, the name is a perfect fit. While some may view it as just a building, for many, it will become the foundation, the cornerstone, that will help pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty. The development marks another corner turned in the redevelopment of the Highland Avenue community. The grand opening celebration led by Norstar Development USA, L.P., the Niagara Falls Housing Authority and NYS Homes and Community Renewal signified the impact of a collaborative vision to restore a once thriving community. Cornerstone Townhomes is an affordable multifamily housing community that brings a $16.8 million transformation to the city of Niagara Falls. The once dilapidated site is now a vibrant community. The redevelopment entailed a complete

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renovation of the 84 townhouses into 12 buildings, and the demolition of the remaining 120 walk-up apartments into 10 buildings, creating 36 twobedroom, 30 three-bedroom and 18 four-bedroom townhomes. The existing management office was converted for maintenance use and to meet the needs of residents, a new resident center was constructed. Norstar Vice President Linda Goodman said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;During the past 13 years, Norstar Development and Norstar Building Corporation have worked with the Niagara Falls Housing Authority and City Hall to construct a total of 339 affordable rental homes within the City of Niagara Falls. The completion of Cornerstone Townhomes eliminates the blight influence on the neighborhood and provides the kind of modern affordable housing residents deserve and the entire community can be proud of.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the opening of Cornerstone Townhomes, we are witnessing the impact of a collaborative vision to transform and enrich a community. Providing families with affordable and quality housing builds

the foundation for life, growth and community development,” stated NFHA Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart.

The Cornerstone Townhomes The New York State Urban Development Corporation (now known as Empire State Development) established a portfolio of 8,600 units of affordable and quality housing in the early 1970’s within 35 developments statewide, including the former Applewalk Houses, under the State’s Mitchell-Lama Housing Program. Since that time, the housing stock created under the program has vastly deteriorated, requiring immediate action to preserve its core value – safe, attractive, and affordable homes for low income families. The revisioning of Applewalk into Cornerstone Townhomes is largely made possible by the 2013 Directive of Governor Andrew Cuomo to preserve the State’s Mitchell-Lama portfolio of affordable housing. The financing also includes approximately $10,000,000 in State Housing Finance Agency permanent financing made available through the Governor’s House New York program. Norstar launched construction in January of 2014 with support from NYS Homes and Community Renewal, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The primary funding source for this project is the NYS Housing Finance Agency, with 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity provided by First Sterling Financial and M&T Bank, purchaser of the aforementioned tax credits, resulting in private financing of over $6 million to the project. The City of Niagara Falls provided operating assistance for 40 units through the HUD RAD program, administered by the City’s Leased Housing office. In addition, a Construction

Letter of Credit was provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said, “Cornerstone Townhomes is a terrific example of how a partnership between different levels of government and the private sector, all working towards the same goal, will enhance the City of Niagara Falls. As a result of this hard work, the quality of affordable housing opportunities for our residents has significantly improved.” Cornerstone Townhomes serves families whose annual income is either at or below 60% of the area median income for the Buffalo-Niagara area. Additionally, operating assistance provided by the City ensures that 40 of the 84 completed units will be affordable to households earning as low as 30% of Area Medium Income. Rent ranges (according to income qualification) are as follows:

2 Bedroom home: $525 to $531 3 Bedroom home: $574 to $581 4 Bedroom home: $622 to $675

The development team that developed Cornerstone Townhomes was based entirely in Western New York and includes Norstar Building Corporation, Niagara Falls Housing Authority, Kulback’s Construction, Inc., Silvestri Architects, C&S Engineers, Trinity Title & Abstract Corporation and Creekside Boundary Land Surveying. For rental information, please contact (716) 284-9993.

Inside of a Cornerstone apartment

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SPOTLIGHT ON RESIDENTS We Embrace the Diversity of Our Residents Every “My Home. My Choice.” Profile is an educational journey that introduces many surprises and inspirational nuggets. In this issue we feature April White. April is the Acting Tenant Association President at Anthony Spallino Towers. How long have you lived at Spallino Towers? “When I moved into Spallino Towers three years ago, I felt like I was coming home. My mother and her boyfriend had both lived there, as well as, my sister. It was always the place where I felt safe and secure and had such wonderful memories.” Why Serve as the Acting Tenant Association President?

April White hosting the 2015 Spallino Towers Halloween Celebration

My Home. My Choice. This month featuring resident, A p r i l W h i t e , Ac t i n g Te n a n t Association President. We continue our series of articles that tell the stories and experiences of Niagara Falls Housing Authority residents. This series is inspired by the national initiative, ReThink: Public Housing, created to build awareness, educate and inspire people to learn about public housing in the U.S. The initiative encourages the public to think about how people and families in their own community are served by public housing. By sharing success stories, the initiative hopes to challenge negative perceptions.

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“It’s the people here. They are amazing and they warm my heart. Even if I do the smallest act of kindness, they are so appreciative. It makes me feel good. Before I moved into Spallino Towers, I was a nurse’s aide for 17 years. I just like to help people.” When the current Tenant Association President became ill, April stepped right in. Not exactly sure what to do, she met with NFHA staff and spoke with fellow residents to ensure she performed her job well. And well she did. She initiated several holiday events including Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, held numerous popcorn movie nights and helped secure several health and wellness presentations and seminars. April even started a partnership with the Niagara Falls Fire Department where the residents bring cookies, bottled water and coffee. What do you like to do in your spare time? “I love to do crafts. Crafts of any kind. Right now I’m working on decorating some vases. I usually then give them away to someone – to cheer them up or to just let them know that I’m thinking of them.”

EMPOWERING OUR RESIDENTS

A Feast Fit for a King

Police department volunteers at Thanksgiving Feast A feast fit for a king was made possible thanks to over 100 male volunteers who came together for one purpose – to serve.

Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church for providing the word of thanks and to Rev. Raymond Allen, Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church for the closing prayer.

They came to serve those in need at the Annual Thanksgiving Feast held at the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building on November 23, 2015. With the smell of roasted turkey and pumpkin pie in the air, hundreds of children, youth and adults were provided a complete Thanksgiving dinner.

The Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA) in collaboration with NFHA Board Member and Niagara County Legislator Owen T. Steed, Sr. sponsored the event with the generosity of Niagara Falls Redevelopment, LLC and Howard Milstein.

NFHA Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart said, “This event displays the true appreciation of the spirit of giving thanks and the power of ordinary people, doing extraordinary things.” “This event continues to grow year after year and gives the men in our community a chance to give back,” said Legislator Steed. “These men serve as positive role models for others to see, especially our children.” Special thanks to the Bethany Baptist Church Male Choir for their amazing musical talents, Rev. Mark Perkins, Pastor of Destination Life Fellowship for providing the opening prayer, Rev. Jimmy Hardaway,

Young resident enjoying her Thanksgiving dinner

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EMPOWERING OUR RESIDENTS

Come and enjoy a fun-filled family evening! A h e a l t h y n e i g h b o r h o o d s t a r t s w i t h a h e a l t h y f a m i l y. A healthy family starts here. The Independent Health Foundation’s Good for the Neighborhood program features free health screenings, information on health insurance, ask the expert, free fruits and vegetables, health and wellness information, fun activities for kids, healthy cooking demonstrations, hands-on activities, games, raffles and much, much, more! WHEN: From 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 pm Thursday, March 10, 2016 Thursday, May 19, 2016 Thursday, August 25, 2016 Thursday, October 20, 2016 WHERE: Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building 3001 Ninth Street, Niagara Falls

The Niagara Falls Housing Authority teamed up with the Independent Health Foundation in 2006 to provide the Niagara Falls community with access to health information and wellness resources. The program is FREE and helps individuals and families make better healthcare choices through a variety of wellness initiatives. For more information please call Nicole Bass at (716) 285-5374.

The Independent Health Foundation’s Fitness for Kids challenge encourages elementary-aged children to become more physically active and make healthier eating decisions. 9

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Revitalizing Niagara Niagara Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart joined State Senator Robert Ortt on November 24, 2015 as he unveiled a twoprong plan called “Revitalize Niagara,” which would ensure the City of Niagara Falls and certain entities get their fair share of casino revenue, and would allocate a portion of funds for economic development and job creation. Senator Ortt will introduce this plan as part of the 2015-16 budget talks, and negotiate amendments to the 99-h law, which outlines the casino funding formula determining the amount of revenue to local government. With the 99-h law set to expire at the end of 2016, coupled with the state’s estimated billion dollar surplus following recent bank settlements, Ortt sounded a note of urgency. “The Revitalize Niagara Plan will adjust the formula to ensure that more of those casino dollars generated in Niagara Falls with stay in Niagara Falls,” said Senator Ortt. “The fiscally-strained city deserves a bigger piece of the pie to strengthen key stakeholders and regain solid financial footing. Flipping the formula makes sense and should be feasible. Considering the state’s surplus, along with the dire need of jobs and support in Niagara Falls, the time is now.”

under the “Revitalize Niagara Plan,” and new stakeholders could be added, such as the Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA). NFHA Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart said, “Through services and public housing developments, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority plays a vital role in the revitalization of communities. We improve the lives of residents in need, housing more than 1,500 individuals and serving more than 10,000 people every year. Any financial assistance from additional funds would help us out tremendously.” Many may not be aware, but 42% of the NFHA’s population are children, 31% are elderly, veterans and seniors. Providing affordable, quality and safe housing helps build stable neighborhoods where families can thrive and create communities – communities in which residents take pride in their homes and surroundings.

Under the current funding formula negotiated in 2006 between the State Legislature and local government, 25 percent of the net drop of slot machine revenue is appropriated for Albany. Of that amount, only 25 percent of casino revenue is appropriated for the City of Niagara Falls and its stakeholders. The state, therefore keeps 75 percent of funds. Ortt is proposing to flip Albany’s share with the city’s. The city and specific entities would than receive 75 percent of gambling interest. In previous years, the city stakeholders included the Niagara Falls City School District, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp. (NTCC), the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), and city programs. These entities would still receive its share of revenue

State Senator Robert Ortt speaking about “Revitalize Niagara,” joined by NFHA Executive Director, Stephanie W. Cowart

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Connecting Those Who Protect Us The Niagara Falls Housing Authority was proud to partner with New York State Senator Robert Ortt, AT&T and the Niagara County Veterans Service Agency on the “Cell Phones for Soldiers” program. Through donations of old cellular phones and tablets, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority was able to help troops call home. Proceeds from the recycled devices were used to buy long-distance calling cards for troops at home and abroad. “Cell Phones for Soldiers” began in 2004 as the idea of two patriotic kids who wanted to give back to the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting us each and every day. To date, the charity has provided more than 216 million “minutes that matter” to our troops serving around the world. Donation box for “Cell Phones for Soldiers”

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EMPOWERING OUR RESIDENTS

Technology Participants Graduate

SUNY ATTAIN Lab graduates with (Back Row, Left) Antoinette Polito, Joseph Brown of ATTAIN Lab (Front Row) Stephanie W. Cowart, Mayor Dyster, Assemblyman John Ceretto, Senator Robert Ortt, Legislator Owen T. Steed, Sr., Donna Owens, and Susan Perkins It’s a competitive world. Some wanted to further their skills, some wanted to change their career goals and some just wanted to learn something new. On September 18, 2015, over 70 students graduated from the Niagara Falls Housing Authority SUNY ATTAIN Lab’s 2015 Summer Institute. Many of the participants were trained in Microsoft Office 2010 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access) in addition to a variety of occupational training courses. NFHA Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart said, “When I think about technology, one simple thought comes to mind…technology is empowering.” “Each one of you here today is empowered. You are empowered with the skills and abilities to obtain employment, seek higher education and realize your dreams.”

I’m at today. If you work hard and get an education, anything is possible.” Legislator Owen T. Steed, Sr. shared his ABC’s of Life, “Accept the challenge, Believe in yourself and Commit to your future.” “Your timing could not be better in terms of what is happening as a whole,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster. “There is a global shift all over. Jobs are now coming back on shore. Western New York is in the forefront of the solar industry and employers want workers with a skill set towards technology.” Susan Perkins, Director of Programming, University Center for Academic Workforce Development said, “I extend my sincerest congratulations to all the graduates. You have worked so hard and your success shows.”

Encouraging the graduates to share their talents, Senator Robert Ortt said, “Let your friends know the positive, spread the word and encourage them to do the same.” Assemblyman John Ceretto shared a story from his childhood. “When I grew up, we had no refrigerator, we had a cooler outside. I received public assistance. I received WIC and I received HEAP and look where SUNY ATTAIN Lab graduate walks across the stage. Niagara carrier JANUARY 2016

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Scholarship Deadlines Approaching The Niagara Falls Housing Authority continues to encourage residents to strengthen their employment skills and career opportunities by obtaining a college degree or completing a training program. The following page includes scholarships available for 2016.

D e a c o n s Fe l l o w s h i p o f N i a g a ra A r t h u r B. Ra y, S r. Me m o r i a l S c h o l a r s h i p The Deacons Fellowship of Niagara (DFN) is accepting applications for the First Annual Arthur B. Ray, Sr. Scholarship. A highly civic-minded individual, Arthur B. Ray, Sr. was the first African American elected (1961) to serve on the Niagara Falls Board of Education, a position he held for 11 years. He was a co-founding member of the Deacon’s Fellowship of Niagara Falls, which funds scholarships for college bound students. He was a member of Gideon International, Electric City Lodge #49, Rotary International, and the Black Pioneers of Niagara Falls who chart the migration, oral history and lineage of African Americans who settled in Niagara Falls prior to 1925. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must reside in Niagara County • Preference will be given to students who are an active member of a local church The scholarship recipient will be selected based upon the following general criteria: • Academic Achievement • Extracurricular Activities • Church/Community Involvement • One to two page essay/applicant statement, stating why you are qualified for the scholarship

• Must be a graduating senior in high school or a fulltime freshman or sophomore currently enrolled in an accredited college or university

Applications can be obtained at any Niagara Falls Housing Authority community or by contacting Deacons Fellowship of Niagara President, Deacon Leon Smith at (716) 773-6379.

• Must have a minimum 2.8 GPA in college or a high school average of 80% (B)

Applications must be received by April 15, 2016.

D e l t a S i g m a T h e t a S o r o r i t y, I n c . Buffalo Alumnae Chapter Scholarship Opportunity The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Buffalo Alumnae Chapter is seeking high school seniors interested in applying for Delta Scholarships. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: • Applicants must demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership, community service and financial need. • Applicants must reside in the Buffalo/Niagara region. HOW TO APPLY: For more information, please visit the Delta website at www.dstbuffalo.org

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N i a g a ra Fa l l s H o u s i n g A u t h o r i t y D o r i s W. J o n e s $ 1 , 0 0 0 Me m o r i a l S c h o l a r s h i p Doris W. Jones was a long time resident of public housing who worked tirelessly to improve the overall quality of life of public housing residents through the development of a variety of training programs and related initiatives. In 1975, Doris was elected President of the Center Court Tenant Association. In 1976, she was elected to the Niagara Falls Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, where she served for 25 years. She successfully initiated a variety of training programs for the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, including the Summer Enrichment Program, Livin’ Large and I Can Read Tutorial programs, Annual Run from Drugs, Annual Thanksgiving Feast and a host of job development and training programs. She developed numerous partnerships with local community agencies and organizations and was extremely instrumental in obtaining funding for several of the Authority’s mentoring programs and activities.

• Essay (250 word minimum) – Student must submit a typewritten essay on the following topic: “The importance of community service in the development of leaders.” • Student must provide a description of extra-curricular activities, awards, community service, employment and other accomplishments. • Student must provide written evidence of acceptance at a two (2) year or four (4) year university/college or a certified trade school prior to award of scholarship. A $1,000 one-time scholarship will be awarded. Applications are available at your high school guidance office, Niagara Falls Housing Authority Administrative Offices, 744 Tenth Street, and all site rental offices. Applications must be received at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority Administrative Offices, 744 Tenth Street, on or before Friday, April 29, 2016.

“May the work I’ve done, the life I lived and the services I gave, speak for me.” ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: • Applicant must be a high school senior. Residents of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority will receive preferred status in the process. • Student must have at least a “C” average during his/ her senior year. • School Transcript – Student must provide an original and official copy of his/her high school transcript. • Application Form – Must be completed in its entirety. • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation. One (1) from an educator (teacher, guidance counselor or principal) and one (1) from a non-family member.

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N i a g a ra Fa l l s H o u s i n g A u t h o r i t y N a t h a n i e l S m i t h $ 1 , 0 0 0 Me m o r i a l S c h o l a r s h i p Husband, father, mentor, friend… Nathaniel Smith was all of these and more. He was the former Deputy Director of the Niagara Falls International Convention and Civic Center and Personnel Manager for the Carborundum Company.

• Student must have maintained at least a 2.5 grade point average (C+) during junior or senior years to be considered for the scholarship or must show a sustained marked improvement over their junior year grades.

Nate was actively involved in the community. His affiliations included: the American Red Cross, Niagara County Community Center and Girl’s Club, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, United Way of Niagara, Cerebral Palsy Association, Kiwanis Club, Planned Parenthood and the National Conference for Christians and Jews. He received numerous humanitarian service awards. Nate was a warm, sensitive and caring individual who touched the lives of many people.

• Applications must include the student’s transcript, which reflects all of his/her junior year through the most recent marking period of the senior year. Complete senior year transcripts may be requested of scholarship finalists prior to award of scholarship.

Because he was a positive role model in the Niagara Falls community and an advocate of education, it is very befitting to honor his memory with a scholarship fund. Nate fought a long, courageous battle against multiple sclerosis. Even in sickness he was an inspiration to all who came in contact with him. He was very determined to live each day to the fullest and to be all that he could possibly be. “When special people touch our lives, they teach us how to live.” Applications are available at your High School Guidance Office, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority Administrative Offices, 744 Tenth Street, and all Housing Authority site rental offices. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: • Competition is open to all high school seniors or high school graduates who are not already attending a college, university or certified trade school and who meet all of the eligibility requirements. Student must be a resident of the City of Niagara Falls.

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• Two (2) letters of recommendation. One (1) must be from an educator. • A 250-500 word essay explaining how the candidate would use a college degree to enhance the quality of life in his/her community and explain his/her life’s goals and objectives. • Student must provide written evidence of acceptance at a two (2) or four (4) year college/university or a certified trade school prior to award of scholarship. • Student’s family income must exhibit a financial need. All applicants must submit a copy of the Student Aid Report, which is received from the U.S. Department of Education after submitting the application for Federal Student Aid (FAF). Applications must be received at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority Administrative Offices, 744 Tenth Street, on or before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016.

EMPOWERING OUR RESIDENTS

PHADA 2016 Scholarship Program

S c h o l a r s h i p s Fo r H i g h S c h o o l S e n i o r s I n P u b l i c O r A s s i s t e d H o u s i n g In order to encourage academic excellence and community responsibility among high school students, the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) has implemented a scholarship program for graduating seniors who are preparing to enter college. PHADA will award three (3) scholarships to deserving youth currently residing in public or assisted housing.

S t e p h e n J. B o l l i n g e r Me m o r i a l S c h o l a r s h i p ( o n e $ 7, 0 0 0 s c h o l a r s h i p w i l l b e a wa r d e d ) Steve Bollinger (April 11, 1948 – June 18, 1984) was a taskmaster to himself, a human dynamo to those who knew him. He was a natural leader, a person who could rally people around him with wit, satire, and vocal exercises. Steve’s knowledge of and dedication to housing those in need was never absent, especially after he was appointed Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development at HUD. His experience at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority and the associations he had with colleagues,

mayors, and others, afforded him the opportunity to deal with the bureaucracy in a style that we strive to attain. To the members of PHADA, he was a friend. His belief in the housing profession motivated him to become a founding member of PHADA, for which he served as Vice President. He accomplished much in a short time and we are all thankful for his achievements. PHADA created this scholarship to memorialize his legacy.

S A C S S o f t wa r e / S c o t t Ac c o u n t i n g & C o m p u t e r S e r v i c e s , I n c S c h o l a r s h i p ( o n e $ 5 , 0 0 0 s c h o l a r s h i p w i l l b e a wa r d e d ) SACS Software/Scott Accounting and Computer Services, Inc. has offered significant financial support to PHADA’s Scholarship program and has elected to reward one deserving youth with a $5,000 scholarship. PHADA appreciates their commitment to serving the needs of public housing residents and the community.

Fr e e d o m & C i v i l R i g h t s S c h o l a r s h i p ( o n e $ 5 , 0 0 0 s c h o l a r s h i p w i l l b e a wa r d e d ) In 2005, PHADA’s Board of Trustees met in Montgomery, Alabama. Inspired by historical sites, they chose to give personal donations for the inception of a PHADA scholarship to honor the work of Rosa Parks and the achievements of the civil rights movement. PHADA’s Annual Commissioner’s Conference Golf Outing was established in 2007 to provide continuous funding to the Freedom Scholarship.

Applications can be obtained by visiting PHADA’s website at www.phada.org. On the homepage, click the “PHADA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION” link to fill out the online application form. DEADLINE: Applications are due to PHADA by January 29, 2016. No faxes will be accepted. For more information, please contact Kelly Mariano, Tenant Services Coordinator, at (716) 285-6961.

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EMPOWERING OUR RESIDENTS

NYSPHADA Scholarship Program In order to encourage academic excellence and community responsibility among high school students, the New York State Public Housing Authority Director’s Association (NYSPHADA) has implemented a scholarship program for graduating seniors who are preparing to enter higher level learning (defined as a 2-4 year college, trade school or formal certification program). NYSPHADA will award one (1) $2,500 scholarship to a deserving youth currently residing in a NYSPHADA member agency. The scholarship will be formally presented at NYSPHADA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition on April 13, 2016 at the Turning Stone Casino and Resort in Verona, New York. The winner will receive travel accommodations for him/herself and one parent/ guardian to attend the conference. The Scholarship fund will be administered by the NYSPHADA Scholarship Committee. The money will go directly to the school that the recipient will be attending. The school will deposit the money into the student’s account. The money may only be used to pay for tuition, books, and activities directly related to the

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student’s education. If the student discontinues his or her education, the unused portion of the scholarship will be returned to NYSPHADA. To be eligible: 1. Applicant must be a high school senior and resident of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority. 2. Applicant must have at least a “B” average on his/her school’s applicable scale during his/her high school career, cumulatively, to be considered for the scholarship. The application can be found on NYSPHADA’s website at www.nysphada.org. On the homepage, click the NYSPHADA Scholarship Application link to download the application. Electronically complete the form, save it to your computer and print a copy.

For more information, please contact Kelly Mariano, Tenant Services Coordinator, at (716) 285-6961. The application deadline is February 8, 2016.

EMPOWERING OUR RESIDENTS

Shout It Out Pink • Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. • Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. • Each year it is estimated that over 230,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.

Marsha McWilson, featured in the concert On Friday, October 23, 2015, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority (NFHA) went pink to bring awareness to breast cancer. NFHA staff proudly wore pink attire and decorated the doors of their residential offices in pink wrapping paper in support. Partnering with Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC), a “Shout It Out Pink” event was held at the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building. The event featured a gospel concert featuring some of Western New York’s brightest talents – Sherri Singletary, Constance Mathews, Marsha McWilson and the Mt. Erie Male Chorus. Breast cancer survivors Doris Smith, Janice Bradberry, Maggie Price and Gina Davis shared their personal and courageous testimonials that both inspired and informed attendees.

• Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,350 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 440 will die each year. • Over 2.9 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today. NFMMC’s Community Outreach Director Charles A. Walker III said, “While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages.” Walker provided participants with numerous informational literature to ensure that everyone takes a step in the right direction.

NFHA Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart, who is a breast cancer survivor herself, continually strives to provide residents and the community with the knowledge to make informed decisions. “Education is key,” said Cowart. “It is imperative that women do breast self-exams, schedule their clinical breast exams and have regular mammograms based on their age and health history.” The event provided some interesting facts: • One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

NHFA Executive Director, Stephanie W. Cowart, at the event

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IN THE KNOW

We Get Letters

Louis Carr Thanks to the Niagara Falls Housing Authority for working with me to further my career. My efforts, along with the help of Mr. Willie Dunn, have helped land me a job at the prestigious Community Health Center of Niagara as a Community Health Worker. In the process, I also received my Customer Service Certification from the State University of New York.

as Spallino Towers, Wrobel Towers, Carolyn House, Canan House, First Step and Northpointe Council to provide quality healthcare needs to the community.

Serving as a Community Health Worker, I have established relationships with such organizations

– Louis Carr

I can’t put into words my gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Dunn. He is an asset to the community and the Niagara Falls Housing Authority.

FREE LINE DANCING CLASSES The Niagara Falls Housing Authority is offering FREE Line-Dancing classes at the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building. All ages are welcome to participate. 19

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WHEN: Tuesdays from 5:30 pm –7:30 pm. WHERE: Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building, 3001 Ninth Street, Niagara Falls. For more information, please call (716) 285-5374.

IN THE KNOW

Elected Officials President Barack Obama – The White House, Washington, DC 20500 Gov. Andrew Cuomo – Executive Chamber, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224 (518) 474-8390 U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer – 130 S. Elmwood Avenue, Suite 660, Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 846-4111 U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand – 726 Exchange Street, Suite 511, Buffalo, NY 14210 (716) 854-9725 U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins – 640 Park Place, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (716) 282-1274

3rd District – Mark Grozio – (716) 283-8033 4th District – Owen Steed – (716) 990-6518 5th District – Jason Zona – (716) 524-2248 6th District – Dennis Virtuoso – (716) 284-1582 Mayor Paul Dyster – (716) 286-4310 City Council: (716) 286-4301 Andrew Touma Kristen Grandinetti Charles Walker Kenneth Tompkins Ezra Scott, Jr.

NY Senator Robert Ortt – 175 Walnut Street, Suite 6, Lockport, NY 14094 (716) 434-0680 Assemblyman John Ceretto – 800 Main Street, Suite 2C, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (716) 282-6062

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IN THE KNOW

Niagara’s 12 Under 40 Award Congratulations to Allen Q. Cowart on receiving Niagara’s 12 Under 40 Award from Leadership Niagara and the Niagara Gazette. The event honored young leaders who have demonstrated leadership qualities and tend to go “above and beyond” in their responsibilities at current or previous places of employment, in volunteer capacities or as students. “Niagara’s 12 Under 40 program helps develop strong communities,” said Molly Anderson, Executive Director, Leadership Niagara. “These leaders have a strong sense of Allen Q. Cowart purpose, humility, want to make a difference, care deeply about their community and organization and have a desire to create more leaders.”

Cowart Receives Awards Congratulations to Niagara Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart on receiving the New York State Department of Health Commissioner’s Award at World AIDS Day on December 1, 2015. The award was presented in recognition of individuals and organizations for their commitment, contribution and response to improve and promote the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.

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Ms. Cowart will also receive the “Utopia Euphoria Trailblazer Award” at the Sixth Annual Women Making History Gala presented by Utopian Euphoria L.L.C. The ceremony will be held during Women’s History Month (March). The award is presented for historical accomplishment, outstanding achievement and/or community contribution.

IN THE KNOW

In Loving Memory Mother Alice Turner Jordan O c t o b e r 1 2 , 1 92 2 – N o v e m b e r 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

Mother Alice Turner Jordan

Longtime resident Mother Alice Turner Jordan was a legend who had a created a legacy. She was a community leader who was committed to supporting and stabilizing the Niagara Falls Housing Authority community for 62 years.

Mother Jordan served as an agent of justice and goodwill. She advocated for social justice locally and nationally and she well understood the significance of political action. She was even seen on national television during the democratic presidential

convention sitting next to her son-in-law Reverend Al Sharpton. She engaged in the struggle to create a political and economic system that recognizes the worth of all God’s children. She loved her family and she was an “other mother” for so many. Mother Jordan was the oldest living member of St. John’s AME Church, where she was a proud member of the Gospel Chorus and Senior Missionary Society for 60 years. She was an Emeritus Steward and was ordained a Deaconess (church mother) in the AME Church. She will be greatly missed.

Councilman Robert A. Anderson Jr., Msgt. J u n e 5 , 1 94 2 – N o v e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 1 5 Councilman Robert (Bob) A. Anderson Jr. departed this life on November 25, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was elected to the Niagara Falls City Council in 2003, where he served for three Councilman Robert A. Anderson Jr. consecutive terms. Credit: Niagara Gazette Bob had a great love for his city and served with numerous civil and civic organizations. He was a wonderful supporter of the

work of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority and a strong advocate for program and services. He cared deeply about people and about improving quality of life – always encouraging others to take advantage of opportunities. Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1962 and served with distinction for over 20 years. He received several honors and medals including the Good Conduct Medal with Six Oak Leak Clusters and also the National Defense Serve Medal. The Niagara Falls Housing Authority extends its deepest sympathy. Bob will be greatly missed.

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IN THE KNOW

Niagara Falls Memorial Announces Historic Plan for Cardiac Services Wi l l j o i n C a t h o l i c H e a l t h , E C MC a n d Ka l e i d a H e a l t h t o j o i n t l y o p e ra t e ca r d i a c ca t h e t e r i z a t i o n l a b o ra t o r y.

In an effort to address the pressing need for cardiac catheterization services in Niagara County, four Western New York health systems have announced a unique community collaboration to make this lifesaving care readily accessible to area residents. The four – Catholic Health, Kaleida Health, Erie County Medical Center Corporation and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center – are seeking state approval to open a cardiac catheterization laboratory (“cath lab”) at The Heart Center of Niagara on Memorial’s downtown Niagara Falls campus. The plan -- detailed in separate Certificate of Need proposals submitted to the state by Kaleida Health, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Catholic Health and Erie County Medical Center -- calls for ECMC to decertify one of its existing cardiac cath labs and transfer the license to the joint venture. The proposal is subject to New York State Department of Health approval. “This plan effectively and collaboratively addresses the longstanding question of who should provide cardiac catheterization and interventional coronary care services to Niagara County residents,” said Memorial President & CEO Joseph A. Ruffolo. “It will also eliminate glaring local disparities in the heart care available to African-Americans, Native Americans, residents of low-income households, people challenged by mental health issues and those who are developmentally or intellectually disabled.”

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Kaleida Health, Niagara Falls Memorial and Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center in Lewiston, which became a Catholic Health site in July 2015, had all filed separate cath lab applications with the state Health Department during the past several years. In reviewing those applications, the state asked the parties to work toward a community solution that would address the need for cardiac catheterization services in Niagara County in a more collaborative manner. “This is a great opportunity for us to bring cardiac care directly to the community,” said Jody Lomeo, President and CEO of Kaleida Health. “There is a demonstrated need and, together, we can leverage our collective strengths and address the disparities that exist today in Niagara County.” “We essentially all wanted the same thing – to make cardiac catheterization services more convenient and accessible for the residents of Niagara County, and to do it in the most cost effective way possible,” said Catholic Health President & CEO Joe McDonald. “We had some good discussions over the last few months between our organizations and the pieces began to fall into place. We hope to receive state approval in the next few months so we can move forward with our plans.”

IN THE KNOW

New Rapid Response Team Will Benefit Patients Dealing With Chronic Disease

People with chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure and bacterial pneumonia now have a new care option.

part of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program, the statewide initiative championed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to improve healthcare throughout the state.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has implemented an innovative program that assigns a “guardian angel” to work with those patients in its ER1 Emergency Department.

It is the first care model of its type in Western New York.

Called the Rapid Response Team project, it is designed to avoid unnecessary inpatient hospital admissions and achieve healthcare cost savings by placing patients with chronic conditions in the most appropriate and most cost-effective level of care.

Many patients with chronic conditions go to the emergency department seeking relief, Kee said. The project will not only link patients to the appropriate level of care right from the emergency room, it will connect eligible Medicaid patients to the NFMMC Health Home to permit them to receive ongoing care management services.

The new process helps those patients and families cut through the red tape and transition them directly to that care.

At Memorial, such patients will now be met by new Rapid Response Team Coordinator Kelly Duffy, a registered nurse who will give them focused attention.

“Many patients served by the project will return to home with home care or be placed for a short stay in a sub-acute facility without an intervening hospital admission,” said Chief Operating Officer Sheila K. Kee. “These are patients who have customarily been admitted for hospital stays, which may not have been the best placement option.”

“This ‘guardian angel’ will consult with the ER physician prior to an admission decision being made,” Kee said. “Kelly will help patients and family members understand their options. She will coordinate the system to connect patients to cost-effective home care or short-term medical assistance in a sub-acute facility such as the Schoellkopf Health Center. She will navigate the system to carry out whatever decision is deemed best for the patient.”

The Rapid Response Team is one of many innovative care models being brought on line by the Millennium Collaborative Care Performing Provider System as

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IN THE KNOW

Love Outside the Box N F H A A n n u a l C h r i s t m a s Co n c e r t Like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold wintery day, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority Youth Choir warmed the hearts of those in attendance at the Authority’s Annual Christmas Concert.

The evening also recognized Annie Fields-Chapman, who recently retired from her position as General Manager of the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building after 20 years of service.

Themed, “Love Outside the Box,” the event was held on December 18, 2015 at the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building and featured a variety of musical selections and skits designed to inspire the true meaning of Christmas.

NFHA Executive Director Stephanie W. Cowart said, “Annie has maintained a professional profile and atmosphere for the Family Resource Building. She has represented me well on numerous occasions. Her decorating, planning and organizational skills are second to none.”

Under the musical direction of Diana M. Reeves, the Choir put a modern spin on such classics as The First Noel, Holly Jolly Christmas and Jingle Bells. The group received several standing ovations and left the packed crowd cheering for more. With their red Santa hats, choir members Shakai Allen, Jaylen Dunn and Legend Lewis wrote, recited and acted out original poetry. Guest speaker Charles A. Walker III said, “Jesus is the reason for the season. He died so we could live…yes, the gift outside the box.” Walker also asked audience members to think about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous quote, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Young choir member sings his solo with heart

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In a touching tribute, several young adults, who had basically grown-up at the Family Resource Building, took to the stage and performed several very emotional acknowledgement and songs, including Annie’s favorite, “Stand” by Donnie McClurkin. NFHA Resource Building Supervisor Eric Fields said, “Annie truly put the meaning of family into the Family Resource Building.” Fields also thanked her for being a wonderful mentor and friend. Cowart proudly introduced Tomorrow Allen-Collins to the community. Allen-Collins will serve as the new General Manager.

IN THE KNOW

Choir performs Christmas Medley,“Outside the Box”

Choir member recites a holiday poem

Councilman Charles Walker provided words of wisdom as Guest Speaker Niagara carrier JANUARY 2016

IN THE KNOW

Domestic Violence A Co n v e r s a t i o n , w i t h a u t h o r a n d f o r m e r r e s i d e n t , Vi v i a n C . A r r i n g t o n

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. Yes, many may have heard this definition before especially during Domestic Violence Month highlighted annually in October. Although, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is over showered by Breast Cancer Awareness messages, Domestic Violence has a vital message and call to action that should be heard. The cries of so many women and men must be acknowledged and heard in an effort to prevent the next abuse. We thank Vivian Arrington, former Jordan Garden resident, for taking the time to share her story profiled in her new book, From a Vixen Into a Victorious Woman. A Q&A with Vivian C. Arrington Career: Director of Operations in Collections and pursing my bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Vivian C. Arrington’s Book, “From a Vixen Into a Victorious Woman”

Your motivation to write your book?

and the answer is disturbing too! I personally didn’t know that my partners were abusing me, although I was being hit daily, I never thought I was a battered woman in love with deeply troubled men. Many ask the question, ”Why would a person stay with an abuser?“ It’s because the abuser creates a magical atmosphere by giving the victim everything she could ever want. He creates an illusion that she is the most dominant person in the relationship because she’s smart, pretty, and passionate about life, and he believes in her more than anyone else ever has. She loves him more than she loves herself at this point. I know it’s a crazy love, but she really believes she loves him because he seduces her with his charm. As he gradually gets her away from family and friends, he isolates her from everyone as he introduces her to the threats of domestic violence. He tells her what he would do to her then display the actions he spoke by endangering her life every day with violent forces.

God himself motivated me to write this book so that someone else can be helped by reading my story now or in the future. The purpose of writing the book was to let others know that they too can reclaim their dignity. Who knows, someone across the world may relate specifically to my journey and /or either the way I told my story. However, this book is inspired to help someone find the courage to escape a cycle of abuse. “I want to help others find the courage to escape a cycle of abuse.” How should a Domestic Violence survivor respond to the question - how come you did not leave? When a Domestic Violence victim is asked the question, “Why didn’t you leave” or “why did you stay?” I first must say that this is a disturbing question

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IN THE KNOW The Final step can be deadly. The final step in a domestic violence relationship can be deadly but I was able to leave because I knew that eventually, he was going to kill me if I let him. I told a neighbor and the police, and even total strangers helped me. The top 5 things that a person should know about domestic violence: 1. Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive control in an intimate relationship which may be characterized by isolating and controlling behaviors, manipulation and/or intimidation to create an atmosphere of fear, and other forms of abuse. 2. Domestic violence is a choice; it is about power and control, not love and respect. 3. Domestic violence occurs in all socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, age groups, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and cultures. It happens in the highest education levels to the lowest. 4. Although 85% of men are abusers, both men and woman can be victims. 5. Woman ranging from the ages 16-24 are 3x prone to domestic violence. In the US, 500 woman are killed by an abusive partner yearly, a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds and at least 20 people are abused by an intimate partner every minute, adding up to 10 million each year. Lessons Learned The lessons learned about domestic violence was that I am indeed one of the lucky ones. Before leaving Niagara Falls, I built a women’s safe house in 2010 and operated the shaker until I left in 2014. I remarried. However, this time, the warm, smart, gentle, loving, man I married did not change into someone else. So, there can be a happy ever after. We have been married for 8 years. My Story The point of my story is not that I left but that I am alive and well. If it was not for me hearing a passing comment from a total stranger, I may have not

changed my life. I am even more grateful that the people like you have the enormous amount of nerve to believe that we can take action against domestic violence here in our community and I personally agree with you because when everyone joins in together, it can be done. I am honored to add my voice, the voice of a Survivor. Please complete the following sentence. My next chapter in life... My next chapter in life is to become a community counselor and once again open a women’s shelter in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Memories of Growing up in Jordan Gardens Housing I resided in Jordan Gardens for approximately 13 years from 1973 to 1986. The fondest memory of living in Niagara Falls is that it took a village to raise a child! While living in Jordan Gardens, parents and single mothers took pride in helping each other out. Not only with the physical necessities of life such as food, clothing and shelter but also with the spiritual and emotional necessities. I can remember a group of mothers establishing the 4H Club, the Brownies and Girl Scouts committees, I can also remember attending after school tutoring programs and activities at the Tract 11. We respected our elders at all times, played simple games that required imagination such as tin a can, hop scotch, and we had all kind of dances on the playground in Jordan Gardens with none other than the DJ, Greg Moore. When the streets lights came on, we knew it was time to go in the house. Those were the good ole days. We had a good neighborhood and that made every neighbor a good neighbor. The majority of my family still lives in Niagara Falls so when I visit I enjoy remembering and feeling the comfort of home.

“The point of my story is not that I left but that I am alive and well.”

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IN THE KNOW

NFHA Community TV Show is All About People and Possibilities

Co-hosts Angela L. Smith and Jennifer J. Parker joined by Elizabeth Kahn, Executive Director Susan G. Komen WNY. The Today Show, Live! With Kelly and Michael, Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams Show and People and Possibilities are all about entertaining and empowering people. Talk shows are a great way to learn about events, programs and new trends. People and Possibilities features information on upcoming community events, program initiatives,

youth programs, job training and employment opportunities right here at home. The show also features a variety of local guest speakers and promotes the many positive attributes of affordable housing through our resident success stories. People and Possibilities focuses on topics directly related to your lives. It is a show hosted by the Niagara Falls Housing Authority for NFHA residents and the Niagara Falls community.

Be sure to tune in weekly on Channel 21 and follow us on Facebook.

Day

Air Times

Mondays

6:00 pm

Tuesdays

12:00 pm

Wednesdays

8:00 pm

Thursdays

4:00 pm

Fridays

10:00 pm

Saturdays

8:00 am and 3:00 pm

Sundays

12:00 pm and 8:00 pm

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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

With the Holiday Rush Over, Now is the Time to Buy Pa t r i c i a L . B a r o n e , D e p u t y E xe c u t i v e D i r e c t o r

Consumer Electronics:

When shopping for others during the holiday season, it is hard NOT to buy for yourself too. However, waiting for sales after Christmas is definitely worth the wait and could save you a bundle of money. Winter Clothing:

January and July are the two times of year when retailers turn over their merchandise for the new season. This makes January a great time to buy next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winter clothing for you and your children.

for up to 70% off. It is a good idea to purchase these items for birthdays or other events during the year.

Toys and Gifts:

Decorations:

When the holiday season is over, stores have an excess stock of toys, cosmetic sets, spa gifts and baskets. These items quickly go on clearance

Christmas decorations are 50% 75% off after the holidays. Buying these items for the next year will save you a lot of money.

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Black Friday always has some great deals on electronics, but you can find sales just as good or even better after the new year. New items and models come out each and every year and retailers know these new models are on their way out, so they want to unload these items to make room for the latest versions. Remember... it is important to shop smart if you are aiming to save money. Timing major purchases for after the holiday season can yield HUGE savings. This way of shopping might mean you are waiting longer for an item, but the money you save is well worth the wait!

A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

Niagara Falls Housing Authority - Harry S. Jordan Gardens

Modernization and Maintenance Updates Nancy Haley, Director of Maintenance and Modernization Another year is upon us! I wish you and yours a very healthy and prosperous 2016! SNOW REMOVAL Please remember that our Maintenance staff strives to do an excellent job in keeping your streets and main walks clear from snow and ice. Also, remember that it is your responsibility to clear the snow (family developments) from the main, front walk to your door. We urge you to do your part to assist us during the winter months.

best to accommodate everyone as quickly as possible. We ask that when you hear our plow trucks in your area, to be mindful to move your vehicle to allow for uniform and complete snow removal.

Further, please remember to be patient and understanding of our staff during these cold months and again do your part to assist with the snow removal and keeping your sidewalks clear. Please understand that during a snowfall, the maintenance crew must also complete their regular daily maintenance. We will do our

If you are unable to shovel your walk due to a medical condition, it is your responsibility to provide a doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note to your site manager in order for your apartment to be added and/or remain on the snow shoveling list. These notes must be updated quarterly and provided to your site office. NFHA policy states that if your family has a teenager,

male or female, age 13 or older, they will be expected to remove the snow from your walk. Please present your notes and or questions to your Site Manager. The work order line attendant will not verify nor arrange snow removal for you. Each site office provides a list of those approved for snow removal by the NFHA staff and/or the removal from the list as well. Please remember (family developments) that it is important in the very cold weather to keep your faucets cracked open slightly to keep water running to prevent the pipes from freezing. Make sure that all your windows are in the tracks properly, locked and kept closed as well. One last reminder, please secure your personal items that cannot be stored inside so they do not get blown around the development and possibly create damage to the exterior of

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the buildings and siding. Please remember to properly store your seasonal items – no grills, propane, etc. should be stored within your home. VERY IMPORTANT!! We greatly appreciate all work orders to be called into our work order line at 284-WORK (9675). AFTER HOURS - EMERGENCY Should you have a need for emergency services after 4:30 p.m. you are required to call our emergency answering service at 285-6961. Our answering service will ask you your name, address, phone number and the nature of your emergency. This information is then turned immediately over to an NFHA emergency on call staff member. You will receive a call back to the number you provided the answering service very timely. The on call staff member will assess your call and advise you accordingly if someone will be dispatched out immediately or if the necessary maintenance will be completed on the next working day. Please understand that the on call staff member WILL NOT send anyone out without first talking to the resident. You must be home to grant the maintenance staff access into your home to make the needed emergency repairs. Also, for your own safety and security – should you lock yourself out of your apartment, you should be prepared to show identification to the maintenance staff dispatched that not only lists your name but

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your address as well. The Security Guards at the high rises SHOULD NOT be contacted nor asked to relay an emergency within your apartment. You will be required to call the NFHA answering service at 285-6961 yourself. ASK US FOR HELP Should you need assistance with the operation of your thermostat to ensure consistent heat throughout your home, please call the work order line and we will send a request on your behalf to our maintenance team to provide you a quick instruction opportunity. Should you call the emergency line and state “no heat” the NFHA representative will call you back and ask you a few questions prior to dispatching someone. These questions will allow us to assess and possibly eliminate the need to send in maintenance and also provide you heat quickly. DO NOT HEAT YOUR APARTMENT WITH YOUR OVEN! This is a very dangerous practice. Please make sure that you do not have large pieces of furniture blocking the heat vents. Further, there should be no window curtains/drapes, etc. covering those vents as well. Be mindful of the placement of your television with regard to the location of your thermostat. Your television typically generates heat therefore the thermostat may not receive the proper signal to activate the heat within your apartment. Please be open and cooperative with our staff should we suggest that you arrange to move large furniture items, etc. that may be preventing a consistent

heat flow within your home. Please keep your windows closed and locked as well. 2016 REAC INSPECTIONS Packard Court, Packard Court Community Center and the Beloved Community – Phase I Homes will be scheduled, most likely in the Summer of 2016 for the mandatory HUD REAC Inspections. Please stay tuned for information once these inspections are scheduled. Apartments to be inspected will be randomly selected on the morning of the inspection. If your apartment is among those selected, a NFHA management staff person will accompany the inspector to your unit. All selected units must be entered, whether you are home or not. You will receive more information with a detailed checklist of HUD’s inspection requirements. HOORAY!! – 2015 REAC INSPECTION RESULT Anthony Spallino Towers was inspected on July 13, 2015 and received an adjusted score of a “97.” In closing, it was my pleasure to come out to your tenant meetings back in the Fall and speak with many of you. Please don’t forget - if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the Maintenance/Modernization Department at 285-6961. Thank you for your help to achieve our mission of providing the best housing possible in our community.

A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

Tips For Staying Healthy During The Cold And Flu Season Melissa A. Matsulavage, Director of Occupancy Get Enough Sleep. Make sure to rest properly during flu season to avoid getting â&#x20AC;&#x153;run down.â&#x20AC;? We are more susceptible to colds and flu when we are sleep-deprived.

The cold and flu season is upon us. A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. Follow these additional tips to stay healthy and keep others healthy this flu season: Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing and before you eat. You may use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rinse. Remember to wash your hands for 20 seconds. Teach children handwashing techniques. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Viruses are often spread after a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Avoid contact with people who are sick. Avoid crowds and keep your distance from people you know are ill. If your co-worker is

ill, steer clear of his/her coughs and sneezes. When possible, avoid shaking hands with someone who is ill with a respiratory infection. If you are caring for an ill family member, wash your hands frequently and minimize proximity to his/her face. Cover your mouth or tuck it in your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Encourage others, especially children to do so. Wash your hands afterward. Use tissues for coughs and sneezes and dispose of them immediately and appropriately.

Reduce Stress. When our bodies are under stress, we are more susceptible to colds and flu. Exercise, eating right and taking time out to enjoy things we like to do can relieve or prevent stress. If you are sick, stay home. Avoid contact with people who are frail, the very young and the elderly when you are sick. A general guideline is to stay home 24 hours after a fever resolves. Clean and disinfect. It is important to both clean and disinfect household surfaces to prevent the spreading of germs. Using Lysol products or other bacteria eliminating products can help kill cold and flu germs.

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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

2016…A New Year and a New You! Angela L. Smith, Senior Housing Manager Happy 2016! I do not make New Year’s resolutions. I don’t do this because throughout the year I’m working on becoming a better me!

or your car. Not only will the exercise be good for you, you will also get some important fresh air and daylight.

We all have times in our lives when we just have too much going on. There are always deadlines, tests, engagements, family obligations and responsibilities and too many things to juggle. This year, I challenge you to do something that you have never done before and do it for you!

8. Make a plan of everything that needs to be done – Instead of juggling all your to-do list and things to remember, write them down on a piece of paper. Then make a plan of how you are going to manage everything before your deadline. You should always keep a planner and schedule noappointments time.

Here are some ways to help you become a happier you! 1. Say NO to anything that is not important to you – Give yourself the permission to focus on what’s important and create some extra time and space. 2. Ask for help – There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Everyone needs someone and you will quickly learn that most people around you would actually like to help. 3. Get enough sleep – Sleep is essential when it comes to selfcare, it is also very important when it comes to being able to do your best.

4. Listen to your favorite music – Calming music will help you relax and upbeat music will help you up your game. Your favorite music will boost your mood. 5. Eat healthy and green food – This one is a tough one because we love to eat fast food. However, cooking can be very therapeutic and cooking and eating healthy foods will boost your mood.

9. Do something silly – Don’t forget to have fun! Laughter is good for the soul! Make jokes, read the comics and just allow yourself to be silly for a little while.

6. Remove toxic people and relationships out of your life – All relationships are not meant to last forever. Recognize when it’s over and move on.

10. Speak positive about yourself and write down daily affirmations – These are thoughts that are written down when you are calm, that can support you when are really busy and tired.

7. Walk as much as you can – Extra minutes of walking might be a better way to spend some time getting to where you need to be. If you live close to where you’re going, it’s better to walk than to use public transportation

I look forward to 2016 as a year of transformation and success… I wish you all a beautiful and successful new you!

A New Year. A New You.

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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

Taking Care of Our Pets Ma r c i a E . Ma s s a r o , Ma n a g e r , H e n r y E . Wr o b e l To w e r s The Niagara Falls Housing Authority has a policy for pet ownership. Residents at Anthony Spallino Towers and Henry E. Wrobel Towers may apply to add a cat, a small dog (less than 20 pounds), birds, or a fish tank to their household. Packard Court and Harry S. Jordan Gardens residents may have pets; however, dogs of any size are not permitted at the family communities. Before someone decides to add a pet to their household, they must fully realize what their investment will be. There are upfront costs with having a pet. First, there is the pet security deposit that is required. For cats and dogs, there are the costs of taking care of the pet including the purchase of needed vaccinations including rabies. Dogs are required to be registered with the city for a license.

cotton swabs, dental floss, electrical cords, mothballs, liquid potpourri, and thread, but the list goes on and on. Be careful of burning candles, pets have been known to knock then over.

sure they have clean water or change the litter or walk the dog? Cats and dogs get lonely and bored and can become destructive or a nuisance to others such as a barking dog. When a pet becomes sick or is injured, the costs can be extremely expensive. A yearly visit to the veterinarian is a must to keep the pet in good health. Keeping your pet safe will help avoid emergency visits to the vet. Even in an apartment, there are many things that can harm your pet.

Pets Require Attention

Some Food can be Harmful

Dogs need to be walked, sometimes several times each day. Cats and dogs must be groomed. Food can be costly especially if the pet has allergies. Flea control medications can be expensive.

There are several objects and foods that should never be given to a dog or cat. As per the ASPCA there are 101 things that could harm your pet. Food items that may be harmful include: chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, salt, tea leaves, coffee, alcoholic drinks, and spoiled foods, just to name a few.

When You Travel Pre-arrangements need to be made for someone to care for the pet in the event you are away from home, such as on vacation or hospitalized. Who will feed your pet and make

Harmful Items

Never give your pet aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, cold or flu meds, or any other â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;humanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; medications. Never let your pet drink outside standing water in case there is oil, gasoline or antifreeze residue. If your pet does get into a substance that could be toxic, you can call the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 for assistance. There may be a small consultation fee. Adopting a Pet Adopting a pet can be a very rewarding experience but before bringing a pet into your home ask yourself if you are ready to completely give the care the pet will need. If you do decide to adopt, there are several agencies that may be able to help with the expense of spaying or neutering a cat or dog. The Niagara County Health Department has several free rabies vaccination clinics each year. When a pet is adopted from the Niagara ASPCA, the minimal cost includes first vaccines, spaying or nurturing and the implantation of a chip.

Some of the objects that should be kept away from pets are batteries,

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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

Need Employment Assistance? Help is Here Wi l l i e C . D u n n , S e r v i c e Co o r d i n a t o r As the Service Coordinator for the Resident Opportunities for SelfSufficiency (ROSS) program, I am very grateful for the opportunity to service the residents of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority and the surrounding communities to improve quality of life and increase self-sufficiency. Having the opportunity to help residents remove barriers to employment is an extremely rewarding experience. The process often begins with having a conversation with the resident to identify any obstacles followed by an immediate plan to address as many of these barriers as quickly as possible. Obtaining the proper employment training is key factor in the self-sufficiency process. If you are unemployed, participating in an employment training is a good way to use that time to further your

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about his new employment as a Community Health Worker and is using his experience, knowledge and resources to reach out to other service providers to connect individuals with health insurance and many other wellness services provided by the Community Health Center of Niagara. job training skills and increase your employment options. An example of how training can help you become successful in your job search is the story of Louis Carr, who enhanced his resume by taking medical billing and customer service training at the NFHA SUNY Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking (ATTAIN) Lab. Within weeks, Mr. Carr was interviewing with the new Community Health Center of Niagara and was immediately hired. Mr. Carr is very excited

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start the New Year off right! I am available to help you set goals and develop a plan to achieve those goals. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (716) 285-5374. Scholarships: It is also time for high school seniors to apply for scholarships and take a hard look at their plans for the future. I encourage all seniors to take advantage of the many scholarship opportunities now available. I look forward to helping with the process.

A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

Joining The Beloved Comminity La m o n t L . G l o v e r , Co m m u n i t y a n d S u p p o r t i v e S e r v i c e s Co o r d i n a t o r , B e l o v e d Co m m u n i t y Recently, I’ve had the privilege of joining the team at the Beloved Community as the new Community and Supportive Services Coordinator. I am so thankful for the warm and friendly welcome this community has given me. I’ve had the opportunity to go door-todoor and meet many residents and community friends and they have been nothing short of amazing. I can’t help but be enthused by the comrade that exists here amongst neighbors. Since my arrival, I’ve hosted two community meetings to become more informed on how I can be of assistance and I thank everyone for their input, thoughts and suggestions. One of the things that were brought to my attention was public safety. I arranged for Lieutenant Jason Skyes from the Niagara Falls Police Department to come out and speak to residents in a casual open forum. Residents were able to voice their concerns about police presence in the Beloved Community and how it can improve. Lieutenant Sykes gave a proposal that he

would take back to his superiors that included officers walking the community a few hours each day during the week. He also provided me with information on how we can start a Neighborhood Watch Program. I look forward to many more of these meetings and working together within the Beloved Community. Future Plans: Financial Awareness Day As a proud part of this great community, I wanted to give back and one of the ways I felt I was able to be of service was by assisting with financial awareness. With over fifteen years of prior banking experience, I’ve learned that

budgeting is a key component to any successful household. I have collaborated with a local financial institution (First Niagara Bank) and have planned a Financial Awareness Day. Staff from First Niagara will speak with residents about the basics of banking which will include everything from balancing a checkbook to understanding the importance of credit. The workshop will also teach long term financial planning (from college to retirement). This event will be held on January 6, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Beloved Community Recreation Room and will benefit residents young and old. I encourage all residents to come out and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to help prepare for a productive and lucrative future. My position in this community is to be at your service and to provide my assistance in any way possible. I will accomplish this with great pride and pleasure to ensure that the needs of residents are met.

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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Brand New Year! Ring out the Old, Ring in the New I da P. Se r ight , Ma na g e r , Pa c ka r d Co ur t Co mmuni t y Another year has come and gone. Where has the time gone? I truly hope that every resident of the Packard Court Community had a wonderful and joyous holiday season. I also hope that you are looking forward to another exciting year ahead. We should look forward to the New Year with anticipation and great expectation for a good and fruitful year - fruitful in our families, finances, careers, and our communities. Even if you faced some difficult challenges, unattained goals, stresses and frustrations, the New Year offers us a chance for a fresh start. We can see ourselves where we want to be before we even get there. If you had a negative attitude, this year offers you a new opportunity to shift your mindset and rid yourself of old frustrations. Review Your Lease and Statement of Policy We are looking forward to a good year for all our residents, but we must all do our part in achieving this goal. Abiding by the lease

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agreement you signed is one of the best ways to start the year off right. As a reminder, residents are encouraged to pull out their lease agreement and Statement of Policy (Duties of the Tenant) from time to time and refresh themselves of the rules and regulations. Failure to abide by the lease agreement and Statement of Policy, places the entire household in jeopardy of eviction.

and all household certifications must be completed by February 29, 2016. In order for this process to be completed smoothly and timely, your cooperation is of the utmost importance. Documentation of performed community service/ self- sufficiency hours performed for the year (eight mandatory hours per month) for all non-exempt household members eighteen years or older is required. The requirement to perform community service/self-sufficiency hours is not to be taken lightly, as your lease may not be renewed if this requirement is not met. If you have questions or need further clarification of this requirement, please contact the office immediately.

Re-Examination

Repairs

All households are in the midst of our annual re-examinations for continued occupancy. If your household has not returned the completed paperwork, you must do so immediately. The annual reexam process is a HUD requirement

Annual maintenance and housekeeping inspections were conducted in mid October. All residents are again encouraged to immediately call in any necessary repairs by contacting the work order line at 284-9675.

Packard Court You Can Help

Snow and Ice

Get Involved

Continue to check the furnace room for any fire/safety hazards. Absolutely no items are to be stored on top of the hot water tank or in close proximity (this includes laundry). No flammable items are to be stored in the furnace room, which includes cleaning supplies and laundry. In order to prevent frozen pipes during times of extreme cold weather, you can take preventative measures by leaving the faucet in your tub or sink dripping (it is not necessary to have the sink and tub both dripping). Take these measures only if the weather is extremely cold. However, if you should discover that your pipes are frozen, please contact the work order line at 284-9675 or the NFHA emergency number at 285-6961 when the office is closed.

Residents are responsible for ensuring that snow and ice is removed from their walkway and steps (any household with members twelve or older) in order to ensure your safety and that of your visitors, maintenance staff and service providers. If you are disabled, you must submit a slip from your physician stating that you are unable to shovel snow. Again, this does not exempt other household members twelve and older from performing this task. To aid our staff with removal of snow in the parking lots and common areas, please park your car in designated areas only. Be courteous - if you see staff plowing snow from the lot, move your car to an area that has already been cleared.

Lastly, get involved in whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on in your community. If you did not attend a resident chat last year, plan to attend this year. If you wish to get involved or volunteer with the Resident Association, you are encouraged to do so. Your ideas, suggestions and input are encouraged and needed. Neighborhood Watch As a final note, should you observe any drug, criminal activity or vandalism, please contact the Niagara Falls Police Department (286-4711) or the Packard Court Administration Office (285-6111). Any graffiti on any buildings should be reported immediately. Wishing you success in the New Year!

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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

Embracing Change M . A n n e S m i t h , Ma n a g e r , A n t h o n y S p a l l i n o To w e r s

Please allow me to extend a hardy ‘Happy New Year’ to all residents! I wish you many blessings of health, happiness, and prosperity. The New Year is the perfect time to think, plan, dream and motivate yourself to accomplish things you may have never thought possible. We all welcomed the transition into 2016 in different ways – with family and friends, church services, sleeping, watching the ball drop in Times Square or listening to the New Year’s Anthem “Auld Lang Syne.” How many of you actually know the meaning of that famous song? Auld Lang Syne is about remembering friends from the past and not letting them be forgotten. It is a song of reflection and hope for what is yet to come. It is also about change. Throughout life, people can undoubtedly count on transitional phases. My hope for all of us is that 2016’s transitions will be positive and filled with new opportunities to learn and grow. Importantly, it’s often our attitude towards change that determines how we will adjust to it. Some people welcome change with open arms, while others get anxious and stressed. Since there’s really no way to stop it, it’s better to figure out the best ways to deal with change.

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How to Positively Deal with Change: Embrace change as an opportunity for growth. Remember the saying: When one door closes, another one opens. Just be sure to be on the lookout for that other door. Don’t be afraid to meet new people. You could be missing out on good things. Face periods of change with an openness unhampered by excessive fear and worry. Apply wisdom from past experiences. As you journey through life and experience new situations, you’re bound to make mistakes – and that’s OK! The important thing to do is take a lesson from each of those misfortunes and not repeat them over and over again. Apply what you’ve already learned to each new situation.

Think positive thoughts. An optimist is more likely to create success in his or her life simply because optimists see more opportunities for positive outcomes and expect changes to turn out for the better. Periods of uncertainty are more difficult for pessimists not only because they expect the worst, but, because they don’t see as many positive opportunities as optimists do. Be Bold. Don be too shy. Seize the moment and make the most of every opportunity. Create opportunities for yourself. Be willing to take risks, because life isn’t about having all the answers and knowing for sure what’s going to happen tomorrow. Resting in the knowledge that nothing ever stays the same while boldly making the most of any situation can bring a level of inner peace and satisfaction.

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

How to Keep those New Year’s Resolutions J o n D ’ A m i c o , Ma n a g e r , B e l o v e d Co m m u n i t y

Chances are, at some time in your life, you’ve made a New Year’s Resolution - and then broken it. This year, resolve to keep those promises you made to yourself! Here are 10 tips to help you get started. 1. Be realistic: The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to never eat your favorite food again because you’re dieting could be a bad choice. Strive for a goal that is attainable, such as having smaller portions. 2. Plan ahead: Don’t make your resolution on New Year’s Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31 arrives. 3. Outline your plan: Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip that exercise class or have one more cigarette. This could include calling on a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk, or reminding yourself how your bad habit affects you. 4. Make a “pro” and “con” list: It may help to see a list of items

perhaps your reward could be going to a movie with a friend.

on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve. 5. Talk about it: Don’t keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health. The best case scenario is to find yourself a buddy who shares your New Year’s resolution and motivate each other. 6. Reward yourself: This doesn’t mean that you can eat an entire box of chocolates if your resolution is to diet. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that you enjoy that does not contradict your resolution. If you’ve been sticking to your promise to eat better, for example,

7. Track your progress: Keep track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, say, focus on losing that first 5. Keeping a food diary or journal may help you stay on track. 8. Don’t beat yourself up: Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take each day one at a time. 9. Stick to it: Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. Your new healthful habits will become second nature in no time. 10. Keep trying: If your resolution has totally run out of steam by midFebruary, don’t despair. Start over again! There’s no reason you can’t make a New Year’s resolution any time of year. Excerpts from about.com

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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

How to Handle Billing Errors S t e v e H a e f n e r , S e n i o r S e r v i c e s Co o r d i n a t o r When you are having difficulties in dealing with service providers or health insurance providers, take a minute and organize. Step 1: So, you get a bill in the mail that you’ve already paid or you think you don’t owe. The first thing you have to do is read the bill. Make sure you are reading it correctly. Make sure you know what period it covers and if it is for a monthly service. If there’s a charge on your account you believe you didn’t make, think it over to determine if you were in the place of business on that day. Step 2: Once you’ve determined the charge or bill is incorrect, make a telephone call to the organization who sent the bill. Have the bill in front of you so you can have handy things such as your account number, the date and amount of the charge. Also have a pen and a piece of paper and be ready to take notes. Step 3: Start taking notes even before you dial the phone. Write

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down the date and time you are making the call. As you are being directed to press numbers, jot down which number(s) you pressed to make sure you get to the same department if you have to re-dial. Step 4: When a live person answers the phone, make note of their name. If you didn’t hear it, ask them to repeat it. Write it down. If at any time you get transferred, ask the new person on the other end of the line her/his name and write that down. Make notes on what the person is saying. Don’t be afraid to repeat back or paraphrase what the person says to ask if that is correct. Write down what you believe is said and ask if it is correct.

Step 5: If your problem was not resolved to your satisfaction, ask to speak to the person’s supervisor. If you are told there is no supervisor, make note of that, too. If you are told someone will get back to you, ask who and how soon can you expect their call. If you do not receive a call by the expected date, call back on the original number you called and explain what has happened with your notes in front of you. Ask for Help Step 6: If you do not get satisfaction, please seek help or advice from the Senior Services Department located at Anthony Spallino Towers (285-7812) or Henry E. Wrobel Towers (2869248). We can provide you encouragement and helpful tips, intercede on your behalf, and/ or refer you to an appropriate consumer protection organization. Make note of your successes and use that to encourage yourself the next time a problem arises.

A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

Identity Theft Protection and Credit Freezes Evelyn Buffone, Director of Finance Have you heard about the recent leaks and hacks of our private information? The biggest that come immediately to mind are the Target breach, the Univera breach, and Radio Shack selling their customer’s private information in the bankruptcy deal, but there are many, many others that we don’t hear about and that happen every single day. On the date this article was written, 889,508,931 private records were breached since 2005 (privacyrights.org/databreach). Yes, that is over 889 million privacy breaches. What can you do to protect yourself and your family? You can use a paid identity theft service, such as LifeLock or Legal Shield, or even services offered by the credit reporting agencies. However, these services are certainly not fool proof against identify theft. In fact, the Los Angeles Times reported on November 10, 2015 that Lifelock is in trouble (again) because “they failed to set up a program to safeguard its customers’ personal data,” among other things, and they will most likely be paying $116 million in penalties and costs (latimes.com/business/hiltzik/ la-fi-mh-identity-protection-firmlifelock-20151109-column.html). So – we see that these services are not always a good solution to the problem. The problem is that they generally detect fraud only AFTER it has happened, and cannot stop fraud before it happens. Credit monitoring services offer no

protection against unauthorized use of your existing accounts. And, credit monitoring services actually charge you a monthly or an annual fee for this service. The odds are that you’ll have your identity stolen are around 1 in 15 during any given year (clarkhoward. com/lifelock-credit-freeze). This is a real problem for us all. So – what else can you do besides rely on a company that may or may not have your best interests at heart? You can freeze your credit. Freezing your credit won’t stop 100% of the attempts to compromise your credit, but it is the best thing available out there right now. The U.S. PIRG Education Fund released a report in October, stating that freezing your credit “is the only security measure that can prevent new account identity theft (uspirgedfund.org).”

those offers at the cash register of 20% off if you open a credit card account today – because your credit will be frozen. In New York State, freezing your credit costs nothing for the initial freeze. You must contact the three major credit reporting companies: Experian, Transunion, and Equifax and request the freeze. You can have your credit ‘thawed’ for a fee of between $3 and $5 per credit reporting company. It can be ‘thawed’ in as quickly as five minutes, but the law allows up to three days for the ‘thaw’ to be complete (dos.ny.gov/ consumerprotection/pdf/Security_ Freeze.pdf). Freezing your credit has absolutely no impact on your current existing lines of credit, such as credit cards, mortgages, etc. You can continue to use the cards you already have with no problems whatsoever. You cannot get a new loan when your credit is frozen – it must be ‘thawed,’ and it must be ‘thawed’ at all three credit reporting agencies. To monitor your existing credit – check your credit card statements VERY thoroughly every month, and annually (put it in your calendar!) Obtain your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com.

What is freezing your credit, anyway? A credit freeze simply puts a stop to new credit accounts being opened in your name. That’s it. This can mean, though, that you are unable to respond to

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Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture K h a l e e l a h S h a r e e f , D i r e c t o r , Pa c k a r d C o u r t Co m m u n i t y C e n t e r Dr. Maulana Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa and its seven principles provides the most authoritative source of understanding of the historical and cultural background of the holiday, its views, values and practice and its meaning to African people around the world. Kwanzaa is celebrated December 26 – thru January 1. It is based on the agricultural celebrations of Africa called “the first-fruits” celebrations, which were times of harvest, ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment, and celebration. Kwanzaa Seven Principles The Kwanzaa holiday was created to introduce and reinforce seven principles which were viewed as core value systems for healthy and thriving families, stable and loving and caring relationships, effective parenting practices, school achievement, and non-violent, safe and productive communities. Thus, the seven days of the Kwanzaa holiday is organized around the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, Selfdetermination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Shared Wealth, Purpose, Creativity and Faith. Umoja: Umoja principle instructs that each member of the family and by extension the community is constituted by a web of

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buying as in employee owned credit unions.

interpersonal relationships. The health and possibilities of the family and community, therefore, is dependent upon the quality of relationship within the family and community. Kujichagulia: Kujichagulia principle says African Americans, like all people, need shared cultural values, symbols, rituals, and practices in order to give their families and children meaning and value, and identity and community. Ujima: Ujima principle teaches each family member to recognize that their own well-being is derived from their family and community’ well-being and that they must be concern with the overall health of their family and community; and that the lives of each family member and that of the community are bound together. Ujamaa: Ujamaa principle empowers families and communities to come together around their collective economic interest and to see their economic strength in co-opt owing and

Nia: Nia principle instructs each family member to see him or herself as linked to the larger project of nation building. “An individual has not started to live until he or she can rise above the narrow confines of his or her individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of humanity”, Martin Luther King, Jr. instructs. Kuumba: Kuumba principle demands continuous improvement in personal and family and social matters. George Washington Carver teaches us all that “No one has a right to come in to the world without leaving behind a distinct and legitimate reason for having passed though it.” Imani: Imani principle teaches personal and collective efficacy. Mary McLeod Bethune says: “Without faith nothing is possible; with faith nothing is impossible. Faith in god is the greatest power, but great to is faith in oneself”. Howard Thurman teaches that faith is the “promise of tomorrow at the close of everyday, the triumph of life in the defiance of death.”

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Change Starts with Me! To m o r r o w R . A l l e n - Co l l i n s , G e n e ra l Ma n a g e r , D o r i s W. J o n e s Fa m i l y Re s o u r c e B u i l d i n g Greetings! My name is Tomorrow R. Allen-Collins and I am the new General Manager of the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building. I am excited about the opportunity to serve my hometown community at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority. For 13 years, I have worked throughout Western New York serving children and their families, both in community and educational capacities. There is a strong sense of gratification that I receive when I am successful with my personal charge of helping someone help themselves. Working in the field of service has strengthened my natural ability to promote the growth and development of people. Given my primary background of Social Work and Service Coordination with Family & Children’s Service of Niagara Inc., Hillside Family of Agencies, and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, I find it a privilege to recognize that each organization – with different purpose – has a common denominator - the people who serve. I have also learned that the mission of any project or endeavor is only as strong and useful as the individuals who will carry it out. In essence, it is my personal belief that the expansion and success of an idea, purpose, and/or organization is directly correlated to the quality and value of the people behind it. As a result, I am relationship driven. I firmly believe in servant-leadership and I thrive in community advocacy.

Educationally, I hold a Bachelors of Arts in Communication from the University at Buffalo, a Masters of Science in Psychology from Walden University, and a Masters of Science in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College. I believe that each of these educational experiences have successfully prepared me to serve in this community, effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, I feel like I have “grown up” at the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building. During many summers in the past, I’ve worked as a youth mentor and all I remember is having a good time and building great relationships that I continue to hold today. Building on the Foundation In the spirit of the work that has been accomplished already, I have this great charge of continuing the progress. I plan to generate new innovative programs that will meet the needs of the community and address the challenge of ‘filling the gap.’ I intend on refining the existing programs by including

the youth perspective - yes! Even children invest more when they are included in the decision-making process. I desire to help improve financial literacy in the community; we all want more money but we are not all aware of how to save and invest the money we already have. Last, but certainly not least, I plan to continue in partnership with other organizations and continue to seeking funding so that all of the aforementioned desires will become a reality. It is impossible to do this work alone, however, the decision to be impactful starts with me. I’ll leave you with a small metaphor that was once shared with me. The difference between a thermostat and a thermometer is simple: The thermostat controls the temperature and the thermometer merely reflects the temperature that already exists. Each day we are given the opportunity to decide if we want to reflect the current atmosphere or change it to what you need it to be. The choice is yours. Change starts with me!

“I am relationship driven. I firmly believe in servantleadership and I thrive in community advocacy.”

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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

Moving Forward with Youth S a m i k a S u l l i va n , ST YA C o o r d i n a t o r If you are old enough to remember when the world was introduced to the character, Marty McFly, in the movie Back to the Future, then you can surely relate to how rapidly the world around us changes. You will remember when Marty travels to 1955 and rides a skateboard through town. The people thought it was an amazing new invention. In my youth, it was not uncommon in the least to see people of all ages using the skateboard as a mode of transportation. Today, they are as common, if not more popular than bicycles. In fact, the new hover boards seem to be quickly replacing the once very reliable and independent form of fun and travel. You might also remember Back to the Future 2 in which Marty travels into the future and we were amazed by the huge flat televisions, and the ability to see the person we were speaking with over the phone and the plethora of “Jetson television” items that seemed common to the folks in

I too remember how great thou art.

the “future.” Today, those are common items and occurrences in most homes. Any child born since 2005 will never know a world in which every person does not have a cellular phone, a computer and social media. The people, places and things that we know and love, change faster than we care to imagine. As adults, we spend so much time reminiscing about how life looked and felt to us when we were children. You know, when life was simple and great. We did not worry about cyber bullying and movie screen shooting, drones watching us, and predators.

However, it certainly is worth some effort to ask ourselves, were things simply so great, or were we simply unaware of the things going on around us due to the naivety of our youth and limited access? Were we really geniuses who knew how to stave off boredom with our imaginations and have a great time with no money, or were we more open to new experiences from which we have since detached ourselves from? Or have we simply become adults who are now having adult experiences? Though things change regularly, (technology, clothing, hair styles, access) we can never forget that many things ALWAYS remain the same. Things like puberty and all the struggles of self- knowledge and acceptance. It is these things that we must focus on if we want to see success in guiding youth. In attempting to assist our youth into becoming their best, there are some basic fundamentals that have not changed - things that will always remain true when it comes to our self-defined measures of success. 1. Passion. According to the Meriam Webster dictionary, it is defined as “a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion, a compelling enthusiasm or desire for something.” More than degrees that add multiple letters to the end

STYA program students 47

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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF

of your name, no matter what your experience looks like on paper, it cannot replace pure passion. Passion for the bigger picture and work that we are tasked with completing. The type of passion that wakes you from your sleep, or distracts you from the mundane when the “ah ha” moment arrives. The type that forces you to abandon your pleasures for the necessities. The type that allows you to be on the verge of frustration and edge of excitement and second chances all in the same hour. 2. Consistency. It matters we remain consistent forces in the lives of our youth. We may move around, get new jobs, move into other neighborhoods, but in a community the size of ours, we will always run into one another, specifically our youth. Even when our life circumstances change, the person that the youth knew should not. It is never a bad thing to check on youth that have passed through our lives and remind them that they meant more to us than numbers on a page and head counts. It is this consistency that allows us to see how our impact translates into real life. 3. Parent, teacher, community communication. As cliché as it may sound, we seem to have lost the very basics of communication. In our overly “technical” world, it becomes easier for us to avoid people and very necessary conversations. Communication between adults caring for children and those raising the children are essential to our role as residents

in the village it takes to raise the children. For many folks, we remember that if we displayed a certain type of behavior in certain environments, someone in the village would be sure to step in with some corrective action and would even more surely inform our parents (even without text messaging, Facebook or sometimes without call waiting). As human beings, we are less likely to stray if we are aware of a system of checks and balances. We must keep parents in the loop as much as we possibly can as to their children’s actions. As parents we must also inquire about our children’s attitudes and behaviors and trust the adults that you leave in charge of your children. 4. Not accepting mediocrity as greatness. In our desire to raise self-esteem and make youth feel better about themselves, we have lost the art of pushing youth toward the direction of their greatness. We settle for mediocre effort and performance and allow them to do the same. We cater to the “I can’t” mentality instead of pushing for the “you can and you will” mentality. In doing so, we perform the perfect set up for failure. This does not serve our children well as they make steps into adulthood because the world is not set up on the same platform. In real life, there are clear winners and losers. We must prepare our youth for both, as well as, how to turn one into the other. Without loss, there is no winner. If we simply choose to call red, blue, it does not turn red into blue.

5. Out of the box thinking and creativity. If we create our daily programming based on what used to work, we will continually lag behind. Relevance is important. Encouraging not only our youth, but ourselves, to think of things in a different light, allows us to grow in ways we never imagined. Our growth in experiences and knowledge is essential for their growth. 6. Choosing to live in the now. I will be the first to admit that I am not the most tech savvy person on the planet. I often find myself asking the youth questions like “What does that word mean?” or “How does that work?” These are important questions and we should not be afraid of appearing less authoritative because we simply do not have the knowledge of something. It helps to instill in the youth that they too have a sense of expertise, which must be considered in grooming them for success. Attempt to stop judging the decisions and attitudes of youth and attempt to remember some of the attitudes you held about things, until you knew better. Nostalgia is great. Healthy and has its place. So do relevance and staying current. If we can move forward from the habit of living in the “remember when,” we can create a whole new world of memories for generations to come.

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Calendar of Events TUESDAYS Free line dancing lessons 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building 3001 Ninth Street, Niagara Falls

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015 – JUNE 3, 2016 Livin’ Large and I Can Read After School Tutorial Programs 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Tuesdays 2:30 pm—6:00 pm) For children and youth in grades K-12 Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building, 3001 Ninth Street, Niagara Falls Packard Court Community Center, 4300 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 – JUNE 3, 2016 Advantage After School Program 3:00 pm–6:00 pm For middle and high schoolers Niagara Falls High School, 4455 Porter Road, Niagara Falls LaSalle Preparatory School, 7436 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls

Free health screenings, information on health insurance, ask the expert, free fruits and vegetables, health and wellness information, fun activities for kids, healthy cooking demonstrations and more! Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building 3001 Ninth Street, Niagara Falls

JANUARY 14, 2016

MARCH 10 – 11, 2016

A Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 6:00 pm Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center 4455 Porter Road, Niagara Falls

MARCH 17 – 18, 2016

MARCH 10, 2016 Good for the Neighborhood Program 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Let’s Talk Conference Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building 3001 Ninth Street, Niagara Falls

NFHA Male Summit Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building 3001 Ninth Street, Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls Housing Authority 2016 Holiday Schedule Our offices will be closed on the following dates: January

July

December

1 – New Year’s Day 18 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday

4 – Independence Day

25 – Christmas Day

February 15 – President’s Day

March

5 – Labor Day

October 10 – Columbus Day

25 – Good Friday

November

May

11 – Veteran’s Day 24 – Thanksgiving Day 25 – Day after Thanksgiving

30 – Memorial Day

September

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EMERGENCY SERVICES Should you have a need for emergency services, you are required to call our emergency answering service at (716) 285-6961.