June 2013 Grapevine Newsletter

THE GRAPEVINE

June 2013

Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority Volume 208, Issue 40

Monthly Reminders:

Neighborhood Watch/Resident Council

Meetings:

Kippax Place— June 7, 2013 5:30 pm

Davisville/Bland Court— June 8, 2013 1:00

pm

Piper Square—June 12, 2013 1:00 pm

Thomas Rolfe—June16, 2013 1:00 pm

Langston Park—June 30, 2013 1:00 pm

Thomas Rolfe Good News Club, 1st & 3rd

Saturday in the Community Center.

Piper Square Boy Scouts , Thursdays from

4:30-5:30 pm in the Community Center.

Rental payments are due on the 1st of each

month and must be paid at SunTrust Bank

by 5:00 p.m. Any payment received after

5:00 p.m. is considered next day and a late

fee will be assessed.

HRHA Grievance Procedure 2

HRHA Employee Spotlight 2

Management Policy 3

Father’s Day Events 3

Hopewell Citizen’s Academy 3

Management Corner 4

World Book Night 4

Civic Justice Corps Program 5

Mother’s Day 2013 5

Section 3 Opportunities

(continued)

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Inside this issue:

Section 3 Opportunities

The Section 3 program is a provision of the HUD Act of 1968 that helps foster local economic development, neighborhood economic improve-ment and self-sufficiency for public housing residents. Section 3 is a starting point to obtain job training, employment and contracting op-portunities. This coupled with other resources provides HRHA resi-dents a greater opportunity for economic advancement and self-sufficiency.

Section 3 residents are public housing residents or persons who live in the area where a HUD-assisted community is located and are within the low- or very low-income guidelines established by HUD. Examples of opportunities include: accounting, carpentry, cement/masonry, demolition, electrical, fencing, janitorial, machine operation and painting.

Starting in June, persons meeting the above specifications may regis-ter for upcoming employment opportunities in the Thomas Rolfe and Piper Square management offices. Please ensure that you bring a val-id driver’s license and any certification paperwork with you when coming to register. Applicant information will be compiled into a da-tabase and those meeting qualifications for areas of employment will be contacted at a future date for an interview.

The following receive priority under Section 3:

Persons in public and assisted housing Persons in the area where the HUD financial assistance is spent Homeless Persons Businesses that meet the definition of a Section 3 business con-

cern If you have a business that you believe may qualify as a Section 3 pri-ority contact Lillian Millán, Administrative Assistant to the Public Housing Director, at 804-458-5160 for meeting arrangements with the Public Housing Director. The Public Housing Director will discuss pro-gram requirements in more detail and determine the qualification of your business for entry into the HRHA Section 3 business registry.

The Community College Workforce Alliance will be conducting Work-force Development workshops to assist persons with employability skills. All workshops will be held in the community centers and notifi-cation will be distributed via flyers in the community. Resident Ser-vices staff will be available to assist with referrals for updating re-

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HRHA has a Grievance Procedure that seeks to assure just and unbiased treatment of all residents and to provide procedures which are not unduly time consuming or complicated. The Authority will take required actions to ensure all grievants with special needs are accommodated to provide access to this Grievance Procedure.

Should it become necessary for you to file a grievance, present your grievance personally, either orally or in writing, to the Authority’s Central Management Office or the Management Office where you reside within seven days, after the occurrence giving rise to the grievance.

The oral or written presentation should state:

1. That the complaint is being pursued in accordance with the Grievance Procedure.

2. The actual basis of the grievance.

The action of relief.

A copy of the Grievance Procedure can be found at the Community’s Management Office and at the Authority’s Central Management Office. If you are not satisfied with the resolution of your complaint, you may contact your HRHA Commissioner at 804-720-2581.

HRHA Grievance Procedure

We would like to welcome aboard Nelson Santiago. Nelson works as the HRHA Maintenance Aide for

Piper Square, Langston Park and Kippax Place communities.

Nelson was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He has been married for 36 years and is the proud father

of four children and has one granddaughter. He has been in the renovation field for 20 years working in

numerous apartment communities during his career. He feels there is always something to learn in the

construction field and enjoys acquiring new skills that enhance his job performance.

He enjoys playing the trombone in his spare time and plays for the Faith Landmarks Ministries orchestra.

HRHA Employee Spotlight

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HRHA does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in the admission or access to housing or employment in its federally assisted programs and activities. Mrs. Madelyn Madison -Hyde has been designated to coordinate compliance with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) regulations implementing (Section 504 CFR Part 8, dated June 2, 1988) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. You may contact her at:

P.O. Box 1361

Hopewell, VA 23860

(804) 458-5160

Management Policy

Workshops June 10, 2013 —Davisville Community Center

June 11, 2013—Langston Park Community Center

“Father’s Day Luncheon”

June 15,2013

12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Hopewell Community Center

100 West City Point Road, Hopewell, Virginia 23860

Ticket cost $4.00

Call Resident Services at 452-1880 ext. 4 or 541-0392 ext. 4 for more information.

HRHA Father’s Day Events

Hopewell Citizen’s Academy

The Hopewell Citizen’s Academy is a free 10-12 week course designed to teach residents and/or business

owners about the City and services it provides. Participants will also gain a better understanding of the du-

ties and responsibilities of their local government upon course completion.

The Citizen’s Academy covers a wide range of topics each week for approximately one to two hours. Appli-

cations are now being accepted for the 2013 session beginning September 2013. Participants must be 18

years of age and submit a completed application form to the Intergovernmental and Public Affairs Office by

August 30, 2013. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the 12 week session.

HRHA will allow residents to earn community service hours by participating in the Citizen’s Academy. Con-

tact Resident Services for an application.

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“See something, Say something” is a phrase that was coined during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center

in New York City. During this time our entire country was in a state of alarm. Citizens were vigilant in reporting

suspicious activity and individuals that may bring harm to our country, neighborhoods and our families.

HRHA has noticed suspicious and illegal activities in our communities. We experienced a recent break-in and

vandalism of the Langston Park community center. This behavior prevents HRHA from permitting community

partners to operate programs in the centers when safety becomes an issue. HRHA is requesting all residents

report suspicious or illegal activity, we create an environment of zero tolerance.

Management Corner

On April 23, 2013 HRHA staff, Hopewell Public Schools staff, Hopewell Rotary and Abun-dant Life Christian Center International members assembled in the Thomas Rolfe commu-nity center to kick off the first HRHA World Book Night event. Volunteers distributed

books throughout HRHA communities that were donated by various authors and publishing companies. Tina Raatz, HRHA Housing Manager, concluded the event with a thank you speech and certificates for all volunteers.

HRHA hopes that its participation in World Book Night will spark an interest in literature and encourage reading amongst its resi-dents. Education is a fundamental cornerstone to adulthood success. Lack of reading comprehension skills can prevent adults from gaining em-ployment and assisting their children in school.

HRHA is not only committed to providing affordable housing to this population, but increased activities that promote personal advancement and achievement of economic self-sufficiency through its Resident Services department. “I strongly believe education is a key component to eliminating poverty and moving towards economic empowerment. It cannot occur until reading becomes a fundamental part of one’s life strategy. We have a population that is primed and ready for exposure to a new opportunity,” said Steve Benham, Executive Director.

HRHA hopes that its residents will take advantage of the programs and services offered through the Appo-mattox Regional Library. If you are in need of literacy services please contact the Resident Services department for assistance. We look forward to next year’s event!

World Book Night 2013

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Civic Justice Corps Program

Civic Justice Corps is a community-based program that offers at-risk youth a productive role in rebuilding their communities. Pathways, located in Petersburg, is currently seeking new applicants, ages 18-21 who are or have been Juvenile Court involved within the last 12 months, for immediate program openings. The program has graduated 300 students and has a very high success rate.

Participants will receive educational instruction, job training and work experience in the construction in-dustry by assisting with building affordable housing for approximately 10 months. Participants also re-ceive mentoring services and attend a peer group that stresses positive values and civic engagement.

Pathways provides free training, cash awards, childcare assistance and job placement assistance for all program participants. Students can receive certification in one of the following areas: basic construction, carpentry, green building, and lead safety. National certifications in data cabling and healthcare are also available. If interested please contact Resident Services at 452-1880 ext. 4 or 541-0392 ext. 4 for assis-tance with program enrollment.

HRHA hosted a two day event for the mothers in our communities in celebration of Mother’s Day.

Residents participated in a workshop entitled Navigating the Seas of Motherhood on Thursday morning

and Delores Winfield of Clearr Vission gave a dynamic speech during the Friday luncheon. A big thank

you to all the mothers who participated and we look forward to next year!

Mother’s Day 2013

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Public Housing Staff

Madelyn Madison-Hyde, Public Housing Director – (804) 458-5160

Lillian Millán, Administrative Assistant to the Public Housing

Director – (804) 458-5160

Tina Raatz, Housing Manager – (804) 452-1880 ext. 3

Thomas Rolfe Court/Extension & Davisville/Bland Court

Julie Derr, Assistant Housing Manager – (804) 452-1880 ext. 2

Thomas Rolfe Court/Extension & Davisville/Bland Court

Greg Pe’ay, Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 3

Piper Square, Kippax Place & Langston Park

Lafonia Thornton, Assistant Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 2

Piper Square, Kippax Place & Langston Park

Kathryn Thompson, Resident Services Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 4

Terence Barber, Resident Services Specialist – (804) 452-1880 ext. 4

Emergency After Hours – (804) 640-9337

Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority P.O. Box 1361 350 E. Poythress Street Hopewell, VA 23860 Phone (804) 458-5160 Fax (804) 458-3364 Website www.hopewellrha.org Like our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/ Hopewell Redevelopment & Hous-ing Authority

sumes and other tasks that will assist individuals with becoming eligible for employment. For more infor-mation on workshop registration and other workforce development opportunities contact your Resident Services staff.

HRHA is excited about the benefits of this program and what it can do to help our residents and the City of Hopewell. Once a resident has obtained employment or contracting opportunities, they have taken the first step to obtaining self-sufficiency. HRHA staff hopes that these opportunities will be stepping stones to achieving homeownership and other opportunities. We strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of this and other workforce opportunities offered through or Resident Services department!

Section 3 Opportunities