RBSCC Community Empowerment Center Annual Report 2012

RBSCC

Community Empowerment Center

veterans

services

legal

services

job training

and

education

homelessness

prevention

Annual Report 2012

Table of Contents

Director’s Message 2

Homelessness Prevention 3-4

Legal Services 5

Veteran Services 6-7

Job Training & Education 8

Beyond the Call of Duty 9

Learn more about our programs 10

Funders, Board & Executive Staff 11

1

January 2013

Dear Friends,

Greetings from the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council’s Community Empowerment

Center. Since its founding in 2009, The Empowerment Center’s mission has been to end the

longstanding issues of homelessness and unemployment through innovative programs

serving residents across NYC. In 2012, our many programs continued to grow and flourish. In

February, the Department of Homeless Services awarded our Bushwick and Brownsville

HomeBase homelessness prevention program a 3 year contract renewal. We continue to be

among the top performing HomeBase programs in NYC. Staff played an Instrumental role in

Hurricane Sandy relief, working around the clock at evacuation sites and Restoration Centers in

Coney Island and the Rockaways to help victims of the storm secure benefits and temporary

housing. Our Legal Services program continued to provide free legal representation and

counseling to community members at risk of court-ordered eviction. In October, our

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program was awarded contract renewal, and

began its second year of operation. In collaboration with contractor HELP USA, SSVF serves

Veterans who are homeless or in housing crises. SSVF was also awarded a $50,000 grant from

The Bank of New York Mellon to provide job training for Veterans and their families. This year,

our Career Pathways program continued to provide job trainings and placements in the health

care and security field, and launched its inaugural Pharmacy Technician training at CUNY’s

New York City College of Technology. We are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new

program that administers job training and GED classes to food stamp recipients across the city.

In October, we were awarded a $300,000 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Education and Training contract by NY state’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

(OTDA). In 2012, we worked hard to provide superior services, and to empower program

participants with the tools and support necessary to achieve long-term stability and self-

sufficiency. We are grateful for the funders, partners, and community members who make our

continued success possible.

Sincerely,

Mirtha Duran, Director

RBSCC Community Empowerment Center

Director's

Message

2

Homelessness Prevention

In the autumn of 2012, Lisa and her family were between

apartments and residing with family members in Brooklyn. With 5

people crowded into a 2-bedroom apartment, space was limited,

privacy was impossible, and the atmosphere was tense. In late

September, Lisa learned that they had to vacate the apartment

and had just 1 month to move out. Panicked, Lisa called

HomeBase and was immediately given an appointment with case

manager. From the start, Genise and Lisa worked together to

find an apartment. Within 2 weeks, Lisa received a call from

Genise, who had discovered a spacious apartment within Lisa’s

price range. Lisa was amazed at how quickly her housing crisis

was resolved. She came to HomeBase for help on October 1, and

moved into her new apartment on October 25. Now, she says, “I

have peace of mind. I have my own home, my own food, and

all the commodities every family wants for themselves.” With a

kitchen to call her own, Lisa recently accomplished her longtime

dream of opening a catering business.

“I have peace of mind. I

have my own home, my

own food, and all the

commodities every family

wants for themselves.” -Lisa

Homebase Accomplishments

407 families stayed in the community and did not become homeless

Over 100 families were relocated to the community

In combination with other programs, Homebase case managers secured over $500,000 in rental arrears

95% of Homebase clients do not enter shelter even 1 year after ser-vice

Bushwick

Homebase

3

Owen and his son Ralquan were once homeless. When they received an eviction notice

last fall, the pair dreaded a return to the nightmarish situation they’d faced while in the

shelter system. “I called the right place at the right time,” Owen says, of connecting with

HomeBase. “The first time I met with [my case manager], it was a gift that awaited me.

She was willing to guide me through the process. She treated me like family.” The

HomeBase staff recognized Owen’s challenges as a single parent. They helped the

family through the housing court process, provided landlord mediation, and helped

them pay off their rental arrears while budgeting and planning for the future. “They

saved my life from going back to shelter,” Ralquan says of HomeBase. Father and

son were able to remain in their apartment. “I’m so overjoyed,” Owen says, “I recom-

mend the program to every family who has a crisis or a situation like ours. I would say

to all families: although you may be in a difficult situation, never give up.”

“I called the right place at

the right time.”

-Owen

4

Brownsville

Homebase

In 2008, Alexander and his family

spent more than 1 year in the

shelter system. When they found

an apartment in Brooklyn, they

were ecstatic. However, there were

complications, and they were soon

behind in rent. The landlord began

court proceedings, and threatened

to marshal the family out of their

apartment. Alexander had learned

about HomeBase while in shelter,

so he reached out for help.

HomeBase referred Alexander to

Joanna, a lawyer with the RBSCC

Law Project, who counseled him,

assisted him with paperwork, and

represented him in court—all for

free. “I was surprised,” Alexander

relates, “I didn’t know there

were agencies like this that

would help people.” Today, the

family is happily and stably

housed, and Alexander recently

landed a job as assistant manager

at Duane Reade. “These programs

are for everybody… My story is that

if it wasn’t for these programs, I

would have been back to square

one: out on the street, with no

shelter for my kids, and nowhere

that I could rest my head and feel

safe.”

Legal Services

“If people will take one step

toward the program, the program will take 20 towards

them.” -Alexander

“I didn’t know my rights,

and I was about to get

evicted with my three

daughters. Now, I’m able

to sleep at night, knowing

I won’t be kicked out of

my apartment”

-Stephanie

Law Project Accomplishments

Our attorneys provided legal advice to 59 families

72 families received free legal representation in court and 100% of evictions were pre-vented

Over 200 community residents learned about their rights as tenants

5

Brooklyn native Steve was born into a military family. His father and 2 older brothers were proud members of

the US Army and Navy. Steve carried on the tradition, joining the military as soon as he graduated High

School. Post-military, Steve launched a career in law enforcement, working as a guard, a peace officer, and as

a member of the hospital police force. When he was laid off, funds became tight, and he fell behind on his

rent payments, eventually receiving an eviction notice. He went to housing court and was discouraged by his

experience; homelessness seemed imminent. Luckily, a call to 311 connected him with our veteran’s program.

He met with a case manager, Isadora [in the picture with him], who eased his mind by providing abundant

information about the housing court process and tenants rights. She helped Steve request more time to come

up with the funds he owed his landlord and guided him through the court process. “It wasn’t easy,” Steve

recalls, “I was facing eviction from the apartment I’d been in for over 3.5 years. But I stuck with the program

and I followed up and I followed through.” The program funded security training for Steve and helped him

obtain a security guard license. Next, he headed to SSVF’s employer partner, Allied Barton, for an interview.

Steve aced the meeting and was hired on-the-spot for a high-profile position at a Manhattan bank. He began

working fulltime for $12.25 an hour. Today, Steve feels safe and grateful to remain in his apartment. “I would

absolutely recommend this program to other Veterans. SSVF will assist you. They’re very kind people and the

help is there, you just have to want it. I urge Veterans to reach out to this program.”

Veteran Services

“I would absolutely

recommend this program

to other Veterans.”

-Steve

6

A Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, Robert has 8 years of military service and multiple

deployments behind him. As a Transportation Management Coordinator, Robert

supervised the safe delivery of supplies and soldiers, by truck and aircraft, in and out

of battle zones. Earlier this year, a series of devastating events left him homeless.

Laid off during the financial crisis, Robert moved in with his family while he got back

on his feet. He has found that employment opportunities for Veterans aren’t always

easy to find, and employers aren’t aware of the leadership that Vets can offer. Not

long after he’d settled in, an electrical fire destroyed the apartment. In an instant,

Robert, his mother, and his 2 siblings were homeless. I wasn’t a perennially homeless

person; this was all new to me. I didn’t know what to do.” Robert researched various

Veterans organizations in the city, reached out for help, and was connected to

RBSCC’s Veteran’s program (SSVF). “The staff is very warm, very inviting, very friendly.

They showed a lot of concern beyond just placing me in housing. They

recommended jobs and training programs, and referred me to Career Gear to get a

free suit for interviewing,” Robert says. Together, he and his case manager created a

plan to secure him stable housing within 90 days. Soon, he moved into his own

Brooklyn apartment. “I love it,” he reports. Robert is now finishing an advanced IT

training program, which will connect him with job openings at elite Wall Street firms.

He said, with the right amount of initiative, perseverance, and support, “You can be

successful post-military.”

SSVF Accomplishments: 60 veteran families did not get evicted and remained in their communities 143 homeless Veterans were placed into stable housing Staff served 40 returning Veterans from Iraq & Afghanistan 20 veterans received additional skills training and got jobs

“You can be successful

post-military.”

-Robert

7

Job Training & Education

2012 At a Glance

Empowerment staff and Career Pathways participants.

Rebecca’s List to

success

Meet with a Career

Pathways Counselor

Enroll in GED classes

Get a diploma

Take CNA Classes

Become a Certified

Nursing Assistant

Start working in a Nursing

Home

Read Rebecca’s whole story at our website: empowermentcenter.org

Career Pathways

Accomplishments

In 2012, RBSCC was awarded the SNAP ET

contract This program will help food

stamps recipients with job training,

education and job placement.

Over 150 received employer’s recognized

credentials

94 participants got jobs

When Evelyn came to the Career Pathways

program, she had worked only temporary,

minimum wage jobs. Evelyn’s first step was

GED class. Frustrated with the lack of

personalized instruction in previous GED

classes, She was surprised to find that the

Career Pathways’ GED instructor took the

time to help her conquer her weakest

subject, math. Despite feeling discouraged when she failed

the math portion of the exam on her first try, Evelyn returned

for additional tutoring. She took the test again and earned

her GED. Acknowledging her efforts, she says, “If you stay

focused on your main goal and don’t let anyone distract

you, you can achieve anything.” Next, she completed

security training and was hired by Career Pathways’ employer

partner, FJC Security. Today, she works fulltime as a security

guard in a homeless shelter, a job she loves. “Sometimes

people have to work a job they don’t like just to live, but I

actually feel comfortable in my workplace,”

8

Beyond the Call of Duty

In 2010, an earthquake devastated Haiti, killing 300,000 people and wounding 300,000 more. Marie and her daughter R.C. were among 1 million other rendered homeless. R.C. was injured, and her legs had to be amputated below the knee. After fleeing to New York, mother and daughter found shelter at a facility for families with ailing children, where they shared a cramped room with 2 single beds. R.C. attended school, but struggled to focus. “I felt really different at school for a lot of reasons,” she explained, “Because of my age, my disability, coming from a different country.” The facility was intended for brief stays, and Marie and R.C. faced mounting pressure to move out. Unfortunately, they did not have the financial stability to afford their own apartment, and feared they’d soon be homeless. “We had a place to

live, but it wasn’t living in the full term of the word,” R.C. recalled, “I couldn’t concentrate in school, I had this constant fear of being thrown out of the place, in the middle of the night.” Finally, they were connected with HomeBase. 2 case managers—including one who spoke French Creole—helped them seek affordable housing. They were overjoyed to learn that there was a place for them in one of RBSCC’s affordable housing complexes, and that HomeBase would subsidize a portion of the rent while they got back on their feet. “It felt like a miracle, like God coming down,” Marie said. When she

heard the news, R.C. said, “I locked myself in the bathroom and I cried. I was so happy.” The pair now share a spacious 2 bedroom apartment; their building

includes a computer lab, and an RBSCC case manager is onsite to provide tenants with ongoing support. Today, mother and daughter have a new outlook on life. “I smile more,” R.C. reports, “People at school tell me I’ve changed. Now I can actually bring friends over and I have a room of my own. We have 4 closets!” Today, Marie attends English language classes, and is excited to complete Home Health Aide training and begin working. R.C. earns excellent grades and plans to study medicine.

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Learn More About

Our Programs

Homebase — Homelessness Prevention

Homelessness prevention

Assistance obtaining public benefits

Job Placement Assistance

Financial counseling and money management

Help relocating

Short-term financial assistance

Legal Services—Homelessness Prevention Law Project

Eviction prevention

Legal advice and representation in housing court

Veterans Services—SSVF

Homessness prevention

Job training and job placement

Relocation from shelter

Temporary financial assistance

Job Training and Education—Career Pathways

Career Development workshops

GED Classes

Career advice from Specialist

Employers’ recognized credential

Job Placement assistance

Hurricane Sandy

Restoration Efforts

In November, Mayor Bloomberg opened Restora-tion Centers in the commu-nities hit the hardest by Sandy. Since then, our staff has been onsite at the Rock-away Restoration Center 7 days a week, from 8:00am to 8:00pm, providing housing assistance, referrals, counsel-ing, and transitional hous-ing, including hotels and shelters, for those displaced from their homes or lacking heat and hot water. In 2012, we’ve provided brief and continuing services to more than 371 individuals, provid-ed more than 84 of them with temporary hotel rooms, and placed 15 into shelters.

10

RBSCC Community Empowerment

Empowerment Center Director

Mirtha Duran

90 Beaver Street

Brooklyn NY 11206

(718)366-4300

1475 Myrtle Ave

Brooklyn NY 11237

(347) 295-3738

145 East 98 Street

Brooklyn, NY 11212

(917) 819-3200

www.empowermentcenter.org

facebook.com/TheCommunityEmpowermentCenter

With

Tremendous

Gratitude

to Our Funders The New York City Department of

Homeless Services (DHS)

The New York State Office of Temporary

and Disability Assistance (OTDA)

HELP USA and The Bank of New York

Mellon

Executive Director

James Cameron

555 Bushwick Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11206

Assistant Executive Director

Angela Battaglia

217 Wyckoff Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11237

Board of Directors

Francis J. Russo

Frank V. Carone, Esquire

Honorable George Friedman

Joseph J. Guarracino

Jamie J. Minnick

Barbara Ortiz

Novelette Scott

Virginia Torres

Dr. Ronald S. Wilensky

Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council

11

“This is the best experience I’ve ever had with an agency.

Thank you for everything.”

—Community Empowerment Center Client

RBSCC Community Empowerment Center

90 Beaver Street

Brooklyn, NY 11206

Phone: 718-366-4300

Fax: 718-366-4445

www.EmpowermentCenter.org