We Invest in Your Dreams SM

FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY NEWS

Community Development Corporation of Long Island Summer 2017

www.cdcli.org

President & CEO

Gwen O'Shea

Chief Operating Officer

Jill Rosen-Nikoloff

RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Vice President of Rental

Assistance

Connie Bruno

FSS Program

Coordinator

Kara Funaro

FSS Case Managers

Susan Forman

Julia Orlik

Rachel Seiler

Nereeyah Marcelle, July 2017 FSS Graduate My experience with the FSS Program was magical.

The caring and support I received from the Case

Managers was outstanding. Before I started with

FSS, I wanted to accomplish so many things but

never had the confidence. Here I am today a proud

graduate of the Hunter Business School with a

diploma in Medical Office Administration. I am living proof that

anyone can achieve anything with the right support system.

Thank you FSS for being my support team. I couldn’t have

accomplished my goals without you. God bless you!

John Parisi, FSS Participant Hello, my name is John Parisi. I just completed

my Masters of Science of Christian Counseling of

Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders.

Additionally, I completed 300 hours of internship

from my CASAC certificate from OASAS. I have

completed all of my short and long term goals that

were selected several years ago. I am looking forward to joining

the workforce and becoming financially independent through the

Family Self-Sufficiency Program at Community Development

Corporation of Long Island.

The FSS team would like to take the time to congratulate all

our graduates. We know the dedication it takes to complete

your goals. For those who have not graduated yet,

don’t give up. Continue the great work. Have faith

in how far you can go! Be your sunshine!

Gentle Yoga and Wellness for veterans and military

families. No experience necessary. Every Tuesday 4:30-

5:30pm at 25 Union Avenue, Islip. To register contact 631-

841-1141 or meditate@project9line.org. Visit

Project9line.org.

The Cooling Assistance component of the HEAP

The program allows for the purchase and installation of an

air conditioner or a fan. Eligibility is determined by HEAP

income guidelines and by a medical need worsened by heat.

Apply at your local Department of Social Services. The

program will run until funds are exhausted. Visit

https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/program.asp#cooling.

REAP (Residential Energy Affordability Partnership)

You may receive a new energy star refrigerator, an air

conditioner or a humidifier, high-efficiency compact

fluorescent bulbs, and other energy saving measures, all for

FREE. Call 1-800-263-6786 or e-mail reapli@pseg.com.

Mybenefits.ny.gov Are you working but having a hard

time making ends meet? Check your eligibility for a wide

range of support programs. Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program (SNAP) applications may also be

submitted via this site. It is quick and confidential.

The Summer Food Service Program When school is

out make summertime a fun time! FREE healthy meals are

provided to youth ages 18 and younger who qualify for free

or reduced lunch. Registration, proof of income or age is not

required. To find a site near you call 1-800-522-5006, visit

islandharvest.org or fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks. For

sites to be sent to your phone text “FOOD” to 877877 and

enter your zip code.

Freebieshark.com posts freebies throughout the day, first

come, first serve. You can set your e-mail to receive alerts to

new freebies. Also, save with printable coupons!

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

We Invest in Your DreamsSM www.cdcli.org

YOUR BILL OF RIGHTS

• To be treated with respect

• To express my own opinion

• To show feelings

• To have friends and outside

interests

• To privacy and time alone

• To say NO

• To refuse to go out with someone

and not feel guilty

• To ask for physical closeness

• To start a relationship slowly

• To be myself’

• To change/end a relationship

• To tell my partner that violence

will not be tolerated

• To not be dominated

• To spend time with male and

female friends against my

partner’s wishes

REFUSE TO BE ABUSED

If you need to reach out for

support for yourself and your

children or for legal advocacy in

criminal and family court please

contact:

The Suffolk County Coalition

against Domestic Violence Hotline:

631-666-8833

Bilingual staff available

•Don’t be vague -Be specific about an activity you participated in or an accomplishment you achieved.

•Know about the company and the basics of the job- Check the job posting and company website.

• Don’t “ramble” on –This can give the appearance of being disorganized; pay attention to time cues.

•Don’t minimize concerns about your “fit” for a job. If an interviewer mentions that you don’t

have experience in certain job functions- be honest about your desire to learn.

•Don’t avoid “unflattering” subjects – i.e. why you left a job; if you hesitate

or avoid answering you may appear untrustworthy.

Susan Forman, FSS Case Manager/US News and World Report

We kindly ask that if you will be late or

unable to make your appointment that

you contact us prior to your appointment

time to reschedule. We understand that

things may come up. We empower each

of you to keep track of your appointment

and make us aware in advance if you

need to reschedule.

Thank you kindly,

The FSS Case Managers

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

We Invest in Your DreamsSM www.cdcli.org

Cable boxes are the 2nd biggest energy user in

homes after air conditioning. See article:

http://wtop.com/news/2014/06/cable-boxes-are-second-

biggest-energy-sucker-in-most-homes/

Many homes have more than one TV along with more

than one cable box. To save money and energy,

remember to turn off the cable boxes that you don’t use

on a regular basis.

You can also connect the box, television, and any other

electronics (i.e. sound systems, video game systems,

etc.) to a power-strip for conveniently turning on and

off. For households with 4+ televisions, this could be a

huge energy saving.

CDCLI helps administer the Long Island Green Homes

Initiative, where you can receive a free home energy

assessment to learn how you can save on your energy

bills. For more information or to sign up for a free

energy audit, call 800-567-2850 or visit

longislandgreenhomes.org.

William Achnitz III

Sustainability Coordinator

What Lies Behind

us and What Lies

Before Us are Tiny

Matters Compared

to What Lies

Within Us.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

We Invest in Your DreamsSM www.cdcli.org

SUFFOLK COUNTY ONE STOP EMPLOYMENT CENTER offers job fairs throughout the year. This is a great place to network and find a

job. Click on “Job fair” and “Onsite Recruitment” at

http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Labor.aspx.

West Babylon Library August 10

Comsewogue Library August 22

Smithtown Library September 8

Brentwood Library September 27

Islip Library October 13

2017 JOB FAIR SCHEDULE

Job Fair Hints

1. Create a resume featuring work history and skills.

2. Research organizations that will be at the job fair.

3. Review job responsibilities and skills of jobs of interest.

4. Be prepared to speak about accomplishments and how your experience is suited

to the employer.

5. Practice your responses to common interview questions.

6. Have questions on hand to ask employers.

7. Bring multiple copies of your resume.

8. Dress to make a positive first impression (speak to your FSS Case Manager if you

need interview attire).

9. Stand up tall and go in with an upbeat attitude and a smile. A positive attitude

can go a long way to finding work!!!!

Julia Orlik, FSS Case Manager/http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobfairs/a/jobfair.htm

JOB FAIR

New York State has just enacted the Excelsior Scholarship program. It will make SUNY and

CUNY universities (two or four year programs) tuition –free for families making up to

$100,000/year starting this fall.

To obtain an application, go to the Higher Education Services Corporation website. The

application is open until July 21. If you have questions or need more information and wish to

receive email alerts about the scholarship, go to the HESC Excelsior Scholarship FAQs page.

This is a great opportunity for any NYS resident who would like to further his/her education.

As statistics show us, those with a higher education are more likely to earn more money over

the course of their lifetime and also have lower unemployment rates.

Susan Forman, FSS Case Manager/NYS Education Dept./Newsday

Get on the path to unloading debt and building financial strength! “You don’t get

strong by carrying 500 pounds of weight on your back, but by learning how to carry

10 pounds, then adding more as you go along.” ~Trent Hamm

Register for Financial Fitness Health & Wealth Classes: Click here

or Online Money Management: http://ehomeamerica.org/cdcli

If you’ve completed financial education,

contact Andre Boxwill for your

individual coaching appointment

at aboxwill@cdcli.org

or (631) 471-1215 x133

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

We Invest in Your DreamsSM www.cdcli.org

FREE Bowling At participating locations, kids can receive 2

FREE bowling games a day for the summer; shoe

rentals are not included but ask if they offer a

shoe rental pass or coupons. For more information

visit http://www.kidsbowlfree.com.

Suffolk County Summer Youth Connection FREE educational/recreational activities for ages

12-18 in Brentwood, Huntington, Central Islip,

Wyandanch and Bellport. FREE meals.

Registration is first come, first serve. Contact the

Suffolk County Youth Bureau at 631-853-8270.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

We Invest in Your DreamsSM www.cdcli.org

• The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office offers a Bike Rodeo and Safety Clinic to teach kids the skills

they need to ride a bicycle safely. Lessons are given on where to ride on the road, how to hand signal, how

to safely cross an intersection, and how to properly wear a helmet. Call 631-852-3763 for dates and times.

• The Town of Brookhaven Wildlife and Ecology Center Safety Town is a replica of a

miniature village with an indoor educational facility. School-age children will be instructed in pedestrian

and bicycle safety, both through classroom and “hands-on” experiences using bicycles and miniature

electric vehicles. Send an e-mail message to SafetyTown@brookhavenny.gov or call (631) 363-3770 for more

information and upcoming dates and times.

Kara Funaro, FSS Coordinator

Suffolk County Government and Town of Brookhaven

Films for FREE

Bow Tie Cinemas formerly (Clearview

Cinemas) shows FREE movies for kids.

Check participating theaters near you.

Not Free, but Cheap Regal Entertainment Group Participating

Regal, United Artists and Edwards theaters

will show nine weeks worth of films at 10am,

Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Admission is $1, a portion of

which will be donated to the

Will Rogers Institute.

Summer is a great time to teach your child bicycle safety. Here are two FREE and FUN ways to learn…

Julia Orlik, FSS Case Manager/https://www.thebalance.com/search?q=free+summer

~ Dr. Seuss

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

www.cdcli.org We Invest in Your DreamsSM

• Long Island Cares Visit www.licares.org or call 631-582-FOOD(3663).

• Your Local Parish or Food Pantry

• The Ministries Emergency Food Pantry 3680 Route 112, Coram; call 631-736-4800.

• Lighthouse Mission Mobile sites in Coram, Lake Ronkonkoma, Bellport, Central Islip, Shirley, Pt.

Jefferson Sta., Riverhead, Patchogue and Centereach. Call 631-758-7584; visit ww.lighthousemission.net.

• Colonial Youth William Floyd School District residents - 631-281-4461.

• Family Service League Sites in Huntington- 631-425-9694, Bay Shore-631-647-3100, Riverhead- 631-

369-0104,and E. Yaphank- 631-924-3741.

• Town of Brookhaven Interface Program Town of Brookhaven residents- 631-451-8014.

• Barnes and Noble Kids (grades 1-6) can earn a FREE Book when they read eight books over the

summer. Will run until September 5, 2017

• Public Library Summer Reading Programs Public libraries offer great FREE summer reading

programs! Many offer rewards and prizes for kids and fun events!

• TD Summer Bank and Pottery Barn Kids summer reading programs.

• Bookworm Wednesdays Kids 6 and over, who submit a book report, can receive FREE admission

to select movies at participating Cinema De Lux, Multiplex, and Showcase Theaters.

Accompanying adults and children under age 6 may also receive FREE admission.

Julia Orlik, FSS Case Manager/https://www.thebalance.com/search?q=free

•Food Not Bombs is a non-profit organization was founded on the principle that “. . . no one should

have to go hungry. ..” Keith McHenry – co-founder. They are staffed only by volunteers and welcome new

volunteers. All food stuffs come from plants– no meat or dairy. Visit: www.lifnb.com, 24-7 hotline:

631-223-4370.

Food Share Locations

•Coram: Mondays, 5:30 p.m., Mill Rd.

•Huntington: Tuesdays, 7 p.m., East 6th Str. and Fairground Ave.

•Farmingville: Thursdays, 7 p.m. Horseblock RD and Woodycrest Drive

•Wyandanch: Saturdays, noon front of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Health Center

•ShopRite FREE Nutrition Services Shop Rite supermarkets have a Registered Dietician.

Receive individual nutrition counseling, attend in store health screenings and more- all for FREE! Log

onto shoprite.com and click on the Health and Wellness section to view a calendar of health events at a

location near you.

•Cornell Cooperative Extension Visit http://ccesuffolk.org/events for upcoming FREE nutrition

workshops such as Eating Better on a Budget, Breakfast Champions, How to Add Fruits and Vegetables

to Everyday Meals and more.

•Eat Smart Low Cost Recipes Cookbook Recipes are in both English and Spanish. Download by

clicking http://suffolk.cce.cornell.edu/resources/eat-smart-low-cost-recipes.

•Pick your Own List Find a list of farms where you can pick your own strawberries, vegetables, fruits

and pumpkins by visiting ccesuffolk.org/gardening/pick-your-own-list.

•Long Island Farmer’s Markets are great places to buy fresh, local produce and other foods like

baked goods, deli items, seafood, and much more! Plus, many of them accept SNAP and all accept WIC

coupons. Click Long Island Farmer’s Markets or click Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

We Invest in Your DreamsSM www.cdcli.org

Julia Orlik, FSS Case Manager