THE GRAPEVINE

May 2013

Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority Volume 208, Issue 39

Monthly Reminders:

Neighborhood Watch/Resident Council

Meetings:

Kippax Place— May 7, 2013 5:30 pm

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

pm

Piper Square—May 22, 2013 1:00 pm

Thomas Rolfe—May 16, 2013 1:00 pm

Langston Park—May 30, 2013 1:00 pm

Langston Park After School Tutoring, Tues-

days and Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 pm in

the Community Center.

Thomas Rolfe Good News Club, 1st & 3rd

Saturday 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

Mother’s Day Events 3

Red Cross Blood Drive 3

Management Corner 4

Hopewell Good News Clubs 4

Health Careers Program 5

CARES Partnership 5

Best of Hopewell Festival 6

Inside this issue:

The Sequestration of 2013

Have you heard of it? It’s what all the politicians are talking about. So

you might say, “What does that have to do with me?” Well actually

quite a lot.

Sequestration means to take possession of property until a dispute

over its rightful ownership is resolved. In a nutshell, the difference

between excess spending and the spending limit is held by the U.S.

Treasury. $85 billion in spending cuts throughout government agen-

cies and programs is required between March 1 and September 30,

2013. The exact nature of these cuts may evolve over time and no one

knows exactly how Americans or the economy will be impacted.

Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher programs are subsi-

dized largely by taxpayers through Congress. Congress provides funds

to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD.

HUD provides housing assistance to citizens of communities through

the various Public Housing Authorities like HRHA.

Congress and the President have not reached an agreement on an

operating budget. When failure to agree occurred in the past, govern-

ment funding was done by a continuing resolution. In an effort to fi-

nally force compromise the Congress and the President agreed to the

sequester.

So, what does that mean where you live? Funding for housing pro-

grams is being reduced. HRHA has developed a bold budget approach

that we hope will minimize the effect on daily operations. However, if

some funding is not restored then some capital improvement projects

will need to be delayed. We must evaluate all services that we fund

from cutting grass to certain resident services activities. Additionally,

some of our community partners that you have become accustomed

to seeing in your neighborhoods and working with your children may

find that their funding sources are reduced. HRHA will continue to be

vigilant in watching for information from Washington that impacts us.

We will monitor closely our spending levels to ensure we focus on the

critical services first. Finally, we are committed to keeping you in-

formed on what is happening and how it affects you.

2

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 Mellisa Underwood. Mellisa works as the HRHA receptionist part-time. She enjoys helping others and is very excited to be part of the HRHA family.

She is the youngest daughter of a retired army colonel. Growing up in a military family taught her the importance of service to her community and she feels a sense of fulfillment when she is able to help uplift her fellow citizens. Before coming to HRHA, she ran several professional kitchens as well as her own catering business as a classical French trained chef in Richmond, VA. In her spare time she enjoys working on a cookbook for children, spending time with family and being an avid animal rights activist.

HRHA Employee Spotlight

3

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

“Mother 2 Mother” Workshop Thursday, May 9,2013

10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Langston Park Community Center

1101 Winston Churchill Drive Hopewell, Virginia 23860

“Mother’s Day Luncheon” Friday, May 10,2013

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

John Randolph Foundation

112 N. Main Street, Hopewell, Virginia 23860

Please call LaFonia Thornton at 541-0392 x 2 or reply to the HRHA Facebook event by 4/30/2013. Seating is limited.

HRHA Mother’s Day Events

Blood Drive

River View on the Appomattox is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a local blood

drive on May 23, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All donors will be eligible to enter a drawing

for a $100 Wawa gift card. Refreshments will be provided during the event.

Please call 804-541-1445 to register for the event. Your donation could help save a life.

4

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. ~ George Bernard Shaw

Do you frequently change your phone number? Is your physical mailing address different from your

HRHA residence address? Did the wind carry away the last notice HRHA left on your door? If

you’ve answered yes to one or more of the above questions, you may be experiencing a break in

communication with HRHA staff. HRHA makes every effort to circulate information in a timely

manner to our residents. However, we receive many returned letters due to incorrect addresses

and have trouble calling many residents because of disconnected return phone numbers left for us.

HRHA uses several methods of communication: mailed notices, phone calls, flyers, social media and website

announcements and the Grapevine newsletter. Please take a moment over the next couple of months to contact your

leasing office and update your contact information to include email addresses if applicable. This little effort can make a

huge difference in being informed.

Management Corner

Hopewell City is kicking up its heels with Good News Clubs! Did you know that all 3 elementary schools, Dupont, Harry E. James and Patrick Copeland, now have Good News Clubs on a weekly basis?—It just doesn’t get any better than this—children are playing games, hearing a Bible lesson, singing songs and enjoying review games in a safe environment. “Where do they get all this cool stuff?” asked one participant. Children are learning about the importance of being respectful and productive members of their communi-ties.

During the summer the clubs move from the schools to the communities where the children live. The fun doesn’t stop! HRHA will host a 5 day club in Thomas Rolfe Court and Piper Square during the summer. Volun-teers will provide activities for youth for 1.5 hours each afternoon during the week. Flyers containing more in-formation will be posted at a later date. There is no cost for the children or parents. Local churches sponsor the clubs and provide screened and trained volunteers.

Do you have children ages 5-12 years old who would like to participate in this fun-filled week? A registration form is required and can be secured from: Piper Square Apartments Sean Adkins Adkinshope@aol.com or 804.898.9073 Thomas Rolfe Court Trudy Tiller

trudytiller1960@yahoo.com or 804.605.0764

Hopewell Good News Clubs

5

New Student Program to Introduce Health Careers

Southside Health Education Foundation (SHEF) has received a grant to launch the Southside Healthcare

Career Experiential Learning Program (Health-CEL). Health-CEL will provide students, ages 16-20, with ex-

periential learning of the array of health careers available in the region. The program will seek to recruit

students in the regions served by Southside Regional Medical Center, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital

of Petersburg, Poplar Springs Hospital and John Randolph Medical Center. This is a regional response of

educators and healthcare providers to develop and implement a health careers pipeline program.

Application information for the new program will be available in school guidance offices in late Spring.

Prospective students may also obtain applications from the SHEF website at www.shefva.org. Beginning in

September 2013, accepted students will attend monthly career nights at area hospitals and medical prac-

tices to receive hands-on experience in radiation technology, nursing, physical therapy, hospital admin-

istration and more.

SHEF’s mission is to provide financial education assistance to residents of Southside Virginia who have a

desire and ambition to become healthcare provider, but lack sufficient financial resources. SHEF also

serves as a resource for information that supports healthcare opportunities in the community.

Since 2008, SHEF has distributed over $725,000 to nearly 250 residents, students and healthcare employ-

ees in the region.

New Partnership with CARES Shelter

HRHA and the Crisis Assistance Response Emergency Shelter (CARES) of

Petersburg are working together to help women and children with high

housing barriers achieve stable, permanent housing. Through a Memo-

randum of Understanding (MOU) between the agencies, HRHA will facili-

tate the transition of women from the shelter into public housing on a

referral basis.

This agreement is a result of the revisions made in the 2013 HRHA Ad-

missions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP). In 2012 HRHA Resi-

dent Services staff received many requests from CARES regarding fami-

lies needing permanent housing. However, there was no provision in the

ACOP to include preference points for homelessness or domestic vio-

lence victims. HRHA recognizes the value of being a community partner

and assisting in the local efforts of CARES and other service providers

whose mission is to assist homeless individuals or families and victims of domestic violence. The new

preferences will enable HRHA to make a greater contribution to the mission of CACH and the partici-

pating member agencies.

CARES is the only temporary shelter in the area for homeless families. This partnership will become part

of the rapid re-housing efforts throughout the Tri-Cities area.

Jean Grim, CARES Social Services

Coordinator, is all smiles about the

new partnership.

6

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

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

The Downtown Partnership and the Hopewell High School FBLA are partnering

to host a creative arts competition. They are seeking entries showcasing

artwork, poetry, music and photography. Prizes will be given for each category

and winners will be showcased during an upcoming one day festival. Entries are

being accepted from individuals and organizations. For more information call

804-446-4847 or visit www.hopewelldowntown.com. Good luck!

Best of Hopewell Festival

Hopewell’s Got Talent!