WINTER 2016

Quarterly News and Events

My reflection: Interestingly enough the first thing I thought about

is my childhood. How as a child you look upon life with eagerness and a feeling that you can take the world on. You feel nothing is impossible: the world is at your fingertips. At the same time you have friends and family around you giving you encouragement and saying things like, “The sky is the limit… Always follow your dreams and passions… You can be anything you want to be if you set your mind to it, and never let anyone or anything stop you.”

Growing up, and even during most of my young adult years, those were all things I grew accustomed to hearing on a regular basis and pretty soon it just becomes a part of you: the way you think, act and sometimes respond to things happening around and to you. But something happens when you get older. Something changes. No longer is your imagination holding you back; it’s schedules, work, money, and balancing a healthy family with the rest of your daily responsibilities.

I shake my head as I think about what some people may have been thinking as I talked to them in person or on the phone as I searched for resources for my family. The experience can take a bite out of your self-esteem for sure. That is, if you let it. I researched every single resource

handed to me to make sure I actually could potentially qualify and came across the Families in Transition Program at Tacoma Housing Authority.

This will sound weird and seems most do not want to hear it; however, the Lord let me know that my search was over. That I would eventually be accepted into this program to rebuild my family and all I really need to do is be still for a moment to receive my continued blessings.

Since moving to Salishan less than a year ago, my Community Services caseworker, Bridgette, has made herself available to me in my time of need. I am grateful to have her in my life. I have enrolled in the Paralegal Studies Program at Tacoma Community College and continue

to attend on a full-time basis while working at Popeye’s Chicken part time. I currently hold a 3.45 GPA. In addition, my son started at Popeye’s as a fry cook and currently holds a manager position; he will return back to school this winter. My daughter is in the Running Start program at TCC and has recently completed the CNA course at Clover Park Technical College. I am thankful for the opportunity to be placed here so that I can get back on my feet, and I appreciate the advice and encouragement I have received from THA staff since being here in the FIT Program.

A Note from Bridgette Johnson, FIT Caseworker: Danielle Roberts graduated from the Families in Transition (FIT) program in December, 2015. FIT is a 12- to 24-month case-management program, which assists homeless families find their direction in life, including a career path. Danielle is the first participant to graduate from the FIT program in one year’s time. Together, this family has broken through barriers, overcome challenges and utilized case-management services and resources in the community to gain employment, education and stability. Danielle continues to live at Salishan and has transitioned to the five-year Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

Families in Transition Graduate Reflection Letter: By Danielle Roberts

FIT graduate Danielle Roberts (pictured on left) with her son and daughter.

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Community ChronicleWINTER 2016

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Director of Client ServicesGreg Claycamp 207-4455

Associate Director of Community ServicesMia Navarro 207-4444

Community Services Program ManagerCaroline Cabellon 720-6784

General Services CaseworkersCarlena Allen 448-2785Kendra Peischel 207-4472Valorie Le 284-9488

FSS CaseworkersMariya Yakimenko 207-4442Sharon Fletcher-Jackson 274-5586Tammy Hoang 207-4446

Families in Transition CaseworkerBridgette Johnson 207-4411

Elderly & Disabled SpecialistStacy Johnson 341-1907

Employment SpecialistNicole Fillmore-Meshesha 207-4414

Community Services Office AssistantDenise Gralski 207-4443

McCarver Housing Project CaseworkersDana Duncan 571-4909Trish Mozo 341-9031

Salishan Association ManagerCDC Management ServicesMarty Campbell 682-0205

Director of Property ManagementPat Patterson 274-5583

Salishan Portfolio ManagerFrankie Johnson 207-4477

Salishan 1, 2Barbara Pearsall, Site Manager 682-6214

Salishan 3, 4Tonyia Coleman, Site Manager 207-4423

Salishan 5, 6, 7Barbara Pearsall, Site Manager 284-9484

SalishanNicole Thomas, L&O 207-4407 Public Housing UnitsCindy Bergee, L&O 207-4431 Project Based S8 Units

Property Management AssistantsTiffany Price 207-4408Melody Jacobs 682-6209

Salishan Management Office/Work OrdersMain Line 682-6206

EMERGENCY After Hours Work Orders 620-3701Security 223-7552

Bergerson Terrace, Hillside, Dixon Village & Bay Terrace, Senior Sites Portfolio Manager

Gretchen Sinkula 274-5585

Salishan’s Security Company

CYPRESS PRIVATE SECURITY

Security Patrol Officer (253) 223-7552

Email: salishanpatrol@cypress-security.com

Is the Safety and Security of your Neighborhood

important to you?

If so, join us for the start of our Neighborhood Watch Program. We will be partnering with the Safe Streets Organization to help implement ideas from the Community of ways we can keep our streets safe, and family friendly.

Join us on Monday, February 8th at 6:00 PM

Where: Family Investment Center (F.I.C) Room 102 — 1724 East 44th Street

Who: Residents of Salishan who want to fight for Neighborhood Safety

Refreshments, Neighbors, and Great Ideas. We need you!

WINTER 2016

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Community Chronicle

For plenty of hardworking families, filing taxes and receiving a refund is a chance to catch up on bills and pay for basic needs. Two important tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), can provide eligible households with up to $6,242 in additional tax refunds for the EITC, and as much as $1,000 per qualifying child for the CTC. Unfortunately, one in five eligible workers doesn’t claim these credits.

To help households receive all the credits they qualify for, free tax preparation services are available at the Tacoma Housing Authority’s Family Investment Center at Salishan. Associated Ministries and Pierce County Asset Building Coalition will sponsor this free service. If you would like help with your taxes, please stop by on the following dates and times:

• Location: Family Investment Center, 1724 E. 44th St, Tacoma, WA

• Dates & Times: Saturdays, 9 am-1pm, from February 13th through April 9th. Service is available on a first-come, first-serve, walk-in basis.

• Who is eligible: Free tax preparation and e-filing for individuals and households with incomes up to $54,000 in 2015.

Please bring the following documents:

• Identification: Social Security Card or ITIN card and birthdates for everyone you will claim on the tax return; your spouse, if married filing jointly; and photo ID for yourself and your spouse.

• Income documents: Last year’s tax return, if you have it; income documents such as W-2s for each job worked and 1099 forms; and bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit.

• Benefit documents: Year-end documents for Social Security and other benefits, and Health insurance card, form 1095A, or exemption certificate number

• Expense documents: (if applicable) documents for childcare expenses, mortgage interest and property tax statements, and college or other education expenses.

For more information, please contact Amy Allison of Associated Ministries, (253) 426-1516, or amya@associatedministries.org

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Community ChronicleWINTER 2016

Need Help Finding

Employment?Join us for Job Club!

Family Investment Center (FIC)Wednesdays at 1 PM1724 East 44th Street

Tacoma, WA 98404

Bay TerraceThursdays at 1 PM

2550 South G St.Tacoma, WA 98405

The Tacoma Housing Authority offers a variety of services to assist individuals in finding employment. Through our interactive workshops or one-on-one counseling, we can help you reach your employment goal.

For more information, contact Nicole Fillmore-Meshesha at (253) 207-4414

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is an employment and savings incentive program for low income families who are in Public Housing, the Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) or have Housing Choice Vouchers. The program offers a unique opportunity for participants to receive supportive services in overcoming challenges and obstacles that block their road to financial success. FSS participants can earn up to $8,500 completing goals to help become self-sufficient while living 5 years in THA. Enrolling in the FSS Program means you are saving money to make your dreams come true.

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program can help you to:

• Complete an education• Find and maintain a job• Increase earned income• Earn money for accomplishing goals

NEXT ORIENTATION: Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 6 PM Attendance at the FSS Orientation is required. All orientations are held at the Family Investment Center, 1724 E. 44th St., Tacoma, WA 98404.

For more info and to register for the orientation, please contact one of the FSS caseworkers:

• Tammy Hoang at (253) 207-4446• Mariya Yakimenko at (253) 207-4442• Sharon Fletcher-Jackson at (253) 274-5586

Sign Up to Receive Salishan News!

Do you want to receive important information about the Salishan Community?

Sign up to get updates from Tacoma Housing Authority and the Salishan Association delivered to your inbox. Staying connected ensures that you hear important news about the Salishan community.

To sign up, go to to to this website: http://bit.ly/1ONK9Rp Or use the QR code above.

WINTER 2016

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Community Chronicle

It is with great excitement we announce that Lister Elementary recently received a Safe School Award

from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

In 2012, the Lister staff unanimously voted to join the TWCI (The Whole Child Initiative) pilot program with the Tacoma School District and the University of Washington Tacoma. As a member of Cohort 1, Lister was a part of leading the work within the district on developing a positive and safe school environment using PBIS strategies. We developed a leadership team to facilitate the work on developing clear expectations and systems throughout the building and supporting staff in teaching these expectations school-wide. Some examples include: morning arrival, afternoon dismissal, voice levels in the hallway, recess and lunch structures, positive recognition,

self-managers and more. The team consistently looks at our school data and develops action plans to address concerns and challenges we are seeing.

We are honored to receive this recognition for the school’s hard work to ensure that Lister is a positive, safe and welcoming school. Our work is far from over, in fact, we have just begun. The leadership team continues to meet and welcomes parents and community members to participate. We are currently working on developing a schoolwide plan focused on conflict resolution strategies. Our work with TWCI and our strong focus on instruction and data is making a different in ensuring that each Lister student is climbing to college.

Safe School Award goes to Lister Elementary!

BOX TOPS, COKE LIDS AND LABELS HELP RAISE MONEY FOR SCHOOLS!

PLEASE help us collect the following items. You can donate them at the Lister office or have your child give them to his or her teacher.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION — Clip these off of all sorts of products. Each one is worth 10 cents to our school. They add up fast! They are on many products that you might not expect: binders, lettuce in shrink-wrap, facial tissues, crescent rolls, cereal...

LABELS FOR EDUCATION — Labels and bottle tops are each worth a certain point value depending on the product. The points can be traded in by the school for sports equipment, art supplies, or other needed items. Watch for them on Campbell’s, V-8, Swanson, and other products.

COKE REWARDS — Lids from Coke products or the certificates printed on the inside of cases of 12 sodas are worth points. 3 points = 5 cents for the school. Send them in, or you can donate through your own Coke Rewards account at MyCokeRewards.com. To donate points, click the “Causes” link, then select Lister from the schools section.

TYSON PROJECT A+ — Labels from participating Tyson products are worth 24 cents each for the school! Clip ‘em and send ‘em in!

SHOPAROO — Shoparoo is a consumer research company that rewards participating schools with a check each August based on the number of points supporters upload.

To earn points, all you have to do is snap a photo of your store and restaurant receipts and upload them to the Shoparoo website. You can easily open your own Shoparoo account at Shoparoo.com and link it to Lister, or we’ll take care of it for you if you send in your receipts to:

Lister Elementary, 2106 E 44th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404

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Community ChronicleWINTER 2016

EVERY MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

To register, call Salishan Association: (253) 503-0460; email Nicole Findlay at community.builder@managementtrust.com

TIME: 6:00-7:00 PM

Wednesday

MultiCare Nurse Camp July 11-15th, 2016

Are you a current high school sophomore or junior wondering what it would be like to be a nurse or allied health professional?

MultiCare’s Annual Nurse Camp is your opportunity to explore these exciting careers — and thanks to gracious donations from a variety of community organizations and businesses, including MultiCare Health System, the MultiCare Nurse Camp is free.

At the 2016 MultiCare Nurse Camp, you’ll join professional nurses and other allied health care providers as they care for patients in the areas of:

• Emergency Department• Intensive Care Unit• Cancer Center• Labor & Delivery• Pediatric Care• Adult Surgical Care

You will also participate in hands-on station rotations, mock codes, and even visit a local nursing school. In short, you’ll get a firsthand, behind the scenes look at the multifaceted world of nursing and allied health.

For more info, go to : www.multicare.org/nurse-camp/

WINTER 2016

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Community Chronicle

Introducing THA’s Children’s Savings Accounts Program!

THA can help you save between $400 and $700 per year toward your student’s college costs.

You are eligible to participate if you:

• Live in Salishan and have a student enrolled in kindergarten in a one of Tacoma School Districts elementary schools

• Live outside of Salishan but have a student enrolled in kindergarten at Lister Elementary School

• Live in Salishan and have a student enrolled in 6th grade at First Creek Middle School

To apply online go to http://bit.ly/1Rb4GQ7

Paper applications are also available at the Salishan Family Investment Center, the main office at Lister and First Creek and at the THA main office at 902 S. L St.

If you have questions about applying or about the program, please contact the program at csa@tacomahousing.org or 253-448-2784.

Dear Tenants:THA has run into some delays in the Rental

Assistance Demonstration (RAD) process. This is the work THA is doing to change the kind of federal money we get that helps pay your rent. THA is still planning to make this change, but it looks like we will be delayed until late February. This means we will not be sending you a notice to end your old lease in January as planned. We might also need to change the effective date of your new lease. You can expect more information from us in late January.

In the meantime, if you haven’t already turned in your new lease, we still need your new lease documents. We sent these documents to you in early December. The signed copies were due to us January 9, 2016. If you need

help with these documents please contact Gretchen Sinkula at (253) 274-5585.

We will continue contacting you throughout the coming months to talk about the construction work in your building and the relocation schedule, and to verify your income for the tax credit program.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time. We understand that it might be confusing and frustrating. If you have any questions or comments or concerns, we would like to hear from you. Please contact Gretchen Sinkula at (253) 274-5585.

Sincerely, Tacoma Housing Authority Management

Notice of Delay: Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)

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Community ChronicleWINTER 2016

The Computer Lab Is Open to Help You

Bergerson Terrace Computer Lab5301 South Orchard Street

Winter HoursMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday,

Thursday and Friday3:30 to 6:30pm

For Adults• Prepare resumes• Job Search • Do school work• Prepare taxes• Emails

For Youth• After-school

learning activities• Fun educational

games• Life skills• Homework help

Tacoma Housing AuthorityFamily Investment Center

1724 E. 44th StreetTacoma, WA 98404

Tacoma Housing Authority has a WorkSource computer lab located at the Family Investment Center (FIC). The computer lab contains computers with internet access, a printer and a fax machine. Please feel free to make use of this valuable resource.

The computer lab hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and closed on Wednesdays.

WINTER 2016

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Community Chronicle

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year for settling down and remembering what is really

important. For most this means celebrating with friends and family. But for many of our senior and disabled residents the holidays also represent painful memories of loved ones who are no longer a part of their lives for one reason or another. Many senior and disabled individuals feel isolated and forgotten during the holiday season.

Luckily with the holiday season comes another tradition, which is “generosity.” Tacoma Housing Authority partnered with local senior centers and Mercy Housing to make certain that every one of our senior and disabled residents had a place to go to celebrate the holidays. The Lobster Shop on the Tacoma waterfront hosted their 35th free Thanksgiving dinner for seniors, ages 50 and older. Sixty residents from THA’s senior buildings enjoyed this beautiful restaurant free of charge. THA’s Senior and Disabled Specialist, Stacy Johnson, along with senior volunteer driver, Carl Mastberg, ensured that everyone who wanted to participate had a ticket and transportation to the holiday event. It was a blessing to observe the seniors dress up in black-tie attire and treated like royalty for the afternoon. Resident Martina Biron from Wright Avenue Apartments stated, “It was such a generous gesture. I wanted the owner of the Lobster Shop to know how much we all appreciated this dinner. I made him a thank you card complete with pictures of residents having fun at his dinner. I was able to present the card directly to him, and he told me that he would treasure it forever.” Martina, like many of the other residents, felt compelled to personally thank organizers of this special event. Resident Shirley Whipple of 6th Avenue said, “It really makes you feel special to be able to dress up and go out to a fancy restaurant that you couldn’t normally afford.” Organizers and residents alike

felt grateful for having the opportunity to be involved in this event. We were all reminded of what the holiday season is really about: love for others.

In an effort to make sure that residents of all ages had access to holiday fun, THA partnered with Mercy Housing’s New Tacoma Apartments to offer a fun-filled holiday party. Thirty THA residents enjoyed a night of music, dancing, vendors, and of course turkey dinner. Resident Eric Hill of 6th Avenue stated, “This is the only Thanksgiving I will have. I feel really lucky that I moved into THA housing and you bring activities like this to us.” Many residents echoed this same sentiment. Fawcett resident, Senta McKnight said, “That was so much fun! I’m really glad the seven buildings are doing so much together as a community.” The celebrations did not end there. Each of the senior and disabled buildings hosted a Christmas party in their community rooms through the month of December.

THA’s Senior and Disabled Specialist, Stacy Johnson, reported, “It has been a successful year in coordinating activities for the year 2015.” There was an activity for every month, and all were well attended and appreciated by residents. Furthermore, THA’s senior and disabled properties have a variety of great events planned for the 2016 year, so stay tuned!

— By Stacey Johnson, Senior & Disabled Specialist

Holiday Memories: Senior and Disabled

Residents Celebrate The “2015 Year”

K Street residents Theresa Strange and Jerry Forcier enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at the Lobster Shop.

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Community ChronicleWINTER 2016

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WINTER 2016 Community Chronicle

Statements of Vision, Mission and Values Amended February 27, 2013

Diversity of StaffWe value the diversity of our staff. It makes us stronger and more effective.

Collegial Support and RespectThe work we do is serious. We seek to create an atmosphere of teamwork, support and respect. We also value a good humor.

ExcellenceWe strive for excellence. We will always seek to improve.

LeadershipEveryone at THA, the Board, management and staff, shares the leadership it will take to extend these values throughout THA’s work, to fulfill the mission and to advance the vision for our city.

THA’s ValuesService Work in service to others is honorable. We will do it honorably, effectively, efficiently, with pride, compassion and respect.

Integrity We strive to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior.

Stewardship We will be careful stewards of the public and private financial and environmental resources entrusted to us.

Communication We value communication. We strive to be open and forthcoming with our customers, employees and colleagues, our partners, and our communities. We will listen to others.

THA’s Vision THA envisions a future where everyone has an affordable, safe and nurturing home, where neighborhoods are attractive places to live, work, attend school, shop and play, and where everyone has the support they need to succeed as parents, students, wage earners and neighbors.

THA’s MissionTHA provides high quality, stable and sustainable housing and supportive services to people in need. It does this in ways that help them prosper and help our communities become safe, vibrant, prosperous, attractive and just.

Tacoma Housing Authority1724 East 44th StreetTacoma, WA 98404

Mt. Rainier, Paradise. Photo: Scott Hollis