THE GRAPEVINE

July 2014

Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority Volume 210, Issue 7

Monthly Reminders:

Community/Resident Council Meetings:

Kippax Place — July 1, 2014 5:30 pm

Davisville/Bland Court — July 9, 2014 1:00

pm

Piper Square— July 16, 2014 1:00 pm

Thomas Rolfe—July 17, 2014 1:00 pm

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.

Laos Outreach Karate Program every Tues-

day at Laos Outreach Center.

Job Corps Orientations at Hopewell VEC

every Thursday at 9:00 am

Employment assistance every Tuesday from

9:00—11:00 a.m. at Piper Square

FSS Program Orientation in the Piper

Square community center July 19th at 1:00

p.m.

HRHA Grievance Procedure 2

HRHA Employee Spotlight 2

Management Policy 3

Rainbow Summer Program 3

Bike-A-Thon 3

FSS Program Gets Results 4

Community Joins Together 4

Woodlawn Presb. Preschool 4

Inside this issue:

HRHA Resident Purchases Home

Stacey Davis, a native of Hopewell, grew up in a two parent home filled with support. At the age of 20, she decided it was time to leave the nest and moved into Thomas Rolfe Court. She was a public housing resident for seven years and has just recently purchased her own home.

She is a bankruptcy processor for SunTrust and began planning to pur-chase her first home two years ago. She stated that credit repair and sav-ing for the down payment would be

the two most important items she would emphasize to residents wanting to become homeowners. She also attributes self-determination and remaining focused on accomplishing her goals to her success. Stacey was able to get a $5,000 down payment assistance grant through the First Time Homebuyer’s program with the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA).

“Stacey was an excellent resident who never paid her rent late,” said Tina Raatz, Housing Manager for Thomas Rolfe Court.

Public housing gave Stacey the opportunity and time she needed to plan a better life for her family. Having affordable housing and the sup-port of her family has enabled her to move beyond renting into home-ownership. She stated that she tried to be a desirable resident be-cause she considered it a privilege to live in the public housing apart-ment

If you are interested in becoming a first-time homeowner, Resident Services has several community partners that can help you get started on your journey. Services provided by our partners range from month-ly budgeting and credit repair classes to possible down payment assis-tance.

Stacey has noticed the positive effect homeownership has had on her three children. It has enhanced their quality of life by providing addi-tional space and privacy. “You never would have known such peace existed,” said Stacey when asked how she liked her new dwelling. She wants to encourage other public housing residents by sharing her ac-complishment to dream big. “Life is what you make it.”

Stacey Davis was presented with a gift

card on behalf of HRHA from Kathryn

Thompson and Tina Raatz to purchase

items for her new home.

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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.

3. 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 Chairmen of the Board of Commissioners at 804-720-2581.

HRHA Grievance Procedure

Sherry Henderson began her journey with HRHA in 1988 as the Maintenance Communications Clerk. She

then became the Secretary/Receptionist and her final stop for the past 22 years has been the Executive

Secretary. She has had many great experiences working at the housing authority. The one that she recalls

the most is residents mistaking her for HRHA Housing Manager Tina Raatz because they resemble in

appearance.

Sherry was born and raised in Hopewell and after graduating high school, she soon received an A.A.S degree

in Business Management from John Tyler Community College.

Sherry loves fishing, spending time with family and friends, going to amusement parks and the beach, in

addition to participating in various outdoor activities. Sherry’s greatest passion is helping others.

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

Rainbow Summer Program

Hopewell Recreation and Parks will be hosting the Rainbow Summer Program this year for children ages five to twelve. The program will be held Monday through Friday, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Parents must register and sign permission slips in order for their children to be escorted to special activities and events. The cost of the program is $35.00 per week, and will run from July 1 to August 17.

Hopewell Recreation and Parks has several additional summer programs, created for the benefit of children in the community of Hopewell. For more information, please stop by the facility at 100 West City Point Road or call 804-541-2304.

Bike-A-Thon

HRHA has joined forces with The Hopewell Police Explorers in hosting a Bike-A-Thon with a theme of “Bicycle Safety.” The event will take place in the parking lot of Cavalier Square on July 26th starting at 9:00 a.m.

The purpose of this event is to ensure that all children are aware of and actively practice safety precautions when riding their bicycles. This is a free community wide event that will challenge the children with fun safety obstacles and games.

There will be plenty of food and transportation is available for HRHA residents. For more information, please contact Terence Barber at 804-452-1880 ext. 4.

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FSS Program Gets Results

Community Joins Together

Woodlawn Presbyterian Preschool

Woodlawn Presbyterian Christian Preschool, WPCP, conducts a half day program providing children with a safe place where they can develop social and educational skills as curious individuals in a Christian environment. The program is based on the knowledge that the early years are ones of phenomenal development—physical, men-tal, emotional, social and spiritual. The program utilizes the A Beka curriculum to teach the children language, numbers, nature, art, music, and the community itself. The preschool provides an atmosphere of love and ac-ceptance for each child.

Children of any race, religion, and/or creed are welcome. A child is eligible for enrollment in the three year old preschool class if he or she is age three by September 30th of the current school year and is potty trained. A child is eligible for enrollment in the pre-kindergarten class if he or she is age four by September 30th of the current school year and can go to the restroom independently.

Please contact 804-452-3240 for more information.

On Thursday, June 12th, Thomas Rolfe Court residents, HRHA staff, Hopewell School Board representatives, Hopewell Police and pastoral members of OC3 joined to-gether for a prayer vigil in Thomas Rolfe Court.

The event was held to pray against shootings, gangs, drugs, violence and other crimes in this community and the city of Hopewell as a whole. Comments were received from the community representatives and residents before everyone joined in prayer.

OC3 announced that many churches would provide transportation for HRHA youth to attend their vacation bible schools during the summer. If you would like more information on upcoming meetings please contact Resident Services.

HRHA currently has 25 public housing and two HCVP residents in its Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. The

agency began administering the program in 2012 for the first time in its history. It recently began marketing the

program to HCVP residents.

Many participants enrolled in the FSS program have successfully completed several goals, found employment and

have established escrow accounts as a result of an increase in earned income. Resources like budgeting and cred-

it repair workshops, job training assistance, GED classes and many more are available to you through the FSS pro-

gram. Each participant receives individual case management services, referrals to necessary resources, and assis-

tance with goal setting and accomplishment.

For more information about how FSS can assist you and your family in preparing for successful futures, please contact Jennifer Campbell at 804-855-7065! HRHA holds monthly FSS orientations in the Piper Square Communi-ty Center on the third Saturday of each month. All HRHA residents are invited and encouraged to attend. The time and date can be found on the front of this monthly newsletter.

There are endless opportunities to enhance your quality of life through FSS. Begin your journey toward economic self-sufficiency today!

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Public Housing Staff

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

Lillian Quintana, 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

Jennifer Campbell, FSS Coordinator — (804) 855-7065

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

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