Volume 19, Issue 10

OCTOBER 2012

NEWS AND

NEIGHBORS Newport News Redevelopment

and Housing Authority

MONTH OF

OCTOBER

October 8

Columbus Day

October 31

Halloween

Job Fair Tips 2

Breast Cancer Awareness

3

Domestic Violence Awareness

4

Violence Against Women Act Policy

5

Register To Vote 6

Voter ID Law’s 7

Housekeeping Tips 8

Inside this issue:

FREE Training Info 9

Food Bank Distribution Site

10

Mitch’s Safety Corner 11

Senior Citizen’s Community Wellness

12

Career

Expo 2012

Need a higher education?

Looking for a job?

Bring Your Resume’!

Dress For Success!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

12:00 noon—3:00 p.m.

Boys and Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula

629 Hampton Avenue

Newport News, Virginia

North End Communities Pick Up Southeast Communities Pick Up

Cypress Terrace 10:45 a.m. Marshall Courts Rec. 11:30 a.m.

Aqueduct 11:00 a.m. Orcutt Townhomes 11:40 a.m.

Oyster Point 11:15 a.m. (pick up at Ashe Manor)

Brighton 11:30 a.m. Lassiter Courts Rental 11:45 a.m.

Ridley Recreation Center 11:50 a.m.

Departure from Career Fair: 2:00 p.m.

To sign up for Transportation, please contact the Family Investment

Center at 757-928-3680.

P A G E 2

Make the most of your time

Do research on which companies will be at the job fair and

which ones you will want to visit.

Bring plenty of supplies

Bring plenty of resumes. Bring a pad and pen to write down any info the companies may

give in regards to positions.

Prepare what you will say and ask companies

Have a summary of your qualifications ready to mention to the employer.

Be professional

Conduct yourself professionally at all times. Dress as though you were going to an inter-

view.

Be confident

When you greet a company, smile and offer your hand to shake. Make eye contact.

Show interest

Ask questions about the company and the positions available.

Follow up

To show your continued interest in the positions and company, send a thank you card. If

you haven’t heard from anyone within a week or two, follow up with a telephone call.

NEED HELP PREPARING YOUR RESUME’ FOR THE

CAREER EXPO...PLEASE CONTACT THE

FAMILY INVESTMENT CENTER AT

757-928-3680.

P A G E 3

An Early Breast Cancer Detection Plan should include:

♦ Beginning at age 20: Performing breast self-exams and looking for any

signs of change.

♦ Age 20 to 39: Scheduling clinical breast exams every three years.

♦ By the age of 40: Having a baseline mammogram and annual clinical

breast exams.

♦ Ages 40 to 49: Having a mammogram every year or two years depend-

ing on previous findings.

♦ Ages 50 and older: Having a mammogram every year.

Recording personal exams, mammograms and doctors appointments on a

calendar or in a detailed file.

Maintaining a healthy weight, following a low-fat diet, getting regular exer-

cise, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption.

Common Signs & Symptoms of Breast Cancer include:

♦ A change in how the breast or nipple feels. You may

experience nipple tenderness or notice a lump or thicken-

ing in or near the breast or in the underarm area.

♦ A change in how the breast or nipple looks. This could

mean a change in the size or shape of the breast or a nip

ple that is turned slightly inward. In addition, the skin of

the breast, areola or nipple may appear scaly, red or swol-

len or may have ridges or pitting that resembles the skin

of an orange.

♦ Nipple discharge.

P A G E 4

P A G E 4

♦ Frighten you or your children?

♦ Threaten or blame you?

♦ Control you and your activities?

♦ Act jealous of your friends?

♦ Have an explosive temper?

♦ Push, shove or hit you?

♦ Promise that it will never happen again?

You are not alone. One in four women will experi-

ence some form of abuse in her lifetime. Men

experience abuse as well. Witnessing domestic

violence also has harmful effects on children. If

you or someone you know is experiencing violence

in their home or their relationship, help is avail-able at Transitions Family Violence Services.

♦ Call Transitions 24-hour Hotline (757) 723-7774

♦ Do not get trapped in the kitchen or bathroom. Stay

out of rooms where there are weapons such as guns or

knives.

♦ Plan an escape route.

♦ Take your children with you.

♦ Know where to go. Go to an emergency shelter, a

family member or friend, or to a public place.

♦ Keep a list of important telephone numbers of family,

friends, doctors, and shelters.

♦ Gather important documents such as identification

papers, marriage, school and birth certificates, and

insurance information.

♦ Gather your checkbook, money and credit cards, medi-

cines, keys, clothing, and toys.

♦ If you’ve been hurt, go to the emergency room. Call

the police.

♦ You are not alone. Get help. Talk with someone close

to you.

For more information, please visit

www.transitionsfvs.org

What to do if you are in an abusive situation:

Does your partner. . .

P A G E 5

The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority provides or offers the following activities, ser-

vices, or programs, either directly or in partnership with other service providers, to child or adult victims

of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

• The Community Resources Division provides services to victims of domestic violence through referrals

in partnership with Transitions Family Violence Services. Transitions Family Violence Services is the

sole provider of comprehensive family violence services. The agency assists adult and child victims

through shelter, counseling and advocacy. Community Resources staff work with residents to increase

awareness of domestic violence and provide opportunities for them to get assistance through

referrals. Families are also given the number to Transitions 24 Hour Hotline-757-723-7774.

• NNRHA works in partnership with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office Victim Services Unit.

• NNRHA works in partnership with the Department of Social Services, Newport News Drug Court and

the Peninsula Center for Independent Living sharing information about the different programs and

services we offer to assist victims of domestic violence.

The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority provides or offers the following activities, ser-

vices, or programs that helps child and adult victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,

or stalking, to obtain or maintain housing.

• Transitions Family Violence Services distributes literature at the Annual College and Career Fair

which is sponsored by the Authority.

• The Authority bans individuals from Authority properties that commit assaults.

• The Authority’s policy allows the transfer of victims when necessary to other complexes.

The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority provides or offers the following activities, ser-

vices, or programs to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, or to en-

hance victim safety in assisted families.

• NNRHA has an Involuntary Displacement Preference policy in place to assist families who are “actual

or threatened with physical violence directed against the applicant or the applicant’s family by a

spouse or other household member who lives in the unit with the family”.

The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority has the following procedures in place to notify

residents of their rights under the Violence Against Women Act:

· This information is given to residents at their leasing.

· The Authority posts this information on the bulletin board at each rental office and the Family

Investment Center.

· This information is included in the resident Newsletter quarterly.

In partnership with Transitions Family Violence Services, the Authority holds an annual Domestic Vio-

lence workshop/meeting in October in recognition of Domestic Violence Month. Tenant Council Mem-

bers are invited to attend as well as the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office Victim Services Unit.

For the purposes of interpreting the Violence against Women Act, NNRHA recognizes the following definition:

Bifurcate: with respect to a public housing lease, it means to divide a lease as a matter of law such that certain

tenants can be evicted or removed while the remaining family members’ lease and occupancy rights are allowed to

remain intact.

P A G E 6

To be eligible to register to vote in Virginia a person must:

• Be a resident of Virginia (A person who has come to Virginia for temporary pur

poses and intends to return to another state is not considered a resident for vot

ing purposes);

• Be a U. S. Citizen;

• Be 18 years old (Any person who is 17 years old and will be eighteen years of age

at the next election shall be permitted to register in advance and also vote in any

intervening primary or special election;

• Does not claim the right to vote in any other State;

• Not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law;

• If convicted of a felony, your right to vote must have been restored.

Persons eligible to register can obtain a registration application at any of the following

locations:

• Local voter registration office: Newport News City Hall-2400 Washington

Avenue-6th Floor-Newport News, Virginia 23607. Telephone number:

757.926.8683.

• Online: www.nngov.com/voter-registrar.

• State or local government offices when applying or recertifying for Aid to

Dependent Children, Food Stamps, WIC, Medicaid, or Rehabilitation Services;

• Government offices in the State that provide State-funded programs primarily

engaged in providing services to person with disabilities;

• Armed forces recruitment offices;

• Public Libraries: Pearl Bailey-2510 Wickham Avenue, Newport News VA 23607

Grissom-366 DeShazor Drive, Newport News VA 23608

West Avenue-2907 West Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607

Main Street-110 Main Street, Newport News, VA 23601

• State Board of Elections office;

• Department of Motor Vehicles offices;

• Voter Registration Drives.

Registration Deadline: October 15, 2012

P A G E 7

VA’s Voter ID Law

As of July 1, 2012 *:

A voter MUST show ID at the polls.

The ID does NOT have to be a photo ID.

Acceptable forms of ID for voting:

♦ A Virginia voter registration card;

♦ A Social Security card;

♦ A Valid Virginia driver’s license;

♦ Any other identification card issued by an agency of the Commonwealth, one of its

Political subdivisions, or the United States;

♦ Any valid student identification card issued by a Virginia institution of higher

education;

♦ A valid identification card issued by an employer containing a photgraph of the voter;

♦ A current copy of a utility bill with the voter’s name and address;

♦ A copy of a bank statement with the voter’s name and address;

♦ A government check with the voter’s name and address;

♦ A paycheck that shows the voter’s name and address;

♦ A concealed handgun permit.

If you go to the polls to vote on November 6th without any ID, you will have to vote by

provisional ballot and must submit your ID by November 9th by 12:00 noon in order for your

vote to count.

*The law must be cleared by the Dept of Justice. This is the pre-clearance version of the law.

When it’s time to clean the house, it is handy to have a

house cleaning chore list. This month we will be talking

about Dust mites.

Dust mites, semi-microscopic cousins of spiders, may be

found in bedding, carpeting, upholstery and drapery.

These creatures reside in dust, where they feed on

flakes of human skin.

The tiny bugs’ droppings cause trouble for some people,

most frequently in the form of an allergic reaction to

proteins found in waste. In certain individuals, however,

these proteins may trigger a severe asthma attack.

Dust mites thrive in warm, humid conditions, so consider

taking steps to reduce indoor humidity.

Also, help control these tiny pests by thorough, regular

housekeeping. Here are some tips:

♦ Change bed sheets weekly and wash in detergent and

the hottest water safe for the fabric. Be certain

sheets are completely dry before putting them back

on the bed.

♦ Wash (or dry clean) quilts and othe bedding regularly.

♦ Enclose pillows, mattresses and box springs in aller-

gen slipcovers. Wash microfiber and laminate slip-

covers regularly; vinyl slipcovers need not be washed,

but should be kept free of dust.

♦ Vacuum the carpet around bedding and frequently-

used furniture at least weekly. Regularly vacuum

furniture upholstery. Consider placing washable slip

covers over furniture cushioning to simplify this task.

♦ Vacuum the mattress and box spring twice a year

using a brush attachment.

More helpful information on Housekeeping Tips coming in the next issue of News and Neighbors.

P A G E 8

?

YOU need renter’s insurance if your apart-

ment is damaged by a fire, flood, or bur-

glarized. Your personal property is not

replaced unless you have rental insurance.

Sofas, beds, toys and clothes are covered

only if you buy this type of insurance.

Renter’s Insurance can also help if you

move out of your apartment temporarily

due to a fire. It can help you even if the

problem is not in your apartment.

Look under “Insurance” in the yellow pages

of the telephone book for compnies locat-

ed in the Newport News area. Don’t take

chances with your belongings!

According to Section II, 9-C of the Resi-

dent’s lease. “Manangement will not be

responsible for any of Tenant’s personal

belongings which are damaged or destroyed

by natural disaster or other circumstances

which are beyond the control of Manage-

ment”.

The Family Investment Center offers free training

in the following courses:

FREE TRAINING PROGRAMS

▪ Self-Paced Typing;

▪ Employability Skills

Workshops ;

▪ Resume’ Prep;

▪ Job Lead Assistance;

▪ Homeownership.

Family Investment

Center

600 C Ridley Circle

Newport News, VA

Monday thru

Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

757.928.3680

PROGRAMA LIBRE DE INSTRUCCION

Centro de Trabajo Para la Familia ofierte los

cursos que sigue:

Centro de Trabajo Lunes-Viernes

Para La Familia 8 de la manana

600 C Ridley Circle 4:30 de la tarde

Newport News, VA 757-928-3680 757.928.3680

� Mecanografía;

� Habilidades de obrero;

� Ayuda con su resumen

y su entrevista;

� Como se encuentra

trabajo;

� Como encontrar y

poseer una casa.

Important Numbers

Marshall 928-6181

Ridley/Lassiter 928-2690

Spratley House 928-2680

Ashe Manor 928-6187

Aqueduct 833-5700

Cypress Terrace 833-5720

Great Oak 591-3282

Oyster Point 269-4307

Phoenix Village 591-3282

Pinecroft 269-4300

Brighton 591-3280

Orcutt Townhomes 928-6187

Community Resources 928-6170

Family Investment Center 928-3680

Facilities East & North 247-0484/0485

Do You Have A

Job Interview?

Interviewing preparation is

available. Call the Family In-

vestment Center to make an

appointment. The number is

757.928-3680.

Family Investment Center

600 C Ridley Circle

Newport News, VA 23607

P A G E 9

East End

COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTION FOR ALL SITES DELIVERY DATE

Ashe Manor Agape Hands Cathedral 757-247-0090 3rd Tuesday after 4 pm

Spratley House Christian Union Church 757-244-3819 2nd Thursday 12 noon –1 pm

Lassiter Courts A Road Ahead 757-245-6098 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am -1:30 pm

Ridley Place L.I.N.K. 757-595-1953 Monday - Friday 9 am - 3 pm

Marshall Courts L.I.N.K. 757-595-1953 Monday - Friday 9 am - 3 pm

Orcutt Townhomes L.I.N.K. 757-595-1953 Monday - Friday 9 am - 3 pm

North End

COMUNITY DISTRIBUTION FOR ALL SITES DELIVERY DATE

Aqueduct Kids Café, Foodbank 757-596-7188 2-3 times per week

Brighton Kid’s Café’ Foodbank 757-596-7188 Summer and Fall

Oyster Point Foodbank 757-596-7188 Summer and Fall

Cypress Terrace New Beech Grove Baptist Church 757-877-4114

United Way (757) 594-4636 for referral

Pinecroft Foodbank 757-596-7188 3rd Friday 11 am

The waiting list for housing assistance at the

Warwick SRO is open for single room occupan-

cy only.

Please call (757) 928-6060, Monday-Friday,

from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. to schedule an ap-

pointment.

P A G E 1 0

This newsletter is published by the Newport News Redevelopment and

Housing Authority

Editor: LeVonda Bell News Coordinator: Sheila Grant

Layout: Lisa Artis

Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority P. O. Box 797

Newport News, VA 23607

Newport News Redevelopment and Housing

Authority is committed to providing a safe

environment for our residents and employees.

Below is our Risk Control Statement.

Risk Control Statement

The safety and well being of the residents

and employees of the Newport News Redevel-

opment & Housing Authority (NNRHA) are of

the utmost importance. Risk management

procedures will be established and maintained

to ensure that the highest level of safety is

provided for all.

It is the intention of the NNRHA to abide by

applicable laws and regulations which govern

the health and safety of residents, visitors,

and property. Risk control techniques and

methods will be employed where feasible to

prevent and control losses which may threat-

en the health and well being of those the PHA

serves.

Risk control is the responsibility of all levels

of the PHA. Management and staff shall

make all efforts feasible to ensure that the

optimal level of safety is provided. Through

the cooperation and support of staff and res-

idents, the NNRHA will make risk control a

priority.

Should you have any safety or security questions or concerns please contact Safety & Security

at 757.928.2622.

POSITIVE DISCIPLINEPOSITIVE DISCIPLINE

Here are some ways to accentuate the positive

and eliminate the negative when disciplining a child.

♦ Use natural consequences to teach your child re-

sponsibility. “If you don’t take care of your toy, it

may break and you will no longer have the toy.”

♦ Use logical consequences that are related to the

behavior. Your child will learn from his own mis-

takes. “If you don’t stay in the yard to play you will

have to play inside the house.”

♦ Be a positive role model. Be careful not to be a

“do as I say, not as I do” parent.

♦ Be consistent, not rigid. A child’s bedtime may be

extended for a special occasion.

♦ Use a warning first, then follow through. “The

next time you throw the block, you will have to put

them all away.”

P A G E 1 1

MISSION

STATEMENT

The mission of the Newport

News Redevelopment and Hous-

ing Authority (NNRHA) is to

create affordable housing, via-

ble neighborhoods, and oppor-

tunities for self-sufficiency

that enhance the quality of life

for all citizens of Newport

News.

P A G E 1 2

PLEASE CALL 757-928-6170 FOR TRANSPORTATION BY OCTOBER 10, 2012.