Fells Point StationNewsletter

Columbus Property Management, a Member of Mission First Housing Group • www.missionfirsthousing.org • twitter: @MissionFirstHG

November 2015

Financial Workshop Humanim’s new SAVINGS program FIRST Financial Workshop, called “Match Savings”, is on November 5. They will match the participant’s savings up to $500.00 for those who are actively saving toward their financial goals. Only 5 slots are still avail-able. Residents interested must contact Patricia Williams at (443) 822-0859 or visit her on Thursdays in the leasing office BEFORE November 5 to register. Remember slots are limited.

Share Food NetworkThe order for November’s Share Food Network Program must be turned in before November 8. The pick up date is November 21. Please see attached flyer for details.

Workforce TrainingHumanim’s Workforce Development “BEST” 6-week Customer Service Certification and 12 weeks of basic culinary training for SerSafe Certification workshops starts Monday, November 9 at 1701 N. Gay Street. Call (410) 563-5526 to register.

Budget: How to get the Most out of your BGE ServicesA Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) representative will facilitate a presentation on Thursday, November 12 From 6-7 pm in the lobby Learn how to reduce your BGE bill by using energy efficient techniques, as well as an explanation of other free services through BGE to assist with lowering the cost of en-ergy. Receive a FREE onsite energy analysis. Video Filming: Financial Stability Program Humanim’s Financial Stability Program will be filming a video about how the program has impacted their participants, and resident, Donna Allen’s story has been selected to be featured in this video. Ms. Allen has availed herself to Humanim’s many services and have made tremendous strides with her financial profile. The video is due for release in November 2015. Congratulations to Ms. Allen!

Never write a rent check again!

It’s the beginning of the month-you got things to do, places to be, and bills to pay. We understand how busy you are and how long that ‘to-do’ list can get. That’s why we’ve made it as easy as possible to mark “pay rent” off the list every month with our convenient and secure, electronic payment and mobile app option! You can make a one-time rent payment online or with our app without purchasing a money order or standing in line. It’s fast, easy and can be done when you want, from where you want. Plus it’s FREE! That’s right, FREE! Save time and money by paying your rent online or with our app!

Please contact Susan McMichael at (215) 557-8414 x3211 to sign up today!

Community Events & ProgramsMessages from Management Columbus Property Management will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day Wednesday, November 11. We will open 8:30 am on Thursday, November 12. We would like to say THANK YOU to all of our veteran residents for serving our country and protecting our freedom.

Columbus Property Management will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving beginning Wednesday, November 25 at 1 pm. We will open 8:30 am on Monday, November 30.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Management and Resident Services wish a “Happy Birthday” to all residents born in November!

Produced by: Patrick Williams, Resident Service Manager, Fells Point Station, and Becky Lang Staffieri, Communications Manager, Mission First Housing Group.

Grievance Procedure for ResidentsA resident may ask CPM to reconsider any adverse decision should a dispute not be resolved through normal procedures at the site level. Request for reconsideration must be in writing and must set forth the specific reasons why the resident or prospective resident believes the decision was in error. Any reconsideration request must be limited to the allegation and issues directly related to the alleged adverse action. The complainant must identify all relevant information that he or she believes is incorrect or that was omitted from previous consideration. The request must include all new and material information believed to support the reconsideration request. All grievances will be reviewed by a company officer and will be responded to within 10 business days of receipt. Please direct all grievances to: Columbus Property Management, Attn: Grievance/Complaint, 2042-48 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by email to: corporate@columbuspm.org

Your Lifestyle: Tips & ResourcesCoping with Debt! Some debt is helpful. Most people can’t pay cash to buy a home or a new car, or for college tuition, so a loan is needed to help you pay for these.

It’s stressful when you find yourself unable to make your loan payments, no matter what kind of debt you have. So what can you do?

• Set up a budget. Determine all of your income, and your most critical expenses. What can you afford to pay to avoid defaulting on your loans?

• Ask your financial institution about consolidating your loans. If you are paying a higher interest on one loan, ask your financial institution about consolidating it with a lower rate loan to reduce your payment amount.

• Don’t just stop paying a bill. Talk to your lenders if you’ve lost a job or had a financial crisis. Find out if you can extend your loan to reduce your payments, or negotiate a new payment plan.

• Avoid payday lenders and debt consolidation companies. They will only cost you more money in the long run! Turn to your trusted financial institution for assistance.

• Create an emergency fund. Start small – set aside loose change, rebate checks, money saved when you use coupons - anything that will keep you from turning to some form of toxic loan when you need money the most.

Fall Recipe: Sweet Potato Curry380 calories | 41g carbs | 16g fat (2.5g sat fat) | 21g protein | 510mg sodium | 9g fiber per serving

Ingredients 1 large onion1 lb. sweet potato½ lb. snap peas½ lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs1 Tbs. canola oil1 Tbs. curry powder1 can no-salt-added tomatoes (15 oz.)1/3 cup natural crunchy peanut butter2 cups water¾ tsp. salt

Directions 1. Prepare your ingredients: chop the onion, peel the sweet potato and cut into ½-inch pieces, trim the snap peas, and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

2. In a large pot, bring oil to a sizzle over medium heat.

3. Sauté the onion until soft, 3-5 minutes.

4. Stir in the curry powder and cook for 1 minute.

5. Stir in the tomatoes with juice, peanut butter, and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.

6. Add the sweet potato and cook until tender, 3-5 minutes.

7. Add the snap peas and chicken and reduce the heat to low.

8. Gently simmer until chicken is cooked through, 5-10 minutes.

9. Season with the salt.

Attention Federal Employees: Columbus Property Management and Mission First Housing Group make it possible to help vulnerable populations find a safe, affordable place to call home. You can make it possible, too, by designating us through the CFC. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the largest and most successful workplace fundraising campaign in the world. Over the past fifty years, the CFC has raised $7 billion to help neighbors in need around the corner, across the nation and throughout the world. The money raised through the CFC helps Mission First provide services to families and seniors in Maryland and DC. Donate at http://www.cfcnca.org. Our CFC designation number is 75714.