THE GRAPEVINE

October 2014

Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority Volume 210, Issue 10

Monthly Reminders:

Community/Resident Council Meetings:

Kippax Place — October 7, 2014 5:30 pm

Davisville/Bland Court — October 8,

2014 1:00 pm

Piper Square— October 15, 2014 1:00 pm

Thomas Rolfe—October 16, 2014 1:00

pm

Rental payments are due on the 1st of

each month and must be paid at Sun-

Trust 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

Tuesday 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 October 18th

at 1:00 p.m.

HRHA Grievance Procedure 2

YMCA Leaders’ Club 2

Employee Spotlight 2

Management Corner 3

Girl Scouts 3

Management Policy 4

Domestic Violence Awareness 4

Inside this issue:

Section Three Opportunities

Section Three is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968 that helps foster local economic de-velopment, neighborhood economic im-provement, and individual self-sufficiency. This program is a starting point for public housing residents to obtain job training, employment and contracting opportuni-ties. This fundamental foundation coupled with other resources creates the oppor-tunity for economic advancement and self-sufficiency. Section Three may be the starting point to increased household in-come and eventually homeownership.

Archie Harrison, a native of Hopewell and HRHA public housing resident, currently resides in the Davisville community. He

has been granted the opportunity to work with Community Housing Partners (CHP) during the redevelopment of Langston Park. Archie re-sponded to the flyer recruiting public housing residents to interview for Section Three positions for the redevelopment project. He continually kept in touch with Resident Services and CHP staff while trying to ob-tain employment. He was offered a position and will be employed for the duration of the project.

“I like the work I do over there and I was blessed to get a job,” says Archie who has previous experience in construction building. This pro-ject means a lot to him, because he was also a former resident of Lang-ston Park. Although this placement is temporary, it enhances the skills Archie has and allows him to grow and gain more experience in other fields. “I would like to work for the city of Hopewell,” said Archie when asked what his long term goals consisted of.

Section Three also provides employment training and job search assis-tance. Monthly workforce development workshops taught by commu-nity partners are held in the Piper Square community center. Individu-al appointments with Resident Services Staff are also available.

Archie is one of many examples that demonstrates the type of training and employment opportunities made available through the Section Three program. To find more information about this program, please visit www.hud.gov.

Archie Harrison is pictured above

with Housing Manager Tina

Raatz.

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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

Employee Spotlight

Roy Coleman, Jr. is a native of Hopewell and is now serving as a Maintenance Mechanic for HRHA. Roy has been in the maintenance field for five years and also has experience in the automotive industry.

Prior to becoming employed with HRHA, Roy worked for Landmark Properties, performing maintenance related tasks in multi-family apartments.

In his spare time, Roy enjoys working on cars, hunting, fishing, and any other type of outdoor activities. Roy is very thankful for having this opportunity and looks forward to meeting residents and becoming more acquainted with our communities.

YMCA Leaders’ Club

YMCA Leaders’ Club provides teens ages 13-18 with knowledge, training, communi-cation skills and valuable team-building experience through volunteering in Y pro-grams and the community. Leaders’ Club trains teens to better serve their commu-nity and the Y as they encourage each other to make a positive impact for present

and future generations. Qualifying leaders may also participate in Blue Ridge Leaders’ School, a week-long school held in June that is ran by the South Field YMCAs with a main focus on fitness and leadership develop-ment.

The Petersburg Family YMCA will provide financial assistance to eligible teens who wish to join the club. The club meets every Wednesday at the Petersburg Family YMCA from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

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Management Corner

Girl Scouts

It is the responsibility of all HRHA residents to pay their portion of rent by the first of every month, or by the end of the grace period (fifth of every month). Management has noticed various HRHA residents electing to pay rent late due to purchasing back to school supplies, Christmas/birthday gifts and other items. These occurrences not only reflect negative on payment history, but also burdens HRHA from operating properly when it comes to providing services and products to residents. In order to ensure that rents are paid, HRHA residents should fol-low the correct procedures outlined in your HRHA Dwelling Lease.

Payment of Rent:

Monthly Rent for the unit shall be due and payable in advance on the first day of each month, without demand therefore, and shall be paid at the SunTrust Bank, corner of Main and Poythress Street or mailed to P.O. Box 111, Hopewell, VA 23860 on receipt of statement, or at any other place designated by HRHA upon written notice to Tenant. Payments of cash and partial payments will not be accepted. To insure proper credit, the rent payment check or money order must show the Unit Number or the address of the Unit and should be attached to the monthly rent statement. Rent for the partial month of initial occu-pancy shall be prorated and paid upon execution of this Lease. Rent not received by the fifth (5th) day of the month by 5:00pm (or by 5:00 p.m. of the next business day in the event the fifth (5th) day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday recognized by HRHA) will be subject Tenant to a late charge of $25.00. The Tenant will be required to pay any legal fees and court costs incurred in the collection of rent due. These legal fees and court costs include but are not limited to the cost of unlawful detainers, writs of possession and the costs associated with their service. Postmarks or other evidence of deposit in the United States mail shall not be considered in determining the time of receipt of any item. Late charg-es shall be due and collectible on the first day of the month following the assessment of the late charge. Manager shall not be responsible for the failure of the United States Postal Service to deliver Rent pay-ments by the fifth of the month. HRHA shall apply payments received to the oldest amount due. Tenant shall pay a returned check fee in the amount of Ten dollars ($10.00) for any check returned for insuffi-cient funds. Thereafter, Tenant shall be required to make all future payments by cashier’s check or mon-ey order.

HRHA will be starting a Girl Scouts troop for our communities in the near future. Girl Scouts is a "girl-led" or-ganization where girls take charge, in partnership with committed volunteers, to make decisions and discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls teaming together in a supportive, nurturing environment. Through an amazing array of enriching experiences, girls are encouraged to express themselves freely, try new things, and experiment in various leadership roles. The process of leading, learning by doing, and collaborating develops character, strong values, social conscience, confidence in one’s potential and self-worth, as well as skills for success in the real world – qualities that will serve girls all their lives.

Every Girl Scout is part of a worldwide family of girls and adults in 145 countries. Today, there are 3.7 million Girl Scouts in the U.S., 2.7 million girl members and 928,000 adult members working primarily as volunteers. More than 50 million women in the U.S. today are Girl Scout alumnae.

If you are interested in joining the new troop that will be starting soon, please contact Resident Services for more information. Information regarding the first meeting will be posted on the community boards and on the agencies Facebook page.

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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

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is not just a women’s issue. According to the National Coalition to End Domestic Violence, one out of 14 men has been physically assaulted by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Estimates are that 835,000 men are assaulted each year – that’s approximately 2,300 men each and every day. Recog-nizing when a relationship is becoming abusive or controlling is often challenging and difficult. The following list of “red flags” can help you evaluate your relationship. Ask yourself, if your partner:

Wants to move too quickly into the relationship.

Does not honor your boundaries.

Is excessively jealous and accuses you of having affairs.

Wants to know where you are all of the time and frequently calls, emails and texts you.

Criticizes you or puts you down.

Takes no responsibility for their behavior and blames others.

Blames the entire failure of previous relationships on their partner.

Insists that you stop spending time with your friends or family.

Insists that you stop participating in leisure interests.

Rages out of control and is impulsive.

If you are in an abusive relationship, or think you may be, know that you are not alone and that the abuse is not your fault. Consider seeking services to help you plan for your safety, explore options, and identify com-munity resources.

Celebrating 25 years of exemplary service, The James House provides support, advocacy and education for people affected by sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking, to empower them to become healthy, safe, and self-sufficient. The only nonprofit agency in the Tri-Cities area accredited by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, all James House services are cost-free and confidential.

To learn more, call 458-2704, visit www.thejameshouse.org or email helpline@thejameshouse.org. Our new online video series, The 26th Story, commissioned for our 25th anniversary, will tell 25 stories from survivors that we have helped and community members who have helped us to make a difference. We will release a new video on YouTube every two weeks throughout 2014. What will the 26th story be? Stay tuned to The James House YouTube Channel and Facebook page to find out.

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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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