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New Hope Housing - Newsbriefs

Newsbriefs Volume 19 Issue 3 January 29, 2015

New Hope Housing, Administration Office 8407-E Richmond Highway,

Alexandria, VA 22309 703-799-2293

Rethinking Homelessness since 1977

QUARTERLY MEETING RECAP

New Hope Housing’s Quarterly meeting was held on January 27, 2015. New Hope Housing Executive Director Pam Michell presented a screening of the critically acclaimed movie “Crash.” The provoca-tive film tells stories about race, class, family and gender in Los Angeles. Characters include a district attorney and his casually prejudiced wife, a victimized Middle Eastern store owner and a wealthy African American couple humiliated by a racist traffic cop (IMDb).

Following the movie, Oliver Reid and LaKesha McGuire lead open discussions with staff about their reactions to the film. Staff also reviewed the definitions of the movies most important themes (see next page).

“ I valued the opportunity for staff to talk and share their opinions about the movie. I learned a lot about people’s perspectives, and the real issues we all experience in life.” - Jessica Higham (Susan’s Place CM)

The quarterly meeting movie screening of “Crash” begins New Hope Housing’s celebration of Black History Month. During the month of February there will be educational field trips, programs, and forums offered to staff as well as

residents. For more details speak with your program site Employee Engagement Committee Representative.

How can we apply what we have learned from the movie and life

experiences to our personal and professional lives?

I would like to thank everyone who view the movie “Crash” and participated in the film discussion at the quarterly meeting. Thanks for viewing the movie with an opened mind. I feel this film highlights the envia-ble fact that although we are all different, we directly and indirectly crash into each other. The significance of this film clearly illustrates that regardless of race, culture, sex, and class, we are all interconnected by the common thread of humanity.

Now that the movie is over it’s time for application. As we work with a variety of both staff and residents, it is important to recognize the lenses we look out of. It is important to note that we all come to the table of life with ex-periences, ideologies, stigmas, and beliefs systems. On the other hand, it is equally important to become aware that others (internal and external team members, clients) sitting across from us also come to the table of life with baggage as well. Awareness is key. Remember we will never all agree but awareness of the prospective of others is vital. I firmly believe, that you really can never get to know or understand a person until you dialogue with them. There are great things ahead of us at NHHI and life in general but we must seek to peel back the layers of diversity. I strongly urge that we remain true to ourselves

and embrace our similarities as well as differences.

Oliver Reid (Director of Community Services)

Major Movie Themes Prejudice- an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason. Racism- a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others. Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. Classism- a biased or discriminatory attitude based on distinctions made between social or economic classes. Sexism- prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. Elitism- consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favored group. Superiority complex- an exaggerated feeling of one's own superiority. Stereotype- a generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group. Privilege- a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people. Discrimination- the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. Reverse racism- reverse racism is in the form of giving special benefits or opportunities to

people who belong to a group which has been under privileged in the past. In effect, you are

essentially committing a racist act by giving preference to one person over another because

of their race, religion, or ethnicity, rather than their personal merit, skills, or knowledge.

Congratulations Samir Suarez (Next Steps Family Program)

Employee of the Quarter!

The New Hope Housing Annual Black History Month Celebration

February 26, 2015 6:00pm—8:30pm

Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church

2001 Sherwood Hall Lane Alexandria, VA 22306

“From adversity to triumph, we shall overcome!”

Falls Church Winter Shelter Out of Poverty Graduation

February 27, 2015

New Hope Housing MLK event at Kennedy Shelter

featured in the Mount Vernon Voice

Please see below for an easy reference of our Emergency and Inclement Weather

Policy. If you have questions, please see your supervisor.

Section 4.8 Personnel Policy Manual:

Emergency and Inclement Weather Conditions

As a residential, emergency housing agency, New Hope Housing is to remain open and

operating at full staff under any and all conditions. Extra planning and care should be

made by staff to insure they are able to report to work as scheduled when there is

inclement weather. Our residents need us more than ever during times of crisis in the

community. Should an emergency or extreme weather condition exist that results in

the Fairfax County government (not schools) closing, New Hope Housing will operate

under “emergency status”. Under emergency status, residential staff is expected to

report to work as scheduled and will be compensated at a rate of 1.5 times their

normal pay rate for the hours they work during the time frame of the emergency

status. Should an emergency or extreme weather occur after normal business hours

when it is unlikely that Fairfax County government would make a determination about

being open, the Executive Director will inform the executive team whether or not the

agency is considered to be in emergency status.

Should the Governor of Virginia declare a State of Emergency due to an extreme

weather condition or other emergency, all staff is expected to stay where they

are. Staff on site will be required to stay on site and staff at home is required to stay

at home until the state of emergency is lifted and it is determined safe to be on the

roads.

Management staff is expected to check in with their teams to determine how they can

best be supported during any emergency or crisis situation.

W-2’s were mailed out on

Friday, January 16th

If you haven’t received your W-2, please contact staff accountant, Lee Voltmer at

703-799-2293 ext. 12 or [email protected]

Did you recently move? If you move, please remember to update your new mailing address by filling out the “Change of Address” form in ADP (located on the main page) and submit to Lee Voltmer at the New Hope Housing admin office. Lastly, if you move to another state, it is very important that you complete new State and Federal Tax withholding forms and submit to payroll. Otherwise, you could end up with a tax liability at tax time.

Please get your timesheets completed and

submitted on time on a daily basis!


Anthony Harnett sends kudos to: Last week, Melissa Davis and Chandra Beander

took time away from their demanding workloads in

order to help me condense and organize a tremendous

number of outreach materials. I want to recognize

their collaborative teamwork and selflessness. It

served me well, eased my anxiety, and allowed me to

gain control of an overwhelming number of supplies.

Summer Hall sends kudos to: Latasha younger thank you for being my sounding

board and support. You are the backbone of this team!

Nicole and Jan thank you for finding art projects for

my client. They are being put to good use.

George Montgomery thank you for cleaning up the

“crime scene” in the kitchen involving the rat!!! You

are my hero.

Sue words cannot express how much I am thankful for

you being my supervisor. Thank you for getting me

through this difficult time.

Dana Murray sends kudos to: Thank you to all those that participated in my baby

shower. It was fabulous! There are some serious party

planners at New Hope. Thank you for all the support

over the past few months. I really appreciate it.

LaKesha McGuire sends kudos to: Oliver Reid for facilitating the staff quarterly meet-

ing. Your ability to ask the right questions and lead a

discussion with great diplomacy is appreciated. You

got the dialogue flowing! Job Well done!

Samir congratulations on receiving the Employee of

the Quarter award. You deserve it! Also, I appreciate

you coming to the church early on a snowy day to

help me set up. What would I do without you?

Tava White sends kudos to: Ashley, Chimere and Alyss for being great team

players and always willing to go above and beyond

when necessary!

Tava White kudos cont’d:

Ms. Ollie I don’t know what I would do without you!

Thank you for assisting with a challenging APS client

and everything else that you do!

Zach thanks for continuing to try to engage with

residents and get them to participate! I’m excited about

“Getting Fit With Zach” I’m excited to see this grow!

Stacey, Veronica, Roscoe, Sheila, Michael, Louis,

and Marion for your continued commitment and dedica-

tion to our residents and always willing to step up and

cover shifts.

The start of this new year has been eventful and challeng-

ing already, but with you all on my team I think we are

going to continue to stride!

Pam Michell sends kudos to:

Oliver and LaKesha for planning and facilitating a great

quarterly meeting and to all staff who participated so openly

and respectfully in our discussion after the

movie. Let’s keep talking.

Max’s staff, Sue, Latasha, and especially Summer for work-

ing with an extremely challenging resident with

patience, dignity, and respect.

Lee for continuing to get those checks cut and sent in a timely

manner and for ensuring we all get paid correctly. Let’s ALL

help her out by doing and approving timesheets correctly and

on time and by getting check requests in as soon as you get the

bill so we avoid as much last minute work as possible.

Shelter case managers keep up the good work on the rapid

re-housing challenge.

Dana for responding quickly to my various unscheduled re-

quests for data.

Tania for organizing a great volunteer employment workshop

for Kennedy residents with Accenture volunteers. I heard so

many good things.

Jessica and James for taking on extra cases in our new PSH

programs while we hire.

Shanice, Chavon, and Simajah for taking on shelter cases in

addition to your community cases.


Martha Faconer sends kudos to: Special thank you to Jan for assisting with the Chipotle food

pick up.

Donna and Alex for putting all the food baskets together for

special projects.

Jeff and Eddie for all the hard work setting up units for residents in the new programs.

DANA MURRAY BABY SHOWER

OPEN POSITIONS

New Hope Housing is currently accepting resumes for the

following job opportunities:

On Call Resident Service Specialists-

Mondloch House/Mondloch Place/Kennedy/ACS Responsibilities include monitoring the shelter, answering the phones, greeting visi-

tors, and most importantly interacting in a positive manner with our residents. $13.13

an hour. Must be flexible, dependable, and have the ability to work with a diversified

group of individuals. A High School diploma or GED is necessary, and previous

experience with the homeless/mentally ill a plus. Successful candidates will be called

to duty when we are short staffed. Hours are flexible, not scheduled, and you must be

willing to cover shifts at a moment’s notice. $13.13 an hour. EOE/ADA that values

diversity.

On-Call Residential Service Specialist for Susan’s Place and Max’s Place

On-Call Residential Services Specialist (RSS) for chronically homeless adults with

substance abuse/mental illness/or co-occurring disorders located in Arlington and

Falls Church Virginia. Must be able to establish rapport and build trust with residents

and be comfortable working in a program with few rules. Need to be flexible and have

an ability to handle crisis situations. RSS will assist Outreach Counselors with leading

life skills groups/activities, cooking and cleaning with residents and general upkeep of

the house. RSS monitors residents medication. Must be able to work well inde-

pendently and must be reliable. Provides On-call coverage. Must have a valid driver’s

license and BA in behavioral science or related field. Experience can be substituted

for education. BSW preferred. Two years experience with homeless adults, adults

with mental illness or substance abusers. Counseling and crisis intervention skills.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Salary is $13.13 an

hour. EOE/ADA that values diversity.

If interested, please send resume to [email protected]

New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE/ADA that values diversity!

mailto:[email protected]

OPEN POSITIONS



Case Manager Position - Full Time (Housing First Case Management)

Reporting to the Program Coordinator, HUD PROGRAMS, you will case manage up to 14 single adult

residents at scattered sites in Fairfax County. Will work with area agencies to identify individuals on

waiting lists and/or in programs in need services of supportive housing. Works with residents and other

service providers to develop a plan of service to meet social, health, emotional and economic needs to

prevent or end homelessness. Coordinates services using a wraparound approach. Provides individual and

group life skills training, socialization skills, and enrichment activities, including money management, cook-

ing, nutrition, etc.

· Addresses and if necessary, diffuses crisis situations with residents. Assesses safety issues and assists

residents to access emergency services as needed (e.g., mental health services, adult protective

services, women’s shelter, homeless shelter).

· Advocates for and actively assists residents in obtaining services (e.g., health, mental health, intellectual

disability, alcohol and drug, housing referrals, financial assistance, home based services, training,

medical services, mentoring, and socialization).

· Assists residents with upkeep of apartments by meeting regularly with residents in their units. Through life

skills training, teaches residents simple household chores, upkeep, and cleanliness of their homes.

· Develops and maintains a positive relationship with the property management for units.

· Transports residents as needed.

· Meets with the resident as needed to provide feedback. Regularly assesses, supports, and facilitates

resident progress. Maintains case notes in HMIS.

· Maintains records in compliance with agency policy and compiles requisite statistics.

· Attends interdisciplinary meetings regarding resident progress. Prepares clinical reports for inter

disciplinary team.

· Works flexible hours in order to accommodate residents’ needs.

· Models caring, concerned, respectful attitude toward residents. Maintains adherence to resident guidelines

and is familiar with and complies with policies and procedures of New Hope Housing, Inc.

· Identifies and addresses volunteer needs for program. Develops and maintains a positive relationship with

volunteers and donors.

Performs other duties as assigned. BA/MA degree and considerable experience working with adults with

serious mental illness. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Experience with

chronically homeless adults and adults with substance abuse issues. Strong counseling and crisis interven-

tion skills. Flexibility, creativity, and leadership skills. Able to make decisions independently and work

autonomously. Will rotate “on call” phone with other team members. Candidate must have a valid driver’s

license, a clean driving record, and willingness to use their personal vehicle to perform work related

duties. $41,000 annually EOE/ADA that values diversity!




OPEN POSITIONS



Full Time Case Manager-Kennedy Shelter

Full Time Case Manager needed for our single adult shelter serving

individuals with mental health issues and substance abuse. You will

be part of a dynamic, “Case Management Team”. Responsibilities

include resident assessment, service plan development, counseling,

and crisis interventions and committed to rapid re-housing. Some

early evenings may be required. Bachelor degree required, prefera-

bly in social services. Bilingual preferred. Candidate must have a

valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and willingness to use

personal vehicle to perform work related duties. $40,000 annually

EOE/ADA that values diversity.




JANUARY

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2

PAYDAY 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13

Board Mtg.

14 15

PAYDAY 16 17

18 19

MLK HOLIDAY

20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27

Quarterly Mtg.

28 29

PAYDAY 30 31

Name Location Dates Times

Next Steps Team Sacramento Drive Every Wed 9:15am

ACS Team ACS Every Wed 2pm

EUKS Team EUKS Every Thu 2pm

Housing 1st and Bridging Affordability MP Conf Rm 4th Tues of each month 2pm

Gartlan, Susan's, Max's, Just Homes Team Susan’s Place 3rd Tues of each month 10am

Mondloch House and Mondloch Place

Team MH Conf Rm Every 1st Wed of each month 11:30am

Community Services Team Admin Every 1st Monday of each month 10am

Tea

m M

eet

ings

Name Month Day

Lara Ostapiej JAN 2

Anthony Hartnett JAN 5

Phillip Mitchell JAN 7

Bonsetta Rushing JAN 9

Ashley Jennings JAN 11

Celestine Chew JAN 12

Yvonne Kedoin JAN 12

LaKesha McGuire JAN 20

Helen Berhane JAN 24

Vera Johnson-Stewart JAN 24

Name Month Day Years

Alba Mathewson JAN 13 1

Sharina Jagoonanan JAN 12 6

Dana Murray JAN 7 7

Stanley Royals JAN 2 8

Veronica Letsinger JAN 17 11

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