Fall 2013 - HACOLA.org

THE LINK
A Newsletter for the Residents of the
Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles
Fall 2013
“Connecting you to resident success”
Under the Sea
For more information use the
new resident services email.
[email protected]
Maria Badrakhan
Director
Housing Management
Division
Shelly Thompson
Programs Administrator
Resident Service Programs
Angelina Romero
Editor-in-Chief
Did you know you may
choose between making your
rental payments ONLINE or
through AUTOMATIC
PAYMENTS from your
account?
For Web Based Online
Payments visit:
www.hacola.org
To learn more about
automatic monthly payments
from your bank account,
please contact your
management office and
complete an enrollment form.
Free Nicotine Patches for LA
County Residents.
If you’re ready to quit
smoking, just call the
California Smokers’ Helpline
1-800-NO-BUTTS – to get a
free supply of nicotine
patches, no strings attached.
Marina Manor Residents
On September 6th, a group of Marina Manor
residents took a day trip to the Aquarium of the
Pacific located in Long Beach. The event was
planned and coordinated by Resident Council
President Clementine Tina Houseton. Residents
enjoyed a relaxing day viewing exotic sea
creatures including the olive
ridley sea turtle. Residents
thank Supervisor Zev
Yaroslavsky who generously
provided transportation.
The Road to Self-Sufficiency
Harbor Hills resident Samantha Conner utilizes
resources available to her while living in public
housing. Conner is currently the Resident Council
President and a participant of the Family SelfSufficiency (FSS) Program. In addition, Ms.
Conner recently graduated from California State
University, Dominguez Hills where she received
her Master’s Degree in Social Work. As a result,
she obtained full-time employment as a Case
Manager at the Advanced Center for Community Harbor Hills Resident Samantha Conner
Opportunity Resource & Development (ACCORD). HACoLA applauds her for her hard work
and dedication to becoming economically self-sufficient.
Family Self-Sufficiency Graduates
The FSS Program is a voluntary program designed
to assist Public Housing residents achieve
economic independence. Housing Management is proud to announce the first two
graduates of the Program, Dorismar Peterson and Nancy Najera.
Dorismar Peterson, a Nueva Maravilla resident since 2007, joined the FSS program
in December 2011 with the goals of maintaining employment and achieving
homeownership. In less than two years, Ms. Peterson established an FSS escrow
account, and completed an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer workshop. Peterson
has now voluntarily left public housing and moved her family to Texas in pursuit of
From left to right; Dorismar Peterson,
homeownership. The FSS escrow funds Angelina Romero
will assist her with this new endeavor.
Nancy Najera, a Carmelitos resident since 2009, joined the FSS Program in May 2012
with the goal of achieving employment and homeownership. She attended a
Community Development Commission sponsored first-time homebuyer workshop
and participated in The Growing Experience’s Urban Agriculture Business Training
Program offered by the Community Development Foundation (CDF). Ms. Najera is
now in escrow to purchase an affordable condo in the City of Bellflower.
Carmelitos Resident Nancy Najera
HACoLA commends both graduates for their hard work and dedication.
Back to School Jam
RESOURCE FAIR 2013
The Annual Back to School Jams are hosted by HACoLA. Each family housing development
provided backpacks, school supplies, and uniforms to participating school–aged youth.
Partnering agencies staffed informational booths that provided educational and health resources.
Housing Authority Resident (HAR) Scholarship 2013
On August 28th, the CDF awarded over $25,000 in scholarship funds
to low-income Public Housing and Section 8 residents. In total, 28
scholarship awards were made to students attending a 4-year
university, community college, or vocational program.
Juan Gutierrez, the highest ranking adult applicant, is one of the 28
awardees that strives to move out of Public Housing and be a role
model for others. As a freshman at Garfield High School, Juan did not
pass a single class. In 2011, seven years after dropping out of high
school, Juan discovered and enrolled in the LA CAUSA’s YouthBuild
charter school. This past June, at the age of 23, Juan graduated from
high school and is now enrolled at East Los Angeles College and
From left to right; Juan Gutierrez, Commissioner Henry Antioch University Los Angeles’ Bridge Program. Additionally, he
is expanding the first community garden in East Los Angeles with a
Porter
grant from the Lead Now Fellowship. Juan now aspires to be an
academic counselor to help motivate students like him. HAR Scholarships made to Juan and the 27 other 2013 awardees are
made possible by generous donations from CDC employees, Southern California Edison, Union Bank, and other private
donors.
For more information regarding the HAR Scholarship, please visit the CDF
website at www.lacdf.org, or call (626) 586-1899.
The LINK is a publication of the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles. For questions regarding this
newsletter, or to learn more about Resident Service Programs in your community, please contact Shelly Thompson,
Programs Administrator, at (626) 586-1925, or by email at [email protected]. Visit our website at
www.HACoLA.org for English and Spanish publications.