Summer 2014 - Saratoga County RPC

Newsletter
Summer 2014
Ballston Spa, New York
Guardian House Report Card
After Nearly Three Years in Operation Serving
Homeless Women Veterans..........
How Are We Doing?
This Issue:
SCRPC Executive
Director Announces
His Retirement
Summer 2014
Board of Directors
Julia Towne
Ballston Spa, New York
Message from the
Executive Director
President
Dear Supporters and Friend:
Thomas Ratsep
Treasurer
Debora Bouchard
Secretary
In this issue we will present an overview of the progress and successes that
the Guardian House has experienced as we approach our third anniversary of
accepting homeless women veterans. We have learned a great deal and have
been extraordinarily gratified with the results of this unique program.
With this issue, we begin a segment where we will highlight the contributions
of one individual and one organization in each subsequent issue. For this
issue, we are pleased to salute Tim Williams, as our individual supporter, and
Home Depot, as our organizational supporter.
Members at Large
I will be retiring as Executive Director of SCRPC in the next few months; I
Wendy Brust
Joyce Dominick-Schaefer
Rocco Ferraro
Edward Gradwell
started in April 2008 and am very pleased to have been at the helm of this
organization while we experienced growth and had many successes - too
numerous to mention here. I have been blessed throughout these 6 1/2 years
having worked with a staff of dedicated and hardworking individuals; SCRPC
has also been fortunate to have a Board of Directors that care a great deal
about this organization and give much of their time and energy to assist in its
success; finally, not enough can be said for the hundreds of individual and
Norman McFarlane
Michael Prutsman
Bruce Relyea
Patti Southworh
organizational support we receive every year- without this support, SCRPC’s
job of fulfilling our mission would be severely hampered.
Thank you for your support and I wish you well.
A.C. (Budd) Mazurek
Executive Director
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Summer 2014
SCRPC Staff
Administration
A.C. (Budd) Mazurek
Executive Director
[email protected]
Marta Poirier, Finance Director
[email protected]
Marge Brahm, Admin Manager
[email protected]
Saratoga Regional Housing Services
Robin Deierlein, Director
[email protected]
Colleen O. Smith, Assistant
housingasst@ saratogarpc.org
Stan Urbonowicz, Inspector
[email protected]
Larry Skramstad, Facilities Manager
James Colville, Maintenance
Community Development
Administrative Solutions
[email protected]
VET HELP
Don Little, Director
[email protected]
Terry Clare, Senior Case Manager
[email protected]
Natalia Machado, Case Manager
[email protected]
Leslie Carroll, Case Manager
[email protected]
Leigha Martin, Administrative
Coordinator, SSVF
[email protected]
Bill May, Outreach Specialist /
Case Manager, SSVF
[email protected]
Jonathan Parsons, Outreach Specialist/
Case Manager, SSVF
[email protected]
Karen Follett, Outreach Specialist/
Case Manager, SSVF
[email protected]
Admin/Housing Programs -885-0091
Vethelp/Veterans Programs -885-0673
Community Development-279-7662
Ballston Spa, New York
SCRPC PROGRAMS
VET HELP
VETerans Housing, Employment and Life skills Programs
The following are the services we provide to homeless veterans:
We have a 12 bed transitory house for homeless male veterans and an 11 bed
transitory house for homeless women veterans, both located in Ballston Spa;
veterans can stay for as long as two years. We also have a 12 unit apartment
complex in the Town of Wilton for formerly homeless veterans and their
families; several of the current residents came from our transitory facility. We
also have a two family residence in Ballston Spa which we rent to formerly
homeless, disabled veterans and their families. In addition, our housing division
runs the County wide Section 8 voucher program and the Rental Assistance
Program for Saratoga Springs; both are avenues to help the homeless vet
secure permanent housing. In addition, we provide case management, legal
and benefits advocacy, employment assistance, treatment programs through
the VA to treat PTSD, TBI, drug/alcohol addiction as well as medical/dental care.
We counsel the veterans on budget issues, relationship building/repairing and
living an independent life after they successfully graduate from our program.
Supportive Services to Veterans Families (SSVF) program is designed to help
Veteran families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless with
temporary financial assistance and extensive case management to quickly
help the families regain stability in permanent housing. Temporary Financial
Assistance, for income qualified veterans, can include rental assistance,
utility/fee payments, deposits, moving costs, transportation, child care and
emergency supplies. This program covers the following areas: Washington,
Warren, Saratoga, Schenectady, Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie Counties.
For more information, call toll free at 1-855-233-1117.
Saratoga Regional Housing Services
(SRHS)
Section 8 – SRHS administers the Section 8 voucher rental assistance programs
for the County of Saratoga and the Town of Wilton, with over 250 families
receiving subsidies each month. Our office also oversees the Rental Assistance
Program for Homeless Person with Disabilities for the City of Saratoga Springs,
as well as the incoming VASH vouchers for homeless veterans. We administer
the NHTD (Nursing Home Transition & Diversion) program for the Counties
of Saratoga and Washington. In addition, we are the Property Managers at
the Allen Drive apartments in Saratoga Springs, for the Saratoga Affordable
Housing Group
Community Development
Alternative Solutions of Schuylerville, New York administers SCRPC programs
funded by various NYS agencies to help improve the housing needs of low
income families in Saratoga, Washington and Schenectady Counties.
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Summer 2014
Ballston Spa, New York
The Guardian House – 2011 to 2014
Progress Report
October 1, 2011 – We welcomed our first resident; by the end of 2011, we had five veterans
living at the house; May 2012 brought our census up to eight women; and one year after
opening our doors, we had filled all 11 beds. Since that first anniversary, our census has
varied from 8 to 11 as women successfully “graduated” from the program to pursue their
goals and dreams that were temporarily interrupted due to their homelessness.
Demographic breakdown of the residents who have or are currently residing at the Guardian
House are as follows – The average age of the women is 55 years of age, the youngest
being 28 and the oldest at 63; Ethnic breakdown – 59% white, 28% African-American, 10%
Hispanic/Latino, 3% Native American.
Most of these women are dealing with one or more challenges that brought them to
the Guardian House; these include: Chronic homelessness, mental health/trauma issues,
substance abuse, military sexual trauma, PTSD and domestic violence issues.
Even with the challenges these women have faced, many have reached success levels
they only dreamed about a few years ago – some of those success stories are included
here.
MK – Came to us with a history of substance abuse that completely dismantled her life.
During her two plus year stay, she remained sober, obtained a steady job, took courses at
Schenectady County Community College, did an internship at a substance abuse treatment
center and was the Guardian House “House Manager” for two years. She currently resides
in her own apartment, is attending school to receive her Credentialed Alcohol Counselor
certificate and is working full time.
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Summer 2014
Ballston Spa, New York
RB – Arrived at our doorstep after years of evictions, chronic homelessness and
unemployment. During her stay with us, she obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant
certificate and currently works at a local retirement community. She lives in a three
bedroom affordable apartment with her children and grandchildren and is doing well.
MK #2 – After years of bouncing from homeless shelter to homeless shelter, she found her
way to the Guardian house and found the courage to address the long standing issues that
kept her from being the successful person she is today. She currently works part time at an
area museum and has her own apartment.
KW – Had severe health problems that led to unemployment and homelessness. She
addressed the health issues, found suitable employment, reconnected with her children
and is currently living in Pennsylvania with her significant other.
DD – Suffered from some mental health issues that prevented her from maintaining
meaningful employment. She has since addressed those issues and is currently working
with disabled veterans and enjoys living in her new apartment.
CB – Suffered from PTSD which was a direct result of her combat service in Iraq. We assisted
her in receiving treatment and service related disability. Her PTSD is now under control
and she happily lives in her own apartment.
SB – Worked through her challenges while here at the Guardian House and successfully
obtained her dream in life – Living in Hawaii.
KD – Arrived here with little or no possessions, suffering from a service connected injury
that she had not been receiving adequate compensation for. We advocated for her, got her
compensation upgraded. For the first time in years, she has her own apartment, a car and
a part time job.
Through it all, these past three years have been a gratifying experience for the SCRPC
staff as we witnessed the recovery of these very special women.
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Summer 2014
Ballston Spa, New York
Highlighting Our Individual and Company Supporters
Starting with this issue of the RPC Newsletter, we will acknowledge in each issue an individual
and a company that has contributed to the success of our organization.
Tim Williams
Tim has been an ardent supporter of our veterans since 2007. While Commander of the Sons of
the American Legion Post 278, he spearheaded a fund drive to raise funds to repair the flooring
at the Men’s House.
During his time at Post 278, Tim and his wife Jamie, provided invitations for our residents to attend
the Post’s Veterans Day dinner from 2007 to 2012. At these events, the Sons of the American
Legion have donated significant sums of money for both the men’s and women’s transitional
facilities. In addition, Tim and the American Legion have presented $50.00 Christmas gift cards to
residents at both houses 2008 to 2013.
In 2013, Tim joined American Legion Post 1450 and implemented the same $50.00 Christmas gift
card program.
Tim is a member of the Goat Brothers Motorcycle Group and has been instrumental in securing
donations from this group to support both houses.
Finally, Tim just completed running in the Lake Placid ½ marathon where he gathered donations
for running in the event and pledged all to each of our veterans facilities.
Tim Williams has been and continues to be a great friend to our veterans –Thank you, Tim!
Home Depot
The local Capital Region stores and their employees have donated their time and money performing
projects such as; 1) a complete exterior makeover of our two-family home in Ballston Spa for
disabled veterans and their families; 2) a $3,800.00 store credit to be used for various projects at
both houses and 3) Several years of Spring yard cleanup and landscaping at both facilities.
The staff and residents of the Vet House and the Guardian House appreciate the volunteerism
demonstrated by the employees of the Capital Region Home Depot stores.
In addition, the Home Depot Foundation has contributed $25,000.00 in gift cards to be used to
renovate the Guardian House – Thank you, Home Depot!
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Summer 2014
Ballston Spa, New York
SCRPC Staff News
Several changes have occurred within our staffing ranks in the past several
months due to our ever changing program responsibilities
Leigha Martin, formerly a Case Manager at the Guardian House, was appointed
Administrative Coordinator for the Supportive Services to Veterans Families
(SSVF) program (Jan).
Natalia Machado was hired as a Case Manager for the Guardian House (Feb).
Karen Follett was hired as a Case Manager/Outreach Specialist for the SSVF
program (Apr).
Marta Poirier, formerly SCRPC’s Assistant Finance Director, was appointed
Finance Director (June).
TIM WILLIAMS
RUN FOR HOMELESS VETS
JUNE 8, 2014
Tim’s Marathon raised over $5,000.00 for the Guardian House and the
Vet Home
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Saratoga County
Rural Preservation Company
P.O. Box 563
Ballston Spa, New York 12020
The Vet House