ROSS Newsletter April 2015 - The Housing Authority of Columbus
Transcription
ROSS Newsletter April 2015 - The Housing Authority of Columbus
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA 2015 P Dealing with Stress Article by: INSIDE THIS ISSUE: What’s Up? 2 Leap into Fun Congratulations Circles Graduates! 2 April is Child Abuse Prevention Month 2 VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) A New Beginning 3 Job Listings for Job Seekers Unity with Pam TV Show 4 Contacts and Resource Centers April Facts Easter Sunday is April 5th April is Child Abuse Prevention Month April is Mathematics Awareness Month April is Youth Sports Safety Month April is Alcohol Awareness Month April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month 4 Why Do We Teach Our Children to Count? Article by: Lyn Seaman Why do we teach our children to count? Counting is a building block for math learning which begins before school. Counting is a basic skill to be learned before a child starts kindergarten. Young children need to count objects not just recite numbers. There are many daily activities a parent can do to have their children count, like ducks on a page, shoes, food, etc. On March 10, Miss Lyn and Miss Danielle of Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, used the St. Patrick’s Day theme to count lucky charms from Lucky Charm cereal and green things like green shamrock stickers. The parents and children took a walk outside to count how many green things could be found. Each child received a cupcake, a juice box and a take home craft. Money Smarts for Kids Article by: Lakisa Russell In this tough economy, this is the perfect opportunity to raise money-smart kids. The Family Center of Columbus provided public housing residents the opportunity to learn financial literacy by engaging and empowering students to learn money skills for good personal finance. Students gained experience in making financial decisions they'll face as adults, and get a jumpstart on setting personal financial goals. If you want to get an idea of how to budget and become financially stable in a tough economy, please call Lakisa Russell @706-571-2800 ext. 889. Sydney Peeler Did you know that April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month? Handling and coping with stress is an important topic to discuss when talking about parenting. Childwelfare.gov states, “Learning to manage your stress will improve your happiness and show your children that they can handle stress, too.” Below are some tips taken from www.childwelfare.gov on how parents can learn to manage their own stress, so that their children are not inadvertently effected by stress. Identify what is making you stressed Have faith that you can overcome stressful situations Relax by either exercising, playing a board game with your kids, or listening to music Take care of your health by eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting a proper amount of sleep Take time for yourself to either read a book, take a bath, or pick a hobby Develop a support network where you can ask for help As a community, it is our duty to bring awareness to this situation. There are over 20 tip sheets on www.childwelfare.gov for you to share with your friends, family, and neighbors on how to provide support for parents and protect children throughout the community. Protect Yourself and Your Family Accidental poisoning by common household items kills more people than car accidents each year. Products we use everyday such as medicines, household cleaning solutions, children’s art supplies, makeup and other personal items can be toxic if used incorrectly. Learn about the dangers and who’s most at risk, how to poison - proof your place, and what you can do if you experience an emergency. Contact the Poison Help Line at 1800-222-122 and use the emergency checklist as a guide for what information to give the poison expert on the phone. Keep the Poison Help Line number available and be sure to save it in your cell phone. PAGE 2 What’s Up! Boys of Distinction @ BTW Community Room Mon. April 13 & 27 6:00pm Simple Steps @ Wilson & BTW Community Rooms Tues. April 14 12:30pm - 1:30pm Leap Into Fun Congratulations Circles Graduates! It’s St. Patrick’s Day and a Leprechaun visits your school...he’s carrying a large sack filled with magical items, and when he opens the bag and gives you a magical item, out pops a RAINBOW! What was so exciting about this activity was fourteen children were sitting on the edge of their seats filled with anticipation and waiting in awe! Circles in Columbus is a part of a national movement to end poverty. “Circles® USA is a high-impact community strategy to end poverty one family at a time through intentional relationships built across economic class lines.” Article By: Keyshia Adams I’m a little shamrock look at me Oh what color can I be Columbus Regional Mobile Health Unit @ Farley 2nd Wed. each Month 9:00am - 12:00pm Columbus Regional Mobile Health Unit @ Canty 3rd Wed. each Month 9:00am - 12:00pm Simple Steps @ E. Canty Community Room Tues. April 28 12:30am - 1:30pm Great Start Georgia of Columbus Great Start Georgia is a FREE group of services that care about helping pregnant mothers and mothers who have children, aged newborn to 3 years old, and their families. Mothers, please contact Great Start Georgia of Columbus at (706) 225-3859 to learn more about keeping your children and yourself healthy, happy, safe, and successful. If you said that I was the color green then stand right up and YELL YIPPEE! The Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia is very grateful for its partnership with the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries. The time and stories read to the children provides an opportunity for them to explore unknown territories. Hats off to Ms. Debra and the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries! If you are between the ages of 18 to 21, you can “Earn While You Learn” with PAXEN learning program in Columbus. To learn more, call (706) 505-2597. Hurry - “spots are going fast!” Literacy Alliance FREE Classes - Reading & Math (706) 748-2609 GeorgiaCares GeorgiaCares will be on site at E.J. Knight Senior Citizen Nutrition Center - 1121 Fort Benning Road, Columbus, Georgia on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 9am-10:30am to answer Medicare questions, help Medicare Beneficiaries apply for extra help with getting their Part B Premium paid, and assist them with completing their SNAP applications. To learn more, please contact GeorgiaCares at 1 866-552-4464 option 4. For additional information Please Call: Quote (706) 571-2800, ext. 812 or 859 “Sometimes questions are more important than answers.” - Nancy Willard Article by: Lakisa Russell Several residents of The Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia, recently participated with two to four Allies who supported them in their ongoing efforts to develop emotional, intellectual, financial, and spiritual resources necessary for achieving self-sufficiency. With pride, all participating residents successfully completed the Circles Leader Training. On behalf of the Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia, congratulations and good luck to all participants on future endeavors. If you are interested in becoming involved with Circles of Columbus, please call Lakisa Russell at 706-571-2800 ext. 889. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month Article by: Tewa Harris Did you know that Child neglect is the most common type of child abuse. Neglect can be anything from failing to provide for a child's basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, or supervision. Child neglect is not always easy to spot. Sometimes, a parent might become physically or mentally unable to care for a child, such as with a serious injury, untreated depression, or anxiety. Other times, alcohol or drug abuse may seriously impair judgment and the ability to keep a child safe. Older children might not show outward signs of neglect, becoming used to presenting a competent face to the outside world, and even taking on the role of the parent. But at the end of the day, neglected children are not getting their physical and emotional needs met. Did you know?... The IRS stops and flags suspicious or duplicate federal tax returns that falsely represent your identity, such as your name or social security number. If the IRS suspects tax ID theft, the agency will send a 5071C letter to your home address. If you receive this letter, verify your identity at idverify.irs.gov or call the toll-free number listed in the letter. Homeownership - The American Dream Make it a Reality! To learn more, please call your ROSS Service Coordinator @ (706) 571-2800, ext. 812 or 859 PAGE 3 Taxes Done FREE Free tax services are available if your household income was $58,000 or less in 2014. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Locations: Goodwill Columbus Midtown Career Center 2601 Cross Country Drive, Columbus, GA 31906 (706) 324-4366 Tues. - Thurs.: 10am - 7pm Fri: 10:00am - 5:00pm Sat: 9:00am - 3:00pm Britt David Baptist Church 2801 W. Britt David Rd. Columbus, GA 31909 (706) 322-0357 Mon - Wed: 9:00am - 5:00pm Tues & Thurs: 9:00am - 7:00pm Fri: 3:00pm - 6:00pm Consumer Credit Counseling Service 1350 15th Ave, Columbus, GA 31901 (706) 327-3239 Call for Appointment Homeless Resource Network 2221 2nd Ave, Columbus, GA 31901 (706) 571-3399 Mon: 9:30am - 12:00pm Fri: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Boys and Girls Club 3200 Cusseta Rd, Columbus, GA 31903 (706) 322-0357 Fri: 10:00am - 1:00pm Call location for availability after tax season Share with Care The next time that you are online, think about what you share with others. You have lots of opportunities to share all kinds of information about yourself, your family, and friends when you’re on line. Think before you post and share. Your online actions can have unwarranted consequences for life. Visit onguardonline.gov to learn more Did you know?... “If Tenant misrepresents to Management the facts upon which Tenant’s rent is based or fails to comply with Management’s request for information and consequently is undercharged an increase in rent will be put in effect and made retroactive .” (Section 5b of Lease) A New Beginning with Hope Harbour Article by: Marie Peterson Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of social or economic status, age, race, gender, education, sexual orientation, or background. On February 12, Candice Person, Community Outreach Manager with Hope Harbour, graciously informed residents that domestic violence includes verbal abuse, unnecessary jealously, control of all components of one’s life, and making threats. Ms. Person encouraged residents to reach out for help if they are in an abusive relationship or if they know of someone that is being abused. She also reminded residents not to place themselves in harm’s way (Dial 911) nor to allow themselves to be used by someone that is being abused. Should you find yourself in a domestic violence situation, remember, you are not alone, there is help. Domestic violence advocates can be reached on GA’s 24-Hour Statewide Hotline 1-800-334-2836 or the local Crisis Line at (706) 324-3850. Choose Your Attitude Life can be so unpredictable and far beyond your control at times. However, one thing you can always do something about is your attitude. Make up your mind everyday to stay positive and upbeat, no matter what happens. A positive attitude leads to happiness and success and can change your whole life. It allows you to look at failure and problems as blessings in disguise. A positive attitude increases your faith in your abilities, and brings hope for a brighter tomorrow. Job Listings for Job Seekers Social Worker WellCare Columbus GA Coordinates the socio economic needs and service of selected member populations across the continuum of illness. Interviews, coordinates and plan activities and behavioral routines to meet the medical, social, and emotional needs of members and their families. Provide support and invention and assists members in understanding the implications and complexities of their current medical situation and overall personal care. Apply @ jobs.wellcare.com Cashier/Food SVC Worker Compass Group Columbus, GA Help with the preparation of foods, and prepare catering orders. Perform cashier duties using the POS system. Perform general cleaning duties; remove trash and garbage to designated areas.. Perform cashier responsibilities according to established procedures. Maintain cash accuracy with receipts and make deposits at the end of each shift. Set up items for purchase daily. Perform others duties as required. Apply@ Compassgroupcareers.com Driver ( pickup & Delivery) Valley Rescue Mission, Columbus, Georgia Driver is responsible for collecting, transporting, and delivering donated items according to established guidelines and schedules; must be good steward by demonstrating sound judgment in managing, controlling, and securing donated items according to policy and procedures. Perform other duties as required. [email protected] Unity with Pam TV Show Celebrates 10 Years of Television Broadcasting Article by: Marie Peterson The Unity with Pam TV Show is an outreach Christian television talk show based in Columbus, Georgia. You might think…What is an outreach? Outreach is an interest in providing services to people who might not otherwise have access to those services. For more than 10 years, the Unity with Pam TV Show has done just that. Hovey has passionately covered a multitude of topics such as ministry, business, health education, food, fashion, and has provided helpful and needed services to those who may otherwise not have had the opportunity to receive those services. The show’s target is diversification, effectively reaching and serving a culturally diverse population. On February 16, 2015, Pam Hovey received accolades from family and friends, business leaders, politicians and well-wishers within the community for her noteworthy achievements, as she celebrated 10 amazing years in television broadcasting. The celebration was held at Sugga’s Restaurant in Columbus, Georgia. Contact Us Neighborhood Networks Resource Centers: ROSS Service Program Coordinator: Keyshia Adams BTW, Chase, Warren Williams and Ashley Station (706) 571-2800, ext. 859 Elizabeth Canty (12 computers) 100 Canty Place (706) 571-2944 Mon. - 10:00am - 12:00pm Wed. 10:00am - 6:00pm ROSS Service Program Coordinator: Marie Peterson Wilson, Farley, Canty, E. J. Knight and Arbor Pointe (706) 571-2800, ext. 812 Booker T. Washington (18 computers) 500 5th Avenue (706) 571-2924 Tues. 10:00am - 6:00pm Thurs. 10:00am - 6:00pm Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator: Lakisa Russell Public Housing (706) 571-2800, ext. 889 The ROSS Program is sponsored through a grant between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia. Nicholson Terrace (4 computers) 1313 14th Street (1st Floor) (706) 571-2946 E.E. Farley (6 computers) 1901 Nina Street Warren Williams (8 computers) 1002 Wynnton Road (706) 571-2984 Thurs. 1:00pm - 6:00pm Luther Wilson (24 computers) 718 35th Street (706) 571-2918 Mon. 12::00pm - 6:00pm Tues. 10:00am - 12:00pm Wed. 12:00pm - 6:00pm Thurs. 10:00am - 12:00pm Louis Chase (6 computers) 120 20th Street Tues. 1:00pm - 6:00pm Mon.. 1:00pm - 5:00pm Help Columbus http:helpcolumbus.com/