Human Development Services Of Westchester

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	Doni Cribari, Administrative Assistant and Darnell Waters, Shelter Plus Care Supervisor, enjoying the walk.

Washington Mutual WALK-A-THON

On September 29th, 2002 HDSW’s Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPO) staff and volunteers raised money for and walked in the Washington Mutual sponsored Walk on Home walkathon for affordable housing. Walkers from HDSW, which included Gordon Albert and his family, parishioners of Strait Gate Church, Nicole Carroll, Doni Cribari, and Darnell Waters, experienced a beautiful day at Croton Point Park, which included live music from Jewel and Diana King! The proceeds that walkers raised were shared equally among the 17 participating Westchester non-profits, raising $1,442 for the NPC.

NPC Awarded United Way ‘Targeted Impact Fund’ Grant and Citigroup Foundation Grant

HDSW’s Village of Port Chester Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPC) Rehabilitation Program was recently awarded a $4,500 grant from the United Way of Westchester and Putnam Targeted Impact Fund and a $3,000 grant from the Citigroup Foundation. These grants will assist the NPC to continue working to increase and preserve affordable housing for Village of Port Chester residents. Through the NPC Rehabilitation Program, HDSW offers grants for moderate home renovations and rehabilitation to individuals and families of low or low-to-moderate income in Port Chester. This population lacks the financial resources to correct code violations or serious structural problems and to insure that their home meets minimum requirements for safety, accessibility and energy conservation.

Qualified homeowners are eligible for up to $25,000 of moderate rehab work on their home. If you are interested in learning more about this program or are seeking landlord-tenant mediation, tenant assistance and advocacy, eviction prevention, first time homebuyer counseling, and/or home ownership counseling, please contact Gordon Albert, Director of Housing, at (914) 939-2005.



	The group heads out to the Narragensett Bay

Residents’ Summer Vacation 2002
Letter from a vacationer to Kathy Pandekakes

Dear Kathy,
Imade up a brief summary of our trip by both consumers and staff to our favorite summer spot, which happens to be Newport, R.I. I read it to the entire group on the last day of our vacation.

This trip was super, cool, and awesome. Within a short amount of time, we covered sailing, beautiful and elaborate mansions, shopping, movies, and the picturesque oceanfront.

The staff was top-notch. They catered to all of our whims and fancies. How patient, loving, understanding, and concerned they were for all of us. The luncheons and dinners were “Out of sight.” We had food to eat and enjoy, but we also had “Food for thought” within our shared rooms, the traveling vans, and meeting place too.

The trinkets along the way were fun, but the T-shirts, coffee, cake, and other such delights topped even the American Teenage Award aired on T.V. our last night together. We all had a wonderful time. We hope to add a fifth day to our trip to include Boston next year.

The Supported Housing Program Gets Support

HDSW’s Supported Housing Program received a $34,720 Grant from the van Ameringen Foundation, inc. and a $25,000 grant from the Dammann Fund.

These grants have been approved for HDSW’s Supported Housing Program, which serves adults who are recovering from episodes of serious mental illness, and are preparing to live independently. Most have had long periods of homelessness and come directly from the shelter system. Over one-third of HDSW’s residents are also struggling to recover from addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. HDSW staff assists residents to select their apartment and rehabilitation services, which will enable them to improve their self-care and life skills, with the goal of achieving a more satisfying and independent lifestyle.

In the past few years, HDSW has experienced unprecedented growth in its Supported Housing Program. The Program presently serves 172 individuals in scattered apartment sites throughout Westchester County, including 24 families with 47 children ranging in age from newborn to 18 years old.

Toys for Tots!

For the 2002 Holidays, over 50 children being served through our Family Program received many toys, stuffed animals, baby items, and games from Santa by way of the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots drive and Fleet Bank.

HDSW would like to extend its thanks to the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots and its Coordinator, Lu Caldara, Rich Wilson and friends at Mamaroneck Toyota, and the students and teachers of the Louis M. Klein Middle School in Harrison. We would also like to thank Richard McKeon of Fleet Bank. We know how much work went into securing these toys and without their efforts in collecting and organizing the toys, the children of our programs would not have had such an enjoyable Holiday.

Work Works!
Excerpt from February 2003, HOPE House Monthly
By Members and Staff of the Employment and Education Units

A local hardware store is a very neat and clean work environment, due largely to the efforts of a HOPE House member. When the member started work about three months ago, he was somewhat unsure about what he would be doing and how well he could do it. Now he wakes up looking forward to his job with real interest and enthusiasm.

The member’s job includes replacing stock and cleaning. He also helps to unload trucks and make deliveries, sometimes of heavy items. So he is tired at the end of the work day and looks forward to a relaxing evening with his new DVD and a good night’s sleep.

Everyone likes to have some extra money for whatever he or she would like to buy. But just as important to him and other members who work is the pride of knowing they can do a responsible job Toys for Tots! Nicole Carroll, HDSW Director of Development sorts through the toys in her office. Below: Santa visits with a youngster. properly. A few days ago one of the managers of the hardware store dropped in to HOPE House to say hello. Someone asked, “How’s he doing?” “Oh,” he replied, “He’s just terrific; we’d have problems without him.”