National Roll of Achievers

Florida

Mercedes Brown
The United Resident Council (URC) is a 501c3 not for profit organization established in August of 1994, owned and operated by the residents of public housing of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale. Mercedes Brown has been the President of the URC since 1999.

Ms. Brown has been actively involved with the URC since its inception. Collaborating with the Housing Authority, the City of Fort Lauderdale, the Transit Authority, various social service agencies, churches and educational institutions, always seeking innovative ways to empower the residents and to develop social and economical programs for youth and adults.

The URC and public housing started their own welfare to work program in 1995. Hiring residents as vacancy cleaners, housing inspectors, service aides, maintenance clerks, appliance helpers, receptionists, occupant specialists, and service coordinators.

The URC Transit provides community-based transportation linking residents and neighbors of public housing in Fort Lauderdale with sites of employment. It also provides, service to daily sites, assisting with shopping, medical, and educational needs. This program remains a viable operation under the capable management of Ms. Mercedes Brown and the URC Board.

Ms. Brown developed an idea and scouted funding to operate two teen centers, one of them being "The Gathering Place". The Gathering Place is a teen/youth program that is operated by the youth of the Fort Lauderdale Housing Authority. The purpose of this much-needed program is to help reach out to the inner city teen/youth in the NW communities and curtail inner city gang activities.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
2001

Van Dao
Van Dao joined the Partners's in Self-Sufficieny/Family Investment Center program in July 1997. At that time, Van Dao was working for Tepro Inc. doing assembly work. He started earning escrow from this point. Van Dao knew to better his life and to gain stability for himself and his family that he would have to get some vocational training. He enrolled at PTEC of Clearwater to obtain a certificate in Air Condition Technology (Commercial) and he completed this course in January of 1999. While he was attending PTEC he found better employment with Maxxim Medical also doing assembly work. Immediately after he received his certification in Air Condition Technology he obtained employment with Environmental Technologies Inc. Having obtained his certification he was able to recieve a substantial increase in pay, with that his rent with Public Housing increased. Because he was a participant of PSS/FIC program his escrow also increased. Van Dao became a member of the Home Buyers Club to obtain advise on how to go about purchasing a home. Two years later, after joining the Home Buyers Club, Van Dao was able to purchase a home on his own with the assistance of Superior Mortgage. He received $5,956.80 as an early release from his escrow amount that used towards the purchase of his home. The total amount of his escrow was $10,050.00 before the early release. Van Dao is still employed and he and his family are enjoying their new home.

Clearwater, FL

Tiwanda Hill
Tiwanda Hill came into the Family Self-Sufficiency Program with 3 young children. She did not have a job, a high school diploma, any transportation, or any income. Things did not look too bright for her, or her children. However, one thing she did have was a strong desire to make changes in her life - to better herself and make it better for her children.

Tiwanda began her residency in Section 8 at a bottom rent of $50.00 per month, and her only income was $38.00 a month in child support - when she was lucky enough to get it. Once she joined the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, Tiwanda immediately began attending the offered FSS Life Skills Training Classes. She attended Parenting, Budgeting, Self Esteem, and Stress Management and Job Hunting Techniques. Tiwanda learned from all of these classes, and then utilized the skills at home, with her family, and out in the community.

Within a month, Tiwanda got her first job, and started attending Adult Education classes. It was difficult juggling three children, a work schedule, and a class schedule. Tiwanda did not give up. Because of the earned income increase, the FPHA was able to start an FSS escrow account for Tiwanda and the monthly amount grew quickly. As a reward for her hard work (before the end of her first year) FSS was able to purchase a car for Tiwanda using a portion of her escrow. By the end of the second year FSS was able to help Tiwanda create and utilize a strict family budget, and clear up some credit issues by using another portion of escrow funds.

By moving the obstacles that kept her from success, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program helped Tiwanda's success. She is now preparing to become a homeowner. Tiwanda earned her CNA certification still attends classes at the college and works. She, along with her children and new husband, live within their budget and plan ahead.

Fort Pierce Housing Authority
Fort Pierce, FL
2001

Angela Jones
Angela Jones joined the Partners in Self-Sufficiency/Family Self-Sufficiency program in August 1994. At that time, Angela was working for the Florida Department of Children and Families doing clerical duties. In order to improve her pay, she knew that she needed to stay at her job and move into a better position. She knew that her dedication would pay off someday. Angela earned Employee of the Month in February 1996 and Employee of the Year that same year. She worked each day with families just like herself, struggling to make ends meet and trying to get ahead. Throughout the next several years, as Angela maintained employment and increased her level of pay, her rent on Section 8 Assistance increased. Because she had joined FSS, her escrow began accruing. Angela has also spent a lot of hours volunteering, including being a little league coach for her daughter’s team, being an active member at her church and volunteering at her child’s day care. In 1997, Angela applied with Habitat for Humanity to get a new house. It took two years, but in April, 1999, Angela closed on her new home. She left FSS with $4117., in escrow that she used to purchase the home. She has remained free of all of her government assistance since leaving housing in 1999 and before that had not received any cash or food stamp assistance since 1995.

Clearwater, FL

4/18/2000