NAHRO Awards

NAHRO National Roll of Achievers

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William Kent
William Kent has been a resident of the Rome Housing Authority since December 1994. Since becoming a Rome Housing Authority resident, Mr. Kent has been actively involved in many RHA programs. Currently, Mr. Kent serves as president of the Willingham Village Resident Association, Team Captain for the Willingham Village Volunteer Patrol Program, and as a Pack Leader for the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Kent also assists the Rome Housing Authority in many unofficial capacities. He volunteers each month to distribute RHA newsletters, coordinates residents for RHA activities and meetings, participates in the RHA WRICE marches, and most of all he helps the Housing Authority in its efforts to increase community pride among our residents. Mr. Kent has benefitted from many of the programs offered by the Rome Housing Authority, but none as much as the Drug Elimination Program. I have personally seen the transformation of Mr. Kent from a resident who wanted to be involved and making contributions to his community on a daily basis.

Rome, GA

Carrie Kentch
Carrie enrolled in the Douglas County Housing Authority's Family Self-Sufficiency program in April 1998, and she officially graduated in December 2000 in just 2 ½ years. Carrie completed her college degree while she continued to work and is now employed full-time as an advertising account representative. Carrie is finalizing the purchase of her first home, and she was able to use her FSS escrow account for the down payment. She is the proud mother of two daughters.

Sponsored by:
Douglas County Housing Authority
Omaha, NE
2001

Helen Washington Lang
Ms. Lang has spent a great deal of her adult life in the St. Bernard Housing Development in New Orleans, LA. She toiled in the Civil Rights Movement of the sixties and in the last decade, made public and Section 8 housing her cause. After entering the Section 8 program, Ms. Lang noticed the lack of representation for the residents of Section 8. She had been active in the St. Bernard Resident Council and decided that a similar organization would benefit Section 8 residents. In June 1994, Ms. Lang established the first Section 8 Resident Council in the country. Ms. Lang and the council serve as a model for Section 8 residents and public housing resident organizations throughout the country. She and the other council members have effectively addressed the particular issues of her residents with the management of the Housing Authority of New Orleans. Ms. Lang has served as the council's president since it's inception in 1994. Ms. Lang has been recognized for her accomplishments. She received a Golden Hammer Award from Mayor Marc H. Morial and a Resident of the Year award from the National Organization of African-Americans in Housing.

Sponsored by:
Housing Authority of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Khamkeo Lo
Khamkeo is a current resident of the Authority's public housing development at Conway Homes. He completed the Resident Construction Training program on February 17, 1999. He was hired by the Authority as a Training Assistant immediately following the program's completion. He is currently participating in the Authority's Family Self-Sufficiency program to purchase his own home.

Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin in Stockton, CA
2001

Ricky Lopez
Ricky is a former resident of public housing. He completed the Resident Construction Training program on February 17, 1999. He was hired by the Authority as a Training Assistant after the program ended. Ricky participated in a project in developing low cost furniture for migrant camp units. He assisted in the construction of the first home built by the Authority for sale to former program participants. This event was publicized in the local newspaper.

Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin in Stockton, CA
2001

Marion Lopez
Marion Lopez is a former resident of public housing and a mother of two. She moved into the Ripley Arnold Apartments in 1989. With limited job skills, she volunteered as a Spanish translator for residents that did not speak English and worked with the youth at Ripley. In 1993, FWHA received a youth sports grant, which allowed for extensive programs to be offered at the Ripley Arnold Community Center. The YMCA ran the youth programs and Ms. Lopez began volunteering at the Community Center on a weekly basis. Eventually, she was offered part-time employment with the YMCA and over the next few years, she received several promotions. In 1997, Ms. Lopez became a full-time Site Coordinator for the Ripley program and was named employee of the year in 1999. Ms. Lopez worked very closely with the Resident Services department to obtain services that assisted her in her efforts to become self-sufficient. Ms. Lopez purchased a home in 1999 and continues to work as the Site Coordinator for the Ripley program.

Fort Worth, TX

SwaSandra R. Lowe
The Mississippi Regional Housing Authority No. VII, in McComb recently awarded an FSS Incentive bonus totaling $2,292.56 to twenty-three year old SwaSandra R. Lowe of Fayette, Mississippi. Ms. Lowe has participated in the Housing Authority’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program since August 1995 by attending school and working. She was awarded these monies for successfully completing her training and this FSS program. Ms. Lowe was Valedictorian and STAR student of Jefferson County High School in 1994. Last year Ms. Lowe received her LPN license from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez, and is presently employed with Jefferson County Hospital. She recently received the Florence Nightingale Award for her LPN studies. She plans to continue her education by attending Alcorn State University where she plans to double major in Nursing and Elementary Education. Ms. Lowe is a mother of two children ages 4 and 7. She states that it has been difficult attending school, and taking care of home. With great perseverance she mad it all work. Ms. Lowe plans to open up a college savings account for her children with this bonus. She is also in the process of having her own home built, which she looks forward to very much. She encourages all other young mothers that by striving and putting forth effort, they can accomplish whatever they want to.

McComb, MS

Sherry Lea Marler
Sherry began participation in the HUD Section 8 Rental Assistance Program in May of 1995. From the beginning, Sherry had clear goals for herself and had already begun work toward achieving them. Sherry has a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility for improving the quality of life for herself and her children. She demonstrated her willingness to give back to her community by volunteering her secretarial skills to the local Community Action Agency from November 1995 to July 1996.

Sherry progressed rapidly toward her goals. She enrolled in Three Rivers Community College in January 1996 and in August 1996, Sherry signed a contract to participate in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. By December 1996, Sherry had completed 32 hours of office administration and computer science classes. In June 1997, she obtained her first long-term job with Comfort Master. When the company laid her off six months later due to lack of work, she rebounded and in less than two months had obtained a position at Check King, a local collection agency. Sherry excelled in this job and stayed with the company for two years.

Sherry changed jobs in July 1999, then in May 2000 she became a probation officer with the Three Rivers Citizens Advisory Board. Sherry again demonstrated her commitment to self-improvement and was able to convey to her clients her enthusiasm and her strong belief in the possibilities of success for each of them. In May 2001, she was promoted to Director and continues to work as a probation officer.

Her own life experiences and knowledge allows Sherry to make a significant impact on the lives of her clients and the success of the program she operates. Sherry has made herself a success and shares that success with her family and her community.

Ripley County in Poplar Bluff, MO
2001

Victoria Martinez
Victoria Martinez is a single parent of a small child who lives at one of the developments from the Harlingen Housing Authority. Ms. Martinez signed her ROSS-Residents Opportunity Interest Participation form on January 22, 2001.

At that time she expressed her desire to become self-sufficient. Her goal was to attend Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and become a registered nurse. A referral was issued to Ms. Martinez for an application to TSTC.

Ms. Martinez was accepted to TSTC and received Financial Aide. She started going to school the fall of 2001. At the present time she has completed three semesters of school and has earned a total of 32-credit hours. She has also been on the Deans list for the past 2 semesters. Ms. Martinez is to be commended for her effort towards self-sufficiency. She is excited about her opportunity to go to school and looks forward to the day that she becomes a nurse.

Harlingen, TX
2002

Susan Mazza
Ms. Mazza began working with Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s (IHFA) Family Self-Sufficiency Program in December 1995. At that time her only support came from $224 in food stamps and $400 in child support each month. She has completed school through 8th grade. Shortly before signing her contract with IHFA’s FSS program, Susan completed her GED and began working on her CAN training. After completing her CAN training Susan began applying for jobs. She accepted a position working 20 hours a week helping seniors with housekeeping and health needs. Within a short time the company was so pleased with her work that they increased her hours to 30 per week. Susan says she loves her work for the first time in her life. As soon as Susan began working, she asked IHFA to increase her rent immediately so that she could began to pay her share of the rent and her FSS Escrow Account would begin. Susan accomplished every task in her FSS plan, including keeping her credit in good shape and completing homeownership classes. Now Susan is the Office Financial Manager for the company that originally hired her.

Boise, ID

Andres Moreno
Andres is a resident of public housing at Mokulumne Manor in Thornton, CA. He was enrolled in the Resident Construction Training program from February 17, 1998 to February 17, 1999. Upon completion of the program, Andres was hired by the Continental Labor Company as a temporary maintenance worker for the Authority. Recently, he has accepted employment as a full-time maintenance worker for Humphreys College in Stockton, CA.

Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin in Stockton, CA
2001

Anita Morgan
Anita Morgan, a former Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) resident, launched her first job on television as a News Anchor for KMTP, a local public broadcasting station in San Francisco. Her show, entitled "News-night," was televised on San Francisco channel 32, and Berkeley channel 27. During this time, she also worked two part-time jobs as a writer and editor for the local radio news program on Sundays.

"Being raised in a family of three by a single mother on public assistance, while residing in public housing for the last 18 years, was hard for my whole family," recalls Anita.

Anita accepted her first job as a file clerk with the Oakland Private Industry Council (OPIC) summer youth program at the age of 14. Exposure to the workforce at an early age gave her energy to continue down the road to success. Throughout her teenage years, Anita gave motivational speeches to youth at the local middle schools. Anita attended the Oakland Technical High School where she remained on the honor roll and also served as the Associate Student Body President in her senior year. She graduated in 1994 and went on to Humboldt State University in 1994 to pursue her interest in journalism. Anita graduated from San Francisco State University in 2000, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast and Electronic Communications with an emphasis in Radio/Television. Anita is currently employed with the CNN station in Atlanta, Georgia as one of the evening news writers.

Sponsored by:
Oakland Housing Authority
Oakland, CA
2001

Thomas and Mary Lou Miller
Thomas and Mary Lou Miller live in a public housing development in Goleta, CA. Mrs. Miller was appointed to serve on the board of commissioners of the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara, by the County Board of Supervisors. Her goal is to help the housing authority blend with the community for the common cause of providing housing. Mr. Miller attends the Board meetings as his wife's aide. The Millers have also been involved in the following programs in their community: Housing Rehabilitation Program, Comprehensive Grant Program, Neighborhood Watch Program, USDA Food Distribution Program, and the Brownfield Grant Program. They volunteer for Goleta Now! and the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Miller also serves on the Resident Advisory Board and was the leader in developing traffic mitigation in his community. The Millers are both advocates for affordable housing. They attend many workshops and public meetings to keep up-to-date on community issues, and they make themselves available to testify before the Board of Supervisors in support of affordable housing and local housing issues.

Sponsored by:
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara
Lompoc, CA

Gwendolyn Parker
Ms. Parker successfully completed the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority's (LMHA) Childcare Business Development Training Program through the Childcare Initiatives Project, on October 4, 2000. She is a certified, type B childcare provider. The certification allows her to care for one to six children, including her own, at one time in her home. The Childcare Initiatives Project is a collaborative effort of the LMHA's Microenterprise Program, YW Childcare Connections, and the Department of Human Services. The purpose of the program is to increase the number of affordable childcare providers in specific zip code areas, as determined by the Department of Human Services.

Ms. Parker has custody of six school age children, none of which are her own. These children are Foster Care children from her own family members. She has taken on a great responsibility, and she is doing it from her heart because she can see a need for her services.

Ms. Parker also has taken on the responsibility of providing an after school homework assistance program for the McClinton Nunn, Brand Whitlock, and Albertus Brown community children. Ms. Parker provides homework assistance for first, second and third graders from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday in the McClintock Nunn Community Room.

She is a member of the newly formed Resident Advisory Board, and she will assist the authority with the development of their annual and 5-year plans. Through all of her efforts, Ms. Parker is making a difference in her community.

Sponsored by:
Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority
Toledo, OH
2001

James Pearson
In 1997, after residing in public housing for only a few months, Mr. Pearson eagerly volunteered to run for a position on the local Resident Council. He was elected to serve as Secretary of the Horn Homes/Miller Plaza Resident Council, a position he held from 1997-1999. During that same period, Mr. Pearson served on the Housing Authority Comprehensive Grant Program Resident Advisory Committee and attended NAHRO Comprehensive Grant Training. In November 2000, Mr. Pearson was appointed as a tenant representative to the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, a position he currently holds.

Mr. Pearson also volunteers for the local Head Start and Catholic Charities programs, and he currently attends a local community college. He intends to obtain an Associate of Science degree and get a teaching credential so that he can teach elementary school-age children.

Truly, Mr. Pearson, a disabled veteran, serves as a fine example of an individual who is dedicated to self-improvement and improving his community.

Sponsored by:
Housing Authority of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
2001

Elbita Perez
At the onset of the Paterson Housing Authority's 1997 award of a Hope VI Grant, Elbita Perez was a public housing resident at Christopher Columbus Family Development. As an unemployed mother of five trying to survive a troubled marriage, she was forced to depend on social services. Ms. Perez used the Self-Sufficiency Program to get her life back on track. She graduated from the Paterson Leadership Program, and in 1998 she was appointed as the Hope VI Community Task Force Supervisor. She is currently a Coordinator with the Paterson Development and Management Inc. Ms. Perez maintains a full-time job to support her family, attends college, and sits on the Paterson Board of Libraries and Museums. She is also a Board member of the Paterson Task Force for Community Action, Inc. and a Community and Educational Advocate.

Sponsored by:
Christina Mutual Housing Association, Inc.
Paterson, NJ

Marisa Pixley
When Marisa signed a contract with the Family Self Sufficiency Program in July 1997, she was a single mother struggling to raise two children with an income of less than $5000.00 a year. Marisa set a high goal for herself, to become a certified daycare provider and to open her own daycare in her home. She sacrificed her family's living room to open a daycare for 6 children called "Sunflower Daycare". Through Marisa's hard work and dedication, she has managed in 3 years to become free of all financial subsidies and has declined her Section 8 rental assistance. Marisa became a homeowner on February 16, 2000. She accumulated $13, 182 in escrow money, which she used for the closing cost on her family's new home. Marisa's new home has a separate room for her to run her daycare. Marisa and her children no longer need to sacrifice the family's living quarters as she has completed all of her goals she set to achieve. There is a great need for daycare in Orange County. Marisa is now able to give back to the community to help others that may be in a similar situation that she once struggled through. Rural Opportunities, Inc. is proud to have played a part in Marisa's success and we hope to inspire many others to do the same.

Sponsored by:
Rural Opportunities, Inc.
Middletown, New York 10940

Samuel Pulliam
Mr. Pulliam has been a Rockford Housing Authority resident since 1997. Before that he lived with his child at various locations for brief periods. He became his son’s guardian when the child was one year old. Mr. Pulliam was not in the best economic position to take care of the baby though he was directed to take part in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and construction training classes through Youth Build. After completing the basic training he was offered a position within the agency as an assistant to the lead carpenter that went on for six months. Consequently, HUD and Rockford Housing Authority funded the Step-Up Program to give a more advanced training to participants. Mr. Pulliam became an on-the-job trainee through Rockford Housing Authority and will be involved with that phase of the program for two years. Later, after completing the training in various tasks, he will take part in the carpentry apprenticeship at the local union program. Thanks to the program sponsored by HUD and Rockford Housing Authority Mr. Pulliam is becoming increasingly self-sufficient as he completes his training.

Rockford, IL

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