NAHRO Awards

NAHRO National Roll of Achievers

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Charlotte Vieira
Ms. Vieira has been a resident with Woonsocket Housing Authority for nine years. Four and a half years ago, she participated in a Security Training Program at the housing authority, and after completion, she was hired as a member of the housing authority's security staff. Over the years, she has learned and studied the many systems that are used by the authority such as access control and closed circuit television systems. She is now the assistant to the Security Administrator and has become a valued member of the housing authority staff. Ms. Vieira assists with the overseeing of two police sub-stations located at each of two family developments. She also helps with the training of new staff, and she takes care of all parking within the high-rises and family developments. She has successfully completed the FSS program and will be looking to purchase a home of her own for her family.

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Woonsocket Housing Authority
Woonsocket, RI

Bob Allen Walblay
Bob Walblay resided in a HUD subsidized Public Housing through Gladwin City Housing Commission in Gladwin, MI for nearly three years. During this time Bob was employed full-time and was laid off. He was seeking other employment and found another full-time job after 3 months. He had been saving money for a down payment to purchase his first home. I informed him about MSHDA funded Community Development Block Grant Programs through our Housing Commission that had money to help with down payment assistance to first time home buyers. We could match up to $5000.00 and he saved the full $5,000.00. We also helped in $1,000.00 in closing costs. Bob Walblay moved into a new manufactured home in September 1999.

Gladwin, MI

Sunny D. Watson
Sunny, a single parent with one sixteen months old, was already going to the local community college full-time when she entered Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs' Family Self Sufficiency Program in November of 1995. In addition to being a single parent with a sixteen-month-old and going to school full-time, Sunny also has dyslexia. It took her much longer to read the material for her classes than it takes a student without dyslexia. Despite all this she graduated in July 1997, with honors. She earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Management with Finance, and Associate of Science Degree in Psychology, and a Diploma in Accounting Technology. The next month she began full-time classes at a local university going for a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and two minor degrees- one in Computer Science and the other in Accounting. She had plans to one day have her own business.

Sunny graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree with majors in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration in June 2000. She began a temporary part-time job eight months before graduation. Shortly before graduation she obtained another job. But, this job was not what she was told it would be. She was not able to use the knowledge and skills she had developed in college. Sunny's FSS contract was extended so she could complete her goals. In March 2001, she obtained employment with a company, which hired her for her business and computer skills. She is happy in this job and enjoys the challenge of it. She is earning a good salary and began immediately paying her full rent. She has completed her FSS goals and graduated from the FSS Program.

This fall Sunny will begin work on her MBA with concentration in finance. Her employer will reimburse her most of the cost for her classes.

Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs, IA
2001

Deetra White
Deetra White moved into the Butler housing community in 1987, a mother of five, she was overwhelmed and lacked any support systems. She struggled with self-esteem issues and lacked confidence in her ability to become successful. Ms. White began working with the Resident Services & Family Self-Sufficiency Department to obtain the supportive services that would allow her to move toward self-sufficiency. Over a period of a few years, Ms. White would enroll in programs but would not complete them. Eventually, Ms. White attended life skill programs and gained the confidence she needed to follow through with her goals. She enrolled in the FWHA’s Business Careers Program and received Computer/Clerical training for six months. At the completion of this program, Ms. White obtained full-time employment as a Customer Service Rep. With a major financial institution. With renewal confidence in herself, Ms. White was transferred to the FWHA’s scattered site housing and is pursuing home ownership.

Fort Worth, TX

Michelle Williams
Michelle is a former resident of public housing and a single parent. She completed the Resident Construction Training program on February 17, 1999. Immediately after completing the program, Michelle was hired by the Authority as a Training Assistant. She is the only woman in the Maintenance/Development department and has overcome many obstacles in this situation. Michelle participated in the Family Self-Sufficiency program and moved her family out of public housing and into a large single family dwelling. She helped with developing low cost furniture for migrant camp.

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

Robin Williams
Miss Robin Williams relocated to Statesville North Carolina in 1997. She is a native of Statesville and is residing in Public Housing. Miss Williams has one daughter, Desiree and one son, Joshua, whom she is presently raising as a single parent. Robin says her greatest challenge is raising two very active teenagers as well as keeping everything else she does afloat.

Robin has been an inspiration to her neighbors and to the community at large. In May of this year (2001) she earned her associates degree from Mitchell Community College (MCC) in Office Systems Technology with a GPA of 3.3 while carrying a credit load of 17 to 18 credit hours each semester. While attending Mitchell College Robin also participated in a number of community support groups and organizations. She was first elected and served a two-year term on the Statesville Housing Authority (SHA)'s Resident Council as President in the community known as Crossroads Place, a designated public housing community for Family Self Sufficiency Program participants. I quote, "Needless to say, I was extremely excited about becoming a part of the FSS program because it was a vehicle that could help me to fulfill my goals. The program is designed to help individuals rebuild and reestablish their life through the opportunity to mend credit, obtain a college degree and own a slice of the American pie through home ownership". Robin led her community integrity, character and maintained an active rapport with the residents. There were times when Robin played the role of President, treasure and secretary. She was the first to organize a Christmas Caroling event, and Youth Talent Show. Robin was inspired to provide an opportunity for the children to exploit their talent of son, dance, and poetry, etc. She was also instrumental in the SHA success off 110 residents attending a SHA Public Forum in 1999. Robin was appointed by the Mayor of Statesville to serve on the SHA Board of Commissioners, and is presently serving that commission.

While attending MCC Robin served as President of the Ebony Kinship club, a member on the Student Government Association as Special Populations Officer, a member on the Diversity Task Force at MCC as well. As noted, Robin is a helper of mankind, serving and assisting in disseminating information so that people don't get lost along life's journey. In coordination with SGA of MCC and other community organizations, she organized the first Fire Safety Day Fundraiser at the college to help two families whose homes were burned by fire in January 2001.

Devoted to the Service of the Lord, she is an Associate Minister at her church, a Sunday School Facilitator, Church Secretary Director and advisor of the church choir and a member of the Women's Missionary.

More than anything, Robin says, 'she is honored to be considered a candidate for his award'.

Statesville, NC
2002

Helen Margaret Wilson
Helen is 84 years of age and still going strong. Helen has written all her life as a writer/poet. In her younger days, she did a lot of volunteer work for the Grass Valley Nevada City Union Newspaper. When one of the owners left for a business trip, asking Helen to help cover for staff, it was then that Helen got her big break. They were so impressed with an article she wrote, the owners of Grass Valley Nevada Union Newspaper hired Helen to join their staff. After this job, Helen worked for the federal government for nineteen years and retired.

Currently, Helen is one of the volunteers for Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency's Telecare Program. Volunteers provide daily sunshine calls to senior and disabled residents who reside in SHRA's senior and disabled housing developments. Helen has been a volunteer for the program for ten years.

In addition, Helen volunteers for the Senior Nutrition Service, in the senior development in which she resides. Helen is looking forward to her 67th annual high school reunion in Grass Valley.

Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Sacramento, CA
2001

Qushana Wise
Qushana Wise is a twenty-four year old single mother. She initially enrolled in the Rome Housing Authority’s GED Program (partially funded by the Drug Elimination Grant) in January 1998. Qushana dropped out of high school after becoming pregnant. She enrolled in the Rome Housing Authority’s GED Program to improve the standard of living for her and her child. She realized that without a high school diploma or GED, she would continue to make minimum wages in most jobs she pursued. Qushana was impregnated again after enrolling in the program. She moved to Illinois to receive help from relatives who lived there. She returned to Rome before giving birth to her second child in March of 1999. She also re-entered the GED Program and became a RHA resident. Working minimum wage jobs, raising two children alone and battling health care cost, Qushana could not attend GED classes as often as she wanted. However, her perseverance and hard work paid off. She took two parts of the GED Exam in July, 1999 and three parts in September 1999. While preparing to take the remaining part of the GED test, Qushana enrolled in Coosa Valley Technical School, Medical Office Assistance (MOA) Program. This was made possible through her enrollment in the RHA FSS Program. During the month of September, Qushana worked diligently to complete her G.E.D. efforts as well as completing admissions requirements to attend Coosa Valley Technical Institute. As of December 1999, she has successfully completed one quarter of a five quarter course. She is scheduled to graduate from this program Spring of 2001, and will be placed on a job.

Rome, GA

Juanda Wright
Juanda Wright, a single parent with one child, entered the FSS program in September of 1998. Having already earned an A.A. Degree in Business Management at Midland College before she entered the FSS program, Juanda began working towards a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree at the University of Texas-Permian Basin (UTPB) which she will receive in August 2000. Mrs. Wright has been an exemplary student at UTPB receiving numerous awards and honors. Among them are: (1) International Honor Society for Business, Management, and Administration; (2) Received an All-American Scholar Award; (3) Served on the School of Business Student Advisory Council; (4) Biography published in 22nd Annual Edition of the National Dean's List 1998-1999 and also 1999-2000; (5) Named to UTPB's President Honor's List for students with 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) for Summer 1999; and (6) Named to UTPB Dean's Honor Roll for Spring and Fall semesters of 1999; and (7) Upon completion of training and exams in the Microsoft Office User Specialist Program received Certificates of Achievement as an Expert using the "Microsoft PowerPoint 97" programs.

Finally, Juanda has been accepted in the UTPB's School of Business Masters Program to pursue a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Degree. Her immediate goals after finishing her schooling is to get a good paying job and purchase a home.

Midland County Housing Authority, Midland, TX

Bee Xiong
Bee is a current resident of public housing and participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency program run by the Authority. He was hired by the Authority immediately after completing the Resident Construction Training program on February 17, 1999. He assisted in the construction of the first home built by the Authority for sale to former participants.

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

National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
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