Success Story Profile: Alicia

Alicia's Story New Endeavors by Women (NEW) really taught me to budget, to save for tomorrow. I learned to take my time, to understand that it is not necessary to have everything at one time. I discovered that I didn’t need to be in a rush to have the latest hairdo, the newest fashions. I know now that I have to keep my your focus, and concentrate on what I need to achieve my next goal. I am still learning. Participating in NEW’s Shelter Plus Care program, really helped me keep the strength to work toward my goals. I had to learn to save, to put money away. I was able to pay off my debts and get a high credit rating. I have learned not to buy something – even if it is on sale – if I have to use a credit card to pay for it. It takes time and money to get started, and the positive environment at NEW gave me the chance to get to where I needed to be. I knew I wanted to be a part of my kids’ lives, and NEW helped me do that. I was able to buy a house with my older daughter, and the Shelter Plus Care program helped us with a bed, linens, and towels to get started in our new life. Now I am learning how to enjoy a house. I have lots of ideas, but I am taking my time. I found that I didn’t need two phones – I just use a cell phone. I am slowly learning how to use my new pots and pans in a ceramic stove. I’m even learning how to use the self-cleaning oven! My next step is to learn how to use a weed whacker to get my yard in shape. I’m involved in church, trying to decide what committee to be on. I like having the chance to help other people, to feed the hungry – even doing simple things like washing dishes. NEW helped me to have a different kind of outlook. Who do I want to be? People might look at me and say “she needs a new haircut,” but I’ve learned that doesn’t matter so much. The important thing is: “Do I have a good personality?” My time at NEW helped me to see that the extra stuff is nice, but who I am and what my goals are is more important.

Success Story Profile: Portia

Portia's Story My name is Portia. I am a mother of 14 children and a grateful recovering addict. My blessing began after 42 years of drug abuse and two years in prison. When I got out of prison, I was sent to a facility called Fairview Half-Way House, where I met a counselor named Mr. Hill. When I told him I was determined not go back to where I came from – if I did, I would surely have died – Mr. Hill called New Endeavors. At the time it was the best thing to happen to me. I was accepted to New Endeavors by Women on November 8, 2004. NEW provided everything for me when I couldn’t provide for myself. The case managers allowed me to cry when I needed to cry, helped me through situations that I couldn’t go through by myself, and helped me take care of my physical problems. They are truly people who care. If it wasn’t for NEW and the things I learned there, I still wouldn’t be able to see, nor gotten help for my high blood pressure. Through NEW I was able to save 75% of my income, which was truly a blessing, because that money helped me to buy the things I needed for my new apartment. NEW housing specialist Ms. Renee Roberts never gave up on me. She helped me a lot with housing and I was able to get the apartment I am in now and I thank her. I haven’t stumbled or failed because of my case manager Mrs. Courtney Allen’s positive direction and help. The executive director, Ms. Wanda Steptoe, brought life into New Endeavors by allowing us to be respected and treated like ladies. Every woman who came in small is now large. New Endeavors by Women gave me a foundation. It gave me back my life. I thank God for New Endeavors. I hope it will be here for many more women who want to get their lives back together and live as respectable ladies of society. I just want to say Thank You for everything. Thank You. Thank You.

Success Story Profile : The Long Family

(May 25, 2009) When NEW was awarded the contract to lead a family reunification program that would later blossom to become our New Generations program, Ms. Long and her four children were already in residence. Ms. Long was a bus driver for the District of Columbia Public School System, and a single parent raising two teenage sons and two daughters. The Long Family fell on hard times and found themselves homeless and in need of assistance.

Our staff quickly became acquainted with Ms. Long and her children. Ms. Long proactively sought assistance and support from NEW staff, and her children made frequent visits to the New Generations program office to share word of their academic achievements. The family was respectful, cooperative and focused on their future. Staff provided Ms. Long with weekly case management and support groups, parenting classes, credit and budget counseling and assistance with clearing up credit issues, and suggestions for addressing health issues and leading a more healthy lifestyle. Our work with the children included coordination of a job extension with DCHA after one son’s summer job ended, counseling the oldest son to improve his grades up, helping the oldest son evaluate colleges, meeting with the girls weekly to provide a “venting” space, and helping the children with homework when research or ideas were needed.

The Long family stood out from the crowd for a number of reasons. First, Ms. Long was willing to take—and act on—the suggestions she received from NEW staff to assist her to reach the goals she established for her family. Secondly two of the Long children consistently made the honor roll. Finally, the children stayed involved in extracurricular activities. A number of times during the week and every weekend Ms. Long was seen shuttling her children to a practice or competition of some sort, whether it was basketball, rugby, gymnastics or cheerleading. During the family’s stay in the program, Ms. Long took classes to become a tax preparer to supplement her income. Ms. Long also enrolled in swimming classes to improve her health.

After years of waiting for a Section 8 voucher, Ms. Long realized that due to the housing situation in the District of Columbia, her chances of receiving a 5 bedroom unit in the remaining time allowed in the transitional housing program were bleak, at best. Despite the outlook, Ms. Long was determined not to return to homelessness, and the New Generations staff was equally determined not to see the family backslide. We worked closely with Ms. Long to find market rate rental affordable housing for her family. A number of four and five bedroom houses were located, but either the competition was too great or the security deposit and first month’s rent was out of reach at the time of availability. Ms. Long was also working hard to prepare for the high school graduation of her oldest son and his departure for college, with her next oldest child ready to follow the same path in the coming year.

Our staff sought out the help of the program’s landlord, Trinity Landholding Corporation (TLC), spearheaded by Pastor Tom Knoll. We negotiated with TLC to remove Ms. Long’s existing unit from the subsidized master lease of the program to instead allow the family to remain in their current unit at an affordable rate. This was truly a wonderful situation for our little community, to have a positive, successful, influence in our midst, visible to our current residents. All of this was accomplished in 17 months and not the 24 months that was available to the family.

Fast forward to the oldest son leaving to college, but returning home because he did not like the school. He began planning his next steps, and found a job to help out his family in the mean time. The other son started college in January 2009. One month later, family matriarch Ms. Long passed away on February 12, 2009. Fortunately the children were in a safe, familiar and comfortable environment.

The oldest son made a decision that he did not want his siblings separated and became the head of household. The New Generations staff set up grief counseling, assisted with obtaining food stamps, and social security. New Generations once again approached TLC and Pastor Knoll, who agreed to allow the children to remain in their unit at a reduced rent based on what was affordable to the family. The staff at New Generations is very grateful to Pastor Knoll for his acts of kindness extended to our neighbor, our friend and our family, the Longs.

Last week, as is still customary for the family, the youngest child came to the New Generations program office to show the staff her recent academic accomplishments. They were as follows:
• A plaque – Principal’s Award
• Most Improved Student in Reading
• An Award for a 4.0 average in Math and Science

In the words of every email I have received from Tamura Upchurch, “YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.” In this case the YOU is Ms. Long with her positive, never give up attitude, her children who paid attention and carry on in the way they were raised, (TLC) Pastor Knoll, the staff of New Endeavors, TCP and HUD: It truly takes a village.

If you ever wonder if we make a difference with the work we do – Your answer is on their faces.