(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.
