RBSCC Community Empowerment Center

veterans services

job training legal services and education

homelessness prevention

Annual Report 2012

Table of Contents
Directors Message 2 Homelessness Prevention 3-4 Legal Services 5 Veteran Services 6-7 Job Training & Education 8 Beyond the Call of Duty 9 Learn more about our programs 10 Funders, Board & Executive Staff 11

January 2013

Director's Message

Dear Friends, Greetings from the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Councils Community Empowerment Center. Since its founding in 2009, The Empowerment Centers mission has been to end the longstanding issues of homelessness and unemployment through innovative programs serving residents across NYC. In 2012, our many programs continued to grow and flourish. In February, the Department of Homeless Services awarded our Bushwick and Brownsville HomeBase homelessness prevention program a 3 year contract renewal. We continue to be among the top performing HomeBase programs in NYC. Staff played an Instrumental role in Hurricane Sandy relief, working around the clock at evacuation sites and Restoration Centers in Coney Island and the Rockaways to help victims of the storm secure benefits and temporary housing. Our Legal Services program continued to provide free legal representation and counseling to community members at risk of court-ordered eviction. In October, our Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program was awarded contract renewal, and began its second year of operation. In collaboration with contractor HELP USA, SSVF serves Veterans who are homeless or in housing crises. SSVF was also awarded a $50,000 grant from The Bank of New York Mellon to provide job training for Veterans and their families. This year, our Career Pathways program continued to provide job trainings and placements in the health care and security field, and launched its inaugural Pharmacy Technician training at CUNYs New York City College of Technology. We are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new program that administers job training and GED classes to food stamp recipients across the city. In October, we were awarded a $300,000 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education and Training contract by NY states Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). In 2012, we worked hard to provide superior services, and to empower program participants with the tools and support necessary to achieve long-term stability and selfsufficiency. We are grateful for the funders, partners, and community members who make our continued success possible. Sincerely,

Mirtha Duran, Director RBSCC Community Empowerment Center

Homelessness Prevention
Bushwick Homebase

I have peace of mind. I

have my own home, my own food, and all the commodities every family wants for themselves.

-Lisa
Homebase Accomplishments

In the autumn of 2012, Lisa and her family were between apartments and residing with family members in Brooklyn. With 5 people crowded into a 2-bedroom apartment, space was limited, privacy was impossible, and the atmosphere was tense. In late 407 families stayed in the September, Lisa learned that they had to vacate the apartment community and did not become homeless and had just 1 month to move out. Panicked, Lisa called Over 100 families were relocated HomeBase and was immediately given an appointment with case manager. From the start, Genise and Lisa worked together to to the community find an apartment. Within 2 weeks, Lisa received a call from In combination with other Genise, who had discovered a spacious apartment within Lisas programs, Homebase case price range. Lisa was amazed at how quickly her housing crisis managers secured over $500,000 was resolved. She came to HomeBase for help on October 1, and in rental arrears moved into her new apartment on October 25. Now, she says, I 95% of Homebase clients do not have peace of mind. I have my own home, my own food, and enter shelter even 1 year after ser- all the commodities every family wants for themselves. With a vice kitchen to call her own, Lisa recently accomplished her longtime dream of opening a catering business.

Brownsville Homebase

I called the right place at the right time.

-Owen

Owen and his son Ralquan were once homeless. When they received an eviction notice last fall, the pair dreaded a return to the nightmarish situation theyd faced while in the shelter system. I called the right place at the right time, Owen says, of connecting with HomeBase. The first time I met with [my case manager], it was a gift that awaited me. She was willing to guide me through the process. She treated me like family. The HomeBase staff recognized Owens challenges as a single parent. They helped the family through the housing court process, provided landlord mediation, and helped them pay off their rental arrears while budgeting and planning for the future. They saved my life from going back to shelter, Ralquan says of HomeBase. Father and son were able to remain in their apartment. Im so overjoyed, Owen says, I recommend the program to every family who has a crisis or a situation like ours. I would say to all families: although you may be in a difficult situation, never give up.

Legal Services
If people will take one step toward the program, the program will take 20 towards them. -Alexander
In 2008, Alexander and his family spent more than 1 year in the shelter system. When they found an apartment in Brooklyn, they were ecstatic. However, there were complications, and they were soon behind in rent. The landlord began court proceedings, and threatened to marshal the family out of their apartment. Alexander had learned about HomeBase while in shelter, so he reached out for help. HomeBase referred Alexander to Joanna, a lawyer with the RBSCC Law Project, who counseled him, assisted him with paperwork, and represented him in courtall for free. I was surprised, Alexander relates, I didnt know there were agencies like this that would help people. Today, the family is happily and stably housed, and Alexander recently landed a job as assistant manager at Duane Reade. These programs are for everybody My story is that if it wasnt for these programs, I would have been back to square one: out on the street, with no shelter for my kids, and nowhere that I could rest my head and feel safe.

I didnt know my rights,

and I was about to get evicted with my three daughters. Now, Im able to sleep at night, knowing I wont be kicked out of my apartment

Law Project Accomplishments

-Stephanie

Our attorneys provided legal advice to 59 families 72 families received free legal representation in court and 100% of evictions were prevented Over 200 community residents learned about their rights as tenants

Veteran Services
I would absolutely recommend this program to other Veterans.

-Steve

Brooklyn native Steve was born into a military family. His father and 2 older brothers were proud members of the US Army and Navy. Steve carried on the tradition, joining the military as soon as he graduated High School. Post-military, Steve launched a career in law enforcement, working as a guard, a peace officer, and as a member of the hospital police force. When he was laid off, funds became tight, and he fell behind on his rent payments, eventually receiving an eviction notice. He went to housing court and was discouraged by his experience; homelessness seemed imminent. Luckily, a call to 311 connected him with our veterans program. He met with a case manager, Isadora [in the picture with him], who eased his mind by providing abundant information about the housing court process and tenants rights. She helped Steve request more time to come up with the funds he owed his landlord and guided him through the court process. It wasnt easy, Steve recalls, I was facing eviction from the apartment Id been in for over 3.5 years. But I stuck with the program and I followed up and I followed through. The program funded security training for Steve and helped him obtain a security guard license. Next, he headed to SSVFs employer partner, Allied Barton, for an interview. Steve aced the meeting and was hired on-the-spot for a high-profile position at a Manhattan bank. He began working fulltime for $12.25 an hour. Today, Steve feels safe and grateful to remain in his apartment. I would absolutely recommend this program to other Veterans. SSVF will assist you. Theyre very kind people and the help is there, you just have to want it. I urge Veterans to reach out to this program.

You can be successful post-military.

-Robert

A Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, Robert has 8 years of military service and multiple deployments behind him. As a Transportation Management Coordinator, Robert supervised the safe delivery of supplies and soldiers, by truck and aircraft, in and out of battle zones. Earlier this year, a series of devastating events left him homeless. Laid off during the financial crisis, Robert moved in with his family while he got back on his feet. He has found that employment opportunities for Veterans arent always easy to find, and employers arent aware of the leadership that Vets can offer. Not long after hed settled in, an electrical fire destroyed the apartment. In an instant, Robert, his mother, and his 2 siblings were homeless. I wasnt a perennially homeless person; this was all new to me. I didnt know what to do. Robert researched various Veterans organizations in the city, reached out for help, and was connected to RBSCCs Veterans program (SSVF). The staff is very warm, very inviting, very friendly. They showed a lot of concern beyond just placing me in housing. They recommended jobs and training programs, and referred me to Career Gear to get a free suit for interviewing, Robert says. Together, he and his case manager created a plan to secure him stable housing within 90 days. Soon, he moved into his own Brooklyn apartment. I love it, he reports. Robert is now finishing an advanced IT training program, which will connect him with job openings at elite Wall Street firms. He said, with the right amount of initiative, perseverance, and support, You can be successful post-military.

SSVF Accomplishments:
60 veteran families did not get evicted and remained in their communities 143 homeless Veterans were placed into stable housing Staff served 40 returning Veterans from Iraq & Afghanistan 20 veterans received additional skills training and got jobs

Job Training & Education

Rebeccas List to success

Meet with a Career Pathways Counselor Enroll in GED classes Get a diploma Take CNA Classes Become a Certified Nursing Assistant Start working in a Nursing Home

Empowerment staff and Career Pathways participants.

2012 At a Glance Career Pathways Accomplishments

Read Rebeccas whole story at our website: empowermentcenter.org

In 2012, RBSCC was awarded the SNAP ET contract This program will help food stamps recipients with job training, education and job placement.

Over 150 received employers recognized credentials 94 participants got jobs

When Evelyn came to the Career Pathways program, she had worked only temporary, minimum wage jobs. Evelyns first step was GED class. Frustrated with the lack of personalized instruction in previous GED classes, She was surprised to find that the Career Pathways GED instructor took the time to help her conquer her weakest subject, math. Despite feeling discouraged when she failed the math portion of the exam on her first try, Evelyn returned for additional tutoring. She took the test again and earned her GED. Acknowledging her efforts, she says, If you stay focused on your main goal and dont let anyone distract you, you can achieve anything. Next, she completed security training and was hired by Career Pathways employer partner, FJC Security. Today, she works fulltime as a security guard in a homeless shelter, a job she loves. Sometimes people have to work a job they dont like just to live, but I actually feel comfortable in my workplace,

Beyond the Call of Duty

In 2010, an earthquake devastated Haiti, killing 300,000 people and wounding 300,000 more. Marie and her daughter R.C. were among 1 million other rendered homeless. R.C. was injured, and her legs had to be amputated below the knee. After fleeing to New York, mother and daughter found shelter at a facility for families with ailing children, where they shared a cramped room with 2 single beds. R.C. attended school, but struggled to focus. I felt really different at school for a lot of reasons, she explained, Because of my age, my disability, coming from a different country. The facility was intended for brief stays, and Marie and R.C. faced mounting pressure to move out. Unfortunately, they did not have the financial stability to afford their own apartment, and feared theyd soon be homeless. We had a place to live, but it wasnt living in the full term of the word, R.C. recalled, I couldnt concentrate in school, I had this constant fear of being thrown out of the place, in the middle of the night. Finally, they were connected with HomeBase. 2 case managersincluding one who spoke French Creolehelped them seek affordable housing. They were overjoyed to learn that there was a place for them in one of RBSCCs affordable housing complexes, and that HomeBase would subsidize a portion of the rent while they got back on their feet. It felt like a miracle, like God coming down, Marie said. When she

marie and daughter

heard the news, R.C. said, I

was so happy. The

locked myself in the bathroom and I cried. I

pair now share a spacious 2 bedroom apartment; their building includes a computer lab, and an RBSCC case manager is onsite to provide tenants with ongoing support. Today, mother and daughter have a new outlook on life. I smile more, R.C. reports, People at school tell me Ive changed. Now I can actually bring friends over and I have a room of my own. We have 4 closets! Today, Marie attends English language classes, and is excited to complete Home Health Aide training and begin working. R.C. earns excellent grades and plans to study medicine.

Learn More About Our Programs

Homebase Homelessness Prevention Homelessness prevention Assistance obtaining public benefits Job Placement Assistance Financial counseling and money management Help relocating Short-term financial assistance

Hurricane Sandy Restoration Efforts

In November, Mayor Bloomberg opened Restoration Centers in the communities hit the hardest by Sandy. Since then, our staff has been onsite at the Rockaway Restoration Center 7 days a week, from 8:00am to 8:00pm, providing housing assistance, referrals, counseling, and transitional housing, including hotels and shelters, for those displaced from their homes or lacking heat and hot water. In 2012, weve provided brief and continuing services to more than 371 individuals, provided more than 84 of them with temporary hotel rooms, and placed 15 into shelters.

Legal ServicesHomelessness Prevention Law Project Eviction prevention Legal advice and representation in housing court

Veterans ServicesSSVF Homessness prevention Job training and job placement Relocation from shelter Temporary financial assistance

Job Training and EducationCareer Pathways

Career Development workshops GED Classes Career advice from Specialist Employers recognized credential Job Placement assistance

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Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council

Executive Director James Cameron 555 Bushwick Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11206 Assistant Executive Director Angela Battaglia 217 Wyckoff Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11237 Board of Directors Francis J. Russo Frank V. Carone, Esquire Honorable George Friedman Joseph J. Guarracino Jamie J. Minnick Barbara Ortiz Novelette Scott Virginia Torres Dr. Ronald S. Wilensky RBSCC Community Empowerment Empowerment Center Director Mirtha Duran 90 Beaver Street Brooklyn NY 11206 (718)366-4300 1475 Myrtle Ave Brooklyn NY 11237 (347) 295-3738 145 East 98 Street Brooklyn, NY 11212 (917) 819-3200 www.empowermentcenter.org facebook.com/TheCommunityEmpowermentCenter

With Tremendous Gratitude to Our Funders

The New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) HELP USA and The Bank of New York Mellon

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This is the best experience Ive ever had with an agency. Thank you for everything. Community Empowerment Center Client

RBSCC Community Empowerment Center 90 Beaver Street Brooklyn, NY 11206 Phone: 718-366-4300 Fax: 718-366-4445 www.EmpowermentCenter.org