Welcome Chad

My name is Chad Steele

and I am the new Ameri-

Corps VISTA at Resident

Services. I am from Law-

rence and grew up in

public housing. I have a

History degree from KU. I

have volunteered and

worked in HIV prevention

in Lawrence and Over-

land Park for the last six

years. I spend my free

time outside with my two

dogs. I am looking for-

ward to working here and

getting to meet every-

one.

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS LDCHA RESIDENT SERVICES

M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 6 Did You Know That April is Fair Housing Month

Fair housing is the right to choose housing free from unlawful dis-

crimination. Federal, state and local fair housing laws protect

people from discrimination in housing transactions such as rentals,

sales, lending, and insurance.

It ensures access for everyone.

Fair housing is the key to all people

having the roof they want over their

heads. It guarantees that regardless of

your age, race, religion, family situa-

tion, or level of ability, you have the

right to choose the housing that’s best

for your needs—with no outside prefer-

ences or stereotypes being imposed.

It encourages neighborhoods to put out their welcome mat.

Fair housing practices help people understand what it means to

be a welcoming and vibrant neighborhood. The ideas, connec-

tions, and sense of pride that are found in diverse and open

neighborhoods make a real difference, especially in the midst of

tough economic times.

It enhances our community’s curb appeal.

Equal access to housing goes hand in hand with quality of life.

Fair housing plants seeds for economic development, talent re-

tention, and more in our community. When people feel wel-

comed, they make themselves at home, invest their resources

back into the community, and in turn make it an appealing

place for diverse and talented people to come.

Who is protected by fair housing laws?

Fair housing laws protect all individuals seeking housing, including

renters, homebuyers, persons obtaining a mortgage or home-

owners insurance, and others.

Excerpted from the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan web-

site: http://www.fhcwm.org/whatisfairhousing

For more information on Fair Housing Month visit http://bit.ly/

fairhousingmonth.

Employment pg. 2

Homeownership pg. 3

Current Calendar pg. 4-5

Youth Program pg. 6

Early Childhood pg. 7

Special Events pg. 8

IN THIS EDITION

2 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS • MARCH / APRIL 2016

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

Upcoming Employment Workshops

March 16, 2016 (Wednesday)

Temporary Agencies in Lawrence - 10:00 – 11:00 am at RSO Join Steven for a workshop about local temporary agencies (Adecco, Al-

lied Staffing, Express, Manpower), and what kinds of jobs are available with them.

March 30, 2016 (Wednesday)

Intro to Computers (internet and email) - 10:00 – 11:00 am at RSO Join Steven to learn about computers, including browsing the internet for

leisure and to look for jobs, how to avoid viruses and malware with free anti-virus and anti-malware software, and how to keep your machine

working fast.

Interested in learning the Microsoft Office Suite and Quickbooks to

prepare for an office job? We have tools to help with that!

Resident Services offers computer training software on all the programs

in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access) as well as Quickbooks. This software will help you pass any computer

tutorials the local temporary agencies will throw at you. Call Steven to learn more about how to use this software to get a better paying job!

Steven Mutz Employment Specialist

Resident Services Office 1600 Haskell Ave. #187 Lawrence, KS 66044 (785)842-1533 smutz@ldcha.org

Need to work this week? Contact the local temporary agencies!

(785) 842-1515 (785) 749-7550 (785) 749-2800 (785) 842-6200

Money for College!

Steven has the lowdown on grants and scholarships that pay for college

programs. Serious inquiries only.

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 3

SELF SUFFICIENCY / HOMEOWNERSHIP

The Car Repair Program is still available!! The goal of this program is to reduce a barrier to employment/school for residents by providing

financial assistance for vehicle repair. There will be a maximum of $500 available for each household in a lifetime. An application must be

completed within 30 days from original submission to have funding guaranteed.

Contact Ashley Woolsey for more information and to apply. 785-842-1533 ext. 2216 awoolsey@ldcha.org

For clients to utilize this program, they must: be in the MTW Rent Structure

be employed, actively seeking employment through the Resident Services Office or be in attendance at a post-secondary school

have current tags, insurance and driver’s license

The deadline for LIEAP and Warm Hearts applications is

Thursday, March 31.

Tips and Tricks for Tax Season…

* Save between 10%-25% in a checking or savings account.

* Pay rent at least one month ahead.

* Pay at least double on utility bills such as Westar, Black Hills, City of

Lawrence, cable bills, phone bills, childcare expenses, etc.

* Pay down or off your debt first!

* Treat yourself to something small and reasonable.

Thursday, March 17, 2016 Renters Preparation

6:00 PM — 7:30 PM Huppee Community Facility (#149)

Thursday, April 21, 2016 15 Things for Your Teens

6:00 PM — 7:30 PM Huppee Community Facility (#149)

Ashley Woolsey Self Sufficiency Specialist & Homeownership Facilitator

Resident Services Office 1600 Haskell Ave. #187 Lawrence, KS 66044 (785)842-1533 awoolsey@ldcha.org

UPCOMING SELF SUFFICIENCY WORKSHOPS

4 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS • MARCH / APRIL 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

5-6:30pm VITA (RSO)

4

MS/HS No School (USD 497)

5

6 7 8

5-7:00pm Early Childhood

Resource Fair (HCF)

9 10

5-6:30pm VITA (RSO)

11

MS/HS No School (USD 497)

12

13 14 15

10am-1:30pm Bike

Rodeo (HCF)

16

3-4pm Skillet Granola

(HCF)

17 St. Patrick’s Day

6:00-7:30 p.m. (HCF)

Self Sufficiency Workshop:

Renters Prep

18 19

20 21

22 23 24

5-6:30pm VITA (RSO)

25 26

27 28

5:30pm Board of

Commissioners Meeting

(Babcock Place)

29 30 31

5-6:30pm VITA (RSO)

March 2016

USD 497 Spring Break—No School PreK-12

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 5

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

5-6:30pm VITA (RSO)

4

MS/HS No School (USD 497)

5

6 7 8

5-7:00pm Early Childhood

Resource Fair (HCF)

9 10

5-6:30pm VITA (RSO)

11

MS/HS No School (USD 497)

12

13 14 15

10am-1:30pm Bike

Rodeo (HCF)

16

3-4pm Skillet Granola

(HCF)

17 St. Patrick’s Day

6:00-7:30 p.m. (HCF)

Self Sufficiency Workshop:

Renters Prep

18 19

20 21

22 23 24

5-6:30pm VITA (RSO)

25 26

27 28

5:30pm Board of

Commissioners Meeting

(Babcock Place)

29 30 31

5-6:30pm VITA (RSO)

March 2016

USD 497 Spring Break—No School PreK-12

Save the Date! Walk n’ Roll, May 7th (HCF)

Call Chris for more information.

ZOMBIE Walk/Bike/Run, June 4th (HCF)

Call Chris for more information.

6 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS • MARCH / APRIL 2016

SPRING BREAK AT THE HUPPEE! Contact Chris for more information.

Tutoring Available

When: Monday—Thursday

Time: 3:00—6:00

Who: Youth ages 7-17

Both small group and individual tutoring sessions are available. Please call or

email Chris (842-1533 / clempa@ldcha.org) for more information.

FULL CIRCLE YOUTH PROGRAM

The Full Circle Youth Program will be partnering with Lawrence

Unchained to host a Bike Rodeo on Tuesday, March 15th.

Participating youth will earn their own bicycle, helmet, lock and

lights by completing a safety course provided by League of

American Bicyclist Certified Instructors and Full Circle staff. We will

also be taking practice rides either around the Edgewood neighborhood or to

Central Middle School depending on the age of the youth. Lunch will be

provided at the Huppee Community Facility and parents are invited to attend

and share in what their youth has learned!

Tuesday, March 15th at Huppee Community Facility, #150

10:00 am—1:30 pm

To reserve your spot, contact Chris Lempa at 842-1533 or clempa@ldcha.org

Monday, March 14th— Art Day! 1– 3:00 pm Tuesday, March 15th—Full Circle Bike Rodeo (see below) Wednesday, March 16th— Skillet Granola w/ Connie 3:00-4:00pm Thursday, March 17th— ZOMBIE Party! Games, food, and more!

7 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS • MARCH / APRIL 2016

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Head Start · Pre-K · Kindergarten · More! Get your 3-5 year old enrolled in an early childhood education program!

Head Start is a free, comprehensive preschool for 3-5 year olds located at the Community

Children’s Center.

Kennedy Pre-K classrooms are for children who are four years old (by August 31, 2016).

They are taught by certified early childhood teachers and are in session 5 days per week.

Kindergarten Round Up will be held in April for families with children that will be five

years old on or before August 31, 2016.

Other programs include Positive Bright Start, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence Community

Nursery School, Lawrence Montessori School and Prairie Moon Waldorf School.

Learn more about these and other programs at the

Early Childhood Education Fair at the

Huppee Community Facility, #150 on March 8th from 5-7pm.

For more information contact Mary Orem at 785-842-1533 or morem@ldcha.org

Dinner &

Door Prizes!

Celebrate Spring, exercise as a family and enjoy FUN, FOOD AND PRIZES at the Walk n’ Roll Resource Fair! Early childhood organizations will line the ZOMBIE Trail at Edgewood

Homes. There will be snack and activities for all! Each lap around the ZOMBIE Trail earns

one ticket toward prize drawings. Strollers welcome! *Participants must receive housing assistance to claim a prize.

Saturday, May 7th

10am-12pm Huppee Community Facility, #150

LDCHA Resident Services 1600 Haskell Ave. #187 Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: (785) 842-1533 Fax: (785) 841-8541 We’re on the web! www.ldcha.org

Join the LDCHA Housing Commission

In July the Mayor of the City of Lawrence will appoint a resident from

one of the LDCHA housing programs to the LDCHA Housing Commis-

sion. The Housing Commission is the governing Board of the housing

authority. It is made up of five people who determine all the policies

and approve all the programs of the LDCHA. The appointment of a

resident to the Board is a requirement of federal legislation. This is an

unpaid volunteer appointment. To be eligible you must live in Douglas

County.

Applications are due and must be received in the LDCHA Administra-

tive Offices, 1600 Haskell Avenue, no later than April 30, 2016. If you

have any questions please contact Shannon Oury at 830-2253 or

soury@ldcha.org, or visit the agency’s website at www.ldcha.org for

more information.