THIS is Columbia Housing: April 4 - 8, 2022
THIS is Columbia Housing
Weekly Roundup of CH Happenings: April 4 - April 8, 2022
Resident Success Story! Janafer Evans
When Janafer Evans moved into Public Housing in 2014, she was raising her 5-year-old grandson following the death of her daughter. Her job as a cafeteria worker paid $7.75 an hour, she often had trouble making ends meet and needed a dependable car. Janafer wanted more for herself and her grandson.
She looked into the Career Development and Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Programs offered by Columbia Housing. That's when things really started to turn around.
Janafer started taking classes to help her develop a resume to apply for jobs. The FSS Team helped get Janafer enrolled in the Carolina Nursing Academy's Certified Nursing Assistant Program. She graduated and landed a permanent full-time job with benefits at Still Hopes - a continuing care retirement community.
Janafer's income has now significantly increased, She's built a substantial savings account, gained dependable transportation, and no longer requires welfare assistance. Janafer says, "The most important thing is that I've made a comfortable home for my grandson who is now an 8th-grade honor student who excels as a violist."
Janafer is the first to tell you that her journey has not been easy but it's been worth it. She has one more goal to accomplish and that is to purchase a home. Columbia Housing's FSS Coordinator Cynthia Boykin is committed to walking the next steps of that journey with Janafer, too. Stay tuned.
Join us in Congratulating Janafer on her hard work and success!
Columbia Housing's Resident & Strategic Initiatives Department has Partnered with Richland Library to Provide Fun Activities for Our Youth the Week of Spring Break!
The Power of Partnerships - We are better together!
Richland Library will host story time and conduct fun activities with the kids! The Library will bring their mobile van for kids to check out books, and the Library will also bring their own 'staff artist' to assist our students with the 'What Home Means to Me' Poster Contest.
Refreshments will be provided during the activities.
The CH Team will also have the Mobile Recreation Vehicle on site with all kinds of fun activities for the kids!
Community Fun Day Schedule for CH Properties:
Time: 11 am - 2 pm.
- Monday, April 11th - Latimer Manor
- Tuesday, April 12 - Reserves
- Wednesday, April 13 - Eastover
- Thursday, April 14 - Hammond Village
Thank you to Richland Library and Columbia Housing's Resident & Strategic Initiatives Team!
State Initiative Aims to Reduce Need for Foster Care
Congratulations Commissioner Georgia Mjartan and South Carolina First Steps on Connected Families - the new statewide partnership with South Carolina Department of Social Services and South Carolina Department of Mental Health aimed at reducing the need for foster care in South Carolina.
Thank you Commissioner Georgia Mjartan for all you do for children & families!
Please click here for more information about Connected Families.
Free Tax Preparation Services Available! Tax Deadline Approaching Soon - April 18, 2022
Tax Time! Need Help?
Tax season is in full swing, and to ease the burden on working families, a Midlands non-profit is offering tax preparation services for free.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, called "VITA", is an IRS program that The Cooperative Ministry offers to the Midlands. According to the IRS, VITA is available to people who generally make $58,000 a year or less, people with disabilities, and taxpayers that speak limited English.
For more information on VITA, please click here.
Affordable Housing Advocacy in Action!
A huge THANK YOU to NAHRO for coordinating Hill Day meetings with the offices of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, and U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn. It was an absolute pleasure to engage them in conversations around affordable housing and community development initiatives.
"As Champion for safe, quality affordable housing, we remain committed to all economically disadvantaged individuals and families in South Carolina." - Yvonda A. Bean, Interim CEO of Columbia Housing
Special Thank You to Commissioner Kara Simmons for your support!
Please click here to learn more about NAHRO Advocacy.
NAHRO Washington Conference: Raising Our Voices (Online: March 28-30)
- Senator Smith
- Senator Portman
- Representative Waters
- Representative Price
- Representative Diaz-Balart
- Senator Sinema
- Senator Van Hollen
- Representative Neguse
Columbia Housing Presents Annual Plan for FY 2023
Thank you to our Board of Commissioners, Residents, Community Partners, and Staff for your participation and support of Columbia Housing's Public Hearing for the 22022-2023 Annual Plan!
we look forward to continuing to do the work to improve the quality of life for the people we serve!
Please click here to learn more about Columbia Housing's Annual Plan.
