THIS is Columbia Housing - May 2 - May 13, 2022
THIS is Columbia Housing
Weekly Roundup of CH Happenings: May 2 - May 13, 2022
Coming Soon!
Columbia Housing
Special Edition: "Unity in the CommUNITY"
Resident Success Story: Henrietta Wilson
"I love my life today."
When Henrietta Wilson looks back over her life, she says she can't help but be THANKFUL. "22-years ago, I was addicted to heroin and living in New York City. But, God stepped in."
Concerned about his mom, Henrietta's son relocated her to Columbia and got her into recovery. While in recovery, she got a job at McDonald's. That's where she met a customer in her service line who worked for Columbia Housing and urged her to apply for public housing.
Henrietta applied for housing, got on the waiting list, and eventually go her own place. That's when life began to change. "I have so much to be thankful for and one of those things is Columbia Housing Authority. Y'all took a chance on me. Today, I'm more than 20 years clean. I have custody of my grandson, and I have a 20+ year career at Publix as a Team Leader in the Customer Service Department. I have traveled all over for Publix to help them open new stores."
"Henrietta is one of our awesome residents at Rosewood Hills," says Regional Property Manager Gloria Warner. "We are happy for any role we played in her success story."
Commissioners Spotlight: Kara Simmons
Our very own Commissioner Kara Simmons advanced First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as she traveled to Romania and Slovakia this week in a show of support for displaced Ukrainian families forced to flee in the wake of Russia's invasion. Biden also used the trip to meet with members of the United States military stationed overseas.
Commissioner Kara Simmons was a part of the White House advance team for the First Lady's visit to Romania. That's because in her 'other life' Commissioner Simmons serves as an Advance Associate for the White House.
On this assignment in Romania- Commissioner Simmons and her team advanced the First Lady's delegation, worked with the traveling press, and scouted locations for Jill Biden's events at the military base, schools, and other locations in Romania!
Romania has seen the largest influx of Ukrainian refugees as a result of the crisis (after Poland), with hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians crossing the border into the country since the war began three months ago. The First Lady visited with a host of those refugees. Source: CNN
Thank you Commissioner Simmons for your work to uplift other; state-side and abroad!
Mother's Day Brunch
A mother is like a flower, each one beautiful and unique.
Columbia Housing's Resident & Family Initiatives Department celebrated Mother's Day at Busby Street Community Center with a "Mother's Day Brunch" made possible through our partnerships with Busby Street Community Center, Community Resource Depot, and DHEC. Our residents fellowshipped with other senior women from communities in surrounding areas and had a ball!
As everyone enjoyed the delicious meal and sipped tea, they played TV Trivia: Mother's Edition followed by a gift selection raffle!
Employee Spotlight - Shannia Bryant, Landlord Liaison
Shannia was recently promoted to a new posst at Columbia Housing. She is now our Landlord Liaison responsible for interfacing with our portfolio of landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Interim CEO Yvonda Bean says it was Shannia's great customer service skills that helped land the post. "Every month Columbia Housing puts more than $2.5M into the local economy through the payments we make to landlords in our Housing Choice Voucher Program. It's important that we have the right person in place to answer their questions and to provide technical assistance as needed. Shannia Bryant is the right person," says Bean.
When asked about her vision for her new role, Shannia said "Our landlords are so very important to us. We want to make sure that when they have a question or need something done, we are prompt, courteous, and effective. I look forward to serving them."
Congratulations Shannia Bryant!
