Quarterly Newsletter  
November - December 2016
Issue 4

YOU CAN HELP BUILD A HOME  THIS GIVING TUESDAY


Giving Tuesday is a global effort to raise awareness and support for nonprofit organizations serving communities and people across the world. This year, on Tuesday, November 29, NHSW is asking for your help to preserve home, family, and history by helping us restore a Waterbury house back to it’s former glory so it can continue to provide security for a family in need.

We hope you will consider supporting NHSW with a meaningful gift. Your gift will change the lives for a family in need. Be sure to follow us on social media, so we can thank you for a being a hero in our community. 
To donate, please click here or contact Maybeth Morales-Davis at 203.753.1896 x14.

Your donation will directly support the rehabilitation of the home on 933 Cooke Street. Once work has been completed, we will work with potential home buyers through our Homeownership Counseling Program to make them financially eligible for this home. After we’ve found a homebuyer we will conduct a walkthrough with the homebuyer to help them understand the layout of their new home in regard to safety and security. We will also work with the new landlord to find reliable renters which in turn provides income stability for the owner and serves as an example for the renter for the possibility of homeownership.

Thanks for your support!

NEIGHBORWORKS AMERICA RECOGNIZES NHSW's ERIKA COOPER WITH A 2016 DOROTHY RICHARDSON RESIDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD!
NHSW's very own Erika Cooper was a recipient of the Dorothy Richardson Resident Leadership Award. Read more about Erika's award here
FROM VULNERABLE TO STRONG

NeighborWorks® America is committed to developing and supporting a network of excellence to strengthen communities and transform lives. To ensure that NeighborWorks America is accountable to Congress, OMB, funders and taxpayers for the allocation of grant funds, NeighborWorks America developed a four point system to rate the health and risk of network organizations, like NHSW. Organizations are rated Exemplary, Strong, Satisfactory, or Vulnerable and receive annual offsite review and triennial onsite reviews.

As of March 2016, NeighborWorks America has changed the health rating of NHSW to
Strong based on an off-site review that included an assessment of our organizations Production and Program Services, Resource and Financial Management, and Organizational Management and Board Governance.

NHSW is proud to announce that our rating has gone from Vulnerable to Strong within a 3-year time span


ALMOST HOME YOUTH SOCIAL CHANGE/STEAM PROGRAM
Now in its third year, the Almost Home After-School program conducted surveys and assessments and found there was a need for a more hands on, real-life approach with youth in low income and rural communities. Based on this research, we revamped some components to create the Almost Home Youth Social Change/STEAM Program, which incorporates experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art design, and Math along with reading. 

The STEAM program, which runs 3 days a week at Walsh School, includes non-traditional and interactive classes as well as tutoring and help with homework. Topics include architecture, robotics, bucket drumming and dance. Another piece of the program engages participants in social justice issues whereby the students discuss and organize community events that center around race, politics and more. 

The parents/guardians must be active participants in their child’s education, as part of the STEAM program. Parents are required to register into the parent mentorship program. This program will cover; financial literacy, budgeting, higher education, job search, job training resources and parent walking or running groups.

Thanks to our sponsors, like Comcast, for supporting the STEAM program!

Please contact Erika Cooper for more information 203.753.1896 x17   ecooper@nhswaterbury.org.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS
2016 ANNUAL MEETING - 11/29/16

Please join us at the NHSW Annual Meeting to hear highlights of 2015, enjoy a light breakfast and to celebrate Giving Tuesday. Click here to register. 

November 29, 2016, 8:00 a.m.
UCONN, Waterbury Campus
COMMUNITY DAY @THEMATT WITH A SURPRISE PERFORMANCE - 12/11/16
Join us on December 11th, from 1-2 p.m., at the Mattatuck Museum, for Community Day. You won't want to miss out as the Almost Home Youth Social Change/STEAM Program participants take the stage. 
2016 HEAD, FINGERS, UNDIES & TOES DRIVE - 12/18/16-12/20/16
Every year thousands of toys are donated to families in need during the holidays. While these toys are greatly appreciated, often time the most needed items are forgotten. Items that keep our children dry, clean and warm. From December 18-20, we are collecting donations such as: hats, gloves, underwear, pampers, socks, laundry detergent, soap and baby wipes. Drop off your donations at 161 North Main Street. Contact Erika Cooper for more information 203.419.8397. 
THE 1st ANNUAL HOME MATTERS DINNER & BENEFIT - 3/16/17


SAVE-THE-DATE


You won't want to miss this special  evening as one-of-a-kind doll  houses take the stage.  Meet the doll house architects  and vote for your favorite one! For more information, click here


March 16, 2017 , 6:00 p.m.
La Bella Vista

JOB OPENING


Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury is searching for a bilingual Homebuyer/Homeowner Counselor.

Please send your resume to Bonnie Volpe, 161 North Main Street, Waterbury, CT, 06702 or  bvolpe@nhswaterbury.org

Click here for more information.
GRANTS AWARDED
Comcast staff members Karen Perham-Lippman and  Sharon Codeanne with NHSW staff, board members and STEAM program participants

NHSW is proud to announce the awarding of several grants from these generous funders:


Comcast: to support the Almost Home Youth Social Change/STEAM Program.


Linford & Mildred White Charitable Fund:  to support the Almost Home Youth Social Change/STEAM Program.


UPCOMING HOMEBUYER EDUCATION CLASSES
December 8, 5:00 - 7:00 pm

November 30 and December 21
5:30 - 7:30 pm

December 10, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

December 7, 5:30 - 8:30 pm

December 14, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Classes are FREE, SMALL & FRIENDLY and taught in our Waterbury office (with the exception of the Pre-Closing class). 

Contact Bonnie Volpe for more information at 203.753.1869 x10. 


REGISTER TODAY!