Oprima aquí para español

In This Issue
Financial Resources 
Employment Resources 
Health Care Resources 
Free Medical Services
City Care Clinic        
Educational Resources 
OSU
OSU Extension
Community Resources

Did you know Housing Works is on Facebook and Twitter?.

 

Please take a moment to Like" us on Facebook.

 

Like us on Facebook
Housing Works

Like us on Facebook

Families Forward

Like us on Facebook PATHWorks 

Go8 Glo logo

















































































































 
Employment Resources 

Success Story


 

Opportunities not challenges


 

Robin has been a PATHWorks participant since 2013.  In that time, she graduated with her MA in mental health counseling and is working towards licensure and building her practice.  In November 2014  Robin participated in the Oregon Business Council Prosperity Agenda Design Lab in Portland. The Design Lab focused on discussions involving innovative solutions to the challenge of poverty in Oregon.  She will be starting a VIDA account in the spring and recently began earning escrow funds.  When asked to share her experience Robin shared the following.


 
 

"I consider that everything in life is either an opportunity to learn and grow or an obstacle that keeps you stuck.  You get to choose.  Stopping to take a deep breath, finding some awareness of the present and remembering that not only are experiences gifts of knowledge, they are also a way to connect with others. Through the Housing Works programs I have been so fortunate to find comfort in the idea that through acceptance and admitting that I can't do it all myself, doors begin to open and offer me clarity.  It is not that I don't have any help for what I need, but rather, there is an abundance and when I became humble enough to accept assistance by being vulnerable, progression and forward movement became possible.  I am no longer stuck.  Knowing that my son and I have a place to call home every night is a very grounding feeling, knowing that we have a future to prepare for is a very uplifting feeling, and knowing that we can someday pay it forward is priceless."  


 

We are excited to see what the future holds for Robin.  Keep up the great work and congratulations!

 

Party Time 

 

Join us at Bouncing Off the Wall!

 

Who: PATHWorks Participants

When: Sunday April 12, 2015 3-6 PM

Where: Bouncing Off the Wall 

1134 SE Centennial Ct, Bend, OR 97702

 

This is a FREE family event for current PATHWorks participants and their families.


 

The PATHWorks leadership team has been working hard to bring the PATHWorks community together.  This April is your chance to join in the fun.  There will be food, family fun, resources and fabulous prizes!

 

 


 

Contact us today to reserve your spot and receive your 

GOLDEN TICKET!

See below for details


 


   Email us:  

 

  

  

 

Your Golden Ticket


R.S.V.P to receive your ticket

When you R.S.V.P. to the PATHWorks team you will receive your Golden Ticket. Bring your ticket to the event and you are automatically entered into the multiple prize drawing to be held on April 12th, 2015 at Bounding off the Wall!

 

Click here to R.S.V.P. and receive your Golden Ticket!

Money

 
Where did my money go


Do you ever feel like you can't get ahead financially? You work hard and then before your next paycheck arrives you're broke! Well you are not alone. Surveys estimate somewhere between 50% to 80% of Americans spend beyond their monthly income at least several times a year. This overspending leads to more stress, less savings (if any) and can contribute significantly to ones financial instability.

The reasons for overspending vary, but that's not what this article is about. We want to look at the facts.  Where did my money go? So, how do you understand where all of your hard earned dollars go? 

Easy, you track your spending by writing it down. Of course that is the answer you say, everyone knows that, but do you actually do it? Many people think they know where they spend their money, but if you don't write down every expense on a monthly basis and review it, do you really know? 

CHALLENGE YOURSELF THIS MONTH! Make a commitment to track ever single penny you spend. You will be surprised what you find out. Once you have this information you can make changes to your spending, which will allow you to manage your finances more effectively.

Remember, ever single penny counts, so don't forget to count all of the cash you spend. If you have a debit card, try and use that for all of your transactions. That way you will have less cash transactions to track. Pick a system that works for you, use a notebook, keep receipts, whatever you will actually use. Below is an Excel tracking and budget tool that can help you take the numbers you gather a and turn them into a working budget.



Good luck and stick with it. Think of the money you save as getting  a raise. If you control your spending you will have more money to put into savings for a rainy day or when the car breaks down!


Construction Rehab

 

Aspen Villas update

 

 

Work continues on our Aspen Villas remodel. One of the new features of the property, the community room, is beginning to take shape.  Since we are retrofitting the apartments to include washers and dryers, the need for a laundry space in the old office was no longer needed.  We remodeled the old laundry space/small office, blew out the walls and added 500 sq. ft. to make an inviting, functional community space and leasing office for the property.This new community space will include a kitchenette for resident events and new computer work stations. 

 

 

 

The general contractor has completed 12 of the 40 unit interiors so far and continues to rehabilitate 4 units a week and WHAT A DIFFERENCE in the look and feel of the apartment homes.  The exterior improvements include added lighting and additional sidewalks for easier and safer paths of travel at the property, new siding, windows and improved stair cases. We are nearing the half-way point for construction and one can now begin to visualize what the property will look like at the finish line.  A big thank you to all that have supported this project as well as the residents who have lived through the course of construction.

S.T.E.P.S.

 

Congratulations

 

  

Thanks to a generous donation by McConnell Labs, Inc., of Redmond, the PATHWorks program was able to host and complete another workshop of the Steps to Economic and Personal Success program. The four part,12 hour series developed by The Pacific Institute in Seattle, Washington helps participants explore ways to identify and change potentially limiting past behavior and thought patterns. The goal of the program is to inspire a new way to set goals and break free of any self-imposed limitations one may have placed on themselves.

 

Congratulations to everyone of the PATHWorks participants who participated and earned their certificate!  We look forward to watching you implement the new tools and techniques you were exposed to in your future goal setting.

 

Way to go!

Housing Choice Voucher

 

Policy Changes

 

 

 

 

Effective March 25, 2015 the subsidy standards for the Housing Choice Voucher program have changed. The costs associated with administering this program have risen significantly over the past several years. Therefore, in order to ensure serving the maximum number of families allowable, it is necessary for us to revise the subsidy standards for this program.

 

Subsidy standards determine the number of bedrooms needed for families of different sizes and compositions. This is the voucher size a family will be given. The voucher size does not dictate the size of unit the family must actually lease, nor does it determine who within a household will share a bedroom/sleeping room. It only determines the maximum amount of subsidy we are able to pay. HUD regulations require that subsidy standards must provide for the smallest number of bedrooms needed to house a family without overcrowding.

 

Program participants will be receiving a complete notice in your mailbox in the next few weeks. It will outline all the changes that have been made and how it may affect your household. We will not be requiring anyone to move, but your portion of rent may increase. Watch for the notice in your mailbox and if you have any questions please be sure to let us know.

 

For a full description of the changes CLICK HERE

Subsidy Standards FAQ March 2015.doc 

 

  

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Lesly Gonzalez

Voucher Program Manager       

541.323.7416     lgonzalez@housing-works.org 

 

Christi Solheim

Housing & Portability Specialist  

541.323.7403     csolheim@housing-works.org 

 

Stephanie Westendorf

Housing Specialist

541.323.7418     swestendorf@housing-works.org 

 

Emily Loza

Housing Quality Standards Inspector

541.323.7417     mloza@housing-works.org 

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
 
 Did you know Housing Works is on Facebook and Twitter?

Housing Works invites you to "Like" us on Facebook  or "F ollow" us on Twitter.


 

Like us on Facebook 
              

Follow us on Twitter 

 

 
Community Calendar CommunityCalendar
 
What's going on in your area 
 
 
Click on the links below to find out what's happening in your area.  Have fun!
  Bend
Quick Links

 

Click on the banners below for more information

 



 

 

We appreciate all of your feedback and look forward to your ideas and suggestions in the future.

 

Here's to everyone's success. Please feel free to contact the PATHWorks team with any questions you may have.  We are here to help you reach your goals! 


Sincerely,

Your PATHWorks  Team


Kelly Fisher 541-323-7411 kfisher@housing-works.org

Client Services Manager
   

  Andy Hall 541-323-7413 ahall@housing-works.org

C lient Services Coordinator

 

Carly Garzon  541-323-7410 cgarzon@housing-works.org

Bilingual Client Services Coordinator

Disclaimer: Third Party I nformation, articles and links provided within this newsletter are publicly available via the internet. Housing Works and Families Forward does not take responsibility for the content, suggestions or information provided by third party articles, websites or the information and offers within. It is the sole responsibility of the reader to evaluate all the material or offers and determine if it is appropriate to participate or use the information provided within.