2000 Best Practice Awards

2000-2174 One Hundred Black Men Technology Center (Tech Center)
Albany, New York
Contact: Richard Harris (518) 443-6929

The Tech Center is the result of a partnership with government, business, and educational institutions to provide inner-city residents with the education and training they need to be competitive in the technology industry. The state-of-the-art facility links users to a variety of progressive-level classes, free-of-charge. As people at each site are trained, they in-turn become trainers for new students, which facilitates the multi-generational nature of the program. The 100 NET computer technology centers are social and discussion centers, as well as links to the internet and information about colleges, job support programs, and neighborhood issues. There is also in-school and after-school youth enrichment for children who do not have access to technology in their homes.

2000-2662 South End Interfaith Partnership Affordable Housing Project
Albany, New York
Contact: Michael Clay (518) 434-4794

SEIP Affordable Housing Project provides affordable housing in the South End of Albany through construction or rehabilitation of existing houses for low and middle-income residents. A credit counseling component is also included to help pre-qualify potential homebuyers prior to construction.

2000-1039 Christmas in April * Capital Region
Albany, New York
Contact: Lorraine Charbonea (518) 464-4200

Christmas in April is the leading volunteer organization that, in partnership with the community, rehabilitates the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and people with disabilities, so that they may continue to live in warmth, safety and independence. Christmas in April Capital Region was established in 1998.

A total of 24 homes have been repaired in the Albany area, thus improving the quality of life in our Capital Region neighborhoods and giving our homeowners the sense of dignity that they deserve.

In April, 2000 this program rehabilitated 13 homes, at an estimated cost of $20,000 and sponsorship was 30,000+. Some of the improvements included new roofs, new floors, kitchen appliances, yard clean up, interior painting, hauling trash and debris, removing fire and safety hazards, new stair and porches and landscaping.

2000-2086 SEPP Southern Tier Senior Net
Binghamton, New York
Contact: Richard J. DeOrazio (607)723-8989

SEPP Management Company proposed a Computer Learning Center (CLC to HUD for the Marian Apartments in January 1997. A partnership was created with SEPP and SeniorNet for the day-to-day operation of the facility. The program is known as the SEPP/STSN Computer Learning Center. Marian Apartments is a Section 8 facility with 102 units and 108 residents. This plan created a computerized learning center in a portion of the projects storage area. The CLC contains 11 computers networked to one main server. The goal of the computer facility is to focus on providing a variety of skills and educational opportunities for the building residents and community neighbors including: * Increase resident self-sufficiency * A new source of learning * internet capacity, which will give residents another way to communicate with family and friends * Improve the quality of life

2000-2161 Hamilton House Apartments
Binghamton, New York
Contact: Richard J. DeOrazio (607) 723-8989

Hamilton House Apartments is a 37-unit elderly housing project which was opened for occupancy in February 2000. The facility is a renovated former City of Binghamton elementary school (Alexander Hamilton elementary). The school was closed by the City in 1979, and remained empty until SEPP's intervention in 1997. With an option to buy the building signed in March of that year, SEPP applied for funding from NYS Housing Trust Fund Corp, and Low Income Housing Tax Credits in February 1998. Receiving the funding in the fall of 1998, renovation construction began in December. Every unit is uniquely designed to fit the building conditions and design.

The facility also houses a community room, library, computer room and resident's cafe. There are laundry facilities on each of the 3 floors. The exterior of the building is the original brick. A front portico with pillars and matching side entrances were constructed which enhanced the original 1930's style architecture. Keeping with the same style, a pillared gazebo was built for recreation and relaxation for the elderly residents. The renovation of this vacant decaying building has brought about a revitalization of a once affluent residential area of the City and most importantly provides safe, decent, secure, affordable housing for the seniors of Broome County. SEPP recently won an award from the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier for its foresight and endeavors to restore and put to practical use this 1930's structure in the City of Binghamton.

Currently 37 elderly households have found safe, secure, affordable housing in Binghamton. The lives of these seniors have been and will be changed for the better because of their move to the facility. The community room, library, computer room and cafe in the building have all contributed to an extended social life for these residents. The renovation of this old school has not only affected the seniors who have moved there, but the neighborhood as well. The vacant school attracted a lost of vandalism that extended from the school into the neighboring yards. Police presence was commonplace on the block, but now, the neighborhood is once again a quiet, peaceful neighborhood in which to live.

2000-1604 Victory Over Violence Youth Campaign
Schenectady, New York
Contact: Martha G. Edmonds (518) 464-4200

Victory Over Violence is a campaign to promote non-violence among children. The project consists of a 4-panel traveling exhibit, including a seven minute video, that focuses on the power of individuals to create social change by changing their own behavior. The panel educates youth on "passive violence" and allows them to express themselves through activities and games. In signing the Victory Over Violence pledge, participants pledge to lead actively non-violent lives. The pledge asks participants to value their own life, respect all life, and make a commitment to inspire others to do the same. Each participant is then given a Victory Over Violence button and bookmark to remind them of their pledge.

2000-736 Schenectady Inner City Ministry
Schenectady, New York
Contact: Marianne Comfort (518) 374-2683

SICM is an ecumenical partnership of 53 congregations working together to provide:

• The largest emergency food pantry in the county
• The Damien Center: an HIV/AIDS drop-in center which provides meals, referrals, computer training, and health information
• JOBS: a job placement, information, and referral center
• Save and Share: a food-buying co-op
• An appliance matching service, to link donated home appliances to those who need them Summer youth lunch program
• SCITT: an educational youth theater group
• Housing Task Force, which administers a revolving loan fund and a community land trust
• The Communicator: a local newspaper that profiles positive neighborhood news

Past accomplishments include construction of a homeless shelter and outreach to prostitutes and runaway youth.

2000-1586 SAFE Inc. of Schenectady - Project Safe
Schenectady, New York
Contact: Martha G. Edmonds (518) 464-4200

Project SAFE addresses the needs of youth and youth adults (25-35 years old) who have a history of sexual exploitation (i.e. prostitution, sexual abuse, pornography, etc.) as well as those youth who are at risk of sexual exploitation (runaways, victims of abuse, drug and/or alcohol dependent, etc.) Its original mandate (and one that continues to this date) was to provide counseling and referral services to 12-20 year old prostitutes who wished to leave the life of prostitution.

PROJECT SAFE has since expanded to include not only those youth who are already engaged in street prostitution, but also those who are in grave danger of falling into such a lifestyle and those who are sexually exploited in other ways or at risk of being sexually exploited. Without SAFE's services these individuals would remain on the street and run the risk of becoming more involved in criminal activities or death. SAFE takes care of the client through therapy to help address the abuse and the issues that lead to the client leaving home.

2000-2569 Better Neighborhoods Inc. Paige Street 300 Block Project
Schenectady, New York
Contact: Edward August (518) 372-6469

In Schenectady, New York, Better Neighborhoods, Inc. focused its existing housing counseling and construction efforts on a single city block. The program integrated an AmeriCorps volunteer component, targeting demolition, infrastructure improvements and a community organized to maximize the benefit of revitalization efforts of a once absentee-owned block into a predominantly owner-occupied street.

2000-255 Cohoes Crime and Drug Prevention Task Force
Cohoes, New York
Contact: Mary F. Hebert (518) 235-4500

The Cohoes Crime and Drug Prevention Task Force is a group of 24 local agencies, including law enforcement, schools, judicial system, probation, civilian youth and adults and the Cohoes Housing Authority who have come together to work to reduce crime and illegal drug usage in Cohoes. They have been in existence for over six months and have created a one and four-year agenda to accomplish this major goal through 14 goals. They have also established objectives. Goals deal with communication, education, prevention, interdiction, intervention and treatment programs. (The group also includes a major drug and alcohol treatment program in the area. Immediate plans call for a "Youth Summit" in Fall of 2000. The group has developed a list of local resources and this is available for distribution to anyone in the locality who has need of the services. The group has also arranged for the Capital District Mental Health Players to produce a 1-hour play and interactive activity on May 24 at our Cohoes Music Hall. This will be followed by questions and answers from a panel of Task Force members. The Task Force has filed a drug-free communities support program with the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Program for Drug Free Community Support. This will help to accomplish the other goals of improving communications in the community through a newsletter, creating safe and open communication between all parties, assisting youth, professionals and other community members to know available resources, increase awareness about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and crime, educate entire families, provide alternatives to substance abuse through programs and activities, including centrally located outdoor activities, youth concerts, bands and family events, formation of teen/drug courts, developing adult leadership, including young adults and search, research and obtaining grants. This group has already compiled 1999 statistics including law enforcement, school, treatment referrals, probation statistics, census and Cohoes Housing Authority demographics, as well as the County of Albany Risk Profile for Alcohol and Substance Abuse. This group is well on its way to implementing the first-year plan. The Task Force hopes to have a teen court in operation by late fall or winter of 2000.

2000-385 Cohoes Acting Troupe
Cohoes, New York
Contact: Mary F. Hebert (518) 235-4500

The Cohoes Housing Authority contracted with the Clifton Park Players’ Director (the resident group for the Cohoes Music Hall) to work with up to 40 youth from 7 to 19 to teach them all aspects of the theater. The group has worked with costumes, set designs, just plain housekeeping, learning script and music. Four members of the Cohoes Acting Troupe were actually given roles in major productions of the Clifton Park Players. This program not only teaches the youth theater skills, but also voice and presentation skills that can help in any chosen career. The program has also given the youth a sense of self-worth and accomplishment.

2000-439 Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority, Section 3 Program
Schenectady, New York
Contact: Sharon Jordon (518) 395-9052

The Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority has an on-going program of expanding supportive services to its residents and certificate holders. Services are provided both authority-wide and at specific developments, and have successfully been developed with a variety of funding sources. The Authority’s Section 3 program is an important part of this continuum. Staffing for these efforts has been provided in large part through a series of HUD Drug-Elimination grants which the Authority has aggressively pursued. Education and training facilities have been established in the Authority’s largest family developments. The Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority has been a partner in a vocational training consortium between the Urban League and five Housing Authorities in the Capital District of New York State. Initiatives to train and employ residents and to provide contracts for section 3 businesses have been developed for the every day operations of this large urban Housing Authority and in their modernization and new project development activities. These initiatives include strong local enforcement of Section 3 in the pre-bid, pre-construction, construction monitoring functions, and day to day contracting and maintenance functions. As a result of theses efforts, residents have been hired by construction contractors, the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Schenectady, the YWCA Children’s Centers and Wackenhut Security Company. The Authority has also developed a Resident Self Employment Program, RESP, which assists residents who are interested in starting their own businesses. Residents receive assistance with writing their business plans, market research, and securing funding. Resident owned businesses developed to date include; a delicatessen, a home daycare, a cleaning contractor. The authority is currently assisting a resident who wishes to develop a medical transport business.

2000-1931 Transitional Apartments and Parenting Center
Syracuse, New York
Contact: Robert C. Schofield (315) 475-1688

Provides 25 transitional efficiency apartments for pregnant, parenting, or at-risk youth ages 16-21 with up to two children under the age of 4. Program includes housing, living skills instruction, parenting classes, and case management services within the secure building with 24 hour support staff.

2000-1053 The Ark, Inc.
Troy, New York
Contact: Jay & Mary Theresa and Murnane & Streck (518) 274-2555

The Ark is a community based after-school educational center providing services that promote and reinforce positive development for at-risk youth in the City of Troy. The Ark is based at the John P. Taylor Apartments (NY012-2), a four building high-rise complex with 278 apartments managed by the Troy Housing Authority. The Ark provides educational and enrichment programs so that the children and young adults in attendance will have the daily academic support needed to form a community of learners. By offering a place of hospitality and safety where children and young adults can encounter the challenges provided by educational programs they can be properly prepared for a richer, fuller life of capability and responsibility. The Ark ensures that the children and young adults in attendance have counselors available for them and have every opportunity necessary to embrace a creative alternative to hanging out, destructiveness, criminality and chemical dependency. Once they become involved in the program the children and young adults find The Ark to be a place for discovery, transformation and celebration; a place for developing vision and broadening horizons. Daily Tutoring: The children are able to access the latest information for homework projects and enrichment through The Ark’s excellent library and on-line computer center. Individual tutors from area colleges and the community work daily with the children. Arts Education: For children who otherwise would be unable to afford weekly classes, The Ark provides access to the arts. The arts help children express themselves through using the creative right side of the brain. In schools, many children are evaluated primarily on activities that draw solely from the left side of the brain. With this is mind educators have an obligation to support learners who 'see' in terms of pattern and form as well as those who 'see' reason. At The Ark, we recognize all modalities as vital to the learning process. Reading Education: The Ark provides daily reading activities designed by a reading coordinator and weekly classes in the Sage Reading Program. At the beginning of the school year, The Ark targets all kindergartners and first graders to be a part of the Sage Reading Program. This early intervention program is designed to promote the reader’s strengths and identify needs. Sage graduate students work with their selected child over the course of the academic year, diagnosing reading difficulty, then creating and implementing a plan for remediation through an intensive six week reading clinic. The Ark provides some of the necessary home literacy experiences (e.g., reading to children, listening to them read) teaching them good reading strategies which distinguish a good reader from a poor reader. A sizable number of children are now awakening to literature and a number of children have reached grade-level reading ability within a very short time. Computer Technology and Video Production: The Ark provides weekly classes and job training in computer technology and video production. Young adults learn computer skills and are then paid to mentor adults in the low-income community. The younger children participate in the computer lab by learning the fundamentals of the computer and basic computer skills. Summer Youth Employment Program: The Ark focuses on Communications and Technology in the provision of a Summer Youth Employment Program. Students at The Ark prepare for this course during the academic year and are hired in the summer, using county summer employment funds, for an intensive 6-week job education and training program. Funded by Rensselaer County, this program is a joint project of The Ark and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Wyred Enterprises – A Youth Entrepreneurial Program at The Ark (WE) trains committed members of The Ark in the latest web design technology. WE interns will use their skills to operate a web page design business that creates sites for community members and paying commercial clients. Interns will develop technical, employment, and professional skills while concentrating on collaborative decision-making and project management. Technical training (incorporated at all levels of the training process) will focus advanced skills: advanced HTML (including DHTML), interactivity, JavaScript, interface design, advanced graphic design principles, and large-scale project management. Counseling and Advocacy: The Ark provides counseling for the children and their families. Through the counseling program, children and young adults form small peer counseling groups under the direction of a professional advisor. This allows them to be active participants in their own healing and transformation as well as in the healing and transformation of others. It is through this partnership process that individuals understand their innate ability to successfully manage their own lives and to understand, appreciate and help to resolve the challenges faced by others. Since the counseling is by choice, it is once again a conscious learning process. Evenstart (coming soon): The Ark, The Troy School District and Questar III are partners in a funding request to establish an Evenstart Program on site at The Ark. The Evenstart Program involves working with the entire family to promote the child’s healthy development during the preschool years.

2000-2184 Downtown Revitalization Project
Utica, New York
Contact: Thomas H. Larrabee (315) 792-0181

Mayor Edward A. Hanna initiated an ambitious Streetscape Facade Improvement program in the spring of 1999 designed to bring positive attention to Utica's downtown. This program provided grants to downtown businesses in a concentrated area of Genesee Street, the city's main thoroughfare. This concentration of effort allowed for the maximum visual impact within the budget constraints. Some improvements made to the buildings were innovative and creative new paint color schemes, powerwashing of the exteriors of certain buildings allowing for the uncovering of historic architectural beauty hidden for many years, new signage and canopies reminiscent of Utica's glory days. The 1999-2000 Facade Program was so successful, that Mayor Hanna has decided to branch out to 5 other sections of the city for 2000-2001.

2000-1158 Kingston Housing Authority
Kingston, New York
Contact: Steven A. Fischer (914) 331-1955

Building on its more than 50 years experience, the Kingston Housing Authority (KHA) has undertaken an innovative initiative to both diversify its portfolio and preserve and expand affordable housing options for residents of the City of Kingston and Ulster County. In response to the possible conversion of a privately owned 120 unit affordable housing complex to market rate rents, KHA has acquired and rehabilitated the complex to ensure that it will remain affordable for at least the next 40 years. In addition, the project expanded affordable housing options available for the elderly and persons with mobility impairments by retrofitting 25 of the units to accommodate physically disabled and/or elderly residents. Finally, in keeping with HUD policy that Housing Authorities work to reduce concentrations of poverty, the project will be operated as a mixed-income community. In 1997, Kingston faced the loss of Stuyvesant Charter Apartments, an existing critically-needed affordable housing resource. The 120 unit, 15 building complex was developed in 1982 with HUD Section 236 Mortage, which allows the owner to prepay the mortgage and convert the complex to market rents. Faced with the probability that the owner would begin to charge rents in the range of $700 to $800, which would be unaffordable for current residents, the Kingston Housing Authority set out to preserve the apartment complex as affordable housing. The redevelopment of the project was performed Stuyvesant Charter, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation organized as a separate legal entity by the Kingston Housing Authority. Working with the assistance of an experienced affordable housing development consultant, KLK Development Consultants, inc., Stuyvesant Charter, Inc. was responsible for the project implementation including development financing, renovation, and design of the project. The rehabilitation included the update of existing safety issues and modernization including new kitchens, baths, doors, and carpeting upgrades in the apartments. KHA, which currently manages 321 units in five complexes, will manage day to day operations including marketing, outreach, security, maintenance, and tenant relations. In addition to providing physical and financial management, the Authority will offer tenants access to supportive services through collaborative relationships with community based services providers. As a result, KHA has successfully preserved and modernized 120 units of critically needed affordable housing for the residents of Kingston and Ulster County for at least 40 years. In addition, by expanding KHA's portfolio, decreasing the concentration of low-income families, creating a mixed-income community, and integrating low-income and disabled households into the larger community, this project responds to HUD's policy goals.

2000-1763 Gun Buy Back Program
Watervliet, New York
Contact: Charles V. Patricelli (518) 273-4717

The Watervliet Housing Authority launched what it believes to be the first Gun Buy Back Program that was started by Secretary Cuomo and President Clinton. The cooperation between the City Government leaders, Police Department and Watervliet Housing Authority was the key to a successful program. We had 85 weapons turned in for a $50 grocery gift certificate.

2000-2921 Ulster YouthBuild
New York City, New York
Contact: Steve J. Avarese (212) 264-8000

The program pairs contractors with unemployed youth(16-24) toteach construction skills and renovate housing in low incomeneighborhoods in the City of Kingston in the Hudson River
Valley.

Content Archived: April 20, 2011