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Implementation of 2004 Annual Plan which has been approved by HUD in principal but not the final funding amount |
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Implementation of the Capital Leveraging Bond Issue. |
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Implementation of an Energy Performance Contract |
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MISSION STATEMENT OF THE DRUG ELIMINATION PROGRAM |
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The mission of the Drug Elimination Program of the Irvington Housing Authority is to establish programs targeted at our juvenile residents to prevent them from being enticed into the drug environment. This includes educational programs and resources. We also offer job training for our adult residents. By offering job training, our residents are able to learn skills enabling them to secure meaningful employment. We encourage our residents to pursue their positive goals and to attain self-fulfilling achievements without the use or need for drug induced activities.
The Drug Elimination Program provides assistance, guidance and direction for any resident who is currently involved with drugs and has a desire to get help.
Finally, the Drug Elimination Program provides a social atmosphere for all of our residents to get to know each, to respect each other and to help each other.
By interacting with all our residents and offering a wide variety of programs and positive diversions this agency hopes to minimize the drug-related activities on this complex. We will, on a continuous basis, seek any programs that will assist this agency in reaching its ultimate goal of a drug free environment. |
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List of Awards
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NAHRO - National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials Awards |
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Health and Fitness - 1998 |
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Youth Fishing - 2002 |
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Summer Camp Brochure and Calendar - 2003 |
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Rites of Passage Program - 2003 |
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After-School Program - 2003 |
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After School Program
The Housing Authority of the Township of Irvington (HATI) Drug Elimination Program
(DEP) saw a need for the youth of the complex to have a more structured environment between the hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The program includes tutoring and homework help, computer education, youth bowling, swimming, and field trips; resume writing, academic achievement, and promotion of self-sufficiency. The program provides the youth a safe haven to create arts and crafts projects, have access to age appropriate educational software, and have the chance to journey away from the complex to planned educational/recreational venues.
The problem was the HATI had kids running aimlessly around the complex with no direction. And in many case, if a child's mind is not pre-occupied with an activity, he or she will generally turn to mischievous or destructive behavior. There was a marked increase in vandalism, graffiti, and property damage and the HATI was losing money by having to continuously perform repairs.
The computer resource center assists students with their studies, homework, and other projects. Tutoring help and access to encyclopedia software is also available.Additional age appropriate software has continued the learning process. Although we have issued flyers and notices with the times and days the center is open, we do help people in emergencies or those who just walk in. We also offer a typing skills course which can be completed on an individual basis.
The program fills a need for a child who may be struggling in school. He or she may be in need of homework help or individual tutoring. They now know that when school lets outs, they will be going to the after-school program. The parents know the child is in a safe learning environment and that will decrease concerns for their child's welfare.
When an outing has been planned, an informative flyer is posted in every building. However, the youth who attend the program daily will receive a flyer and a parent permission slip to take home at the end of the day to provide their parents information about the event.
The use of computers by a youth is important because most families living in public housing can not afford to buy one. The kids are taking advantage of a program that some may never experience unless it is through the school system. The educational software was purchased to enhance what is being taught in school. We want to make learning fun by choosing software with music and graphics.
Many youth expressed an interest in learning to swim or just to go to a pool. We coordinated the youth swimming program with the Newark YMCA, which had the facilities that could accommodate us. The bowling program provides an additional activity during the after school hours. Only after homework was completed, would an individual be able to attend. We were also trying to instill in the youth some sense of responsibility by strictly enforcing the above rule.
The after school program functions Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Three (3) staff persons provide the tutoring help when needed. The staff has been trained to use each of the recreational/educational software programs. At 6 p.m. we start our arts and crafts part of the afternoon. We like to give the youth themes about the seasons, holidays, or they may work from craft kits.
The objective of the swimming program was to teach the youth how to swim. During the (10) ten week program (1 hour per week) the youth received one-on-one and group instruction from certified lifeguards. The program serves youth ages 6-13.The idea behind the computer resource center was to provide cost free computer access for various needs like:
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Resume writing
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Computer internet access and software classes
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Schoolwork support
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General computer knowledge
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Provide educational software for youth
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Promote self-sufficiency to residents |
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The bowling program was designed to serve youth ages 6 to 17. The program lasted (10) ten weeks, with allotted space for (30) participants to bowl 2 games per week.
Youth Fishing Program
The Housing Authority of the Township of Irvington (HATI) Drug Elimination Program (DEP) staff noticed that the youth were not currently involved in any outdoor environmental programs. Our program contacted outside run agencies regarding this type of activity. The Environmental Outreach Program sponsored by the Cheesequake State Park , Division of Parks and Forestry is a program designed to introduce inner city youth to fishing and the environment. We were amazed at how many kids have never been fishing or to a lake. Many expressed an interest to return again soon.
The Division of Parks and Forestry developed the program to give inner city youth the opportunity to learn more about the environment outside of the public housing. The State of New Jersey saw a need to target inner city kids who otherwise would not have an opportunity like this.
The main objective was to provide a new experience for our youth. For many, this would be their first time fishing. The program operates during the summer and fit nicely into our Summer Camp Program. We arrived at the park around 10 a.m. and returned home at 3 p.m. The program served (30) thirty youth ages 6 to 17. Recently, we have expanded our program. We have purchased enough equipment to furnish 15 anglers. In addition, we have planned outings to other lakes and ponds in New Jersey .
Rites of Passage Program
The goals and objectives for this program would be to provide a community-based learning process that teaches adolescent males and females that reside in the HATI, what to expect in life emotionally and intellectually. A Program Coordinator will be responsible for the supervision of the Rites of Passage Program weekly. The field trips will be chaperoned with the help of HATI residents. They are selected to assist the Program Coordinator during the field trips.
The Workshop Facilitators will provide educational materials. Some of the topics that will be discussed are conflict resolution, anger management, and cultural development.
Workshop leaders must be able to communicate effectively with the youth and to relate the subject material based on the level that is understandable for the youth. Field trips will be arranged and conducted on a monthly basic. The youth will be taken to cultural and educational facilities to help enhance their learning. Weekly class participants will be given notebooks and instructed to log information in them for future discussion. The trips are offered as a reward for appropriate behavior and for those that have complied with the rules. Also, especially important for the youth, is that they be exposed to new and different activities outside of the HATI.
Annual Youth Summer Camp
Over the years, the Drug Elimination Program Summer youth Camp has strived to provide our residents with positive recreational and educational activities for everyone to have an enjoyable experience. I believe that the Summer Camp gives kids an opportunity to explore and visit new and exciting places.
Some of the daily activities include arts and crafts projects, board games, chess, checkers, ping pong, billiards, kick-ball, double-dutch, baseball, basketball, relay races, competitions and tournaments.
Our goal is to promote team work, recreation, and education in a safe and fun environment. |
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Contact Information |
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Craig E. Martin - Drug Elimination Coordinator
Location: 10 Crescent Lane # 1-C
Telephone Number: 973-399-5009
Fax Number: 973-374-8067
E-mail Address: cmartin@ihanj.org
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PICTURE GALLERY |
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