PATHWorks Newsletter: January 2019
Success Story - Employment - Finances - Asset Building - Housing Works Updates - Resources
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HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us at Housing Works!
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2018 Year in Review
The PATHWorks program is available to participants of the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program. The program utilizes a coaching model aimed at helping participants to increase earned income and financial literacy, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency.
The program provides participants with access to one-on-one coaching to help them achieve their individual goals including
employment, education, homeownership, small business development, health and more. The program can last up to 5 years. To graduate from PATHWorks, participants must not be receiving TANF for at least the last 12 months prior to graduation, be suitably employed full-time (32+ hours/week), and achieve the individual goals they outlined at the beginning of their participation.
PATHWorks Program 2018 Highlights:
- 93 current participants
- 40 new participants enrolled
- 17 participants graduated
- 14 of those 17 graduates received escrow funds averaging $5,268.56
- 8 participants released their vouchers and are no longer receiving Housing Assistance
- 1 participant purchased a home
Our PATHWorks participants also have access to apply to the Valley Individual Development Account (VIDA) program. This is a 3:1 matched savings program where participants can save for 1 of 4 asset classes: 1) homeownership, 2) small business, 3) education, or 4) employment related equipment or specialized technology.
Currently, we have 42 participants in the VIDA Program. Additionally:
- 11 new participants enrolled
- 6 participants graduated
- 2 Homeowners
- 1 Education
- 2 Employment Related
- 1 Small Business
These statistics highlight some of the great successes that were achieved by our clients this past year. If you are a current Housing Choice Voucher holder and are interested in joining the PATHWorks program, please contact Housing Works and reach out to one of our PATHWorks coaches today! Remember, dreams become reality with a clear goal, a focused plan and follow through.
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St. Charles is Hiring!
St. Charles Health System (headquartered in Bend, OR) owns and operates the St. Charles medical centers in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville. They are a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation with more than 4,000 employees and the largest employer in the region. Join their fantastic team and enjoy competitive wages, great benefits and year-round employment! If you have a passion for delivering exceptional care and service and are looking for an opportunity to work with a dynamic and talented team of caregivers, they invite you to take a look at the career possibilities at St. Charles.
To be considered for job positions, please visit their
careers webpage to find current job openings and caregiver employment opportunities across Central Oregon in Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. They are an equal opportunity employer and welcome veterans and those who have served our country through military or volunteer service to apply for open positions.
What they expect from you:
- A positive attitude to perform the physically demanding requirements for many assigned duties
- Attention to detail
- Ability to learn the needs of your teammates
- Strong customer service fundamentals
- Strong attendance
- Professional, team-oriented attitude
What you can expect from them:
- Competitive wages
- Opportunities for growth
- Professional environment
- Stepping stone to a career in the healthcare industry
Check out their job opportunities today if you are looking for a career in healthcare which is one of the top growing industries in our area! Click
here for more information about this occupation in demand. If you are interested in getting more education in this area, click on the flier below for health career options through Central Oregon Community College.
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Would you like a career in one of the top growing professions of technology? How about free training? Does having a job as soon as you are out of training appeal to you? If all this sounds good, and the prospect of earning at least $4,200 gross income right out of the gate is appealing, then check out
Apprenti!
- Step 1: Take the competency assessment. Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma (or equivalent) and a United States citizen or permanent legal resident.
- Step 2: Receive information about your assessment test performance. Top ranked candidates will be invited to interview with staff when apprenticeship opportunities are available.
- Step 3: If you interview well with staff, you will be invited to a hiring partner interview based on occupational suitability and hiring partner demand. Prepare for your in-person interview by researching the hiring companies and practicing responses to sample interview questions.
- Step 4: Attend an interview with one or more hiring partners.
- Step 5: If you’ve been selected by a hiring partner for an apprenticeship, Apprenti will notify you and provide information about your start date and the technical courses required.
- Step 6: After successfully completing your courses, you’ll be placed with a hiring partner for one year of paid on-the-job training.
Tech is the fastest-growing industry in the world, and 1 in 20 job openings are in tech. This unique apprenticeship program puts you on a straightforward, step-by-step fast track toward your dream job. The tech industry is seeking to diversify its workforce, so Apprenti is actively recruiting women, minorities and veterans — although anyone is eligible to apply.
Apply today!
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"Afraid of Monthly Bills? How to Cope with Money Fear"
Chrometophobia is the fear of money. This is the unwillingness to face facts when it comes to spending and saving habits. Many people are afraid of dealing with their personal finances, and if this describes you, then you are not alone. Worrying about having enough to make ends meet each month and earning enough to achieve long-term goals may create stress. Take control of your money and overcome your fear with the steps listed below:
- First, figure out what your emotional trigger is about money. When you start to feel panicked about your finances, think about why you feel that way and what you can do about it.
- Second, keep track of your spending and expenses. Set up a routine that works best for you to analyze your financial picture.
- Third, take control. Create a budget that includes all the financial categories in your life. Write down your income, spending, and expenses.
- Finally, deal with it. If you are afraid of monthly bills, if you suffer from chrometophobia, start with one step today to improve your financial situation.
These are great resources and tools to help you overcome your fear of money and get on track to take control of your financial future.
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Yourself as an Asset
Many articles throughout the years have highlighted the value of building assets to create a stronger, more stable financial future for yourself and your family. Those articles generally focus on homeownership, retirement funding, building savings, real estate investing and other wealth building strategies. All of those are important asset building tools to understand, but do you realize that YOU personally are the biggest asset you have toward improving your financial future?
Think about it. YOU are responsible for building your financial future, no one else is going to do it for you! YOU are the one who has to earn income to secure your future. If you’re not making as much money as you want, YOU have to build up your skills, increase your education, or both to increase your income. That could mean advancing in your current career, starting a small business or changing professions.
That’s your employment building task. Now what about your health, both mentally and physically? If either of the two, or both, are not as strong as you would like, it’s your responsibility to work on them. Remember, YOU are the asset and assets need building. If your physical health is suffering, then work with your doctor to design a plan to get back on track. If you are feeling run down or have a lack of energy start a regular exercise program, start walking or practicing yoga and get moving. Once you do, stick with it! Start a journal to track how you feel and hold yourself accountable.
What are you eating on a regular basis? Are you eating a healthy diet? If not, start. If you don’t know what a healthy diet is, then work with a nutritionist who can help you educate yourself. If you have medical issues, discuss any dietary changes with your doctor as well. Your body is like a car-if you put crappy gas in it (bad food) it won’t run as well as it can.
Building yourself up through a healthy diet and consistent exercise has a tremendous affect on your mental health as well, but there is more you can do. If you are receiving mental health counseling, work with your provider to help support your new healthy lifestyle choices. If you are not in counseling, but feel like you could use some help in developing a more positive outlook or moving beyond some of your bad thinking habits, then by all means seek counseling. As a society we are more isolated than ever, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
Yikes! That’s a lot to take in. So let’s circle back. YOU are your biggest asset. It is important you take care of yourself both mentally and physically to reach your potential. Don’t get overwhelmed. Small incremental changes over time can make a big difference. Start taking care of yourself today. YOU ARE WORTH IT!
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Development: Casa Soñada “Dream Home”
On Tuesday, December 12th, Housing Works gathered with Heart of Oregon Corps YouthBuild, partners, residents and local officials in Madras to celebrate the completion of the sixth and final Casa Soñada “Dream Home.” The Casa Soñada homes were built over four years through a partnership with Housing Works, Heart of Oregon Corps YouthBuild, NeighborImpact and Simplicity by Hayden Homes to provide agricultural workforce homeownership opportunities.
The celebration was filled with emotion, family, friends and the hope of a thriving community. Attendees included Madras City officials, Housing Works staff and board members, community partners and the youth and staff from Heart of Oregon Corps YouthBuild who built the homes. The construction of the six homes involved over 150 youth construction apprentices enrolled in the YouthBuild program.
Casa Soñada homeowner Jose Arazante, spoke at the event about the quality of his home and how thankful he is to everyone for providing his family a “foundation to live on.” Jose’s heartfelt speech and gratitude is even more remarkable when you know the Arazante’s story. Jose's oldest son Angel helped build the home his family currently lives in as a YouthBuild participant. Tragically, Angel passed away in a car accident six months before they moved in and only two months before he was to receive his high school diploma through the YouthBuild program and Madras High School. For Jose's family, their home is a tribute to Angel's memory and an example of what is possible when a community comes together.
Housing Works' Executive Director David Brandt summed up the event when he stated, “We need to make sure we continue partnerships like these that help our youth grow into productive adults and provide homeownership opportunities for the hard-working families in our communities."
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Housing Choice Voucher Program - Waiting List Opening
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Waiting List will open:
Monday, January 14th, 2019 (8 am) through Friday, January 18th, 2019 (5 pm)
This program is open to low-income qualified residents of Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties. Applicants must apply online at
www.oregonhousingworks.org.
The time you apply during the week does not impact your position on the waiting list.
All applications taken during the open period will be randomized by a computer and placed on the waiting list to give all applicants an equal chance. All current applications were purged from the waiting list on December 31st, 2018. Anyone who was on the 2018 waiting list needs to reapply to the 2019 list.
If you need assistance filling out the application, Housing Works will have staff and computers available at our office located at
405 SW 6th St., Redmond, OR 97756 between 8 am and 5 pm during the application week.
You may call Housing Works for more information at: (541) 923-1018.
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Housing Works Awarded 29 New Family Unification Program (FUP) Vouchers for Rental Assistance
Housing Works, the regional housing authority for Central Oregon, was awarded 29 additional “Family Unification Program (FUP)” vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These new FUP vouchers will provide rental assistance
to parents struggling to provide adequate housing for their children and for young adults (ages 18-24) who have aged-out of the foster care system. The FUP Voucher Program is a sub-set of the Housing Choice Voucher Program. HUD awarded $30 million to 61 local public housing authorities across the country to help house an additional 3,083 households.
Housing Works will administer the 29 vouchers in partnership with the Department of Human Services -Child Welfare. Additionally, NeighborImpact, J Bar J Youth Services and Central Oregon Continuum of Care have committed to providing vital services to households assisted by these vouchers. Housing Works’ HCV Director Lesly Gonzalez shared, “This was a very competitive NOFA process, and we are thrilled to have been awarded these additional vouchers.”
Prior to this award, Housing Works managed 1,243 vouchers through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) and Mainstream Voucher programs. Housing Works was able to house over 2,600 individuals in 2017 in rental units on the private market through its rental assistance programs and paid out $7.6 million in Housing Assistance Payments to over 505 landlords. The 29 new FUP Vouchers have an annual dollar value of $200,669. Housing Works will issue these new vouchers once it receives further guidance from HUD.
For more information on FUP, you can go here:
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/family.
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EMPLOYMENT
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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