October 2019
Your Intermittent News & Updates
2019 Block Blitz: No Rain, Lots of Dirt
A team of Block Blitz volunteers from Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College take a moment to get a photo taken during their quest to finish a 100' long sidewalk mural on the corner of Erie Blvd and Plum Street on Syracuse's Westside.
Thank you to every one of our 340+ volunteers who came out ready to work for Block Blitz 2019 on Friday, September 13. Hundreds of local high school and college students joined corporate teams, neighborhood residents, government representatives, contractors and more to improve 60 properties all in one day!

Lots of kismet this year: Our 13th annual Blitz on Friday the 13th; 60 properties improved with the support of 60 different donors and sponsors; originally scheduled for 9/12, but had to move due to conflicts, it rained ALL day on 9/12; Landscape Designer James Burt who donated crews to repair the gazebo wall in Leavenworth Park lived steps away from the park when he first moved to Syracuse years ago, and we could go on and on!

A giant thank you to City of Syracuse departments of Neighborhood and Business Development, Parks & Rec and DPW for always coming to the rescue in more ways than one. Thank you to Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh for helping to get things done. Thank you to all the contractors who donated their time and efforts, many on the weekend before and after, to make sure steps got replaced, porches repaired and lights installed. Thank you to M&T Bank , the Block Blitz's presenting sponsor, and their whole "get things done" crew who actually made a homeowner tear up with happiness. Thank you to Onondaga Earth Corps who are now like extended Block Blitz family. Thank you to everyone who got up on Friday and did whatever it is they could do that day to make a giant difference in a great neighborhood. See you next year!

For lots of great photos from this year's event visit here: www.homehq.org/block-blitz .
Just a Couple More Block Blitz Mentions...
A photo of a guy driving a Bobcat, with the bucket full of brush and brush filled bags.
This guy! Who is this hero without a cape you may ask? Well, we don't quite know. If you have a name, we would LOVE to have it. This expert Bobcat handler was packed up, ready to leave after a day of hard Block Blitz work; the Bobcat was on his trailer getting secured when HHQ staff came running down the street looking for last minute help. One of the endless piles of mulch for the event needed to be moved off of private property before the end of the day. Not only did this very kind person oblige the panicked staff, he didn't even blink an eye. Thank YOU unknown Bobcat Guy, you are forever in our hearts!!!
A Block Blitz volunteer is pictured edging someone's lawn with a straight shovel. You can see that she is only wearing flip flops.
A warm feeling from helping her community and shin splints may have been the outcome for this Block Blitz volunteer the day after the event. Proper shoe wear people! No pruning directly overhead, no power tool usage for kids, stay hydrated and wear shoes! See you next year, but we'll be checking your shoes.
Have we Got a Job for You!
Picture of a sign that says Apply Here!
Contract Specialist
 This position requires experience working, managing and reporting on various local, state and federal government grant programs. Responsibilities include:

-Works with funding sources to bring funding awards to contract
-Develops program processes and procedures to ensure contract compliance
-Work with program staff on program delivery
-Research and assist with grant writing as needed

Loan Officer
 This position assists homeowners participating in HHQ's home improvement loan programs with a focus on excellent customer service both in person and on the phone. Case management activities will include:

-Processing loan applications
-Preparing and holding loan closings
-Interfacing with contractors and processing payments
-Ability to speak Spanish a plus, but not required

Inspection & Rehabilitation Specialist
 This position is responsible for construction services related to Home HeadQuarters home improvement activities. Responsibilities include:

-Performing inspections on single-family and multi-family properties
-Preparing detailed rehab work specifications
-Performing internal cost estimates
-Meeting with customers and contractors to review scope of work
-Providing construction monitoring
-Providing quality control and ensuring customer satisfaction
-Updating customer database as necessary

Interested? Please send a resume to info@homehq.org with the position title in the subject line.
Tanya Froio Leonard Comes "Full Circle" to HHQ
Photo of Tanya Leonard
Home HeadQuarters is pleased to welcome Tanya Froio Leonard to the organization as a Senior Mortgage Loan Originator. Tanya joins us with a wealth of mortgage industry experience serving as a CRA Loan Officer at KeyBank, First Niagara Bank and HSBC. It was at HSBC that Tanya helped launch the Syracuse Home Ownership Program (SHOP), one of the most successful mortgage programs in the Northeast and one that brought her various awards and into almost daily contact with HHQ homeownership customers and HHQ staff.

Tanya grew up in Fulton, NY and is now Mom to seven: three amazing step kids and four of her own. When she has any free time she works out or drives kids to their never-ending activities.

"It is such a great feeling to help families become first-time home buyers, even when they aren't sure they can. I truly love what I do!"

For more information on buying a home with help from HHQ, visit HERE!
Syracuse FEC Out and About
Where can you go to receive professional financial counseling as a free city of Syracuse service? The Syracuse Financial Empowerment Center is open and ready for business! There are eight locations, including the one pictured, throughout the city:

ARISE - 635 James Street
NEHDA - 101 Gertrude Street
PEACE INC. - 217 S. Salina Street, Rm #2
HOME HEADQUARTERS - 320 Tracy Street
SYRACUSE CITY HALL - 233 E. Washington St.
COOPERATIVE FEDERAL - 516 Burt Street
COOPERATIVE FEDERAL - 401 South Ave.
COOPERATIVE FEDERAL - 800 N. Salina St.

Make an appointment today by calling (315) 474-1939 ext. 5 or by emailing Jennam@homehq.org .

Visit www.syrgov.net/FEC for more info.
Syracuse Resident Leaders Join HHQ Board
Home HeadQuarters is proud to welcome two new members to its Board of Directors. Rasheada Caldwell , pictured first below speaking to a group of young women participating in a mentorship program, joins the board beginning this January as a resident member. Ms. Caldwell is the Manager of PEACE Eastside Family Resource Center and coaches high school girls' basketball for Syracuse Academy of Science. She is the proud mom of daughter Alexius (Lexi) and son, Racheed Baker, who was a victim of gun violence in 2017. To honor her son's legacy, Ms. Caldwell has started non-profit, Let Me Be Great #44 that works to help kids rise out of poverty and violence.

William "Will" DeSantis , pictured second below along with a letter he shared with HHQ, also joins the board as a resident member beginning in January. Mr. DeSantis first came to Home HeadQuarters from Rome, New York seeking homeownership and financial counseling and education. Now a successful Northside homeowner, Mr. DeSantis finds himself returning to HHQ for home improvement financing and soon as a community volunteer. Mr. DeSantis works as a Positive Action Coach for Contact Community Services based at Syracuse Stem at Blodgett on the city's Westside. He is happy to share his mission of staying committed to working and being involved in his community.

To see who currently serves on HHQ's Board, visit our website HERE!
Syracuse native Rasheada Caldwell speaks to a table of girls about mentorship.
a photo of Syracuse resident Will DeSantis along with excerpts of his letter thanking Home HeadQuarters for helping him become a first-time homeowner.
Before & After on Syracuse's Southside
A group of 6 photos, 3 before and after photos of the living room, the upstairs hallway and the downstairs looking at the front door.
You might remember this 3,000 square foot property on Kennedy Street that our Opportunity Headquarters crew took on as a substantial rehab by the photo below that we posted earlier this year. No vacant rehab these days is easy given dwindling housing dollars and an always aging housing stock, but this Southside, former beauty was especially challenging. Our construction crew grappled with the large house's structural issues while trying to best maintain the building's historic nature. We think they did a pretty good job of it and the new first-time homeowner thinks so too!
photo of Home HeadQuarters' construction crew standing inside a giant hole in the back wall of a house they were rehabbing on Kennedy Street on Syracuse's Southside.
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