HACC

Resident Initiative Department

The Goals of Resident Initiatives

The primary goal of the staff of the Resident Initiative Department is to provide the best possible services to the Residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden; as well as to provide a comprehensive array of services to meet the overall needs of the residents of public housing.

The residents of the HACC are characterized by a set of complex problems that mirror those of society at large. Our job is to understand their needs and provide services; education and training that help them become more self-sufficient. Highlighted below are some of the exciting programs we currently offer.

The Housing Authority of the City of Camden is committed to work in partnership with its residents to meet their needs and facilitate progress for the many families and individuals that live in public housing. The Resident Initiatives Department offers educational, cultural and recreational activities for our adults and youth through a creative resident curriculum program that challenges the intellect offer choices and reinforces ethnic and cultural pride.

The development and implementation of each of the programs that are provided was created and enhanced to respond to the lack of adequate services available for all the residents of the Authority. The services are delivered in a holistic one-step approach to meet the physical, educational, psychological and emotional needs of the residents. The success of this department is based on the motivation and active participation of the residents. By providing motivation, counseling and support systems, we create better opportunities and choices to move individuals further towards independence.

Resident Initiatives Programs

The Housing Authority of the City of Camden has introduced a number of programs to empower our residents and improve the quality of life for our residents. At HACC, all of our programs emphasize the empowerment through personal growth

For more information about the programs and services that the Resident Initiatives Department offers contact Kathryn Blackshear, Social Services Coordinator, (856) 968-6172, kblackshear@camdenhousing.org

Social Services

The Residents of HACC are provided with quality and caring social services in a variety of areas. We assist with resident-to-resident difficulties, domestic matters, fires, counseling, utilities, emergency food needs, legal matters and many more.

A large number of our cases are referred out to other social service agencies that deal directly in the areas of the services needed. However, HACC staff resolves many of our cases. It is the goal of the Resident Initiative staff to provide our residents with safe, secure, and sanitary living environments.

Senior Citizens/Homemaker Services Program

Senior Citizens/Homemaker Services Program

Our senior's and disabled citizens have hands on social service daily, five days a week. They also have emergency social service contact 24 hours a day, all year round. The Homemaker Services Program in conjunction with the Camden County Office on Aging allows HACC staff to make home visits to the sick and shut-in residents at each site. The staff is well trained and on an average week, they service over 300 residents of HACC.

This program prevents the institutionalization of our elderly population. Staff determines the services that are needed due to the fact that there is no family member or other responsible caregiver available or capable of providing such services. Staff provides light or heavy housecleaning services such as laundry, dusting, meal preparation, washing floor, etc., Performance of routine errands, such as grocery shopping or purchasing prescribed medications can also be accommodated. Ongoing monitoring by staff is done to detect changes in client's condition, and provide referral, if necessary, to establish a linkage with the appropriate agency.

Through the generosity of the Philabundance Organization of Philadelphia, PA, each week the Resident Initiative Department receives two large truck shipments of quality foods to distribute to the Residents of HACC.

Youth Initiatives Program

The purpose of the Youth Initiatives Program is to provide a safe, engaging environment that motivates and inspires learning outside the regular school day.

Youth Initiatives endeavors to improve the academic achievements of youth participating in the after-school and summer program. Programming connects learning to more relaxed and enriching activities, fostering and providing access to opportunities that improve self-confidence while developing leadership and social skills that allow youth the realization of their full potential. Youth Initiatives provides high-risk youth with positive healthy alternatives to drugs, alcohol and tobacco use, criminal activity and high-risk behaviors during the peak crime hours after school. Community partnerships have integrated a myriad of services that enhance, expose, and supplement the program.

Youth Build Training Program

Youth Build Training Program

Academic and vocational skills training in the construction field to young adults from ages 17 to 24 years of age. This program is geared towards educating and strengthening the leadership skills of the participants providing them the opportunity to open new doors and income possibilities. This program also has GED and Computer components as well.

The Youth Build Construction Trades Program continues its work-related initiatives serving low-income, inner-city young adults entering or transitioning to work. Career focus is on union-apprentice building trades employment opportunities that history has shown to be negligible or inaccessible to minorities and women. Program instruction strengthens skills needed for accessing construction industry employment and links graduates to work in career fields for which they were best suited. This initiative builds community resources through local workforce development and helps households move across poverty thresholds into mainstream economy.

Employment

Jobs
The employment staff strives hard to locate employers and match applicants with prospective jobs. To date there are over 65 employers in the tri-county area listed with HACC.

The Life Skills Program
To that end we offer a variety of workshops to all residents who attend the Center. Participants undergo an initial family assessment, develop an action plan for self-sufficiency, participate in life skill classes, stress management, self-esteem, budgeting, job readiness, parenting workshops, and a basic home maintenance course. Participants may also be eligible for additional support services including but not limited to: child-care, transportation, employment counseling, family counseling and drug/alcohol abuse counseling.

Resumes
Resume writing and interviewing techniques are also a part of the employment skills that are offered from the Resident Initiative Department.

Jobs Fairs
There has been three job fairs held at the HACC since August where over 300 people have attended and been introduced to employers.

Success Learning Center

This educational center provides professional instruction to over 200 plus adult students each year. HACC residents throughout Camden County receive training in the area of basic computer literacy, adult basic education, GED preparation, and English as a Second Language (ESL). The ESL program has been expanded to meet the growing diversified needs of Camden City residents. Our students also receive workshops in life-skills such as budgeting, nutrition, and maintaining employment.

Program Includes:


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