COMMUNITY NETWORKING: EXPANDING STUDENT OUTREACH AND SERVICES Presented By: Allison Landrum, Beaumont Housing Authority

Beaumont Housing Authority The Beaumont Housing Authority, located in Beaumont, Texas, serves over 3,000 families through its Affordable Housing Programs, including Public Housing and Section 8.

Client Services & Communications BHA is one of the few agencies in the country that has a fully staffed Client Services team to provide social and supportive services to the clients we serve. Recognized nationally for program creativity and effectiveness Over 70 local agencies are part of the partner network serving BHA Clients Our programs place great emphasis on self sufficiency and helping families move “in, up and out”

HOPE VI Revitalization Program The HOPE VI Revitalization Program is designed to help more than just the targeted public housing property – it is meant to spur revitalization throughout the entire neighborhood. The Gloria Ramirez Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) is the last piece of BHA’s recently completed $52million dollar HOPE VI Revitalization Program. This center is intended to provide information and services to the entire North End community. Events hosted include: Health and Wellness Fairs Financial Literacy Workshops Youth Education and Recreation Counseling Homeownership Education Life Skills Workshops Adult Education

Gloria Ramirez Neighborhood Resource Center The center features: State of the Art Computer Lab: The NRC features a computer lab with 10 desktop computers equipped with Windows 7 and Microsoft Office. The computers are networked to a multifunction copier/printer. The lab also features a InFocus MondoPad with an touchscreen electronic whiteboard, Microsoft Office and video networking capability. Region 5 ESC Adult Education has full access to all technology. Meeting Room with Kitchen Space: The NRC includes a large community room that can be kept open, or divided with a partition wall into two spaces. When open, the space can accommodate up to 100 people. The kitchen area includes a refrigerator, microwave, sink and a dishwasher. Office Space for Rent: There are furnished offices for rent to non-profits who are interested in serving the North End community. Space is provided to the adult education program free of charge.

Partnership with Region 5 Education Service Center A key part of the success of our program is our partnership with the Region 5 Education Service Center. BHA provides Region 5 with full access to the NRC every Tuesday & Thursday to conduct ESL, GED and other Adult Basic Education classes. These classes are available to anyone – they are not restricted to just our clients.

Partnership with Region 5 Education Service Center BHA helps promote the classes through: Case Management referrals: Our case workers conduct full Needs Assessments on all of our clients. Those who need GED, ESL, or college or career transition skills, are referred to Region5. Door to door marketing: Our staff pay home visits to our clients living in public housing to encourage them to walk over to the NRC and join the classes. Social Media and Other Marketing Tools: BHA has a Facebook page and a recently redesigned website that receives thousands of visitors each month. BHA promotes Region 5 as well as all of its partnership initiatives using these tools. We also have a system that sends automated phone calls and texts to remind clients of services available, and we place additional reminders on their rent statements.

Success of the Partnership Since February 2015, the partnership between BHA and the Region 5 ESC has seen documented success, including: Serving approximately 75+ students, including ABE, ESL, GED, and College and Career Transition 76% Completion of Level in ABE and ASE 100% Completion of Level in ESL Two students earned their US Citizenship Ongoing college and career counseling is provided through Region 5’s College and Career Specialist Transition to college Job procurement by unemployed students Student job retention and advancement Students function as a team, creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere

Social and Supportive Service Partners Job Training/Employment Services Workforce Solutions of South East Texas Christian Women’s Job Corps Goodwill Industries Cooper Staffing Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service Education Region 5 Education Service Center Lamar University Lamar Institute of Technology Case Management/Health Services/Emergency Services Family Services of South East Texas Some Other Place South East Texas Regional Planning Commission Triangle AIDS Network Legacy Health Center Southeast Texas Food Bank Legal Aid of Southeast Texas Julie Rogers Gift of Life Elderly Services Area Agency on Aging Best Years Center Beaumont Special Transit Nutrition and Services for Seniors Deaf Action Center DARS Adult Protective Services Youth Recreation Services Power Castle Ministries Sterling Pruitt Recreational Center South East Texas Food Bank Spindletop Center Financial Literacy/Homeownership MobilOil Federal Credit Union Capital One Catholic Charities Dupont Goodrich Chase Bank Entergy Texas