Citizens Advice CCaaRINGRING AABOUTBOUT Bureau The Newsletter of the Citizens Advice Bureau ththee BBRONXRONX VOLUME 6, NUMBER 2 FALL 2008

CAB Annual Event a Success IN THIS ISSUE Ending the Cycle of Poverty Preventing Evictions for Bronx Families Out-of-School, Out-of-Work No Longer

Message from the Executive Director

Earlier this year, CAB conducted a survey of our pro- From l. to r.: CAB Board Vice Chair Jean Smith; Dominic Carter; CAB gram participants as part of our strategic planning Executive Director Carolyn McLaughlin; Honoree Peter Magistro; Artist process to strengthen our services and help shape our Elizabeth Ortiz; CAB Assistant Executive Director John Weed; Lisa Curran, future plans. We polled 437 people that use programs Coordinator of the Artists Initiative of Council on the Arts. across the agency. To ensure objective responses, most In May, CAB held its annual event for the second consecu- clients took the survey online on computers at individ- ual sites. When they needed help, staff from other tive year at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Over 150 CAB offices administered the questions. people attended the gathering, which featured NY1's senior political reporter Dominic Carter as emcee. The evening In the aggregate, our clients are very happy with our was a wonderful celebration of the work CAB and its part- services. Our staff was almost universally judged ners do for the South Bronx. Recalling the help he himself to be responsive, knowledgeable, and courteous. received as a child, Mr. Carter said,“We need organizations The respondents expressed a great deal of overall like CAB to maintain strong and active communities.” satisfaction with the services they received, including praise for prompt service, the cleanliness of the Our honorees included Peter Magistro, the president of space, and the utility of referrals. Remarkably, 93 Bronx Pro Real Estate, a company that has developed percent strongly agreed with the statement that they over 800 units of low and moderate income housing in would recommend the CAB program they used to the South Bronx. His accomplishments have revitalized someone else. neighborhoods and contributed to the Bronx's overall renaissance. We also recognized Dr. Lucy Cabrera, the CAB is hard at work evaluating the specific data we president and CEO of the Food Bank for City. collected, and using that feedback to improve the Each year, the Food Bank distributes 70 million pounds of agency as a whole and address concerns about food and provides essential support to more than 1,000 specific programs. I would like to especially thank programs citywide. Both honorees were presented with Ken Small, Nana Uemura, John Weed, Scott Auwarter, original artwork commissioned through the Artisans and others, who took on the herculean tasks of Initiative of the Bronx Council on the Arts. creating survey instruments, analyzing data, and compiling reports. It is an invaluable exercise that Edwin Rodriguez, Jr., who graduated in June from our we will continue every year. Community School for Social Justice, gave a testimonial about how CAB has helped him. Edwin was a participant Best Regards, in our college advisory program. With the help of our staff, he received a coveted Posse Scholarship, which grants over $150,000 for university costs. This fall, he began his studies Carolyn McLaughlin at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania. CAB JOINS CITY EFFORT TO REDUCE POVERTY

2006, Mayor Bloomberg and little work experience. The appointed a task force participants gained exposure to the IN called the Commission world-of-work through paid intern- for Economic Opportunity, whose ships, attended workshops aimed at purpose was to analyze the causes job readiness, explored educational and consequences of poverty in New opportunities, and received individual- York City, and to make recommenda- ized case management. At the com- tions for concrete ways to reduce pletion of the program, the young poverty. The Bloomberg adminis- people found jobs and/or were tration then created a new city enrolled in a GED program. Most office, the Center for Economic were employed in the retail industry, Opportunity, to implement those while some worked in the social recommendations. CAB has been service sector at childcare centers involved in several of these initiatives. and senior centers. Assistant Program Director Lorenzo Barcelo leads a job readiness workshop at the CAB is a participating agency in Bronx Works employment center. CAB uses ACCESS NYC,a free Opportunity NYC, the city's website that screens New Yorkers' Conditional Cash Transfer pilot tives for activities like making sure eligibility for over 30 city, state, and program designed to break the cycle their children attend school regularly, federal human service benefit pro- of poverty. This privately funded taking their children to the doctor grams. ACCESS streamlines the appli- initiative has been in operation for for checkups, and taking positive cation process for benefits by provid- a little over a year. Opportunity steps toward employment. CAB ing step-by-step instructions and lets NYC has two components: Family encourages enrolled families make the user print out many of the appli- Rewards and Work Rewards. the most of their rewards opportu- cation forms. In cooperation with the nities through motivational work- city, CAB has counselors to educate shops on employment and education, the public on how to use ACCESS. and helps families address any trou- Staff members are also available at our bles they have meeting their goals. walk-in offices to assist people with the website. Since January, about 300 The Work Rewards component of CAB clients have used ACCESS to Opportunity NYC focuses on recipi- find important financial resources. ents of Section 8 housing assistance. CAB's Bronx Works employment The Teen Action Service Learning center works intensively with 150 Program works with 75 students at people to help them progress toward our Community School for Social financial self-sufficiency. This involves Justice, a small public high school that issues related to employment, such CAB co-founded with New Visions Program Specialist Sonia Vargas (standing) as job training, placement assistance, for Public Schools and the shows a client how to use ACCESS NYC. and help with job retention. We also Department of Education. Now in its help people overcome obstacles to second year, this after-school program The Family Rewards program employment through services such as conducts workshops to develop encourages families to take actions childcare assistance and education teenagers' leadership skills and civic to improve their own well-being. We about money management. participation. The students also work with 400 families with children engage in community service proj- residing in Bronx Community Board The Young Adult Internship ects based on their own interests, 5, who were selected by a third- Program (YAIP) also operates out such as community organizing, tutor- party research group. At the end of of our Bronx Works office. Since ing youth, volunteering at daycare this study, those families' progress October 2007, it has helped 47 centers, addressing asthma in the will be measured against a control young people between the ages of Bronx, building green spaces, and group. Parents earn monetary incen- 16 and 24 who had limited education voter registration. 2 Music and Arts Come to Bronx Schools

Along with programs based at CAB fessionals at the three schools. PS 62 sites like our Community Center, we students are exploring Afro-Puerto also run after-school programs at Rican bomba music and dance. Ten Students dance to bomba rhythms at a PS 62 three public elementary schools in of the school's performers were music celebration. the Bronx: PS 62, PS 90, and PS 130. featured at a United Way showcase In the past few years, we have been in June. “Out of the 16 or so groups to improve literacy skills, which was able to greatly expand music and from schools across the city, they developed by Columbia University's arts education at these schools. were among the youngest, and they Teachers College. The children Lisette Nieves, CAB's Director of did a fantastic job,” says Nieves. The worked together to create the art School-Based Programs, says,“Arts students at PS 90 specialize in steel- and dialogue for a planned series of education is so important for stimu- pan music. Their Steel Tigers ensem- educational comic books that are lating children's creativity. It needs to ble performed in the Youth Explosion being distributed to all the children continue throughout their schooling, festival in in June. They in our after-school programs. The because it also increases graduation were the youngest group to appear first issue off the press addresses and attendance rates.” onstage, and won an award. The the sensitive topic of bullying. emerging musicians at PS 130 study Thanks to support from the United Latin and jazz percussion. Additional support for CAB's Way and a grant from the New York school-based after-school programs State Music Fund, CAB has intro- Students at PS 90 are involved in a is provided by The After-School duced musical instruction from pro- unique Comic Book Project designed Corporation.

Young Adults Learn to Excel

also run Pre-GED classes to improve prepare for job interviews, gain com- literacy skills, following the Youth puter skills, and learn how to manage Development Institute’s CEPS edu- money. Excel introduces young peo- cation model. ple to the world of work though paid internships at various CAB offices and People wanting to take the GED program sites. Graduates generally are often frustrated by months-long find employment in retail businesses. waits because of the great shortage We also provide follow-up services of testing locations in New York. To to help them retain their jobs. CAB Kitchen Manager Nicky Bertrand (left) gives interns vocational training in kitchen alleviate this problem, in April, CAB management and culinary arts became an official testing center for Program participants receive social the GED. Nearly 300 people have services to make sure that life Since early 2006, CAB's Excel now taken the GED exam at CAB. challenges do not get in the way Education and Employment Other education services include of success, since many of the young Program has been helping out-of- counseling on higher education and people face conditions such as school, out-of-work young people assistance enrolling in two and four- homelessness or teen parenthood. between the ages of 17 and 21. It year colleges. Excel is supported by the Robin has an ongoing enrollment, working Hood Foundation and the Youth with 100 youth at a time, most of Excel also provides job readiness Development Institute. It was them without a high school diploma. training and placement help. previously funded by a City Council For those who did not graduate high Participants can get career training initiative called NYC Works, admin- school, Excel offers GED classes with in a number of fields. In addition, we istered by the United Way of New group and individual instruction. We help young adults create resumes, York City. 3 KEEPING FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES

Eviction prevention plays a significant action plans to improve their situation. called HomeBase specifically targets role in CAB's mission. Roughly one- residents of Bronx Community third of the people CAB serves each District 4, which has a high incidence year are Bronx residents in danger of of families entering the shelter system. losing their homes. In 2007, the evic- tion prevention department assisted Eviction prevention services are 3,955 families - a total of 11,280 peo- based at the CAB Community ple, including children. We were able Center, which is conveniently located to forestall evictions for 96 percent next door to the Bronx Housing of those families. Court. Starting this August, CAB has a staff member permanently When people face eviction, CAB case stationed inside the Housing Court. managers intervene with landlords and That case worker receives people Program Director Stacha Johnson, Department advocate on their clients' behalf to set- Director Julie Belizaire-Spitzer, and Court referred by the court and also acts tle rent arrears. If eviction notices Supervisor Joe Hutton. as a liaison between judges and have been served, CAB helps people CAB's eviction prevention unit. navigate the intimidating housing court CAB also has an aftercare program Department Director Julie Belizaire- system. Our case managers help quali- for families leaving the shelter system. Spitzer says,“This is an important fying families get rent subsidies and As we help families transition into step forward in our partnership assist Section 8 tenants with keeping their new communities, we address with Housing Court to help Bronx their vouchers. An important part of the issues that caused their previous residents. Having a case manager prevention services is financial coun- homelessness to keep it from reoc- onsite will make our eviction pre- seling and helping clients to create curring. Another prevention program vention services even stronger.”

Training to Be the Best

CAB constantly strives for excellence. crisis intervention, creating service One key way in which we improve plans for clients, and conducting fol- the quality of our services is through low-up. For those that have their continuous training for staff at all lev- Master of Social Work (MSW) els. CAB created a Training degrees, CAB runs study groups to Assistant Executive Director John Weed and Department in 2000, which was help staff pass the state's licensing Training Director Alma Withim lead a work- deemed necessary as we grew into a exam. (New York now requires that shop for new CAB social work interns. large settlement house. Training all social workers be licensed by Director Alma Withim says,“Many 2010.) Outside consultants play an impor- employers expect that the people tant role in keeping our staff well they hire will just pick up the neces- CAB also provides training for new trained. The New York State sary skills on the job. CAB is really supervisors as employees move up Psychiatric Institute, Lenox Hill terrific about giving staff the support the career ladder, preparing them for House, and Sanctuary for Families they need to do their jobs well.” duties like managing staff, writing pro- provide important lessons in case posals and reports, and handling fiscal management for special populations. Many of our new case managers are matters. Staff receive training in the The NYC Department of Housing hired with different experiences than computer skills that their positions Preservation & Development trains the specific type of social work they require at our Community Center's and certifies our maintenance staff to will be engaged in. CAB provides its computer lab. Case managers also comply with OSHA regulations. We employees a thorough grounding in all learn how to use the many Internet- are grateful for their help in making aspects of frontline social work, cov- based resources that provide access CAB one of the best social services ering topics such as listening skills, to benefits and entitlements. agencies around!

4 Chaifetz School CHILDREN AND Graduates First Class YOUTH PROGRAMS The Jill Chaifetz Transfer School, • Early Childhood Education which CAB co-founded in • After-School September 2007, graduated its • Summer Day Camp first class of nine this June. • Adolescent Development Chaifetz is a high school designed for older students 17-21 who have fallen • College Advisory Services behind academically. CAB provides social services and guidance to help • The Community School for the young adults stay focused so they can pass their Regents exams and Social Justice obtain a traditional high school diploma. • Jill Chaifetz Transfer School

Community Center Teens Fight AIDS FAMILY SERVICES A contingent of youth and staff from our teen programs participated in this • Walk-in Information & year's AIDS Walk New York, raising $1,675 for HIV/AIDS programs across Referral the city. Many of our Community Center teens are strongly involved in the • Family Childcare Network fight against AIDS, working as peer educators to spread awareness about • Homelessness Prevention the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. • Foster Care Prevention • Health Insurance Outreach Mad Hot CAB • Food Stamp Outreach In May, CAB hosted its first annual Salsa Profunda celebra- • Family Literacy tion at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Participants in our Community Center's children & youth programs per- SERVICES FOR SENIORS formed dances to live Afro-Cuban music by the ensemble • Senior Centers Grupo Irek for an audience of over 200 people. Rodney • Housing Assistance & Lopez, who was featured in the documentary Mad Hot Minor Repairs Ballroom, made a cameo appearance. • Elder Abuse Seniors Take the Stage • Mental Health Our kudos to our senior center participants for their wonderful acting HOMELESS CARE project with the Pregones Theater. As a result of a grant from the Bronx • Homeless Outreach Council on the Arts, each center produced an original play that dealt with • Drop-in Center immigration. Seniors began acting lessons with Pregones staff in February and staged their plays at the company's theater on April 10th. • Family Residences • Relocation Assistance IBM Provides Technology Upgrade EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CAB thanks the IBM Corporation for its latest contributions of 12 comput- ers, a server, and additional software. The machines have been installed in • Job Readiness Training computer labs at Heights Senior Center, where computers had not been • Skills Training upgraded in ten years, and the Townsend Avenue walk-in office. IBM has • Job Placement also provided translation software, which will be invaluable for our clients with limited English. POSITIVE LIVING HIV/AIDS SERVICES • Case Management and Housing Assistance Lea Ling Beh Emily Menlo Marks CAB BOARD MEMBERS • Family Support Programs Sean Delany, Chair Gordon Campbell David McLean • Nutritional Assistance Jean Smith,Vice Chair Vito DeSantis Bruce Phillips Stan Freilich,Treasurer Marshall Green Alfonso Quiroz • Prevention Education Marc Kemeny, Secretary Janice Hart Norberto Rivera William Aguado Judith Leonard Lena Townsend IMMIGRATION • Legal Assistance • ESL and Citizenship Classes

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Food Pantry Works to Meet Great Demand

the center opens. People begin lining shortages caused by rising food and gas up as early as 5:00 a.m. to get a tick- prices. Hill recalls,“The shelves were et, even in bad weather. pretty bare. We would have sauce but no spaghetti. You want to at least give The pantry gives away 100 bags at a people a complete meal.” Recently time, but usually finds 12 to15 more our supplies have gotten better, but the people requesting food after it runs demand from local residents continues out. (Last year, there were only one to be tremendous as people are Linda Hill, manager of the Morris Senior or two.) For those people, we pro- pinched by competing necessities like Center's food pantry, packs a bag of food to give out. vide what relief we can and make rent and utilities. referrals to meet their emergency Since January 2005, CAB has run a food needs. Program aide Linda Hill, In the spring, CAB held its annual food pantry out of its Morris Senior who has managed the food pantry Bronx Campaign Against Hunger, Center, which is supported by the since its inception, says,“It's frustrat- which raised over $1,200 in cash Food Bank for . The ing not to be able to help everyone. contributions and food donations pantry distributes food two Fridays I wish we had the resources to do for the Morris Senior Center pantry. every month: once for the seniors more ourselves.” The campaign also received media and once for the general public. attention from Bronx News Channel Tickets to receive the bags of food Like most food pantries around the 12, the Bronx Times, and the New are handed out at 8:00 a.m., when country, ours has suffered from food York Daily News.