OP Annual Report 2013: Creating More Choices

Introducing Award-Winning Leaders

THE PRIMARY INGREDIENT in excellent programs and services is devoted and highly competent on-site staff. They are the ones who make Operation Pathways possible. In 2013, many of our resident services coordinators (RSCs) were recognized for their achievements because they are professionally and personally invested in offering life-changing opportunities and choices. PATRICIA CHEWNING Patricia Chewning—the RSC at Foxwood Manor Apartments in Levittown, Pennsylvania—was presented a Salute to Women Who Make a Difference award. Ms. Chewning was nominated by the Bucks County Opportunity Council for her leadership in the Bucks Back program, which helps low-income families and individuals prepare their tax returns. Through Patti’s leadership, residents of Foxwood Manor and the neighboring community were refunded more than $400,000 in 2013 on their tax returns. CHRISTOPHER BENTIVEGNA Resident Services Director of Programs Christopher Bentivegna was sought out to present at the second annual How Kids Learn conference in San Francisco, California. He presented the Virtual Vacation curriculum developed by NHPF, of which he was the chief scribe and contributor. The curriculum, focusing on learning during out-of-school time, is a layered approach to teaching math, reading, social studies, and the fine arts within the context of thematic units based on places or time-periods to which children virtually travel. KEVIN LEWIS At the outset of the 2013–14 school year, our two sites in Baton Rouge (Magnolia Trace and Copper Ridge) began a partnership with Louisiana State University (LSU) providing their students with opportunities to tutor and mentor ours. Kevin Lewis, NHPF’s RSC at the two sites, shared with LSU students the effects of poverty and how NHPF’s strategy in affordable housing and resident services seeks to decrease the burden on families while increasing opportunities for financial stability. Through Kevin’s efforts, LSU English professor Dr. Christy Foreman engaged 88 students to provide over 250 hours of tutoring and mentoring to children in our two Baton Rouge afterschool programs. In recognition of his efforts, Kevin was presented with an award as an outstanding service learning partner for LSU.

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