2008 annual report page 2

2008 Progress Statement:

Welcomed Tom Finnell as the resident member of the Board of Commissioners.

Youth in BHA housing enjoyed another year of AmeriCorps Service and programming. AmeriCorps members lead the youth in numerous enriching and fun learning activities which strength social skills and build in each participant a sense of the importance of community. This marked a decade for the AmeriCorps Program at BHA.

The AmeriCorps program also brought youth from Moore Court and Ledgewood Heights together with their peers from Westgate Housing and the Windham Housing Trust. Through this joint programming all the participants were able to enhance their spirit of community and engage in positive work with youth from other neighborhoods.

In a very exciting development, 4 of the 5 Resident Associations began to operate under an entirely new structure this year. The Property Manager worked with the Brattleboro Community Justice Center

to help residents re-organize their Associations using a shared community facilitation model. This work started in Ledgewood Heights were its success inspired Moore Court, Hayes Court and the Samuel Elliot Apartments to follow its lead. Under this model the entire community is brought together and learns new skills of facilitation, ground rules and conflict resolution. Instead of a hierarchical structure, the communities operate out of dialogue and shared responsibility.

The Property Manager finished out a 2 year project serving in a study circle on Poverty in the Brattleboro area and then on an action group called Thriving Communities: Meeting Urgent Needs. This group focused on the need for dental care and increased transportation opportunities for people in poverty.

Youth Services of Windham County was invited to provide community outreach to the teens in our communities.

Collaboration with the Vermont Center for Independent Living and the Vermont Department of Health has recently begun to hold seminars in BHA neighborhoods on topics of interest to our residents.

A voter’s registration drive was conducted at all 5 properties just weeks before the November elections.

· The BHA board of Commissioners have set aside funds and strongly supported development of a proposal to procure a Van to be used for the Americorps program and community groups.

· BHA finished its work under a demonstration grant from the Vermont Department of Aging, Independent Living and Disabilities to study conversion of some units of public housing at Hayes Court to a fully licensed Assisted Living Facility. The project involved numerous residents and resource persons.

· Board and staff continue to be active participants in local, state and national discussions and actions regarding and on behalf of low income families and affordable housing.

· The Melrose Diner continued to serve lunch three days a week with great sucess.