H.O.M.E. Word – A blog from Project H.O.M.E.

Deward Johns knew this day was coming.

Speaking on behalf of his 11 fellow departing seniors from the College Access Program (CAP) at the recent graduation ceremony held at Project H.O.M.E.'s Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs, Johns betrayed a common mix of anxiety and confidence when contemplating the important high school-to-college transition.

"As I moved through the Teen Program and entered each new school year, it always felt bittersweet because I knew that each new grade meant I was getting closer…to college," he said.

But Johns credited CAP for preparing him for the academic and personal challenges ahead, lauding the program for having contributed to his growth as a student and a person. "Every moment here has been truly genuine and special for me from the time I started four years ago until now."

The College Access Program is intended to prepare area high school students for college by providing SAT prep, tutoring, college and university visits, financial counseling, and scholarships. The support structure even extends into their college years as staff maintain contact with graduates, rendering support and guidance to ensure they stay focused and on track to graduate.

The year was a good one for the program; we supported 15 high school juniors and 19 CAP alumni (students currently enrolled in an institution of higher education) in addition to our 12 graduating seniors. Those graduating seniors maintained almost uniformly excellent GPAs, were accepted to over 50 colleges and universities throughout the United States, and were offered over $140,000 in scholarships, adding to the over $40,000 in scholarships generously provided by our donors.

Perhaps the year's best news came with CAP's first college graduate, Tanisha Clanton, who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Albright College. The 2008 CAP graduate is currently working as an Art Specialist at a summer camp/afterschool program administered by Caring People Alliance. Clanton credited CAP with helping her "understand the challenges that would be thrown my way and how to conquer them with motivation."

Clanton also singled out Tomika Brown, the College Access Program Coordinator, for special praise, citing Brown's tough-love approach for keeping her on track. "I must say that, without Tomika, a lot of things would not have gone smoothly," she said.

As for Brown, she couldn't be happier with CAP's newest graduating class. Aside from their academic excellence, Brown was heartened to watch them become a "family, sharing college and scholarship information and offering support and encouragement to one another as they balanced the challenges of senior year and college planning."

Brown cited the overwhelming trust CAP has inculcated over the years for the program's consistent success. "Our students [have] to make tough decisions, answering questions like 'Should I choose college over employment?' and 'Which college is best for me considering my family can't afford to pay tuition?'" she said. "Our students trust us to help them make the best decisions for their futures and that we have their best interests at heart."

That trust has been well placed, according to LaTanya Williams, whose eldest son, Khavaughn, is currently a sophomore at Penn State. 

"I am grateful for [the help Khavaughn received] with his decisions about his choice of schools and for keeping in touch with him during the school year to make sure he was doing okay,” she said. “This assistance [helped] him continue reaching for his educational goals."

You can also read the transcript of Deward's speech here. For photos from the ceremony, visit our Facebook album. Finally, our summer youth interns just finished up their placements – students who will soon be in Deward's position! – so click over to our YouTube channel to hear them discuss their work!

United States military veteran and current Kate's Place resident Stanley Shelton's struggles with homelessness, addiction, and depression and his subsequent recovery provide a perfect case study for the efficacy of vet-centered service organizations.

After losing his wife and son in the space of a few years, Shelton found himself without a home. After suffering a stroke two years ago, he sought services catered specifically to military veterans, eventually finding his way to the Philadelphia Alliance for Supportive Services to Veteran Families (PASSVF), a fledgling collaborative composed of several area organizations, including Project H.O.M.E.

Nearly a year later, Shelton is happilly ensconced in permanent housing and the PASSVF is celebrating the renewal of its $1 million Veteran's Affairs Department grant funding and, based on exemplary outcomes and best practices, a prestigious new role as mentor organization to new SSVF grantee programs.

(For more on Stanley, please refer to the July 2012 edition of Dwelling Place.)

The PASSVF collaborative – which consists of the Philadelphia Multi-Service & Education Center, Impact Services Corporation, The Homeless Advocacy Project, the Council for Relationships, and Project H.O.M.E. – is charged with creating a seamless, coordinated plan to address homeless prevention or rapidly re-house veteran families in transition from homelessness.

"PASSVF is an important piece of the puzzle of ending veteran homelessness in Philadelphia," said Niki Paul, PASSVF Program Coordinator. She noted that veteran homelessness is an issue that has continued to gain increasing attention nationally, citing the Department of Veterans Affairs and its recent five-year plan to end veteran homelessness as evidence of the issue's importance, and how local and regional partnerships like the PASSVF can effect positive change. The program is funded with a grant from the VA's SSVF Program.

"This program contributes a unique service by helping those veterans and their families who currently struggle to maintain their housing or, even worse, have recently lost their home," Paul continued. "With effective supportive services, the PASSVF staff work together with program participants to provide critical services than can help a veteran family stay housed and prevent the trauma of homelessness. And for those veteran families who are currently homeless, our program staff work quickly to help those veteran families move back into a stable and safe home as soon as possible."

The support services PASSVF provides run the gamut: Case management services help participants find and obtain affordable housing, assist with job training or acquiring benefits, and connect to health care; the Homeless Advocacy Project provides participants with legal assistance; credit repair and credit counseling is provided; participants have access to educational groups; and, finally, temporary financial assistance is available to those who need short-term help paying rent or covering fees associated with moving.

The PASSVF's first year was a rousing success as it either met or exceeded most of the original goal outcomes outlined in the grant, leading to the aforementioned  grant renewal and mentoring role, all of which has put a smile on Niki Paul's face. "We are just so honored and thrilled to be a part of this forward-thinking initiative with the VA and we're really looking forward to meeting the folks from other SSVF providers assisting veterans throughout the country."

Also, hear more about the importance of the PASSVF from veteran Jose Torres at our YouTube channel.

Deward John has been a participant in Project H.O.M.E.’s Teen Program at our Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs.  He graduated as Salutatorian of his high school graduating class at Walter D. Palmer Learning Partners Leadership Preparatory Academy and will be attending Albright College in the fall, studying finance.  He recently spoke at a July 24 celebration of graduates who were part of our College Access Program.  Deward is one of twelve 2012 graduates who went through our Teen Program and CAP who are college bound this fall.

Deward John speaks at the July 24 College Access Program graduation celebration.

As I moved through the Teen Program and entered each new school year, it always felt bittersweet because I knew that each new grade meant I was getting closer to this point where I would have to move on to college. The time I have spent in the Teen Program has been fun while it has also allowed me to grow as a student. Every moment here has been truly genuine and special for me from the time I started four years ago until now. My experience in the Teen Program has been a combination of involved classes, social events, and challenging moments.  All of these experiences have helped me to better myself. 

I took advantage of the opportunity to participate in the Cross Bridge Scholars program here, where we took a class with students from Episcopal Academy.  In the class, we explored our cultural differences and developed friendships with students from different backgrounds.  The class brought us new experiences and expanded our horizons.  My favorite memory of the class was when I, along with the rest of the Cross Bridge Scholars, went to New York City.  On the trip I was exposed to a world outside my Philadelphia neighborhood.  It was a welcome departure from my daily routine and I was glad for the chance to leave  Philadelphia for one day.  Through this opportunity and many others, the Teen Program shows us a new world, which leads us to focus on our future.

Another highlight of this year was the trip to visit colleges in Virginia.  Amid the chaos of senior year, the trip gave me a chance to breathe and have a little fun while learning about prospective schools in Virginia.  The trip was a privilege, and I was happy I met the requirements to attend.   We developed a bond on that trip by spending all our time together on the van and eating every meal together.  We had more than enough time to spend in the van where we listened to music and Ms. Tomika’s singing and we talked about college choices and how to succeed in college.

Project H.O.M.E. has provided me with not just a safe place to go after school but also a place where I have been able to explore new things.  At the same time, it has felt like a second home.  The Teen Program is really like a family, and when you are here you are able to be yourself. I am grateful to have been given the chance to be a part of this incredible program, although I regret that there are not more programs like the Teen Program.  High school was a better experience thanks to being in the Teen Program.  I am thankful for the help and direction I received here with the college process. I leave with a better understanding of what to anticipate when I get to college.  I was able to accomplish so much here. Every moment here was spent taking steps toward being a better person and student. The people here at the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs are people that I know I can depend on.  Even though I will be away at college, I feel comforted knowing that I have a network of supporters here wishing the best for me that I can call on, if needed.  As I prepare to walk away, I realize the responsibility I have to shape my future. 

Project H.O.M.E.'s Volunteer Stories Project aims to collect the unique experiences and motivations of the people who heed the call to help others and share those stories with our larger community of friends and supporters. All pieces will be written in a Q&A style to ensure the volunteer's experiences are conveyed in their own words.

Steve Lozowski volunteers at St. Columba, a safe haven for chronically homeless men who suffer from severe mental illness. Steve helps provide meals, comfort, and – perhaps most importantly – companionship to the residents.

Project H.O.M.E. (PH): Tell us a little about yourself.

Steve Lozowski (SL): I am a product architect for a healthcare information solutions company.  I am also married with one grown child.  In addition to my wonderful wife, I live with two dogs, one cat, one rabbit, five chickens, and a handful of fish in a pond.

In the past, I have volunteered in different settings, including a homeless shelter close to my home.  I have also tutored children at an after school program, and spent weeks doing home repair in West Virginia and working at a summer camp in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

(PH): Why do you volunteer?

(SL): I have known about Project H.O.M.E. for years, as my church supports them through a poor box program.  A few years ago, my wife and I had the pleasure of touring 1515 Fairmount and the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs with Ed Speedling.  So when I had the opportunity two years ago to commit to a weekly volunteer effort, Project H.O.M.E. was my first choice.

I signed up to help with dinner at St. Columba, but initially I didn’t completely know what my volunteering would include.  It did not take long for me to look forward to seeing the guys I had met and meet new ones.  Serving dinner and cleaning up has become the foundation for what I really enjoy, which is just talking with some of the guys.  Even though they are struggling with their own challenges, they express concern for me and my family.  All I really have to offer is listening and sharing our lives, but that seems worth it.

(PH): Why are the issues of homelessness and poverty relevant/important to you?

(SL): Since I was young, I have felt the injustice of some who would never have the chances I do, just because of the luck of where and when they were born.  Later I came to see how mental health issues or addictions can seriously compound a person’s challenges.  I know that I cannot fix things for any one person, but sharing our common humanity increases the dignity of both of us.

Since volunteering with Project H.O.M.E., Sister Mary’s prophetic witness has touched and disturbed me.  I am disturbed when she mentions the structural violence underlying many of the issues of homelessness and poverty.  Not because I don’t agree with it, but because it can be easy to overlook it.  But I am encouraged by the vision of Project H.O.M.E. of a more just and loving society.  (Loving is my term, because that’s how I think about things.)

(PH): Anything else you'd like to add? Any stories or experiences?

(SL): There is one experience I’d like to share.  Last year, two college students from St. Joe’s were also volunteering on the nights I was there.  Toward the end of their school year, one of the residents ended up giving them hugs.  I turned to the other guys on the benches outside and asked “Where’s my hug?”.  As expected, one burly guy shot back with “I don’t hug guys!”.  But another guy jumped up and said that he’d give me a hug.  When we hugged I realized how frail he was.  Talking to him in the following weeks, I found out that he was dying from cancer, and he shared with me some of the dreams he had hoped to accomplish.  Not too long later, he passed away.

At our volunteer celebration, I was telling this as a fun story, expecting to end with my hug.  But as I told it, I realized that I might have been one of the last people to hug this man before he died.  So I felt doubly blessed at having shared a short amount of time with him.

For more information on how to volunteer with Project H.O.M.E., please contact Volunteer & In-Kind Donation Coordinator Carly Ianuzzi at carlyianuzzi@projecthome.org or 215-232-7272, ext. 3015. You can also visit us here for more information, including our volunteer orientation schedule.