Spotlight on Excellence: Wendell Evans, Case Manager, In Homes Now

As a Case Manager with In Homes Now, Wendell Evans always strives to provide clients with the highest level of care. Mr. Evans intuitively knows what clients need, defining the “client-centered approach” of Project Renewal’s mission. His innovations in services are expressed in both patient and intuitive interactions with clients—knowing where to find them, how to reach them, and what is needed to take them to the next step, as well as strategic know-how to creatively achieve the goals of the “Housing-First” ethos of the program.

Wendell is known for going “above and beyond,” connecting with clients despite scheduling conflicts, language barriers, and missed meetings. Through tailoring his work to each client’s needs, Wendell is able to reach clients who would otherwise resist help. He re-engaged a client who had abandoned his apartment to return to the streets, and that client is currently housed and committed to the program.

Wendell is “tremendous” at working with outside providers, his “experience in the substance abuse treatment field has left him with numerous contacts in various treatment programs” and allows him to make easy referrals.

In addition to his creative thinking, Wendell demonstrates a commitment to improving his own work. He grasps the complexity of the “housing-first” model and can apply his creative thinking to engineering new solutions that reach those hardest to serve.

20 Years On: Belinda Bernard is still providing hope for the hurting

As a student just graduating from Hunter College, Belinda Bernard was planning on staying 6 months at Project Renewal, 20 years later she is still with us and is dedicated to helping clients who struggle with mental illness.

“There is so much about human beings that we misunderstand and take for granted.” Belinda said. Her best days at work are when a client experiences a new insight; an accomplishment that takes them to the next level of their treatment and increases their awareness and independence.

Directing the Safe Haven Shelter is a new role for Belinda, following many years on the staff at Clinton Residence.

Since those first days moving from a student at Hunter to Project Renewal, the client population—those struggling with mental health issues—remains her focus.

“People are dealing with loss constantly, and we work to help them see that it isn’t over, there is hope. The sense of self that you lose when you are homeless can be regained and you can even plan for future goals.” She is enlivened by the steps her clients take in this direction. “One client, at 50, has just signed up for school. Others go to work for the first time in 30 or 40 years…this is an overlooked group of necessary people.”

She says that Project Renewal hasn’t changed all that much in her time here, “Just expanded, our core population has always stayed the same—to be of service to people who are in need, who otherwise couldn’t access those services.”

How unlikely Korean War leftovers found a home on September 11th

By: Ruth Antrich, Paralegal, Legal Department

The Boots

I started working at Project Renewal in 1998 for Ernie Talbot. One of my first ssignments was to sort out the storage facilities that we had at the time at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. There was a huge room, almost a block long, that was filled with boots, army boots from the Korean War probably. Ernie had brought them down from Camp LaGuardia, a former army base where Renewal Farm was located then. What to do with the boots, which were so heavy, by the way, that I could barely pick up one boot, let alone a pair at a time. I tried a few likely places but no takers.

Then September 11 happened. Like many of us, I was devastated and in a stupor, glued to the television in the days that followed. I watched reports of the responders and volunteers at staging grounds near Ground Zero, and each day they would announce “we need masks” and another day “we need wheelbarrows” and so on. Then on Sunday, I heard them say “we’re going to need boots.” Boots, they need, BOOTS! So I rushed to the office, grabbed a boot and went down to Ground Zero.

I was sent back up to the Javits Center where hundreds of volunteers were milling about waiting to be helpful. I finally found the person in charge of requisitions and showed him the boot and asked if he wanted more of these. YES! Right away, a convoy of vans, fi re trucks, vehicles and people made their way across the Brooklyn Bridge with me. This mini-army loaded every single last boot and cleared out the storage room completely. We finished at 3:00 am.

What an exhilarating feeling after days of feeling there was nothing I could do and no way to help. Even better, not only did the volunteers and responders get heavy-duty boots to plow through the ash and debris, but we got an empty storage room at last!

From the Archives: Project Renewal Remembers September 11th, 2011

From the Archives:

Memo From Ed Geffner to the

Board of Trustees

October 2, 2001

In the wake of the horrendous attacks New York City suffered three weeks ago, I wanted to let you know how Project Renewal was affected and what we did – and continue to do – to help.

Sadly, two employees, Richard Penny and Edwin Zambrana, who were part of our recycling team at the Towers, were lost on September 11th. We believe they were on the 102nd Floor doing their job when the tower was struck. Richard was a very private person and kept very much to himself. Eddie was a likeable young man who was crazy about basketball and just “good to be around.” We are assisting Eddie’s father in obtaining a death certificate and still trying to contact Richard’s roommate.

The other 18 members of the crew escaped although they were thoroughly traumatized by their experience. Fortunately, our WTC outreach team – two of whom were on duty at the time – made it out alive. All 7 team members have been placed in other PRI jobs as have the 18 recycling crew members. A near-miss was the team setting up the Renewal Farm produce table at the Farmer’s Market. The produce truck was obliterated, but the Renewal Farm workers escaped.

I hope you will share my pride in what PRI did to help. The day of the disaster, the MedVan’s Craig Simpkins and David Wood were at the Bowery Mission when the first plane hit. They drove the Van over to the site and immediately began working with an ambulance company, triaging victims who were then transported to area hospitals by ambulance. Mostly the injuries were related to getting debris out of people’s eyes and giving them oxygen. As the tower fell, they were told to leave the area and drove the van some 20 blocks north. After the 2nd tower fell, they were told to come back, but the MedVan couldn’t navigate the debris, so Craig and David returned to the site on foot and proceeded to spend the day helping triage the victims and offering medical help to the rescuers.

Our vans were dispatched to hospitals to transport medical staff to triage stations and take hospital patients home to free up beds for new patients. The outreach team – Elliot Rivera, Ivan Miller, Wendall Evans, Hector Rivera, and Norine Knowings – assisted by Francisco Hidalgo and the Medical Department’s invaluable Edwin Morales did the driving, a near-impossible task given all the street closings and debris. They continued to offer these services in the ensuing days, working long hours, day after day.

We opened up Kenton Hall as a relief station to the thousands of New Yorkers streaming up the Bowery from the site. There we provided hurting New Yorkers with water, masks, and wet towels, in addition to bathrooms, showers, phones, and beds. The incredible cooking staff, headed by Barbara Hughes, cooked dinner for 75 police at the 9th Precinct, in addition to its normal responsibilities.

And lastly, in a serendipitous piece of luck, we were able to donate some 1,500 pristine pairs of boots originally intended or the Marines fighting the Korean War which were left behind at Camp LaGuardia, now home to Renewal Farm.

We had been storing those boots for more than 10 years and they had become the bane of Ernie’s assistant Ruth Antrich’s existence. When she heard on Saturday night that boots were needed, she went to the rescuers to offer ours. The boots were delivered in time for the second big rainstorm and are currently being used by all manner of rescue personnel.

As you can see, the extraordinary staff of Project Renewal – like so many New Yorkers –went way beyond the call of duty following the horrors. I was, and am, tremendously proud to be associated with them.

Remembering Edwin (Eddie) Zambrana, Jr.

Edwin (Eddie) Zambrana, Jr., 24, had only been with the Project Renewal recycling program a short time before September 11th. That morning, he had friendly conversations with his co-workers. “See you at lunch,” he said to one of them as he boarded the elevator to the 88th fl oor of WTC Building 2.

When Eddie wasn’t working or helping to care for his sick mother, he enjoyed basketball. Not only did he teach children aged 6-18 basketball, but he even had a tryout with a professional team in Puerto Rico scheduled for March 2002.

Remembering Edwin (Eddie) Zambrana, Jr.

Richard (Richie) Penny, 53, had been with the recycling program for about three years before the World Trade Center tragedy. That day, because of his reliability and indefatigability, a Port Authority representative specially requested him to cover a “heavy” assignment: the 100th-90th floors of WTC Building 1.

Soft-spoken and diligent, Richie identified his love of learning as his best quality. Once the valedictorian of his high school class, Richie spent ten years on the streets and in shelters before another social service agency steered him to the Project Renewal recycling program.

A first look at Fletcher Residence

In our new state-of the art environmentally friendly residence in the Bronx the formerly homeless are given their first studio apartments!

Locks for Jobs, or How One Intern Gave Back

Viki Lazar Before

Former Next Step intern Viki Lazar created a fundraising event around her big decision to cut her “beloved dreadlocks” after 9 years.

She set up a page online, asking friends and family to make a gift to Project Renewal to mark the occasion. She raised $4,000 which she will match with $1 for every $2 donated for a total gift of $6,000.. “If losing my dreadlocks is like Samson losing his strength, help me give that strength to others!”

Why Project Renewal? “Next Step is an amazing place where clients find people who believe in them again. Many of the formerly homeless clients at Next Step are in recovery or were recently incarcerated. Despite having lived lives I can’t even begin to imagine, these strong and brave people want to turn things around. It was life-changing to watch clients realize that they do have something tremendous to contribute to society.”

Learn more about Next Step, the program funded with Viki’s support.

Viki Lazar After!

Our Secret Ingredient? Occupational Therapy Clinical Interns!

If you haven’t heard of Occupational Therapy (often called OT by insiders), occupational therapists work to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of their patients with a physical, mental or developmental condition.

Occupational Therapists often collaborate with clinicians from other disciplines, including medicine, nursing, social work, among others.

For many of our clients coming in off the streets, living independently presents many challenges that you might take for granted. For example, developing a menu plan for the week, shopping for groceries, learning how to keep food from going bad, or how to organize your living space might be something you learned growing up. OT steps into that role for our clients, aiding them in navigating the many new problems they face.

Now imagine how much harder this can be with those who also struggle with mental illness…not easy, right?

Our students are with us doing the psychiatric rotation of their training, and they come from the Masters in Science program in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University. Their enthusiasm and helpful trainings don’t just help clients, they help the students to gain a knowledge of how the least served in our community can benefit from this useful discipline!

So get to know our summer interns—and reach out to us if you want to know more!

_____________________________

Ashley Hunsberger, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

3rd Street Recovery Center

Q) What are you working on?

We work to help the clients take the next step in their necessary process. This includes life skills such as communication, stress management, and goal setting.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

UnderDog—he always surprised everyone by saving the day.

_____________________________

Konju Briggs Jr., Mental Health Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

3rd Street Recovery Center

Q) What are you working on?

Mental Health occupational therapy fieldwork at the Recovery Center on 3rd Street, running groups and doing one-on-one sessions with clients.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

Zen Master Bodhidharma

_____________________________

Hoan Nguyen, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

3rd Street Recovery Center

Q) What are you working on?

I am running the Lifeskills group at the Recovery Center, as of right now we are focusing on stress management.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

If you have heard of the legendary Monkey King, a Chinese legendary god figure, I would be like him. I grew up watching the Chinese TV series with my family and he made a great impression on all of us.

_____________________________

Anna Czinn, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

In Homes Now

Q) What are you working on?

I am running health and wellness groups and completing home visits to help individuals live more functionally and independently.

I am also assessing clients and writing letters on their behalf in order to assist them with obtaining disability funding.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

I would be Spiderman (but the female version)

_____________________________

Heidi Woo, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

Clinton Residence

Q) What are you working on?

I’m working at the Clinton Residence this summer, developing groups to facilitate the development of functional skills, and working with individuals one-on-one to identify goals and improvement areas in their daily occupations.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

Athena (old school “superhero”)

_____________________________

Stephanie Crane, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

Clinton Residence

Q) What are you working on?

I am working to empower the residents there with independent living skills like money management, stress coping strategies, symptom recognition, and meal planning.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

There are so few female super heroes that the choice is somewhat limited, but I would want to be Elasti-girl from the Incredibles. She is a strong, independent woman who balances her dedication to her family with her duty to society.

Want to learn more? Ask Doug Warn, our Director of Training and OT Supervisor a question!

Ft. Washington's newest piece of fine art

The Medical Clinic at the Ft. Washington Men’s Shelter has a new piece of fine art!

Volunteer artist Katie Reidy, a student at the noted art school Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) painted a mural depicting an optimistic city scape with the words:

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

Katie Reidy Bio:

I was born and raised on Long Island in a little town called Brentwood. I currently live happily in Yonkers. It’s got a lot more beauty that people just don’t give it credit for. As far as my art career is concerned, I feel I’ve only just begun. I did art as a student in High School, and enjoyed dabbling, but never took it serious until my dad told me I was accepted to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). I was threatened and inspired by the skills many of those students had that I simply did not. I couldn’t (can now!) draw a tree and make it look real like they could, or an apple, or a metallic surface. But what I had was my unique style and years of drawing out graffiti style behind me.

I decided that I wanted to go into a career where I can use that funky style. I got a BFA in computer arts to pursue that dream. While in school, I developed a program in which I teach children to draw graffiti style art using fine arts lingo intertwined. That class opened many doors for me. I was asked to develop a new mural for the town where I teach, which I did and received so much positive feedback. I was humbled by that but I also grew more confident in my work, and realized that the reason I like my job so much, is because my job is to make people feel good. I love painting to bring a smile to someones face.

A student said to me “it’s just so nice that I always see you go out of your way no matter what, just to make people happy…” it was wonderful to hear but I replied “I don’t know how much I am going out of my way, since that has always been the direction I was looking to go…” I think art should be done to make the world better, and that is my goal. 

News: Project Renewal's Medical Vans Front Page in Pharmacy Today

The front page of the June issue of Pharmacy Today features Project Renewal’s medical vans in glowing terms. Check out this excerpt of the interview with van Pharmacist John Conry, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP:

“The urban homeless population faces numerous obstacles that hinder its ability to effectively receive the appropriate health care, even in the safety net,” Conry says. These obstacles can include the lack of financial resources, lack of stable housing, social isolation stemming from prior physical or sexual abuse, social stigma, literacy and health literacy issues, and language barriers. Even the forms to get Medicaid are tough.

Imagine being on the streets and really being challenged by these issues in the application process. It really becomes unbearable for many of the patients, so they just give up.

Second, the lack of housing leads to a variety of medication issues such as proper medication storage, rules on medication carrying and storage at homeless shelters or other structured living environments, proper medication administration, proper medication monitoring, and adherence issues.

Lack of stable housing is recognized as a risk factor for medication nonadherence. So we have to be really careful in terms of educating our patients on the importance of taking their medications exactly as prescribed, using language that they can understand.

Conry added that his patients who are homeless are very interested in their medications, contrary to what many people believe about this population. His patients “sincerely appreciate the counseling sessions and disease state education.”

I hear from my students every single month. … They’ll say, wow, these patients really listen to me. They’re talking to me. They’re engaged. They’re not just there to grab their medicine and go home.

…

When I say the health care system has forgotten the uninsured and homeless, I’m particularly concerned with the general lack of ready access to primary and preventive care medicine and services. By no means do I intend to blame these problems on the already overwhelmed hospitals and the dedicated professionals who work there. But I do question the logic of a health care system that lets some of its most vulnerable patients proceed without proper care and follow-up.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL-TEXT PDF

John Conry, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP is an Associate Clinical Professor and the Assistant Dean for Service Programs at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Queens, NY, Conry splits his time between teaching, administrative responsibilities, and university committees; and practicing on the Project Renewal medical vans and at an HIV clinic within the shelters, often with student pharmacists on rotation. His work with Project Renewal is fully funded by St. John’s University. 

News: Culinary Arts Training Program Graduates 66th Class

Last Friday 23 more graduates of our Culinary Arts Training Program (CATP) received a new set of knives, firm handshakes from their teachers, and the promise that “we will stay with you, we will continue to help you.”

From their former life on the streets to this celebration on the Bowery these formerly homeless men and women have much to be proud of, and much to look forward to. Over half get jobs right out of the program, and even in this struggling economy over half are employed 6 months later.

Even in today’s job market the students are finding employment and employers are keeping them, despite an industry that sees the highest turnover (by far) than any other industry.

Our unique training program is designed to train formerly homeless men and women in entry level kitchen skills and help them get and keep jobs in the food service industry. This program includes training in customer service and other life skills necessary for our student’s continued success in the industry.

We are so proud of their continued accomplishments in not only graduating from the program but in turning their lives around. Congrats Grads!

News: Project Renewal Changes Lives! Parole Support and Treatment Program Graduates Share their Stories

When men with a criminal history try to turn their lives around, often the doors to permanent housing are shut to them.

We came alongside the men in our Parole Support and Treatment Program (PSTP) and secured permanent housing for 20 of our graduates.

Some comments from the clients in the graduate program:

Raymond J:

One of my greatest accomplishments has been decorating my new apartment. I can definitely call it home. Dealing with my anger through groups and being aware of my triggers has allowed me to live independently in the community.

Thank you Project Renewal.

Ivan B.

Having my own apartment has been a great experience for me. After having a roommate for some time, I really feel more independent. I am able to shop for myself and come home to my own place. Thanks to Project Renewal.

Frank C.

I am so grateful Project Renewal reached out to me while I was incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. In my life I have experienced many great things, and one of those has been Project Renewal. I am very excited about having my own apartment in the Bronx and being able to work on “my music”. Even recently diagnosed with cancer, I remain grateful for this wonderful life that I have and for the opportunity that Project Renewal has given me.

Michael K.

What I remember is that Project Renewal has always been there for me. Helping me with budgeting, and encouraging me to take my medication. Now I know why!

Having my own apartment in the Bronx I am able to do these things independently. I have a checking account with direct deposit, my own computer and some nice things in my apartment. It beats being in jail!

Thanks Project Renewal.

Warren E.

It’s like living a normal life. I used to struggle with certain things in my life, but not anymore the Project Renewal staff are always there to help me and I am glad to say things have gotten better.

Thanks Project Renewal.

Carmelo R.

It’s the freedom that I feel when I enter my apartment each day. Not having a roommate means I can cook at any time without any interruptions. Having my own apartment has allowed me to work on my personal goals. I have completed an internship with Howie T Harp and because of that, I am working as a peer specialist. This program works if you work it. Thanks Project Renewal!

E. Taylor/Case Manager

As the Graduates of PSTP made their comments. I felt proud of the accomplishments and delighted to have been a part of their milestones. In a years’ time I have witnessed improved health, financial independence, family unification, community stability, and most of all a sense of pride that shines in each Graduate. Continued Success Guys!

D. Lindsey/Housing Counselor

I would like to thank all of the Graduates for allowing me to be a part of your ongoing success. Just being able to assist and encourage you all makes my Job meaningful and for that I am grateful. Rock on.

R.. Blocker/Program Director

I am very proud to lead the teams that were the conduits of our residents successful outcomes. I am still hoping for the day that all Project Renewal clients who put in the hard work toward positive change in their lives, have an appropriate place to call home.

You guys are certainly our role models, Continued success in your journeys.

Donate to help more men like these!

Trailblazing Housing Model Wins Support

Thanks in part to advocacy by our staff and clients who journeyed to Albany, an important new NY State initiative will get off the ground and help thousands get on their feet again. The Supportive Housing Development Program apportions $60 million for services, housing subsidies, and capital dollars for new housing as part of the Medicaid Redesign. Project Renewal pioneered supportive housing to combat the disconnected stream of expensive services that left the hardest-to-reach homeless isolated and stuck. This comprehensive model supports the struggling and vulnerable with housing, services, and job support in a community environment.

Learn more details of the program from the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)