BHS Newsletter 2012 BHS Newsletter Fall 2012

Broward
Housing Solutions®
Board of Directors
Margaret R. DeCambre Borges, Chair
Shawn Masur, Vice Chair
Jeffrey Mindling, Treasurer
Joseph Balacco, Sr., Secretary
Phillips Gay, Jr. Julian Gazzano, Jr.
Margaret Villella Debbie Wiggin
Janet Krop
Ruth Franzen
Dr. Nicole Swaggerty-Valdes
Steve M. and Mary H.
Broward Housing Solutions® residents
For ticket or
Key to
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sponsorship
information,
please call
954-764-2800
, e-mail
info@browar
dhousingsolu
tions.org,
or visit
www.Browar
dHousingSolu
tions.org.
7:30 a.m.
er 5, 2012
Friday, Octob r Sixty-Six
y Pie
Hyatt Regenc 17th Street
browardhousingsolutions.org
Barbie’s Blessing
2301 S.E.
6
le, Florida 3331
Fort Lauderda
Barbie had a devastating childhood
as a victim of sexual abuse by a family
member for multiple years. As children
do, Barbie buried the abuse in the deep
recesses of her mind. Until she was 25.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
305 Southeast 18th Court
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316
HOUSE KEY
FALL 2012
Lisa A. Vecchi
CEO
®
THE
THE MISSION OF BROWARD HOUSING SOLUTIONS® IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
TO MEET THE NEEDS OF lower income or homeless people with disabilities who also have a mental illness.
PAID
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Permit No. 5989
At 25, Barbie began to understand
the depth and breadth of the abuse
she had suffered and it took a dark
toll on her psyche. Barbie ended up
in the hospital with a diagnosis of
schizophrenic affective bipolar, anxiety
and post traumatic stress disorder
triggered by the realization of the
abuse she experienced as a child. After
leaving the hospital, she moved to a
nursing home where she began to learn
how to cope and rebuild her life. She
also met her current husband there.
When she and her then-boyfriend,
Everett, left the nursing home, they
moved to a tiny apartment where they
met Broward Housing Solutions®’ COO,
David Optekar. David told them about
Broward Housing Solutions®’ Lease-toBuy Program.
Today, Barbie is married to Everett.
They have a 2-year old daughter. And
they own a three- bedroom home with
a “huge” backyard, thanks to Broward
Housing Solutions®.
“I think it’s awesome. I never thought or
dreamed I’d have my own home. It’s the
privacy and the freedom we have here.
It’s a blessing. It really, really is.”
I Love it Here
Depression hit Joel like a ton of bricks, literally.
Joel said he was paralyzed. He couldn’t get out
of bed, didn’t shave or shower. And then he
drank to numb the pain.
Broward Outreach. His mental health stabilized and
he stopped drinking. He was referred to Broward
Housing Solutions® and now lives in an efficiency
apartment.
He lost a good job but was able to live off of his
savings for a time. When the savings ran out, he
lived in a motel and then an assisted living facility.
He received help through House of Hope and
“I’m doing much better because of the folks at
Broward Housing Solutions®,” he said. “They treat
you with a lot of respect, and I love it here.”
A Note from
Our CEO
Dear Friends:
It is with sincere gratitude that I report on
the continued success of Broward Housing
Solutions®. While we weather this stormy
economy, we continue to grow, make strides
forward and improve our service to low
income or homeless people with disabilities
and mental illness.
First, we are thrilled to report we’ve purchased
a new property in Pompano Beach, which
will provide homes to four mental health
consumers in three one-bedroom units and
one efficiency apartment. Each apartment
features granite counter tops, tile floors
and cherry wood cabinetry. This lovely
property is located on the water and already
Improving Lives
and Improving
Our Community
is in near perfect shape. Read more in the
accompanying newsletter story.
Second, our loyal supporters continue to
provide funding critical to the continued
operations of our properties. Recent donors
include Bank of America, Mr. and Mrs.
William C. Bowden who donated through the
Community Foundation of Broward, FidelityBNY Mellon and Wells Fargo. We thank each
entity whole heartedly for their support.
And finally, we’re gearing up for our annual
Key to Stability Breakfast slated for 7:30 a.m.
on Friday, October 5 at Hyatt Regency Pier
Sixty-Six. The event, co-chaired by community
leaders Nancy Merolla and Bill Stanton, will
feature heartfelt testimonials by our residents,
a compelling video and of course an excellent
breakfast! Sun-Sentinel columnist Michael
Mayo, who experienced severe mental illness
in his family, will emcee the breakfast.
Affordable Housing
for Mental Health
Consumers
Broward Housing Solutions® is committed to meeting the
needs of lower income or homeless people with disabilities
who also have mental illness.
To accomplish its mission, the organization offers the
following programs:
Rental Housing Program - Broward Housing Solutions®
provides independent, permanent, and supportive housing
to people diagnosed with mental illness in rental apartment
units across Broward County.
Emergency Rental Subsidy Program - Broward Housing
Solutions® administers an Emergency Rental Subsidy
Program, which is generously funded by The Florida
Department of Children and Families and prevents
homelessness.
We thank you for your continued support
and look forward to seeing you at our
October 5th breakfast.
Warmly,
Lisa Vecchi
Lisa A. Vecchi
CEO
Thank You United Way!
United Way of Broward County leaders toured
Broward Housing Solutions®’ properties and came
away with a true sense of the impact the organization
has on the lives of the residents it serves. Thank you
to United Way of Broward County! Pictured are
Director of Community Impact, Mary Lynn Lovejoy,
Chief Financial Officer, Dan Kearns, Public Relations
Manager, Natalie Horowitz and VP Community
Impact, Howard Bakalar.
Before
New Pompano
Beach Property
Broward Housing Solutions® recently purchased a four-unit apartment
complex in Pompano Beach to provide permanent housing for low income
individuals who suffer from mental illness.
After
The non-profit organization paid $520,000 for the property located at 1860
Southeast 4th Street through funding provided by the Broward County Board
of County Commissioners. The seller, Michael S. Galloway, also committed to
continue supporting Broward Housing Solutions®’ mission.
While this program will serve all individuals who struggle with mental illness,
Broward Housing Solutions® is hoping to address the particular housing needs
of homeless veterans.
“Broward County has one of the highest homeless veteran populations in
the state, with almost one third suffering from mental illness,” said Lisa A.
Vecchi, CEO of Broward Housing Solutions®. “We are committed to providing
homes for all who struggle with mental illness but we have a special place in
our hearts for veterans, who have bravely served our country and who have
difficulties returning home. This population is in need, and the fit is perfect for
us to reach out and help.”
Least-To-Buy Program - Broward Housing Solutions® offers
homeownership opportunities through this program for
low-to-moderate income residents with mental illness.
Involved and Engaged
Housing Solutions for Young Adults – This program
provides affordable and permanent housing for young
adults, ages 18-23, who battle emotional or behavioral
disorders and who have aged out of the foster care system.
Community Involvement … Broward Housing Solutions® believes
strongly in active participation in our community thereby strengthening the overall fabric of South Florida. CEO, Lisa Vecchi sets the
example at the organization as a member of the Florida Department
FALL 2012
of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Advisory Council, Broward
Housing Council, Broward Chamber of Non Profit Organizations,
Broward Alliance for Neighborhood Development (BAND) and
Broward County Mental Health Task Force-Criminal Justice. Most
recently Vecchi graduated from Leadership Broward Class XXX,
pictured above.
browardhousingsolutions.org