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On
December 7, 1999, the Supportive Housing Association (SHA) and the
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) co-hosted the the first Annual Supportive Housing Conference
in New Jersey. The conference, held at the Ramada Inn in East
Brunswick, provided a forum for supportive housing providers to
attend trainings, network, and to honor those who have worked hard
to realize the goals of providing supportive housing for people with
special needs.
More than two hundred
participants gathered In the morning to hear Michael Winerip, a
reporter from the New York Times, give the
keynote speech; Winerip set the tone for the day, speaking eloquently and
passionately about the need to create permanent, supportive housing
solutions for persons with disabilities. |
Michael Winerip, admonishes attendees,
"Do not let [housing] policy be
developed by the press" |
Conference attendees listen intently and take
notes at the all-day Art of the Deal Training |
"Do not let policy be
developed by the press," stated Mr. Winerip, a reporter for the
New York Times. He encouraged the participants to advocate for a
real policy solution. His words were echoed throughout the day's
events.
Two all-day trainings were offered - "The Art of the Deal: Financing
Supportive Housing" and "Housing-Based Service Delivery." The Art of
the Deal provided an overview of supportive housing development and
an opportunity for participants to take part in negotiating sample
deals. |
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Michael Allen of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
praises SHA's grassroots advocacy. |
Housing-Based Service Delivery focused on the basics and
intricacies of providing social and support services in an
independent housing situation.
Two
morning panels were also offered: "Is There Fair Housing in
New Jersey?" and "Not a Solo Act: Collaborations and Partnerships." The
second morning session offered two additional workshops, "Serving Families in
Supportive Housing," and "The Balancing Act: Caring for the Property
While Caring for the Residents."
At the luncheon program, Michael Allen of the Bazelon Center for
Mental Health Law, commended the Supportive Housing Association for
its important efforts at the grassroots level to advocate for
change.
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Several awards were presented, including an award to Alan Kaufman,
Director of the Division of Mental Health Services. The Director
commended SHA and CSH for having "proven that supportive housing
works."
The Individual from a Non-Profit Agency award was given to Pam
McCrory, Director of Community Development at Collaborative Support
Programs in Freehold, for her dedication to promoting supportive
housing, volunteering much of her time to work with SHA and CSH.
After lunch, two workshops were offered: Lessons from Other States, or
Employment: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Changes. After the
workshops there was a wrap-up session, "Policy Agenda for 2000 and
Beyond" followed by a relaxing reception to top off the day.
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Pam McCrory of
CSP-NJ accepts her
Individual from a Non-Profit Agency award. |
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Executive Directors take a break from the
conference activity. From left to right, Bob
Parker of NewBridge Services, Michael
Armstrong of Community Hope, and Kevin
Martone of Advance Housing |
The first Annual Conference for
SHA and CSH was a success - it provided a forum for attendees
to meet others in the housing field, to learn and exchange
ideas about the future of supportive housing, and the
conference provided funds for SHA and CSH to continue their
work.
SHA and CSH thank the sponsors who made
the conference possible:
the National Equity Fund, the Local Initiative, Support
Corporation, NJ Division of Mental Health Services, and the NJ
Department of Community Affairs. |
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