Springfield Housing Authority

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The SHA Dedicates Center In Honor Of Local Education Advocate

New Farris Mitchell Education and Development Center is one of three new centers recently opened by the SHA.

SPRINGFIELD, MA (June 28, 2010) The Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) dedicated a newly renovated education and development center on Friday, June 25 in honor of Farris Mitchell, a former resident of SHA's Riverview Apartments. Mr. Mitchell moved to Springfield from rural Georgia in 1964 with his family and became a staunch advocate of education in the community. Several generations of the Mitchell family were on hand for the event.

"The Farris Mitchell Education and Development Center and their scholarship awards will help open the door to allow our young people to move forward and lower our poverty rate," noted Domenic J. Sarno, mayor of the city of Springfield in his remarks at the dedication ceremony. Those who knew him describe Mr. Mitchell as a father figure to many young children who inspired hope and self esteem, but above all urged them to stay in school. As a testament to his focus, all of Mr. Mitchell's ten children graduated from high school and went on to attend college. During the dedication ceremony, Jimmie Mitchell, the son of Farris Mitchell and a recently retired 25-year educator for the Springfield Public Schools, awarded the 2010 Farris Mitchell Scholarship to Ashley Perez, who will attend American International College this fall. This scholarship was established in his name after he passed away 1995. "Farris Mitchell lived his belief that education is the key - the key to a better life in the material sense, of course," remarked William H. Abrashkin, executive director of the SHA at the dedication ceremony. "It is the pathway to a career and a higher income which can move individuals and families beyond the need for public housing. Mr. Mitchell also understood that education is the key in another sense. It opens the door to a life in which people can realize their own God-given potential while making a positive difference in the lives of others." The center currently houses a Head Start program serving 40 children, a Residents Services Center, ESL Classes, and a computer training class for senior citizens. The SHA also recently opened the Forest Park Manor Activity Center, a health center for area residents. The Deborah Barton Neighborhood Network Center, which provides job development and computer training for residents of the John L. Sullivan Apartments, was opened last year.

A video of this event is available at: http://www.YouTube.com/SHAMassVideo

Photos of this event are available at: http://www.Flickr.com/photos/SHAMassImages

Farris Mitchell Education Center

Photo Caption: Retired Springfield Public Schools Educator Jimmie Mitchell, SHA Executive Director William H. Abrashkin, and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno tour a classroom at the Farris Mitchell Education and Development Center in Springfield, MA.

About: The Springfield Housing Authority is the third largest housing authority in Massachusetts. Established in 1946, the SHA is the largest property owner in the region with more than 2,300 housing units spread over 27 separate sites. It also provides over 200 Massachusetts Rental Vouchers and more than 2,400 Housing Choice Vouchers. The organization’s $33.5 million dollar budget is estimated to have a local economic impact of approximately twice that amount. The SHA provides jobs, hires contractors, buys supplies, and pumps approximately $17 million into the local economy through its rental assistance programs.

SHA and Partners Open New Healthcare Center for Forest Park Seniors

Forest Park Healthcare Center Opening

Celebrating the Grand Opening of the Forest Park Manor Activity Center are (left to right): Clodo Concepcion, Springfield City Council; Kateri Walsh, Springfield City Council; Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, City of Springfield; Brian Ashe, Massachusetts State Representative; William H. Abrashkin, Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) Executive Director; Pamela Wells, SHA Resident Services Manager; and Raymond Warren, SHA Vice Chairman.

SPRINGFIELD, MA (April 30, 2010) – The Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) has joined forces with area healthcare, civic, and nonprofit organizations to start a new healthcare center for seniors living in the Forest Park neighborhood. The Forest Park Manor Activity Center, which held a Grand Opening on Friday, April 23rd, provides medical and health services such as blood pressure screenings, nutritional programs, and physical fitness instruction including low impact exercise classes.

"This center provides an array of much-needed health care services and benefits to seniors, both in the Springfield Housing Authority and the surrounding community,” stated SHA Executive Director William Abrashkin. “This is tangible evidence of the success of collaborative efforts. Several organizations pooled ideas and resources to make the Forest Park Manor Activity Center a reality. We all feel that this is just the beginning and we look forward to joining together again in the future for the benefit of our community."

The primary partners in the Forest Park Manor Activity Center collaboration were the SHA and the City of Springfield’s Department of Elder Affairs. Other supporting partners include the Springfield Council on Aging, the Springfield Golden Age Club, The Sisters of Providence Health System, and the Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts.

“We are committed to collaborating with the Springfield Housing Authority on meeting the needs of seniors in the city of Springfield,” said Janet Denney, Director of Elder Affairs for the City of Springfield. “It is during these fiscally trying times that we need to come up with ways to extend our fiscal and human resources. This is a prime example of how we can do more by coming together. Specifically, we will be offering blood pressure clinics, fitness classes, painting classes, and forming a grandmothers group with the Vietnamese community.”

The SHA remodeled and expanded the Community Room at its Forest Park Manor property to create the new center. The renovations were funded by a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Division of Health Care Finance & Policy which was awarded to Springfield Housing Associates Inc., a nonprofit subsidiary of the SHA.

Forest Park Healthcare Center Blood Pressure

Elizabeth Porchelli, from the City of Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, takes the blood pressure of Mildred Dunbar, a resident of the Springfield Housing Authority, at the Grand Opening of the Forest Park Manor Activity Center.

Springfield Housing Authority Appoints Hardy As Human Resources Manager And Promotes Serrazina To Executive Department Manager

Springfield, MA (February 24, 2010) – The Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) has announced the appointment of Kathy Hardy as human resources manager and promotion of Isabel Serrazina to executive department manager.


Kathy Hardy - Human Resources Manager

Ms. Hardy is responsible for recruitment, employee benefits administration, workers compensation, and employee relations. She will also serve as a resource to the SHA management on human resource issues. A resident of Easthampton, Ms. Hardy possesses over 20 years of human resource experience. Prior to joining the SHA, she served as Manager of Compensation at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Massachusetts. Ms. Hardy is a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and is affiliated with Worldatwork, the professional association for compensation, benefits and total rewards.


Isabel Serrazina - Executive Department Manager

Ms. Serrazina is responsible for keeping records, and assisting in the coordination and application of grant funds. She will also act as a liaison to the public for executive staff members. A resident of Springfield, Ms. Serrazina possesses over 17 years of experience at the SHA. Prior to being named Executive Department Manager, she served as Administrative Assistant, Accounts Payable Clerk, and Assistant Director of Admissions. Ms. Serrazina is a Certified Public Housing Manager through the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.

SHA Board Members Recognized For Distinguished Service By Professional Organization
June 26, 2009

SPRINGFIELD, MA – Timothy Babcock and Raymond Warren, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) Board of Directors, received the 2009 Distinguished Service Award as a Public Housing Commissioner from the . New England Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NERC/NAHRO)

Both longtime Springfield residents, Mr. Babcock and Mr. Warren have been members of the Board since 2004 and, according to Executive Director William H. Abrashkin, were instrumental in the turnaround of the SHA. “It took an incredible amount of energy and experience to bring this agency out of its darkest days and restore its reputation. Not many people wanted to be associated with the SHA back in 2004, but Tim and Ray stepped forward putting their own reputations on the line and worked for countless, thankless hours to restore the effectiveness of this organization.”

Mr. Babcock is an Educational Consultant with the Mass Insight Education and Research Institute in Boston, MA. He is an accomplished educator with over 40 years in the field, holds principal certification in K-6, and has had a career marked by diverse leadership roles in school affairs including servicing as Principal of the Kensington Avenue School in Springfield for 14 years. Mr. Babcock holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Western New England College in Springfield, Teacher Certification Regular Education K-8 from Westfield State College, a Masters Degree in Education Administration from American International College in Springfield, and Elementary School Principal K-5 and 6-8 Certification with Distinction from American International College in Springfield.

Mr. Warren services as Director of Development Services for the Town of Enfield, CT where he oversees the Planning, Community Development, Economic Development, and Building Inspection Departments of the Town. Prior to this position, he held private and public sector positions in Western Massachusetts including serving as Director of Economic Development and Assistant Commissioner of Community Development for the City of Springfield. Mr. Warren is a graduate of St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH.

NERC/NAHRO is a professional membership organization comprised of over 250 housing and community development agencies throughout the six New England states - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. According to Mr. Abrashkin only three Commissioners, including Mr. Babcock and Mr. Warren, out of approximately 1,300 received recognition from the organization.

Updated: 2010-06-30 17:08:49
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