Douglas Homes – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Resident Celebrates 101st Birthday

Michelle Lang — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 21:52:56 +0000

Very few people can call themselves centenarians. Douglas Homes resident Annie Jemison is one of them. She turned 101 years old on March 1. 91��Ƭ hosted a celebration for her in the Community Room of Douglas Homes, 15 Hill St., Newark, on March 3. Walter Bryant of Newark Council President C. Lawrence Crump’s office presented Jemison with a proclamation from the city and she was surrounded by friends, family and 91��Ƭ staff members. Everyone in attendance enjoyed lunch and cake in honor of the birthday girl. We wish Ms. Jemison a wonderful year ahead!

91��Ƭ Residents Receive COVID-19 Booster Shots

Michelle Lang — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 21:18:32 +0000

Eligible residents of Douglas Homes, 15 Hill St., Newark, were able to get COVID-19 booster shots in the Community Room of the building on Oct. 28. Newark Emergency Services for Families Inc. (NESF) was on hand as part of the Newark Equitable Vaccine Initiative. Photos courtesy of Desiree Crespo.

Promoting Heart Health with Wear Red Event

Michelle Lang — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 14:32:37 +0000

91��Ƭ’s Resident Services Department hosted its annual Wear Red Event Feb. 21 at Douglas Homes, 15 Hill St., Newark, for the men and women of NCC. February is American Heart Month and the event highlighted cardiovascular disease and ways to reduce the risk. Attendees enjoyed a heart-healthy meal prepared by Culinary Arts Specialist students at 91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute and health screenings. They also wrote down changes to their daily lives that they plan to make to increase heart health. Their words were displayed on the wall for all to see.

Resident Services would like to thank the following groups for their support and participation: American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, Bishop Speight, Guardy’s Pharmacy, Paparazzi Jewelry and Assurance Wireless.

Former Intern Now a Supervisor at 91��Ƭ

Michelle Lang — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 19:59:17 +0000

When Flavia Pinheiro was attending Seton Hall University, she didn’t know a summer internship would lead to a full-time job. But that’s what happened.

In the summer of 2016, Pinheiro interned at Douglas Homes, 15 Hill St., Newark, under the supervision of the Resident Services Coordinator at the time, Luz Toro. She participated in the internship for the experience, not knowing it would serve as training for her future position.

Pinheiro graduated from Seton Hall University in May 2017 with a major in Social and Behavioral Science and a minor in Social Work. For three months before graduation, she interned at Spectrum Works in Secaucus, a nonprofit organization that provides job training for young adults with autism. When Pinheiro graduated, Spectrum Works hired her for a part-time position. When not working there, she babysat.

She was looking for full-time work when she saw a job opening at 91��Ƭ. She reached out to Director of Resident Services Donnette Burrowes-Williams and landed the job of Resident Services Coordinator at Associates, 180 South Orange Ave., Newark, in October 2017.

Then in December 2018, Burrowes-Williams asked her to consider taking on the role of Home Friend Program Coordinator and Food Pantry Representative following a resignation.

Pinheiro accepted the role on an interim basis. After about one month, she took over the position permanently.

“She was an employee who was committed and dedicated to the 91��Ƭ mission and she built a long-lasting rapport with the residents,” Burrowes-Williams said. “Flavia showed tremendous growth and was thus promoted to Home Friend Program Coordinator for which she kept the same momentum and tenacity going with her staff and residents making sure that our inner-city residents improve the quality of their lives.”

The Home Friend Program provides services, including light housekeeping and small errands, to seniors 60 years and older residing in Newark’s Central Ward that have Medicare only. Pinheiro manages the program and makes sure the six full-time Home Friends are providing appropriate services to the 44 clients currently in the program. She also conducts an initial assessment of clients and yearly reassessments to ensure they are still eligible to participate.

Pinheiro manages 91��Ƭ’s Emergency Food Pantry by accepting the allocations that come in. She also manages volunteers that come monthly, ensures clients are eligible before servicing them and oversees the distribution process.

Pinheiro’s favorite part of her job is getting positive feedback from the people being served.

“When the clients call and are grateful for the service, I think that’s the most rewarding part of it,” she said.

Pinheiro is appreciative to have moved up within 91��Ƭ.

“I enjoy what I do. It’s very rewarding,” she said. “And I really do thank Donnette, especially for seeing the potential.”

Burrowes-Williams is happy with the decision to promote Pinheiro.

“Flavia is a hard worker, she makes work fun and always has a smile on her face,” Burrowes-Williams said. “She’s an employee you can count on to get the job done.”

Pinheiro was born in Portugal and moved to Newark when she was 2.5, where she has lived ever since. She remains fluent in Portuguese and also knows Spanish at an intermediate level, which allows her to help with translations for the Resident Services Department.

She has relatives in Portugal, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She enjoys going back to her home country for visits.

In addition to traveling, Pinheiro likes to go hiking in Pennsylvania and Ramapo and enjoys shopping. She currently lives in Newark with her husband.

91��Ƭ Seniors Enjoy Renovated Apartments

Michelle Lang — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 21:00:04 +0000

Residents living in four 91��Ƭ senior buildings can now enjoy their newly renovated apartments. Rehab work is complete on units in Commons Senior, Douglas Homes, Gardens Senior and Roseville Senior, with only minor touch-ups being finished.
“It is a genuinely satisfying moment in the life of four of our senior buildings in Newark. The properties have reached what the architects call ‘substantial completion’. It means the great majority of the renovations are complete,” said NCC CEO Richard Rohrman. “They are ready to serve their purpose as affordable housing for our seniors for another 20 years.”
Residents of the renovated buildings are happy with the results.
“They did a fantastic job,” said Livingstone Allen, a resident of Commons Senior.
The 69-year-old proudly showed off his newly renovated apartment. He received new appliances, a whole new bathroom, new closet doors and painted walls.
“They changed everything,” he said. “It’s nice.”
Wayne Bullock, who is 61 and lives at Douglas Homes, said while the project was an inconvenience, it was well worth it.
“They did a beautiful job and I want to give my appreciation for what 91��Ƭ has done,” he said.
Bullock’s entire apartment was worked on and he said the changes have been a big improvement.
“New cabinets, floors, appliances, a whole new bathroom, all new baseboards, whole new ceiling. And the windows!” Bullock said. “I love it. And I am so grateful.”
In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, Bullock said the new windows were a big improvement because they keep out more noise and draft and they’re easier to lift, which is a big help for seniors. He also said his entire apartment is brighter since the work was done.
The rehabilitation project encompasses both senior buildings and family units at the four Newark properties. Work on the family units, which began in 2018, is continuing. All work on the properties will be complete by the end of 2019.
The entire project is meant to update and preserve NCC’s affordable housing.
“It was extremely important for our community to have these buildings renovated as the gentrification process becomes more and more of a force in our city,” Rohrman said. “The renovations will continue in the family units in 2019 adding to our commitment to keep affordable housing safe and in good condition.”
91��Ƭ worked with Greystone Affordable Development — a development and transaction management group focused on recapitalization, rehabilitation and preservation of affordable housing — to secure funding for the project. Claremont Construction Group is upgrading the interior and exterior of the properties.
The rehabilitation work on the buildings includes roofs, boilers, lighting, elevators, underground piping and landscaping to better serve residents.
Each unit within the properties will be painted and will be getting new closets and a brand new bathroom. Based on need, some units will have additional work done, which could include flooring, entry doors, light fixtures or appliances.
Residents who have questions or concerns regarding the project should contact their building manager.

Home Friends Coordinator Has Had Many Roles At NCC

Michelle Lang — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 15:32:49 +0000

Giselle Oviedo has worked in Security, Human Resources and Social Services for 91��Ƭ over the past decade. She is currently the Home Friends Coordinator and runs the emergency food pantry.

Giselle Oviedo has spent her entire professional career with 91��Ƭ, serving in a variety of roles over the last decade.

In mid June, she became the Home Friends Coordinator, overseeing six employees that are part of the program, which is funded by Essex County. Home Friends provide Central Ward residents with services not covered by Medicaid, including laundry, meal preparation, food shopping and companionship. Oviedo also runs the emergency food pantry for 91��Ƭ, which is open from the 16th to the end of each month.

Her journey at 91��Ƭ started in March 2008 when she was 18 years old. That’s when she became a security officer for the organization. After serving in that capacity, she received a call from Human Resources Manager Anna Sing-King asking if she would be interested in working in an administrative role in HR. Oviedo applied and got that position.

In mid 2009, Oviedo went back to school with the help of 91��Ƭ and received a certificate in business administration. She learned the ins and outs of Human Resources and served as the benefits coordinator.

In 2013, she saw an opening for a care coordinator position at Manor Senior and decided she wanted to make a change and join the Social Services Department. It took a little convincing on her part since she didn’t have specific experience in the area of social services, but Oviedo was able to land the job and started as a care coordinator in September 2013.

“I loved it from day one,” Oviedo said.

She enjoys helping people and overcoming challenging situations. When she was a care coordinator, Oviedo said she had one resident who seemed somewhat cold and distant. She decided to contact her family to see what was going on. It turned out the woman had suffered abuse in the past and had a hard time trusting people and letting them get close to her. Oviedo found out when her birthday was, got her a card and had the other residents on her floor sign it for her. The gesture showed the woman that other people do care and it helped her have more meaningful relationships with her neighbors and staff.

In her current role, Oviedo makes sure residents in need of help get visits from a member of the Home Friends team. She said for some, a Home Friend is the only visitor they have. She also takes pride in running the emergency food pantry, which serves many people who run out of money for food by the middle of the month.

“Giselle is always willing to learn new things and embodies what it means to be a team player. She takes pride in her work and sets an example for others and the residents we serve at 91��Ƭ,” said Assistant Director of Health and Social Services Donnette Burrowes-Williams.

Oviedo grew up in North Newark and was raised by her father. Her sister is Luz Toro, care coordinator at Douglas Homes. Oviedo lived in 91��Ƭ properties from 2009 to 2012 before moving back to North Newark. She has two sons, ages 10 and 8.

Oviedo hopes to earn an associate’s degree in human services and may pursue a bachelor’s degree as well. But she expects all that to happen while she continues working at 91��Ƭ.

“I expect to be here for many more years,” she said.