Housing authority director encourages tenants’ personal growth
By Robyn Wheeler
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–Kiwani members heard of one woman’s efforts to make a difference in the community at the weekly meeting at the Jalapeno Tree restaurant Feb. 22.
Guest speaker Kemp City Housing Authority director and owner of Keepsake Photography Debra Doss explained her duties and responsibilities in running a low-income housing complex.
“I was born in Kemp so a lot of these people I’ve known all my life. I want them to feel safe, be able to call this home and to get to know their neighbors,” Doss said.
“ I don’t want anyone to look back at living in low-income housing as a bad time,” Doss added.
Doss is in charge of 58 units which provides housing for 29 children and 75 adults and 59 names are on the waiting list. Turnover is slow as once tenants get in, they tend to stay for a long time.
All tenants pay an income-based rent for one, two or three bedroom apartments with a backyard, storage shed and front porch.
Residents also have access to two large playgrounds and a community room for birthday parties and other celebrations.
“Every year we take on new improvement projects,” Doss said.
Those projects include things like adding microwave ovens and ceiling fans to all of the units, and new storm windows are currently being installed.
Doss says the new storm windows will take up to three years to install and cost upwards of $180,000.
Doss also provides advice to support the personal growth of her tenants. She encourages many tenants, especially single moms, to get their GED and take online college courses.
“I want all my tenants to know there are ways of getting help if you look for it,” she said.
Doss feels it is important for children to see where their food comes from, so she created a community garden in which everyone can participate in planting, caring for and eating their own fruits and vegetables.
At Christmastime, Doss calls every tenant to make sure all the children will receive Christmas gifts.
“Last year, a tenant called me just before Christmas upset because she did not have any money to buy her daughter anything,” Doss said.
She phoned all of her tenants and found several other parents in the same situation. That day, she bought three gifts for each child so they would be able to open gifts from Santa the next morning.
“Those gifts are not extravagant and very practical. Things like school supplies, hoodies and shoes,” Doss said.
“One little boy asked for a roll of duct tape so we bought him several rolls in various colors to last him for a while.”
A few days later, the little boy presented Doss with a rose made of black and orange duct tape.
“If I ever feel like I’m not really making a difference, I look at that rose and know that I am,” Doss added.
The Kemp City Housing Authority is funded solely by government HUD grants and donations from citizens.
The low-income housing facility maintains a food pantry for dried goods and necessities such as toilet paper, toothpaste, towels and soap. Donations are always welcome.
For more information call (903) 498-8211 or send an email to kempha_2@hotmail.com.

 

Mental health course to be offered in Kaufman
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Kaufman County will sponsor the “Visions for Tomorrow” free education course March 6- April 12.
This course is specifically designed for caregivers of children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with mental illness.
The workshop series of six will be held each Tuesday night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Lakes Regional Mental Health Mental Retardation Center (MHMR).
The course will present information many mental illnesses including brain biology, Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD), Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Disorder, Tourette’s Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizo-affective Disorder, Depressive Disorders, and Bipolar Disorder.
Various anxiety disorders will also be discussed including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Phobias, Separation Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Other topics covered include Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), eating disorders, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, transition issues, psychiatric rehabilitation, legislation and legal issues, psychosocial and psychotherapy treatments, coping and self-care skills, communication and organizational skills, problem management, and alternative treatments.
Volunteer teachers have undergone intensive training as course instructors.
The Lake Regional MHMR Center is located at 400 Airport Rd., Terrell, 75160.
Space is limited.
To register call Emma Glenn at (972) 962-3784 or Glenda Berg at (214) 202-1183.


 

Come Adopt Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

We have many animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals. The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220 County Road 2403 in Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422 after 11 a.m. We are closed on Wednesday.

For further information visit our website at petfinder.com