Services

The Bellport, Hagerman, East Patchogue Alliance Annual Summary of Services

Support services are provided to tenants in budgeting, money management, job readiness and job referrals. Tutoring and educational programs for school age children, and programs for the care of the aging. The Alliance is offering services in the following areas:

The Housing Rehabilitation program:
The Housing and Rehabilitation Program has made the most dramatic change in the community’s ability to improve itself. To date, the Alliance has acquired 54 homes in the Bellport, East Patchogue areas and sold off 8, at very affordable prices to tenants living in the unit. Tenants living in these homes can count on good quality housing, reasonable rents and responsible management. 4 additional units are managed by the Alliance for the Long Island housing Partnership.

Housing Counseling Program:
The Alliance received its certification to provide Housing Counseling in 1982, and since then the counselors have been recertified every three years to keep up with the ever changing rules and regulations of the program. The counselors have used their skills to help families avoid evictions and ward off homelessness by helping to improve landlord/tenant relations. They also provide information on how to negotiate mortgages, and how to improve budgeting skills. Under this program, families are often assisted with monetary emergency funds (E.F.S.P.) or referred to other funding programs for long term assistance with government subsidy programs (Section 8). Collaboration with other agencies is an important tool to use when people are in crisis. Pre-purchase housing counseling is provided to prospective home buyers.

Utilities Assistance:
The Alliance provides utility assistance to families in crisis during the winter months if qualified. This is a emergency fund to prevent utility shut off. (Project Warmth).

Bellport Second Chance Program:
This is a new program that was started in April 2007. It is designed for people who have been incarcerated and now returning to the community. The program coordinators provide case management to identify the ex-offenders basic needs, and assist them with job readiness, referrals for GED and training programs. Transportation to the Labor Department and the Department of Social Services is provided as well. We also advocate for job opportunities, housing, and assist clients to obtain personal identification. This program is a positive tool for people who are trying to get their life together and to prevent recidivism. The Alliance works closely with the building and construction trades council of Nassau and Suffolk counties to recruit and provide training in the pre-apprentice program. (Build on Pride).

BHEP Senior Group:
The senior group was established in 1996 to provide fellowship for retirees in the community and the group works to impact its life experience and guidance to the young people in the community. The group meets every Thursday between the hours of 12 – 4 pm with a potluck lunch and activities after lunch.

Celebration of Black History Month:
The Senior Program sponsors an Annual Black History Month Celebration during the month of February.

Quality of Life Programs:
A community meeting is held every third Wednesday of the month with elected officials, Suffolk County Police, religious groups, and community residents to discuss community problems and concerns. The Alliance was lead agency and coordinator for the Federal program sponsored by the United States Department of Justice Weed and Seed. In cooperation with the Suffolk County Police Department, this program promoted events and practices for positive crime prevention programs, especially for the youth in our community. Funding for this initiative ceased in May 2005 but the Alliance continued this much needed program. The Alliance received its designated status in July 2007 as a graduate weed and seed site.

Food and Nutrition Programs:
The Alliance is a distribution site for Food and Nutrition Program (F.A.N.). Food is distributed every second Tuesday of the month. Additional programs are offered to improve the quality of life for residents, a clothes closet is open every Tuesday at no cost, we also co-sponsor a soup kitchen at St. Joseph the Worker Church every Tuesday between the hours of 6 and 7pm to everyone who needs it.