Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Category: Advocacy

  • Financial Reform Summit – September 14, 2010

    Financial Reform Summit
    Making it Work for New Jersey
    A Statewide Education and Implementation Summit

    Tuesday, September 14, 2010
    10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    Rutgers University Student Center
    126 College Avenue
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901

    To attend please RSVP by registering online by Friday, September 10, 2010 or by calling Citizen Action Education Fund at 732-246-4772 ext. 18. For more information, visit them online at www.njcaef.org.

    HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE!!! – This summer, President Obama signed one of the most significant pieces of financial regulatory legislation passed since the Great Depression. These reforms will bring transparency and accountability to Wall Street and protect consumers on Main Street. Let’s ensure that this historic law is implemented effectively and that all New Jerseyans are informed as programs are established and new rules and guidelines are set.

    With compromises being made by all sides, it is now time to roll up our sleeves and make this law work for New Jersey. The success (or failure) of financial reform will depend on how well we understand, publicize and implement the law and the opportunities it presents. It is vitally important that all sectors of the population who will be touched by this legislation continue to work together in a strong partnership as this new law becomes a reality.

    Please join stakeholders of financial reform- including consumer advocates, community leaders, elected officials, bankers, regulators, labor leaders, seniors, academics, students and members of the public gather to discuss what’s in the law, what’s not in the law and where we go from here.

    Speakers will outline the major provisions of the new law, the policy options, and the impact on consumers, investors and small business owners. State and national reform experts will also discuss the establishment of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and how it will expand consumer safeguards. Additionally, panelists will explore the effect of the new law on the flow of capital back into our communities and the impact it will have on asset building opportunities.

    Please RSVP by Friday, September 10, 2010.

    Admission is free. Lunch will be served. Seating is limited. Please RSVP online to reserve your space. You may also register by calling the New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund at 732-246-4772 ext. 18. Please include your name, organization or business, title, phone, email, and address including city, state, and zip code.

    See you there.

    P.S. If you wish to publicize the Financial Reform Summit there is downloadable flyer available.

    Source: Email from Citizen Action and http://www.njcaef.org website

  • Help For Homeless Veterans: HUD Announces New Funding

    Today is Independence Day, a national holiday, a day we celebrate with family and friends at barbecues, at the beach, watching fireworks. It’s also a day we pay tribute to the members of our armed forces and their families. Earlier today First Lady Michelle Obama issued a message. In it she stated the following, which is worth repeating here.

    “Our military families are tested each day. Multiple and extended deployments mean that children often don’t see their moms or dads for long periods of time. Civilian spouses juggle the demands of work and family without their partners for long stretches of time. Family members serve as primary care givers for our wounded warriors, and too many families bear the heartbreaking reality of moving forward with their lives while keeping the memory of our fallen heroes alive. Through it all, military families contribute countless hours to supporting other military families, being role models to our children, and making communities stronger. A small percentage of Americans fight our wars, but we need 100 percent of Americans to support these brave men and women and their families back home.”

    Last month the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that nearly 8000 homeless veterans will get permanent housing through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH). New Jersey vets and their families are expected to receive 150 HUD-VASH vouchers. Eligibility screening for the program occurs at designated VA Medical Centers and within designated Service Areas (Camden, Jersey City, Paterson, Newark, Trenton, and Elizabeth). Eligible veterans are provided supportive services and case management as well as being referred to a participating public housing authority for their rent subsidy voucher.

    The VA Medical Centers involved in this HUD-VASH voucher allocation are located at:

    East Orange – VA Medical Center
    385 Tremont Avenue
    East Orange, NJ 07018
    973-676-1000

    Lyons – VA Medical Center
    151 Knollcroft Road
    Lyons, NJ 07939
    908-647-0180
    Service areas includes: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren

    Philadelphia – VA Medical Center
    3900 Woodland Avenue
    Philadelphia, PA 19104
    215-823-5800
    Service area includes: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester

    Wilmington – VA Medical Center
    1601 Kirkwood Highway
    Wilmington, DE 19805
    302-994-2511 or 800-461-8262
    Service area includes: Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem

    If you know of a veteran who may qualify for the HUD-VASH program they should contact their local VA Medical Center. Or to connect to a trained VA staff person call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline at 877-4AID VET (877-424-3838). For other useful New Jersey contact information see HUD press release or visit the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs website.

  • New Jersey Extends LIHEAP Deadline to May 28, 2010

    The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs announced last week that the deadline for applying for benefits under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended to Friday, May 28, 2010. This allows families, burdened by outstanding energy bills, additional time to apply for benefits and emergency assistance.

    For additional information call the NJ LIHEAP Hotline at 800-510-3102 or visit the New Jersey Community Resources energy page.