"Expanding Opportunities for Residents"

Although its primary organizational function is to provide housing, White Mountain Apache Housing Authority (WMAHA) has a long history of working closely with its residents to provide or refer them to appropriate social services.

The WMAHA Resident Services Program was created through HUD’s highly competitive Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) grant. These grants are awarded annually to housing authorities nationwide. In 2003, the WMAHA was the only successful applicant in all of Arizona. In 2007, WMAHA received another ROSS grant that combined the Family and Homeownership Services entitled "Healthy Lives, Healthy Homes." Each grant award totaled $350,000 or $700,000 overall.

The Resident Services Program has several goals:

• To provide more job opportunities to reduce unemployment while increasing median family income
• To provide youth with activities that promote financial literacy and other life skills to build self-sufficiency, self esteem and outstanding citizenship
• To provide adults with financial literacy coursework while also providing access to Individual Development Accounts
• To provide youth programming to support increase physical health among White Mountain Apache youth
• To provide programming that is access-friendly to tribal members whose primary language is Apache
• To provide access to programming to families that have limited or no personal vehicle transportation
• To improve quality of life in subdivisions through further development and implementation of Neighborhood Watch Programs
• To assist residents in identifying needs and further developing community cohesiveness through Resident Councils

The Resident Services Program implements a cohesive set of programs that help WMAHA residents achieve economic and housing self-sufficiency:

GED Scholarship Program
A scholarship program to encourage residents to pursue high school equivalency education through Northland Pioneer College (NPC). This scholarship provides funding for tuition, course fees, books and GED testing.

Job Training Program-Certificate Program
A scholarship program designed to help residents complete a job training program that will help them find employment, enter the workforce, improve their present job skills or help them learn new job skills. In partnership with Northland Pioneer College (NPC) residents are offered a scholarship to pursue a Certificate of Completion, Certificate of Proficiency or a Certificate of Applied Science. Through job training workshops and job training-related courses residents learn to overcome barriers to employment. This scholarship provides funding for tuition, course fees, books, state exams and licenses or certifications.

Job Training Program-Career Development
This comprehensive program provides training for youth and adults in job search essentials, personal finance, communication and goal setting. Specific workshops include basic and advanced computer operations, resume writing, interview skills, professional development, customer service, good work habits, ethics in the workplace, and supervisory skills, to name a few. Through NPC and other training entities, these workshops are brought to the tribal communities at-large free of charge.

Substitute Teacher Training Program
Offered by NPC’s Education Department-Teacher Training Program, this course runs on a four weekend schedule. Residents learn how to maintain classroom discipline and meet curriculum goals as a substitute teacher through “Substitute Teaching in the Schools.” While geared for those without a college degree, this course provides three credit hours towards Arizona Department of Education’s 30-credit-hour minimum requirement for emergency certification. Individuals completing the course can apply for an Emergency Substitute Certificate. The training is a prerequisite for substituting in many area public, private and Bureau of Indian Affairs facilities.

NXLevel Small Business Training Program
Offered by NPC’s Small Business Development Center, NXLevel teaches the art of proven-effective business practices while guiding participants in the creation of comprehensive business plan to guide business start-up and expansion decisions and activities. Existing tribal entrepreneurs and hopeful entrepreneurs learn how and when to start business planning; organizational structure; how to identify opportunities to market their business; how to read financial reports; how and where to get funding for their business; and how to network with other entrepreneurs and small business support services.

Individual Development Account Program
WMAHA currently offers a match savings program to residents saving towards homeownership, small business start-up or expansion and post-secondary education in partnership with Wells Fargo Bank. The Individual Development Account program offers a three to one match with a minimum savings of $50 to $100. Participants can enroll for a minimum of six months and maximum of 12 months. Apache Dawn residents Phases One and Two are encouraged to save towards homeownership. Financial literacy courses and asset specific courses are components of the IDA program and require enrollment in various classes some through NPC.

Resident Councils
WMAHA provides leadership and training to promote, educate and provide technical assistance to residents in organizing for the successful establishment of resident organizations or Resident Councils. The purpose of Resident Councils is to promote community-based developments from which residents can learn the skills leading to and reap the benefits of self-sufficiency.

NEW PROGRAMS ON THE HORIZON!

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
WMAHA will sponsor a VITA site for the next three years to offer free tax help to low-to- moderate-income (generally, $39,000 & below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers will receive training to help prepare basic tax returns. Residents will benefit from free electronic filing.

WMAT Boys & Girls Club Computer Lab
The 2007 ROSS Grant "Healthy Lives, Healthy Homes" will establish a Club Tech – computer lab for the WMAT Boys & Girls Club. The BGCA of WMAT will design a state-of-the-art computer lab with thirteen (13) computers; two (2) laser printers, and thirteen (13) software programs. The computer lab will help to improve the youth’s self-sufficiency and foster a higher degree of homework completion. Access to this technology and a plethora of free-access, native youth internet programming will help prepare youth for employment opportunities and build life skills.

Fore more information about the White Mountain Apache Boy's and Girl's Club click here

Journeyman Certification Program
This program will offer Journeyman Certification in the fields of carpentry and electrical at Northland Pioneer College (NPC). After completing the required coursework at NPC, participants will be able to work under a graduated apprentice wage structure until they obtain the required amount of work experience necessary for final certification. This program will provide a job-track for unskilled laborers who are residents and will allow residents with existing carpentry and electrician skills to become journeyman certified in order to compete for higher paying jobs on and off the reservation.

These grant funded services reach deeply into our WMAHA communities creating safer neighborhoods, providing support for our tribal adults and creating a stronger safety net around our youth – our future homeowners.