We’ve all heard the radio and TV commercials about the importance of understanding your credit score and reviewing your credit report. Yet, to some people, it may sound scary - like hearing bad news from a doctor. Unfortunately, avoiding credit issues can be just as dangerous to your fiscal health as avoiding your doctor can be to your physical health.

As a result, HOPE IV offers an informative class that teaches participants to understand credit issues and how to repair their own credit. Over the course of the four sessions, the complexities of managing and repairing your credit are broken down into easily understandable lessons. The classes are not only fun, but can be life changing.

Most participants are very enthusiastic about the credit repair class. One Graduate, Chris Brown says, “When you know something good you want everyone else to know too.” He has already recommended the class to several friends and relatives. He got involved with the credit repair class not only to improve his own credit rating, but to also empower his children with the knowledge. Although Brown considers himself knowledgeable about money matters, he was amazed by how he benefited from essential credit information taught in the class.

 Courtney H. DeVaull, a dedicated and effective public administrator, brings a wealth of practical experience to the HOPE VI project as the new Community & Supportive Services Coordinator. Before joining Hope VI, Courtney was executive director of the Hillside Boys & Girls Club in Milwaukee, where she demonstrated an ability to motivate and empower young people to reach their full potential. She will have many opportunities to utilize these skills at HOPE VI. One of her most important responsibilities will be working with the YouthBuild Program, providing high-school dropouts with a means of obtaining their high-school equivalency diplomas (GED) while learning the construction trade.  

Courtney’s many other duties include functioning as a liaison between the community and HOPE VI, working with job developer reports to match jobs with residents, including temporary and part-time jobs for youths, and assisting residents as they are relocated to new housing. “As HOPE VI’s new C&SS Coordinator, Courtney is responsible for coordinating case managers with residents,” said Patricia Robinson, director of Baton Rouge’s HOPE VI. “Since many of these residents are senior citizens and need special attention, her knowledge and experience will be particularly beneficial.”

Patricia T. Robinson, director of Baton Rouge’s HOPE VI project, is very enthusiastic about being part of an organization dedicated to making the “American Dream” a reality for many deserving Baton Rouge families. “I am very excited to be part of HOPE VI during this transitional period,” said Robinson. “It makes me proud to hand over the keys of a new home to a family that has never had such experience.”

Patricia Robinson is a Grambling University graduate who has devoted her life and career to serving the poor and under-served of Baton Rouge and Louisiana. She has been an advocate for revitalization of Old South Baton Rouge to help the long-time residents and attract young families to the area.

The Hope VI - YouthBuild program launched a community service project called Operation Community Fix It Up in 2007. Cleo Davis had spent nine years in public housing, before a home was donated by her two sisters. Program participants helped Mrs. Davis by rehabilitating her Terrace Avenue home in Old South Baton Rouge and making it a nice place to live again. “It is very exciting to help a senior citizen move from public housing to a beautifully renovated home,” said Patricia T. Robinson, director of HOPE VI.

Among the volunteers were several students from Volunteer LSU, participating in a day of service called Community Bound. “We were happy to work with HOPE VI and introduce our freshman students to community service,” said Rhonda Rogers, assistant director of the LSU Student Union Program Department. “HOPE VI is a great program that helps move people from public housing while demonstrating the importance of neighbors helping each other.”