HUD Neighborhood Networks Coordinator Profile: Elaine Bennett, Columbia Multifamily Program Center

06/09/2009

Columbia, SC—Small-town girl finds successful career in the big city. It is a brief, yet accurate, description of the professional career of Elaine Bennett, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Neighborhood Networks Coordinator for South Carolina. Born and raised in the rural town of Eastover, South Carolina (population: less than 900), Bennett moved to Columbia, South Carolina, in the late 1980s because of the greater professional opportunities offered in the state’s capital and largest city. After serving as a clerk in the Columbia Office of Health and Human Services, Bennett accepted an entry-level position at HUD in 1990. Within six years, Bennett was promoted to project manager, working first with single family housing and then multifamily housing. In 1999, Bennett was asked to serve as the HUD Neighborhood Networks Coordinator for South Carolina for the then four-year-old Neighborhood Networks Initiative. Bennett gladly accepted the additional responsibility. Today, in addition to fulfilling her responsibilities as a senior project manager, Bennett also oversees South Carolina’s 26 Neighborhood Networks centers and believes that the Initiative is needed now more than ever. “With the current state of the economy and the inevitability of its growing worse, people need to be self-sufficient,” explained Bennett. “Neighborhood Networks is helping them do just that. It is providing resources and skills development and enhancement to individuals and families living on low- and moderate-income properties. Everything is going electronic. You need computer skills to operate a cash register, and in many cases, to apply for a job. Many individuals do not have technology access because they cannot afford computers, so their local Neighborhood Networks center is filling this vital need. It is their support system.” Bennett further explains that many of those living on HUD Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured and -assisted properties are female heads-of-households who need that extra support. “We let them know that being a parent does not mean that they are destined to be a homemaker,” said Bennett. “They have choices. And, we provide them with vocational tools, help them improve workforce development skills, encourage them, and establish friendships with them. We do not do for them, we encourage them to do for themselves. This helps to build self-confidence.” Yes You Can Ask Bennett to describe the rewards of being a HUD Neighborhood Networks Coordinator, and her response is immediate: knowing that the Initiative works; seeing residents take advantage of it; watching residents become empowered; and seeing the confidence in their faces when they realize, Yes, I can do it. “Even if residents do not achieve their goals right away or as quickly as they wish, it is encouraging to see them moving toward achieving self-sufficiency,” reported Bennett. “At their own pace and with the support of their Neighborhood Networks center, residents are earning their General Educational Development (GED) credentials, pursuing higher education, finding employment, and moving toward economic independence.” A Career Highlight One of Bennett’s proudest moments came during a recent Southeastern Affordable Housing Management Association (SAHMA) 2009 South Carolina State Meeting. Cherine Rice, a regular user of the Crestwood Forest Clubhouse Neighborhood Networks Center in Greenville, South Carolina, credited her participation in center programs and support from center staff as the primary reason for her pursuing a degree at Greenville Technical College. Rice will graduate this May with an associate degree in administrative office technology. Her future educational goal includes earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science. “Cherine’s achievement meant so much to me,” said Bennett. “Just to see her standing there at the SAHMA meeting so confident and self-assured made me proud. Then having her honor the Initiative with her testimonial of staff support and encouragement was wonderful.” After her presentation, Rice singled Bennett out and embraced her. “That was such a memorable event,” noted Bennett. “Seeing the cycle of dependency broken is an example and inspiration for other residents and their children. What Cherine and others are achieving now is setting the foundation so that the next generation is more empowered.” When Rice graduates in May from Greenville Technical College, Bennett plans to be in the audience. Bennett wants to further impress upon Rice that she and Neighborhood Networks cares. “Actions speak louder than words, and I know my presence will mean a great deal to her,” said Bennett. Subdued, but Encouraged Even in the midst of such personal satisfaction, Bennett is sober about the challenges that many Neighborhood Networks centers face, particularly with finding funding—an issue that impacts the quantity and quality of center programs. “There is never enough money,” Bennett lamented. “Finding funding, especially for small centers with limited staff, can be challenging. Also, many centers in South Carolina are located on rural properties, and there are not enough resources to go around.” However, Bennett is at once subdued, yet encouraged because the center directors are not sitting around wringing their hands in despair. They are seeking support from their management agents and local partners. “Engaged and supportive management agents can and do convince the property owners to invest more money into the properties,” reported Bennett. “Just recently, our centers formed the South Carolina Advancing Community Technology, Inc. (SC ACT) consortium. Through SC ACT, we can combine our resources and help each other. Also, centers are forming partnerships with local entities, such as the fire and police departments. When they do this, they can provide additional events that unite the community. An example of this is the Thanksgiving dinner during which the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Apartments’ Resource Center in Florence, South Carolina, fed between 300-400 people. Now that the community sees our commitment to them, they are eager to join our centers.” Because of their commitment to and investment in their communities, Bennett sees South Carolina centers only becoming more stable and capable of providing more programs to meet residents’ needs. As for the Initiative, Bennett wants every owner to see that establishing a Neighborhood Networks center on their property is a benefit that offers visible rewards. “My hope is to see a Neighborhood Networks center at every subsidized property,” Bennett concluded. For more information about Neighborhood Networks centers in South Carolina, contact Bennett at: Elaine Bennett Columbia Multifamily Program Center 1835 Assembly Street, 13th Floor Columbia, SC 29201-2480 (803) 253–3925

Scope:

National

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