First in a series of workshops for people living in rental housing set for Wednesday

QUINCY — A series of five tenant workshops will beginning with the first session on Wednesday, June 28, at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Seventh and Adams.

The remaining four workshops will be held on four consecutive Wednesday evenings through July 26. The workshops will begin with a lunchbox dinner at 5 p.m., and programs begin at 5:30 p.m. The workshops are free and sponsored by the Safe and Livable Housing Committee and funded with donations from banks, organizations, foundations and individuals. This workshop may be attended by anyone who is a renter in a house or apartment in Quincy.

Free childcare will be available. Tenants bringing children with them are asked to provide the names and ages of their children when registering. Food and snacks will be available for the children and caregivers.

Weekly topics for the workshops are:

• June 28 — “Working with the City” will feature Chief of Police Adam Yates and representation from the city’s Inspection Department discussing code enforcements. The Minimum Housing Complaint Form will be explained, and a session will feature “Landlords and Tenants Working Together.”
• July 5 — “Healthy Homes.” Cleaning supplies will be given to each tenant. Landlord and businessman Terry Austin will talk about his experiences cleaning rental units and demonstrate how he uses the cleaning items. Dorinda Smith, an educator with Bella Ease, will give cleaning tips and help tenants set cleaning goals. Johanna Voss from the Adams County Health Department will give each tenant a package that contains a cabinet lock, outlet plugs, safety items and handouts describing the Health Department’s programs.
• July 14 — “Money Management” features Blake Scheer, vice president and manager for the Bank of Springfield offices in Quincy. Township Supervisor Maggie Hoyt will talk about the General Assistance Program, how it works and who can apply.
• July 19 — “Healthy in Body, Mind and Spirit” will feature Dr. Tom Miller, practicing physician and site director for SIU in Quincy, who will discuss health issues. Barb Chapin, a certified counselor with 50 years of experience and chair of the Adams County Suicide Prevention Coalition, will talk about depression, suicide and signs to look for in family members, friends and oneself, and also where to seek help. Raymond Steadmond, director of Recovery for Horizons, will discuss the increase in addictions in Adams County and how to deal with alcohol, drug and smoking addictions.
• July 26 — “Hope” will feature a speaker from QUANADA, followed by a presentation by a representative from Land of Lincoln Legal Aid. Msgr. Michael Kuse, the moderator for this workshop, will be the final speaker. The workshop concludes with an evaluation by tenants and the awarding of a cookbook, gift certificates and certification cards.

Visit the Blessed Sacrament Office at 1119 S. Seventh, call 217-222-0720 and leave a message for Laura or email parishoffice@blessedscs.org to register. People also can register at the Quincy Housing Authority, 540 Harrison, by calling 217-222-0720 or emailing qcyhous@adams.net. Incentives for attending are a free dinner, snacks, child care, cleaning supplies and gift cards.

People who want to support the tenant workshops can send checks to Bella Ease, 707 Broadway and in the memo write: “For Tenant Workshop.” Bella Ease accepts all donations and also pays the bills for the tenant workshop.