The Choctaw Nation Housing Authority has partnered with Secretary of HUD Ben Carson to bring an enVision HUB to the Poteau area. EnVision Centers will offer HUD assisted families access to support services that can help them achieve self sufficiency, which will make federal resources more readily available to serve more families.
Envision Centers focus on four pillars for success, Economic Empowerment, Educational Advancement, Health and Wellness, and Character and Leadership.
Health and Wellness: Will improve access to health outcomes by individuals and family's in HUD assisted housing.
Character and Leadership: Will enable individuals and families in HUD assisted housing especially young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens by encouraging participation in volunteer and mentoring opportunities.
The Choctaw Nation opened the doors Friday, May 17 to the first EnVision Center run by and for Native Americans. Last summer, the Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma was chosen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as one of 17 EnVision Center communities in the country. It was the only tribe selected. That plan became reality when officials from the Choctaw Nation, HUD, Le Flore County and the City of Poteau came together for a ribbon cutting ceremony held in front of the center at 511 Nanih Waiya Rd., Poteau. “It is an honor to partner with HUD on the EnVision Center pilot demonstration,” said Chief Gary Batton of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. “Their values align with ours and their service delivery encompasses much of our current philosophy. Our goal is to better the lives of our tribal citizens and we believe this partnership will do just that.”
Scott A. Grosfield, senior director of support services for the tribe’s housing authority, notes that the goal of an EnVision center is to offer families efficient access to support services that can help them achieve self-sufficiency. The housing authority sees this as an opportunity to enhance its service-coordination program that currently reaches across more than 10,000 square miles.
In addition to the Poteau center, there will be temporary “pop-up offices” at various locations in the 10½ counties of the Choctaw Nation. “The Choctaw Nation EnVision Center is an investment in America’s most important resource – our people,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “The Center will offer helpful resources to tribal residents and promote self-sufficiency among Choctaw Nation, HUD-assisted households. Everyone can achieve their American dream – we just need to create conditions in which people can actualize their potential, and that’s what today’s opening is all about.”
For information, contact Shelby Holt, EnVision coordinator, at 918-647-3665, sholt@choctawnation.com or EnvisionCenter@choctawnation.com. The Choctaw Nation EnVision Center also has a web site at www.choctawnation.com/EnVisionCenter.
