October 2025 Newsletter
Reminders:
- Office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- For AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCIES call 479.474.6901 (follow the prompts)
Upcoming Events:
- Sept. 1: Labor Day-Office Closed
- Sept. 7: Grandparents Day
- Sept. 22: First Day of Autumn
- Oct. 23: Fall Festival
To like us on Facebook and keep updated on current VBHA Events, please click link below!
LOVE YOUR LEASE: Smoking Policy
Smoke-Free Public Housing Policy
(Effective January 1, 2018)
Why: The Smoke-Free Public Housing Policy keeps our homes cleaner, healthier, and safer for everyone.
Where Smoking Is Not Allowed:
- Inside any public housing unit
- Inside all interior areas: hallways, storage rooms, rental and administrative offices, community centers, day care centers, etc.
- Within 25 feet of PHA buildings, including entryways, porches, balconies, and patios (or up to the property boundary when it's less than 25 feet)
- Within 100 feet of playgrounds, picnic areas, mail stations, and other exterior common areas
- Inside administrative or maintenance buildings
- In any PHA-owned, leased, or operated vehicle
- On all PHA-owned property designated as restricted areas
(This policy does not ban residents from smoking altogether - it restricts where smoking can take place.)
Tenant Responsibilities
Tenants agree to:
- Follow the policy and make sure all household members comply.
- Inform visitors, guests, and others under their control about the policy.
- Prevent violations by visitors, guests, and others under their control.
- Take responsibility for the actions of household members, visitors, and guests.
- Dispose of smoking materials properly-matches, lighters, cigarette butts, and packaging must be discarded neatly and safely. Do not throw these items on the ground.
Together we can keep our community a clean, safe, and welcoming place to live!
October Calendar of Events
Van Buren Housing Authority Community Center
**events subject to change - Check Facebook for up-to-date information
October 1
- Class: Basic Housekeeping - 10:00 AM
- Movie and Popcorn - 4:00 PM
October 2
- Game and Gather - 10:00 AM
- Homework Help - 4:00 PM
October 6
- Bingo - 10:00 AM
- Munch-N-Make - 4:00 PM
October 7
- Trivia Tuesday - 10:00 AM
- Homework Help - 4:00 PM
October 8
- Class: Your Path to Purpose - 10:00 AM
- Snow Cones - 4:00 PM
October 9
- Game and Gather - 10:00 AM
- Homework Help - 4:00 PM
October 13 - 16
- Closed for Training
October 20
- Bingo - 10:00 AM
- Movie and Popcorn - 4:00 PM
October 21
- Trivia Tuesday - 10:00 AM
- Homework Help - 4:00 PM
October 22
- Class: Your Path to Purpose - 10:00 AM
- Munch-N-Make - 4:00 PM
October 23
- Fall Festival! - 4:00-6:00 PM
October 27
- Bingo - 10:00 AM
- Munch-N-Make - 4:00 PM
October 28
- Trivia Tuesday - 10:00 AM
- Homework Help - 4:00 PM
October 29
- Class: Love Your Lease - 10:00 AM
October 30
- Game and Gather - 10:00 AM
Letter from the Director
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Fall! There's something about this season that always feels like a fresh start. The air is cooler, the leaves are showing off, and our community seems to come alive with activity. Fall is also a season of gratitude, and I want to begin by saying **thank you** for your patience as we continue to rebuild, for your kindness to one another, and for the way you show up to keep our neighborhoods strong.
Fall Festival - We Need You!
Our Fall Festival is right around the corner, and we couldn't be more excited. This event is one of the highlights of the year-an evening of food, fun, and fellowship that brings us together in the best possible way. But here's the truth: festivals don't happen on their own. They happen because neighbors step up, lend a hand, and make it special. We are looking for volunteers to help with everything from setting up tables, to welcoming guests, to keeping games running smoothly. If you've been looking for a way to get involved, this is it! Whether you have an hour or the whole day, your presence matters. Families, teens, and even grandparents-there's a role for everyone. Please consider signing up and being part of the team that makes this event a success.
We're also continuing the hard work of repairing and restoring areas that were damaged in the tornado. Progress has been steady, but we know it can feel slow at times. Please know that we are working closely with contractors, city officials, and insurance to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. Your resilience and patience have been inspiring, and I believe the end result will be a stronger, safer community than ever before.
As we move forward, I want to share an important reminder about our trash service. Our new provider will now pick up only on Mondays. Please plan accordingly and be sure to place your cans out the night before or early that morning. Once emptied, all trash cans must be stored in the back. Keeping cans out of sight not only helps our neighborhood look neat and welcoming, it also prevents them from becoming obstacles or hazards. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe and attractive.
This fall, let's keep leaning on each other. Whether it's volunteering for the festival, helping a neighbor with storm recovery, or simply smiling at someone who might need it, every small action adds up to a big difference. Together, we can make this season one of joy, gratitude, and renewal.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the Fall Festival and around the neighborhood in the coming weeks. Thank you for being such an important part of this community - we truly couldn't do it without you.
With gratitude and hope,
Dayna Cochran
Executive Director