shelterworks News from the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter
Fall
2013
Kim’s Corner
“Hello, my name is Kimberly Smith and I was hired at Willis Dady for the outreach Case Manager position. I have a double major in Human Services/Psychology from Upper Iowa University and an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Hawkeye Community College. I have worked in non-profit for over 10 years working to assist families in becoming self-sufficient and helping connect them with programs in the community. Over the past month I have met with a lot of dedicated people and agencies in the Cedar Rapids area. Linn County offers so much to low income and homeless families and individuals. I am very excited to be a part of it all! I enjoy having an impact on people that we all serve in this community. I am overwhelmed by all of the resources in our community and just how quickly people will pull together to get a task completed! I am proud to say that within my short time here, I have seen Willis Dady grow and I am positive that this agency will continue to thrive. Note: Kim Smith began working in late June and holds regular office hours at the Cedar Rapids Police Substation at 1501 1st Ave. SE as well as Linn County Veterans Affairs and the Southeast Linn Community Center. She can be reached at 319 286-5071 or wdescm2@willisdady.org.
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter Board of Directors James Locke, Treasurer Sam Garvin Janet Slimak, President Rebecca Jacobs, Vice President Tim Carson Kay Henry Gabe Erickson Bobette Ash, Secretary Sam Jones
Theresa Ann Trimble Tim Wilson, Executive Director Jason Vestweber Charisma Wickham
Dady Doings 2nd Annual Run For Shelter 5K event,
Saturday, August 24 For more information, visit our website or go to www.GetMeRegistered.com/WillisDady5k to register. Event sponsors:
Platinum:
Mercy Medical Gold: St. Luke’s Hospital International Paper 2KGAN/Fox28 Lamar Advertising TransAmerica Foundation
Alliant Energy Casey’s General Stores General Mills TransAmerica Foundation Shulttleworth & Ingersoll, PLC
Silver: Van Meter Industrial Cedar Ridge Winery Riccolo, Semelroth & Henningsen, PC Garvin Family Clancy Family Jason Vestweber/VB&S Homes
with them after they have moved into their new home. While we are serving those who need shelter, we are helping others avoid having to come to shelter, thanks to Kim. It has been a remarkably busy summer at Willis Dady in many ways. Our staff has been short-handed, as Dusty Noble resigned in the spring. Dusty was with Willis Dady for over five years as a case manager and we wish him well in his new endeavors. At the same time, we welcome Kim Smith as our new case manager who works with households at risk of homelessness (see story on page 1). There have been a number of small to medium-size projects keeping staff, board and volunteers busy. And the shelter has been at or near capacity all summer. We don’t have any explanation for why more people have needed shelter. There is nothing remarkable or unusual about our recent clients. They have almost all been from Iowa and mostly from this part of the state. Many are working already but many are looking for work, while others are about to start employment but need a place to live until they start getting paid. We have helped several clients move into permanent housing, thanks to rental assistance available through Waypoint. And if they still need support after leaving shelter, Case Manager Martha Carter can meet
We look forward to the fall, with special focus on partnerships. The start of the school year always brings a senior field placement (intern) from Mount Mercy University and this year will be no exception. We will also welcome Service Day volunteers from Cornell College at the end of August and perhaps a work study placement student from Coe College. And Coe and Cornell students typically fill our overnight and many other volunteer needs as well. We will also be strengthening our partnerships with other United Way agencies, particularly HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Programs). This will involve enhancing the referral system for Willis Dady clients to enroll in HACAP housing and a new program that will be serving U.S. Veterans and their families in a five county area. Look for more details about that in the fall, including our November newsletter. Enjoy the rest of your summer and don’t forget to sign up for our Second Annual Run for Shelter on August 24!
-- Tim Wilson
Give to wdeS
How Can I Help? Overnight Volunteer
Volunteer at Willis Dady
Financial Support
Donate Items to Stuff, Etc.
We have a hard time finding volunteers to staff overnight during the summer. If you can help, please contact Paul at 319-362-7555 or vista1@willisdady.org. Help Now To contribute to shelter operations and services:
Online 1. Go to http://willisdady.org/ 2. Click on “How to Help” 3. Click on the box near the bottom labeled “Donate Now through Network for Good” 4. Enter your donation and credit card number U.S. Mail 1. Return the envelope included in this mailing with your contribution
Invest In Our Future To help ensure that shelter and services continue into the future, make a donation to our Prairie Fund Endowment at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.
Online 1. Go to https://gcrcf.org. 2. Move cursor to “Donors” option near top of page 3. Click on “Giving Options” 4. Click on “Search Giving Options” 5. Scroll down to “Willis Dady Emergency Shelter” on alphabetical list and click on “Action” at far right Phone 1. 319 366-2862
Our Sunday Table Program
Willis Dady is looking for groups to prepare a Sunday lunch for approximately 30 people and bring it to the shelter; we provide tableware and the mouths to feed. Clients and staff enjoy the meal and conversation. All help clean up. A few 2013 dates are still available, including August 25, September 9 and 23, and October 28.
WDES is proud to be a Partner Agency of the United Way of East Central Iowa
Willis Dady is always in need of volunteers for all kinds of tasks. Please contact Paul for details at 319-362-7555, or email vista1@willisdady.org WDES has made arrangements with Stuff, Etc. to accept items on behalf of the shelter. Proceeds from sold items will be applied to our account. When dropping off at Stuff, Etc., 252 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE C.R. Please use account number 13519.
Thank
Special thanks to some of Those who have recently given Donations or awarded Grants Adcraft Printing All Saints Church Housing Fund for Linn County Informatics Linn County -FEMA/Emergency Food and Shelter Program Our Savior Lutheran Church Robins Civic Club St. Jude’s Church St. Patrick’s Catholic Church True North
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 49 Cedar Rapids, IA
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter, Inc. 1247 4th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Board Members Meet Our Board Members!
Tim Carson
Tim Carson is the Manager of Diversity & Inclusion for Rockwell Collins at its corporate headquarters here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As department manager, he is responsible for the design and deployment of Diversity & Inclusion strategies for the company, with a particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of diverse talent. Inherent to this scope of work, Tim spends a great deal of his time in the marketplace interfacing with a variety of local and national partners who are key to building a more inclusive and innovative workforce. Tim has been with Rockwell Collins for roughly 3 ½ years, with a previous work history of over 25 years in public service. His life experiences in the military, government, and community activism, fuel his passion to drive the work he is doing today in the field of Diversity & Inclusion. Tim says his motivation for volunteering at Willis Dady “is rooted in my upbringing, right here in the very community where this shelter resides. From both a personal and professional perspective, I’ve experienced the benefits that a community-based organization can offer. I understand the value in service over self, and I hope my efforts will make a difference in the life of another.”