Fall 2014 Edition of Shelterworks

shelterworks

Fall

2014

News from the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter

Kim’sCorner

Daniel is a 44 year old veteran. Daniel was enlisted in the United States Army from 1988 to 1991. Daniel was living in an upstairs apartment that is owned by his parents, Daniel’s half-brother lived in the downstairs apartment. Daniel had a run in with the law and was arrested for intoxication and while under the influence of alcohol, disarming his gun.

Daniel came to the SSVF program because after his arrest, he was still around his half-brother, who was using drugs and alcohol. Daniel needed to move away from that hostile environment with his half-brother. Daniel has been drug free for two years and 10 months clean from alcohol.

Daniel receives partial VA benefits and food stamps monthly, but with the assistance from the SSVF program, Daniel was able to relocate to a safe and affordable one bedroom apartment.

Daniel has no children nor has he ever been married.

Daniel has paid off his fine from when he was arrested.

Daniel continues to be on self-probation. Daniel attends AA meetings regularly and is also an advocate for other alcoholics.

Daniel is currently enrolled and taking classes at Kirkwood Community College to become a Medical Assistant and will graduate in 2015. Daniel’s dream is to work at the VA hospital and to help veterans. Daniel told me how he has patience now because he didn’t used to have patience. Being drug and alcohol free he sees a clearer picture of the world.

--Kim Smith, Prevention Case Manager/Veteran Advocate

Dady Doings 3rd Annual Run for Shelter 5K run/walk

8:00 am, Saturday, August 23 Cedar Lake Loop, Cedar Rapids Visit http://getmeregistered.com/WillisDady5k to register.

Five Seasons Stand Down for Homeless Veterans

All-day, Friday, September 5 Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cedar Rapids Contact Linn County Veterans Services for details.

Registration required. http://vetsstanddown.org

9th Annual Sleep Out for the Homeless November 8 - 9.

For more information, visit https://www.sleepoutforhomeless.org/

Willis Dady Emergency Shelter Board of Directors James Locke, Treasurer Sam Jones Theresa Ann Trimble Janet Slimak, President Rebecca Jacobs, Vice President Tim Carson Clay McBride Jason Vestweber Melissa Cullum Bobette Ash, Secretary Dave McInally Charisma Wickham

Tim Wilson, Executive Director

questions as part of the street count. It seems there are almost as many reasons for household becoming homeless as there are households.

Although knowing the number of people experiencing homelessness locally is important, it is even more helpful to understand what has led to this status, what barriers exist and what resources are needed to help move the individual or family into permanent housing and self-sufficiency as quickly as possible. We have made great strides in recent years as a community in connecting those in need with resources, including rapid re-housing. By improving and coordinating needs assessment, shelter programs have been able to make more appropriate placements quickly. And the availability of rental assistance to move individuals and families into rental housing has reduced the length of shelter stays. Additional resources for U.S. veterans through programs like Operation Home have helped transition veteran households even more quickly and to prevent some from needing shelter in the first place.

Linn County recently conducted a very successful “street count� of persons experiencing homelessness.

People in shelters and transitional housing are also included, but that a is reasonably simple task compared to finding the unhoused. The numbers may have seemed somewhat alarming if considered solely in the context of comparison to counts in the recent past. Anecdotal information indicates that there has indeed been a summer spike in homelessness.

However, most of the increase in numbers can be attributed to vastly superior methodology. This included extensive contact with law enforcement and those living outdoors to identify sites, conducting several visits to such places prior to the actual count, enlisting many more volunteers to aid in the count As we learn more about those experiencing and providing training to those who were doing the homelessness, we will continue to look for creative ways to meet their needs. We know that at present, count. two areas of need are for housing that is affordable While the official count went from 5 persons in for those earning 30% of the area median income July of last year to 53 this July, no one familiar with and for the chronically homeless. Conversations are the situation really believes that homelessness has underway to increase available housing, but solutions increased tenfold in the past year. Shelter programs, will take time. Also it is the case that some entities including Willis Dady, have been running at or not actively engaged in finding solutions at the over capacity for some time. Clearly there are signs moment need to be invited to the table. That said, that more people are struggling. However, there in a community as generous and resource-rich as appears to be no single factor or set of issues driving ours, I believe the capacity exists to ensure that every this upturn. Data on causation of homelessness is one has a decent place to call home. Stay tuned! gathered when people enter programs or respond to

-- Tim Wilson

Give to wdeS

How Can I Help?

OVERNIGHT VOLUNTEER

We have a hard time finding volunteers to staff overnight during August and early September.

If you can help, please contact Denine at 319-362-7555 ext. 106 or wdesra1@willisdady.org.

Financial Support

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 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 Opportunities” 4. Click on “Search Giving Opportunities” 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 25 people and bring it to the shelter; we provide tableware and the mouths to feed. Grants clients and staff enjoy the meal and conversation. All help clean up. There are several dates available in the first part of 2014, including: Aug: 24, 31; Sept: 14, 28; Nov: 23, 30; Dec: 14, 28

Volunteer at Willis Dady

Willis Dady is always in need of volunteers for all kinds of tasks. Please contact Denine to let us know about your talents and interests at 319-362-7555 ext. 106 or email wdesra1@ willisdady.org

Donate Items to Stuff, Etc.

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 First Lutheran Church of Cedar Rapids St. John XXIII Parish St. Joseph Catholic Church St. Jude Church St. Pius X Parish

Special thanks to this summer’s Pacesetter Youth Camp for volunteering. We look forward to a bright future for our community thanks to young leaders like you!

Also special thanks to Kay Shive Henry, who recently retired from our Board of Directors. Kay is an incredibly generous and kind individual and we wish good health and happiness to her and her husband George!

WDES is proud to be a Partner Agency of the United Way of East Central Iowa

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!

Clay McBride

Clay McBride is the Head of Data and Vendor Management at Aegon Asset Management. Clay is originally from the Seattle, Washington area. He and his family (wife and two boys) moved to Iowa in 1998. Clay enjoys woodworking, classic cars, backpacking, and SCUBA diving. In addition to knowledge of finances, Clay’s woodworking skills come in handy on occasion when he works on minor projects at the Shelter.

Why does Clay volunteer at Willis Dady? “My dad is a Vietnam veteran. Seeing him deal with the longlasting effects has created a strong desire within me to help veterans. When I learned about the mission of WDES, it was a perfect fit.”