Minutes for Monthly Social Service Agency Luncheon, September 24, 2010
his social service agency networking/information sharing meeting, hosted by Inasmuch Ministry, takes place on the last Friday of each month, January through October, and the first Friday in December, at Broadway Christian Church, 910 Broadway. Lunch is provided and there is no cost to attend. (Thanks to ladies from Broadway for providing the delicious food today!) Please feel free to invite others whom you think would benefit from these hour-long, casual and informative luncheon meetings.
Debbie Schmidt from Catholic Charities will be next month’s speaker on Friday, October 29, 2010.
Speaker: Tim Smith, Salvation Army (SAFortWayne.org)
2901 N. Clinton Street
Tim first gave us a brief history of the Salvation Army’s founding by William Booth in London in 1860. Many people, he said, are not aware that the Salvation Army is actually a Christian church denomination with its own worship and doctrinal statement. Booth, a Methodist, had a desire to serve the London poor, who were often either not welcome or not comfortable in conventional churches. He opened a store-front church and mission, and used military terminology which is still employed today (e.g., church members are “soldiers,” and staff members have rank such as Captain or Major, based on seniority and level of responsibility).
The Salvation Army, which is active in 110 countries (18,000 centers, including hospitals and schools), has had a presence in Fort Wayne since 1886. There are two distinct components to the Army’s work here. The more familiar one, to many people, is the Thrift Stores, where donated items are sold in order to fund the Adult Rehabilitation Program. This no-cost residential program is for men battling drug and alcohol addiction, and lasts up to six months.
Tim is a part of the other component, the Corps Office, which is the social service wing of the Army. Located at 2901 N. Clinton, they offer various forms of year-round financial assistance, as well as seasonal programs.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
1) On Tuesday mornings, clients may come without an appointment to ask for help through the CURF (City Utilities Relief Fund) program, which is administered by the Salvation Army, which takes and processed applications on behalf of City Utilities. Applicants must have a current denial letter from the Township, and they can receive up to $150 toward their bill once in any six month period.
2) On Monday mornings at 9:00 AM, prospective clients may call to make an appointment for assistance with rent. (Assistance with gas and electric bills has been suspended at this time due to lack of funds, but they hope to restart it soon.) Any help with rent or utilities can be given only once every 12 months.
3) Bus passes are also given out, three all-day passes at a time, to be used for medical or employment purposes. They will be given up to three times, at three-week intervals, after which no more may be given for three months.
4) A food pantry is open Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. (The food comes mainly from Community Harvest Food Bank and Associated Churches. Some items are purchased.) The first 30 families are assisted. A family received about a bag and a half of mostly non-perisable food, and can come back once every three months. Family income must be under 160% of the poverty guidelines, and a photo ID must be presented that gives an Allen County address. The Salvation Army provides information on how to apply for the Food Stamp program.
All of this is highly volunteer driven, including internships and folks from IMPACT.
SEASONAL PROGRAMS: (1,600 families were served last year. Due to an increasing need for services, the Salvation Army will now serve a family five years in a row, and then no more.)
1) Tools for Schools–School supplies are collected through area stores and businesses. 1,714 children were served this year, receiving a backpack, pens, pencils, paper, folders, etc. Monetary donations given to Tools for School go toward purchase of whatever supply is lacking among items donated.
2) Christmas Assistance–(elec. copy on website…link to it)
This is a partnership between Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots and Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program (not the same as Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree) to provide toys and clothes for children through age 14. They will be taking applications on October 12 – 15, and 19 – 22, at 2901 N. Clinton Street, on the following schedule:
Tuesdays, last name A – F; Wednesdays, G – M; Thursdays, N – R, and Fridays, S – Z. (The 18th is for anyone requiring translation assistance.)
3) Youth Center After School Program, 3:00 to 6:00 pm, Monday thru Friday during the school year. Volunteers, college students, etc. offer tutoring/homework help, games, crafts and snacks. Free
4) Summer Daycare, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm. $55 a week. $65 if the child stays until 5:00 pm.
OTHER PROGRAMS:
Emergency Disaster Services. Give aid to survivors, help recovery workers. All Salvation Army workers take an eight-hour class in disaster assistance.
Adult Rehab Center. Alex Velasquez is in charge… a men-only drug and alcohol residential six- month program (or longer if needed). It includes job skills training–certifications can be earned (forklift, etc). Recidivism rate is down here, noticeably. Free. The Thrift Stores fund this program.
Clothing Assistance. Limited. They take some referrals from other social service agencies. Client gets a voucher and the agency is billed for whatever clothing is selected.
UPDATES FROM OTHER AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES today:
ComeTogetherFW.com is a new website which should be up and running by December 1st. Non-profits come together and share information. Share resources, communicate, ask questions.
Celebrate the kick-off of Money Smart Week with a free event happening next Thursday, October 14 from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the City-County Building. The Money Fair will offer many activities, presentations and information booths and displays on how to be money smart, including:
–How to Save Money
–Stretching Your Dollar
–Budgeting and Saving
–Improving Your Money Management Skills
–Getting a Bank Account
–Getting Help Applying for Unemployment and Food Stamp Benefits.
Loretta Inman of Unto Others let us know that during the second week in October (Tuesday through Saturday) they will celebrate Customer Appreciation Week at the Unto Others Thrift Shop, by offering a complimentary brown bag lunch to each shopper.
Lisa Smith of Arbor/IMPACT says they are still collecting plastic bags, yarn and fabric.
The Mental Health Association would like to provide Christmas gifts for institutionalized mentally-ill or developmentally disabled people. The community can choose to adopt one or more. Contact Jane Dawkins for more details (jdawkins@mhaac.com).
Ken Yahne of AIM Services, Inc. joined us for the first time. AIM is a 501(c)(3) corporation “created for the purpose of fostering human dignity through experiencing the value of work.” AIM currently concentrates on providing good-quality, reliable cars at extremely low prices to those who are marginally employed and can’t otherwise afford reliable transportation. Many of the working poor haven’t got good credit and too often the “buy here/pay here” lots sell cars at high interest rates with limited or no warranty. AIM “accepts donated cars, spends what is necessary to repair to the point of being safe and reliable, and sells them to the target audience at a “private party sale” price, or less (typically under $1,500.00). If you have a vehicle to donate, please contact Ken at kyahne4468@frontier.com.
Eldon Claasen. International House. Tuesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm they host a refugee club for women. They also provide tutoring in English in families’ homes. For more information on programs for refugees, click here.
Inasmuch‘ Christmas program sign-up will be November 9, 11, 16, 18. The first 100 (one hundred) families will be served.
Lauren Nichols noted that all for One productions‘ season opener, An Inspector Calls, should appeal to those who are passionate about social justice. It will be performed in the theater at the downtown Allen County Public Library October 1st through 10th. Click on the link for more information.
Sue Walstra, MD, of Clinica Madre de Dios, gave us a hand-out with the updated hours and services, as follows: Located in the lower level of St.Patrick Parish’s School at 2120 S. Harrison St., the volunteers have provided primary care alongside Dr. J. Carlos Espinosa, Medical Director, since April 14, 2009. Clinica’s hours are:
Walk-ins Tuesday 8:00 – 11:00 AM
Diabetic Clinic 4:00 – 8:00 PM the first Tuesday of each month
GYN Clinic 5:00 – 7:30PM the second Thursday of each month utilizing the Indiana BCCP Program BP/Cardiac Clinic will be staffed by Dr. Mark O’ Shaughnessy monthly as needed with the date and
time to be determined.
All specialty clinics are by appointment by calling 260-420-1433. Clinica’s dream is to not be needed because everyone has affordable health care. Clinica’s most pressing needs are ongoing funding and more MDs, DOs, NPs and support staff to expand our hours to serve more people.
The clinic will be having a Fall Fundraising Festival on Saturday, October 23, 2010, from 2:00 to 10:00 pm. There will be music, food, arts and crafts for sale, kiddie games, PLUS Clinica tours with free blood pressure/height/weigth/BMI checks. Tickets are $4.00 at the door.
Wayne Township Trustees. Healthy Cities Health Fair and Veterans’ Stand Down includes a winter coat drive.
Vincent House clarified that they use the same worksheet as Section 8 (30% of adjusted gross, or at least $150) for determining amount of rent charged to its residents. The residents pay their own utilities. About three houses are available right now.
Cassie, Mollie, Becky–YWCA October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “Flowers in the River” (the second annual event took place on Thursday, September 30) is a way for survivors of domestic violence to commemorate those who have been helped by YWCA services last year, and symbolizes hope and a new path for their lives. YWCA’s office is at 1610 Spy Run Avenue.
Debbie Smith–Homeless Task Force. would appreciate it if all applicable agencies would fill out the survey she has passed out a couple of times, so that they can better link their clients and volunteers to other appropriate organizations.
