Social Service Agency Luncheon for July 29, 2011

This social service agency networking/information sharing meeting, hosted by Inasmuch Ministry, takes place from noon to one o’clock pm 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.   Our thanks to Lori Shewman who provided a delicious lunch at short notice. We were few in number, but we enjoyed a great time of fellowship and round-table discussion today. There was no guest speaker.

Next month’s luncheon will be Friday, August 26, 2011

Alyn Biddle, Inasmuch–talked about our dilemma regarding utility bills assistance: is it wiser to work with the “past due” amount, or “total” balance due? This question prompted good discussion on enabling vs. empowering. We learned that Wayne Township encourages volunteerism, community service, and restricts the number of times a client can be seen. It seems that more and more agencies are becoming pro-active about working to get clients out of the welfare system. Join us for these stimulating monthly meetings to share what your organization is doing to give not only a hand out, but a hand up.

Alyn also initiated discussion of security in the buildings, since Inasmuch is currently planning its move to The Edge building by year’s end. We talked about traffic flow between common areas and counseling rooms. Both Townships who were present told us they have security guards. Wayne has cameras. (The Edge will have many security cameras.) Wayne/Adams have panic buttons at the counselors’ desks. Catholic Charities has locked the lobby.

Sue Walstra, Clinica Madre de Dios–The clinic has a new phone number now.  (260)755-3897.  Please make a note of it.

Joyce (Holderman) Even, and Debra Freeman, Adams Township–talked about the challenges of housing those who have been barred from staying at the Rescue Mission. She has successfully negotiated with a local motel for a reduced extended stay rate

Karen Walker, Wayne Township, reported that they received 1,086 requests for assistance in June. On average, 113 clients were served each day. 142 are currently enrolled in the employment training center. 2,128 community service hours were worked by clients in June. The Township is now collecting professional clothing (donations from staff, etc.) and school supplies for clients. They will be out and about at community outreach events several weekends in August: 8/13 South Side Festival; 8/20 1st annual “Amnesty and Independence” Community Festival; 8/27 Waynedale picnic.

Cheri Berris, Cedars Hope–They have 15 beds for mentally-ill homeless women–and now for the first time they are not only full, but have a waiting list. Online application is required, with a referral. Residents need to “work” 3 hours/day. Most go to Carriage House or Wellspring. Cedars Hope provides one meal a day. The women are asked to provide their own food for their other meals. They are helped in getting food stamps, and/or going to food banks, as well as in signing up for Medicaid, etc. (Cedars Hope has used volunteers from the Township community service program for deep cleaning at the Home, although residents often do daily chores and light cleaning.)

Laurisa Roper, Family Development for CANI–discussed removing causes of poverty. She sees more and more clients who are angry because they don’t want to be self-sufficient. CANI is geared to move people in the direction of self-sufficiency. Adult education/income and employment are their biggest focus. Sets goals based on 12 life areas, re-assess every three months. We have asked Laurisa to be our guest speaker at a luncheon this fall. She is also very interested in meeting with individual organizations to talk about CANI’s programs. You can contact her at LaurisaRoper@canihelp.org

Lauren Nichols, Inasmuch (Friday secretary), all for One productions (Artistic Director)–afO has launched its 2011-2012 Home Stage Production season ticket campaign. From now until August 31, for every full-priced season ticket you buy (already a 25% savings over at-the-door prices!), you can buy a second ticket HALF PRICE. If you’ve already purchased a ticket, you can still call the office at 622-4610 and buy your half price ticket! Go to the theater company’s website for more information about the coming season of exciting, thought-provoking and values-rich entertainment!

Pat Arnold, Catholic Charities–due to budget cuts she is acting as receptionist as well as seeing clients–this is challenging!

Joe Merchich, Work One. Gave us the schedule for August’s monthly free workshops–it is an impressive list. Most classes are on a “drop-in” basis, but the all-day workshops on Excel or Word fill up quickly, so clients are urged to pre-register. There are usually several different classes offered each day, Monday thru Friday (NO CLASSES on 8/12 and 8/15). Classes include: GED prep, resume writing, interviewing. The schedule changes monthly. All classes are free.

also present:

Leesa Ackerman, IAM

Terry Rutan, Inasmuch

Marilyn Hormann, community volunteer

InAsMuch's Social Service Agency Luncheon–May 28, 2010 minutes

This 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.  Lunch is provided and there is no cost to attend.  Please invite any social service agency reps whom you think would benefit from these hour-long, casual and informative luncheon meetings.

NEXT LUNCHEON MEETING IS FRIDAY, JUNE 25TH AT NOON, BROADWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

Minutes for Friday, May 28, 2010.

Guest Speaker: Lisa Smith, Arbor/Impact

Arbor Education and Training, a national company with local offices, handles Allen County’s IMPACT (Indiana Manpower Placement and Comprehensive Training) program, providing training and education to people who receive food stamps and TANF. All the programs are designed as stepping stones to securing and maintaining employment and becoming self-sufficient so that the individual no longer needs government assistance. IMPACT programs fall into several related categories:

1) One of IMPACT’s primary services is the two-week Vantage Workshop. Participants attend 6 hours per day, using a curriculum which covers: resume writing, interviewing skills, interpersonal communication, and much more. The course builds personal self-esteem, identifies individual skills, and teaches how to transfer these skills to a work environment. During the second week, guest speakers come in to talk about the kinds of jobs which are available in our community.

Clients are urged to continue their job search during the two-week program. The Workshop is designed to encourage its participants and give them more confidence in working toward the goal of self-sufficiency. Lisa attests to the tremendous positive changes she sees in clients after the two-week course.

2) Another aspect of IMPACT is Job Skills Training. The use of the computer lab at the Anthis Career Center allows clients to become computer literate. They learn various office skills, plus how to conduct a job search and fill out job applications on line.

Seven industrial sewing machines (the same kind used by Vera Bradley), donated by Reclamation Project and Burmese Muslim group, provide another practical skill.

3) Education Services include: GED, ESL, vocational and college courses also.

4) Lisa became quite excited when she began to talk about CWEP, the Community Work Experience Program. IMPACT is able to send clients to do volunteer work in area not-for-profit organizations. The clients are instructed to think of it as a job, and they reap many benefits from the 12-week sessions, including job training, networking, acquiring good references and sometimes even job placement.

A newer twist on CWEP is an in-house CWEP for those who are not yet ready to go into the community. This program was created because of the large Burmese population whose English skills are not strong enough yet, and who need interpreters on-site. However, there are also English-speakers in the in-house program, for a variety of reasons.

The in-house DWEP is a simulated work environment, complete with quality control. Projects that benefit area non-profit organizations are undertaken (and suggestions are always welcome!). The first major proejct was crocheting or knitting hats and scarves for the homeless. Lisa estimates that over 160 sets were created. After the sewing machines arrived, donated fabric was used to make quilts—machine sewn and hand-embroidered. CSNI, Vincent Village, and others received quilts. Donated supplies are used up speedily. Most recently they have begun crocheting “homeless mats” from recycled plastic grocery bags. 500 bags are required to make one 6′ by 3′ mat. (If you have bags to donate, contact Lisa at lisaasmith@arboret.com or bring to next month’s agency luncheon on June 25^th.)

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Other luncheon attendees who provided updates about their organizations:

Mollie Cripe/ YWCA: Is excited to report that they are hiring another part-time case manager for the Steps to Success program–Mollie has been on her own since the program’s inception. Also, Steven Miller, former executive director of Habitat for Humanity, is their new Director of Development.

The Homeless Count, (a combined count this year, covering sheltered and unsheltered), is in, and a press release is coming soon. On January 27th, 585 homeless (representing 418 households) were counted in a 9-county area surrounding Fort Wayne.

Tim Smith, Salvation Army, told us that this year’s Cooling Program has started. Fans and A/C units are available. Call anytime.

Rent assistance appointments resume next week. Call at 9 AM on Monday only, to make an appointment.

Tim also mentioned the City Utility Relief Fund. (CURF), which pays a household’s water bill up to once every 6 months, up to $120. This fund is exclusively administered by the Salvation Army. To qualify, one needs an action letter from the Township; the account must be up for disconnect.

Sue Walstra of Clinica Madre de Dios: reports that they are getting closer to receiving their 501(c) 3. A Blood Pressure clinic is offered by appointment. The GYN clinic is out of funds, so those services are on hold for awhile. The Diabetic Clinic is busy, as is the walk-in clinic. More medical staff are needed in order for their services to be extended.

Martha Casselman/Love Indeed’s Sharehouse was excited to announce that Sharehouse is moving! Since the lease has not been officially signed, she was not able to release the new address, but they will increase their capacity from less than 13,000 sq feet to 20,000 sq ft. They plan to begin moving in June. For more information, contact Martha at  martharc@comcast.net

Alyn Biddle, InAsMuch, reported that The Edge Project (IAM’s expansion/move into an adjacent building to Broadway Christian Church) has raised about half its money. The elevator will be 1^st installation after they receive final state approval of their blueprints.

Alyn also mentioned IAM’s major fundraiser, the golf outing which will take place on Saturday, July 17^th. More corporate sponsors are still welcome–can you share this link with an area business?

Do you like to golf?  See this flyer to register your foursome for InAsMuch’s golf outing.  Thank you!!

Love Community Center: Hours and Activities

Love Community Center
Wallace Butts, director

Hours: Mon-Weds 10am-8pm / Thurs 10am-7pm

Fitness center hours:  5-8pm Mon-Weds, and 5-7 Thurs.
Aerobics classes on Monday and Wednesday free to public.

Career development programs available to help people in need get resumes built or transfer skills to a new job.
GED preparation is available but requires weekly time commitments.
Computer classes are also offered.
Adult literacy and remediation is offered for adults wanting to go back to college.
Reading Horizons program is helpful for adults who speak English as their secondary language. Clients have been able to make fast progress with this progress because of its audio and visual format.

Contact Love Church, 422-8961, for more information. Update from Wallace Butts

The ARBOR Organization and IMPACT Classes

Impact classes are currently full. Additionally, ARBOR is supposed to know more on December 14, 2009 regarding changes in the way programs at ARBOR are run, what responsibilities will remain with their organization, what responsibilities may return to the organization, and those taken will be taken on by the State of Indiana. Update from Lisa Smith for ARBOR

New Life Skills and Education Program for Young Adults

Sharon Gerig has also started Y-Recue, a new program targeting 18- to 25-year-olds.  This program is designed to give them life and job skills, and/or carry on education. Four young men started in the program last month; two are already in college. Another starts classes soon, and the fourth is pursuing his GED. Update from Sharon Gerig

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International House serves primarily Somali refugees.  They give assistance such as job-seeking.  They meet in the Community Connection Office in CANI bldg.  They offer classes and help with purchases of  foreclosed houses.

Dept. of Human Resources: Volunteers, Workers and Needs

Has 60-65 Burmese in workshops daily. Many are ready to be sent out into the community as volunteers. She also has many English-speakers who are ready to seek jobs. Please let her know if you have any job leads. She also has an ongoing need for motivational and informational guest speakers for the English-speaking class.

Job Training from Wayne Township Trustee Office

The Wayne Township Trustee Office offer job training on Wednesdays highlighting work ethic and attitude, eliminating barriers to employment, etc.

Indiana Manpower and Comprehensive Training (IMPACT)

The education and training arm of the Office of Family Resources runs the IMPACT program for TANF and Food Stamp clients. Since the new TANF laws went into effect in 2007, making refugees eligible for the program, ARBOR has added 300 Burmese as clients.

Three facets of their training are:

1. Simulated work experience: non-profits provide simple projects (collating, folding, cutting, etc.) for the clients to do in-house in a workplace environment, giving them a better sense of what will be expected of them in the real world. ARBOR is always seeking more of these kinds of projects from nonprofit organizations.
2. Workshops, during which a variety of guest speakers from other agencies share information on resources, jobs, additional training, etc. Suggestions for further guest speakers would be appreciated.
3. Placing clients as volunteers through the Community Work Experience Program (CWEP), which gives them not only hands-on experience but builds self-confidence and more networking for potential hire.

Love Church Community Center Services

Located at Love Church, 1331 E Berry St, Fort Wayne, IN

At the Love Community Center: clients can get their GED, learn computer skills, get tutoring. A full woodworking shop is onsite and open to the community.