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

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.

Winter Warmth Program '09-'10

The Winter Warmth program thru NIPSCO will NOT cover deposits this year.  The program see an average of 200 people each Monday, and an average of 140 to 160 per day throughout the month. Update from Karen Walker

Wayne Township Supervisors' Meeting

The Wayne Township Trustees Office supervisors’ meeting is tomorrow, December 5. Update from Karen Walker

Flu Shots at Wayne Township Health Fair

Wayne Township Trustees Office reported that at their Health Fair last Friday, October 23rd,  all 600 flu shots were given away. They estimate 800 to 1000 participants.

Annual Healthy Cities Health Fair and Veterans Stand Down: October 23, 2009

The 19th Annual Healthy Cities Health Fair and 13th Annual Veterans Stand Down will be held at the Trustee Office, 320 E. Superior Street, on Friday, October 23, from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. This event, which is open to adults (18 years and older) who are uninsured and underinsured, will include free meals and snacks throughout the day, and numerous free confidential health services, including: flu shots, blood sugar and cholesterol checks, immunizations, cancer screenings and much more. Winter coats and personal hygiene items will be available. There will be additional services for low-income veterans.

Wayne Township Energy Fair: October 10, 2009

October 10 Energy Fair at Andorfer Commons on the IIT campus (1600 E. Washington Blvd.) She can email a flyer. The fair will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. It is open to the public and will provide information for homeowners on ways to save energy this winter. Social service agencies will give out information on public assistance with energy bills. There will be hourly door prizes and free food.

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.

"Feed Your Face" Fundraiser for Wayne Township Health Fair

Wayne Township’s “Feed Your Face” Fundraiser is Thursday September 10 from 10:30 AM to 6:30 pm, at 419 E. Lewis (NE corner of Lafayette and Lewis). A $15 BBQ meal feeds two with BBQ ribs, chicken, bratwurst, baked beans, corn and a roll. This fundraiser is for the annual Healthy Cities Health Fair and Veteran’s Stand Down this fall.

CANI, State & City Stimulus Funds for Rent Assistance

Wayne Township clarified at the September Agency Meeting that CANI distributes state stimulus money to be used only for rent or rent deposits. However, the city of Fort Wayne is handling its stimulus money separately.