Our mission: End homelessness, impact poverty and remove barriers to self-sufficiency for the families we serve.

It’s really cold here this morning. The temperature is still in the teens.

 

During another cold snap the week before Christmas, we took in a family of six on an emergency basis. The father told a co-worker at his new job that his family had no place to stay. Because of the frigid temperatures, the emergency shelters were full.

 

The co-worker took him home to stay at his house, but the family didn’t want to impose when they saw how many people were already living there.

 

Instead they asked to sleep in his car overnight - turning it on and off to stay warm.

 

The next day the co-worker took the family to two different emergency shelters, but they weren’t allowed to stay because the parents weren’t married.

 

The co-worker knew our Housing Coordinator Tammy Mayhue, so he called to ask us for help.

 

Tammy and our Children’s Program Director Ryan Blake stayed late to help the family settle into one of our Immediate Housing apartments. The next morning, our Intake Specialist Holly Gardner interviewed them and admitted them to our Interim Housing Program.

 

When we asked if anyone could help the family out at this late date, one of our board members, Dr. Raymond Cattaneo, reached out to others and made sure this family of strangers had a Christmas.

We are truly blessed by all of the board members, staff, volunteers and donors who have taken this mission into your hearts.

 

Happy New Year.

 

Aftercare Matters: Surviving to thriving

By: CTI Case Manager Sara Barrett

 

This Christmas is bringing a whole new kind of gift to a Community LINC family. Jodi came to Community LINC to gain independence from a cycle of domestic violence that was dangerous to her and her children.

 

Jodi was housed in a  rental home within thirty days of her entry to Community LINC's campus. She held on to her job in Customer Service and managed to keep her three children in school. However, working off of one income was a new challenge for Jodi.

 

Upon moving into her rental home, Jodi agreed to participate in Aftercare Services, including weekly case management. During that time, Jodi was able to develop new spending habits and secure a manageable budget for her family. This opened up an opportunity for her to continue her finance and business education and grow her very small business she ran out of her home. In addition, Jodi was able to purchase a new vehicle to improve her transportation and allow her children to be in extra-curricular activities to promote their social well-being.

 

Because of her drive and her responsibility in using the resources offered to her, Jodi was referred to a program in the community which could provide her with the opportunity for no-interest home ownership.  Jodi's story captivated community leaders, and this Christmas, to her surprise she will receive ownership of a new home in her name.

 

Jodi is proof of a motto Aftercare Clients often repeat throughout their time in services; "I don't have to just survive, I can thrive." Community LINC not only gives families a boost in finding and acquiring housing, but opens doors to financial stability, community resources and ownership.

 

In one year, Jodi changed her situation from homeless to homeowner, car owner and small business owner...she is a picture of thriving, not just surviving.

 

Intake Matters: One family at a time

By Intake & Resident Specialist Holly Gardner

 

I’m sure there are many factors, both conscious and subjective, that play into screening a family into our program. Everyone who enters the program is literally homeless, has a dependent child, and has barriers that make it difficult to get housing.  Beyond that, the differences can be vast. Educational levels vary, work experience and aptitude and, most importantly to me, attitude.

 
Ms. D and her children were referred to us from one of the area shelters.  She could only be housed there for 30 days so they referred the family to us.

 

Just prior to entering a shelter, she had been living with her mother who had lost her job and was evicted.  This left Ms. D without shelter or support. She found herself having to be more resourceful in finding help for her family.

 

Maybe because she is about the same age my oldest daughter would be and thinking on that - how hard it must be to not only be homeless but have your support system as you know it completely break down - but her story touched me. This is a multigenerational family crisis and this young woman has maintained a positive attitude in spite of her circumstances.

 

She was composed, well-spoken, and always saying ..."I need to do the next best thing I can for my kids."  She took responsibility for her current situation and did not seem to place blame or dwell on the past. It was always ... "I need to do the next best thing I can for my kids."

 

Ms. D  moved in and was working in the job lab the very next day.  Clearly, she was on a mission.

 

During her group orientation, she shared her experience at Community LINC thus far. She is in love! She explained that she can finally lay her babies down at night and rest fully.  She feels like she has a safe place to rejuvenate and it makes her feel excited for her future.

 

Yes, attitude makes such a difference, and yes, intake matters.

Therapy Matters: Hope springs eternal

By Director of Mental Wellness Gail Byers

 

Community LINC provides counseling for adults and children. 

 

A major challenge is addressing the stigma of mental health being synonymous with being perceived as ‘being crazy.’  So you can only imagine the response of parents when they are told their child will be receiving counseling services.

 

As a result, we also focus on developing relationships with parents via parenting classes and access to the respective child therapists for guidance as well as crisis intervention.  This has been instrumental as a catalyst of change of the perception, the value and acceptance of mental health.  It is about laying seeds, seeds that educate, increase understanding and promote overall well-being. 

 

The fact is that in this current society our children are not always ‘seen’…we don’t take into consideration that whatever lifestyle we as parents are leading, negative or positive, is the exact same lifestyle our children are exposed to.  We often focus on developing coping and social skills for adults, not acknowledging that our children need the same skill sets.

 

Our children are sometimes not seen until they ‘act out’ which is how children communicate when they do not have the tools to express themselves appropriately. 

 

Community LINC recognized and addressed the mental health needs of the children served. 

 

So far, the children have welcomed the experience of being in counseling.  It is certainly a win-win situation.  The child has someone who has their undivided attention and listens to them.  Listening is an expression of love.

 

This is a tremendous support to the parent, the parent who is in the process of establishing or re-establishing his/her stability. 

 

When the children come into counseling the therapist always talks to them about confidentiality. 

One parent reported that she asked her son what he and his therapist talked about and his response was “that’s between me and my therapist.”  Out of the mouths of babes. 

 

These positive experiences will encourage families to seek mental health services beyond Community LINC.

 

Why, because the myth has been dispelled.

Program Matters: Reflections

By Senior Director of Programs & Operations, Jeannine Short

 

With the end of the year approaching, I’ve stolen moments of time to reflect on my personal experiences, challenges, accomplishments, and perhaps missed opportunities; and have asked myself “did the year really count?”

 

As I expand these reflections to the work that we do as an agency, I have to wonder if we have really made a difference in the lives of the families we serve. Were we at times so enmeshed in our day-to-day functions that we missed the small opportunities? Did we become so overwhelmed by the challenges of a new program model that our efforts seemed and felt futile? Did the year really count?

 

Perhaps the answer to both questions is yes, but when I remember the stories…. The family of six that we moved into a unit within an hour of hearing that they had slept in a car the night before; the single dad who became obviously overwhelmed when it “hit” him that he could finally provide a stable environment for his two girls; and the mother who, after paying off her debts and moving to permanent housing, exclaimed that she had never ever felt so free and relieved.

 

When I reflect on these and similar stories,  I think I can say that it’s been a good year, and yes, it did count!

 

Jobs Matter: Preparing for maximum return

By Employment Specialist Constance Taylor

 

Because the barriers are enormous due to poor choices made once upon a time, T decided one of the ways to increase his employability was to make himself a more attractive candidate. 

 

Although, he has altered his past approach to life, he also decided to improve his probability in the selection process by sharpening his skills and knowledge.  In the past few months, he has become certified to drive a forklift and is currently attending G.E.D. classes. 

 

He not only wants to prove his worthiness by working every day at a minimum wage job, but the object is to demonstrate that he is dependable, reliable and trustworthy. 

 

He has a broad future ahead of him, a wife and a child to care for.  His goal is to strive to become trained and educated until he maximizes his potential and creates the living wage he desires.

Programs Matter: Because money matters

By Housing Coordinator Tammy Mayhue

 

Residents who have jobs and income begin working with a volunteer budgeter and establishing savings as soon as possible after they come into the program.  The vision is to teach residents with income how to save and maximize their money by keeping all receipts from pay period to pay period and learning to budget spending. 

A while ago, Dave, one of the budgeters, asked “What happens to participants who are not assigned budgeters due to little or no income?  How are they being helped with money management?”  These were very good questions because in life skills we teach our families that it does not matter how much money you earn, but how you spend the money you earn. 

 

Dave suggested a workshop for families who fall into the group of little or no income so that they begin to learn, even if there isn’t much for them to apply it to. Teams of two budgeters teach about money management, savings and budgeting.  Participants are in a small group setting which makes it possible for families to share, if they like, and ask questions. 

 

The budget workshop has received some excellent feedback from the participants.  Community LINC is grateful to Dave and the team of budgeters for their commitment to the families they serve.