Volume 1, Issue 1
August 2013
We C A N Make a Difference as a TEAM A Word from our Director Dear Team & Supporters,
Inside this issue: Taking a Walk in Their 2 Shoes Resident Advocates at 2 Their Best Accomplishing Greatness
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‘Round the Clock Volunteering
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Being a Helping Hand 3 Staying Together as a Family
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On the Back of this issue: Where Are We as a TEAM?
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Community Resources 4 Rapid Re-housing and Samaritan 4 Housing Take a Look at What’s 4 Happening
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We provide the critical needs of food and shelter, but in addition, Welcome to the first Shelter Program we have Rapid Rehousing Specialnewsletter for Community Assisists assisting residents with houstance Network, Inc. (CAN). Quartering. In the last four months, we ly, we look forward to sharing with moved 57 people out of shelter you our programs, success stories, into transitional or permanent volunteer spotlights and staff uphousing. dates. Our goal is to help end homelessAs we work to serve the needs of 125 ness, and partnerships with Baltifamily members and individuals at more County Office of Planning, the Eastside Family Emergency ShelBaltimore County Communities ter and 110 men at our Westside for the Homeless, Faith-Based Men’s Emergency Shelter, we thank community, and countless others all of our staff, volunteers and suphelp us to make progress to reach porters for their time and committhis goal. ment. We hope you enjoy the newsletter These are tough times for so many, and thank you for your hard work! but the good news is organizations like CAN exist to assist the most vulnerable people in our community.
Megan Goffney Director of Homeless Services
“If legislation, politics, and education come together in agreement then there can be major changes towards homelessness.” - Anonymous
Programs Leading to Self - Sufficiency One of the main focuses of the shelter program is to provide residents with opportunities for selfgrowth and independence through programming. During 2013, at the Eastside Family Emergency Shelter, there were fifteen programs introduced and coordinated. Art with a Heart was introduced on March 19th and had an impact on the individuals in the shelter who love art. Pamela, a resident at the Eastside shelter, loves to draw and
paint, especially pictures of horses, and always looked forward to this class. At the Westside Men’s Emergency Shelter, there were seventeen programs introduced from January to May of 2013. In March one program was held by the group called “10 days 10 deeds”. Volunteers and professionals taught on topics such as: financial literacy, resume writing, anger management, and family law. Our goal is to hear the voice of the
residents so we may assist them with achieving stability, structure, and growth leading to a selfsufficient life.
We C A N Make a Difference as a TEAM
Taking a Walk in Their Shoes
Karen Snead - Eastside Family Emergency Shelter, Resident Advocate.
“Helping people to make good or better choices is always a good thing” - Karen Snead
Jewel Parker– RA
Lucia Naval - RA
Gail Jackson - RA
Karen Snead was born and raised in Baltimore City, to a single mom. She is one of eleven children. Ms. Snead attended Coppin University and Coppin State College. Throughout her undergraduate and graduate college years, Ms. Snead maintained an honor roll status, later receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Ms. Snead has one child who is fifteen and is “the sunshine” of her life. At one time, Ms. Snead was a resident of the Eastside Family Emergen-
cy Shelter. When Ms. Snead came in the shelter she was pleased to see how structured the shelter program was. “My stay provided me the opportunity to reflect on my life, refocus, and set new goals and objectives.” Now as a Resident Advocate her goal is to maintain a calm, safe, and clean environment to all residents. “I try to dispense kindness, understanding, support, and a positive attitude to the residents at the
Resident Advocates at Their Best Resident Advocates (RA) - Jewel Parker, Lucia Naval, and Gail Jackson are three of our many staff members in the shelter program whom we want to recognize in this issue. Lucia Naval was a classroom teacher for almost thirty years in the Philippines. In 2003 Ms. Naval came to the U.S. and became an Adult Education teacher at Greater Homewood Community Adult Learning Center. Ms. Naval says, “I applied to become a Resident Advocate because I believe I can influence and help residents to see life in a different perspective. The biggest space in the world is improve-
ment. Helping residents improve and enhance their skills and talents will make them fruitful and hopeful when they leave the shelter.” Jewel Parker joined the shelter team not too long ago, but has made great positive impact on the residents at the Westside Shelter. Ms. Parker has coordinated many events and speakers at the Westside Shelter such as: The Resident Awards Ceremony, GED pre-testing, Vocational skills training, Resident Cookouts, Plays, and speakers Eric Jordan (Facilitator and Motivational Speaker), and Tony Fugett (President of
Accomplishing Greatness
Travis - former resident, Westside Men’s Emergency Shelter Page 2
Shelter.” Ms. Snead answers questions and concerns of residents as issues arise. “What I like most about being a Resident Advocate is, I have experienced first hand what the residents may be experiencing and also I am working with people. I find it rewarding when I can make a difference.”
As a native “Baltimorean” , Travis grew up most of his life on the Westside. On his off time he likes to do free-lance writing. His passion and future plan includes Information Technology. He is a graduate of Career Technical Institute maintaining a 3.82 GPA. During his stay at the Westside Shelter he would travel to Washington D.C. and back to the shelter so that he could complete his education courses. Currently Travis is studying other related avenues in his career field. When Travis first
came to the Westside Emergency Men’s shelter, he was devastated. Facing homelessness was not easy and at the same time he was facing prosecution charges. Becoming a resident at the shelter helped him to gain a sense of knowing who to go to for help. Travis began to see the opportunities that were made available at the shelter. Travis assumed the responsibility of being a volunteer monitor to help out in the shelter. Travis mentioned that being a monitor helped make him feel that
the Baltimore County NAACP). Jewel stands by her quote, “ Mirror, Mirror—a reflection of oneself ‘ Supporting one another is the KEY to SUCCESS.” Gail Jackson is our number one example of someone who goes above and beyond. Ms. Jackson has been with CAN for six years now and loves what she does as an RA. Ms. Jackson drives the shuttle bus, assists in the kitchen, helps in the front office, and whatever else is needed. When asked what keeps her here she said, “Seeing the needs of the men and the opportunity to be an ear and shoulder for their issues.” Ms. Jackson views her job as a learning experience. She is able to be an example to the men, but also learn from the good temperament they are able to maintain in a time of crisis.
he still had a purpose in life and helped keep him striving for the best. On July 25, 2013, Travis successfully moved out of the shelter into permanent housing with the help of our Rapid Rehousing Specialists.
Volume 1, Issue 1
‘Round the Clock Volunteering for this Team Owen Reilly is a brain tumor survivor and has been in remission for four years. A devoted volunteer such as Mr. Reilly finds his time being well spent even at the Oncology Department of John Hopkins main campus in Baltimore City. Eastside Family Emergency Shelter has had the opportunity to welcome Mr. Reilly continuously for several months. Mr. Reilly supports the shelter by reading to children ages 04 years old every Monday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.. After he reads to the children, Mr. Reilly helps the Kitchen Mgr. with prepping and serving lunch. When asked why he chooses helping
at our shelter he said, “To serve the Lord, to do the things that God asked us to do in the bible. Those who give, receive. To feed the hungry and to be ‘My brother’s keeper’”. SFG - Special Force Group Jacob C. Fletcher has served in the U.S. Army for nearly 17 years. He has served in S. Korea, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan and numerous stations in the U.S. Mr. Fletcher was born and raised in Indiana. He is married to a wonderful woman named Johanna. Whenever Mr. Fletcher has free time from work and family responsibilities, he devotes his time every other Saturday to the Eastside Family Emergency Shelter. From hanging banners for spe-
cial events to cleaning shelter's property grounds, Mr. Fletcher gives 100%. When asked why he chose to volunteer, his response was: “I chose to assist in your shelter because I love to help people. I have noticed that people in this area are in need of help and he thought why not help when I get some free time. I have seen how people live in the third world countries and he could not help them then, but he can help his community now.”
goals in life. Lynne understands that shelter life is hard, but this motivates her to encourage others through their hard times. One of the ways that she helps out endlessly at the shelter is assisting at the front door. Lynne volunteers to help welcome any new residents and visitors to the shelter. Lynne is grateful that CAN is providing shelter, food, and safety, Lynne says “I get what I need”. Shelter Staff Roxanne H., Olivia R., Donna
Owen Reilly Volunteer
April Stevens Volunteer Coordinator
Being A Helping Hand Lynne, a resident at the Eastside Family Emergency Shelter, loves to help! A description of her character would be the one who is always optimistic. Lynne loves administrative work, she was a former Development Director of a non-profit, winning a grant of 175,000 dollars! Although life’s circumstances brought her to the shelter, every day she is adamant about keeping her head up and pursuing her
Jacob C. Fletcher U.S. Army Volunteer
N., and Charmaine S. are just some of the people mentioned that have made the stay for Lynne positive. Lynne looks forward to a better future. Along with the Wellness classes given currently by the Department of Social Services, Lynne says, “Let go of the past to live in the future and live today for today”.
“Miracles come in ‘Cans’. They don’t come in ‘Cant's’.” - Joyce Meyer
Lynne Resident, Eastside Family Emergency
Staying Together As a Family Residents Andrew and Rayven and their daughters Andrea and A’dreanna were faced with hard times at one point. The family pursued many avenues to stay sheltered, while they were at risk of facing homelessness. In a span of four months they were “house hopping”, because there were no available shelter beds in Page 3
Baltimore County during that period. Finally, the Eastside Family Emergency Shelter had the opportunity of welcoming the family. Rayven was depressed and pregnant with their second child and Andrew was very quiet. That was how they dealt with their crisis. The family’s first impression of the shel-
ter was good and they were welcomed by respectful staff. Now they are less stressed and focused on employment, housing, and education. Andrew is currently employed and the family will soon be receiving housing. Rayven is looking forward to finishing her Entrepreneurship studies and would like to incorporate this with her husbands passion for mixing music.
From the left back to the front: Rayven, Andrew, Andrea, and baby A’dreanna
We C A N Making a Difference as a TEAM As a private, nonprofit, community action agency, CAN responds to local needs. Community action agencies were established over 45 years ago as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty legislation known as the 1964 Equal Opportunity Act. The legislation was far -sighted enough to ensure three things. First, that the structure of the agency would be adaptable to local issues and new trends. Second, that the required tripartite Board of Directors (1/3 elected and appointed government officials, 1/3 private citizens, and 1/3 low income people or their advocates) maintained “maximum feasible participation” from all sectors of the jurisdictions served. Third, and most important, the flexibility and grassroots nature of each agency would enable us to follow through on our basic goal:
7900 East Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21224 Phone: 410-285-4674 Fax: 410-339-6457 E-mail: www.canconnects.org
Where Are We as a TEAM?
“Helping People. Changing Lives.”
This Issues Community Resources
Employment Department of Economic Development, Baltimore County Job skills training and search services. Mon, Tues, Thurs Fri 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Wednesday - 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Central 1101 McCormick Rd., Suite 102, Hunt Valley 410-887-7940 East 7930 Eastern Blvd., Essex 410-288-9050 West 3637 Offutt R d., Randallstown 410-887-8912
Thinking out of the Box? Education Baltimore County Public Schools Monday-Friday/9 a.m.-4 p.m. Educational Support Services (Homeless liaison) 410-887-6485 Prisoners Aid Shelter, transitional housing, Monday-Friday/8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Shelter Dept. of Social Services, Baltimore County 410-853-3000, ext. 2 for information, assistance and referral for emergency shelter. Weekends and afterhours, contact 410-583-9398.
The purpose of We CAN is to be used as a source of encouragement, motivation, and up-to-date information on what is happening within the Shelters. If you are “Thinking out of the Box” on what you would like to see in the newsletter PLEASE do not hesitate to share - We can only SUCCEED as a TEAM. I would like to express my gratitude to all staff and residents that helped make this happen! THANK YOU!!!!! Contact Diana at: 410-285-4674 ext. 206 and/or at dmason@canconnects.org Diana Mason Administrative Program Coordinator
Like us! Follow us! @ canconnects Rapid Re-housing
Samaritan Housing
The Rapid Re-Housing program for Community Assistance Network, Inc. is unique in its purpose of placing homeless single individuals and families into secured permanent housing. Rapid Re-housing specialists (RRS) assist clients with life skills (including budgeting and time management), ensure that tenants are able to live independently before finding them housing, maintain regular contact with residents and landlords to ensure they are maintaining all responsibilities. RRS do their best to identify and address potential problems before they become irreparable. In the last four months, over 50 individuals were housed through the Rapid Re– housing Program!
The Samaritan Housing Initiative Program is a federally (HUD) funded housing project initiated and managed through Community Assistance Network, Inc. (CAN). The project serves chronically homeless men and women in Baltimore County who have been diagnosed with a disabling condition. This project will support HUD’s goal of “Strengthening Communities” with the objective of improving housing accessibility for persons with disabilities. Overall the percentage of success has increased in 2013, 13 out of 14 units were housed. As of the July 2013, 3 individuals will have exited Samaritan housing and into secured permanent housing!
We continue to improve the infrastructure of this program so that we may be able to help more homeless individuals become stable and permanently housed.
The Samaritan Project is a necessary supportive housing program.
Take a Look at What’s Happening
Resident Johnny and Ms. Jewel
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Resident Curtis
Resident William and Ms. Jewel
Resident Leon
Residents Brandon and Kendrick
Motivational Speaker and Representative of the NAACP