shelterworks News from the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter
Martha “All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination and then works its way out. Imagination is more important than knowledge.� --Albert Einstein I think Albert Einstein was on to something when he made this statement. The last time we talked, a story was shared about a couple who had secured permanent housing with their two children and found the power within themselves to change their circumstance. And on this occasion we meet again to talk about change and how imagining that change can be as powerful as knowledge, more importantly self-empowering. In recent weeks, positive changes occurred with both a family and four single men in shelter. The father was able to obtain employment within seven days of entering shelter and four men moved into permanent housing. Within 14 days, the family was also able to leave shelter and move into their own apartment as well with their two children. Each of these clients at times, dared to imagine themselves and their circumstances as changing for the better. There were days when each felt doubtful about moving into a place that they could call their own. For one gentleman, change felt unattainable, for another it felt as if he had spent so much time being homeless that his belief in himself started to waiver and his emotions were beginning to get the best of him. Another stayed occupied with attending meetings to address his substance abuse and surrounded himself with a safety net prior to leaving shelter. Each of these men had something from the past that kept them from seeing themselves
Summer
2012
beyond homelessness. They were knowledgeable about their lives from their experiences. And they had the stories to prove it by sharing them. However they soon discovered that they lacked the imagination to make changes that would be meaningful and life changing in the long run. Once they realized a vision of how they could change their circumstances, they began to work hard at trying to take the necessary steps in preparing to leave shelter. It was exciting when the day arrived for them to sign the papers for their apartments. I was just as excited as they were about moving out of shelter. A call for donations for these gentlemen and the family went out to the community. And the community responded with enthusiasm. Those days we spent imagining what that day would look like for them had finally come full circle for them. We laughed, hugs were exchanged and stories were told about those tough days when each of us probably waivered in imagining that better days was just around the corner. Sometimes in the midst of crisis we forget what it would be like to have a job, a permanent place to live for ourselves and our families and pay the bills without having to choose between utilities and food. It is understandable because at that very moment survival is the main goal and objective. No doubt we have all experienced it at some point in our lives. Experience only varies by degree. Yet we need to be reminded that to imagine is to move beyond the immediate struggle and dare to envision a better life where we can work, put food on the table, take care of ourselves and family in a place that we can come home to at night knowing that we imagined a better life and made it so. Our imagination counts when it comes to living and making lasting changes. -Martha
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter Board of Directors Janet Slimak, President David Fisher, Vice President Tim Wilson, Executive Director
Dave Thielen Treasurer Bobette Ash, Secretary
Jasmine Almoayed Anthony Arrington John Ehrhart Gabe Erickson
Kay Henry Eric Jacobs Rebecca Jacobs Sam Jones
Jesse Martinez Theresa Ann Trimble Jason Vestweber Robin Wagner
Dady Doings All May at Stuff Inc.
Shop during May at Stuff, Inc. at 252 Blairs Ferry Road NE in Cedar Rapids. Donations are collected throughout the month. Call store for details and hours: 319-373-2380
Annual Wine Tasting Event
This event will take place on May 17t, 5:30-8:00pm, at the 1st Avenue Wine House, 3412 1st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. A sampling of new as well as tried and true wines, tasty snacks, silent auction, and great company! The perfect way to unwind as the work week nears its end. Call or visit our website for tickets and information. Tickets are $20 each.
One constant at Willis Dady – as with most “emergency” shelters, I imagine – is that we are a service environment where clients are focused on immediate needs, like housing, food and sometimes medical attention. So it may seem a little odd to expect clients to open savings accounts, let alone for us to talk about “long term stability” in terms of years and decades. But we have begun to require clients to establish bank accounts – some are doing so for the first time. As they earn money, a bank account is an easy and secure way for our clients to build up funds. They will need to sock away several hundred dollars in order to move into their own permanent housing, usually an apartment. In a similar spirit, Willis Dady’s Board of Directors – in our 25th year of existence – has begun to explore the path of establishing an endowment. Why now? After all, we have not really escaped our historic pattern of budgets ranging from a smidgen of breathing room to a bit in the red. When is the right time to begin
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter 5K Event
On Saturday August 25th, Willis Dady Emergency Shelter will hold a 5K event: The First Annual Willis Dady Run For Shelter. This event will serve both as an awareness raiser and a fundraiser for the shelter. All of our friends are encouraged to participate by running, walking, and/or volunteering. Information about the race will be posted on our website soon.
laying a foundation that can, over time, become a means of ensuring that we continue to effectively address our mission and the evolving needs of the community, even after most of us are no longer around to see it happen? The truth is, this step is overdue. Like starting a personal savings account, there is often not a great time to begin setting aside money. There always seems to be an excuse or two for not doing so – an unexpected bill, a car repair or perhaps an appliance stops working and needs to be replaced. So the first big step is to start accumulating interest and dedicated funds instead of excuses. We seem to have arrived at that point. Starting an endowment is a process. We have more homework to do, a task in which we are being ably assisted by our knowledgeable friends at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. We suspect that many of our supporters have been waiting for a chance to invest in Willis Dady for the long haul. The Board and I are excited that such an opportunity seems to be coming closer to reality. We hope you are as eager to see this become a reality as we are. Stay tuned for further details. -Tim
Give to wdeS How Can I Help? Overnight Volunteer
Willis Dady is in need of volunteers to staff the overnights. If you would like to find out how you can help and volunteer please contact Brad Bybee, 319-362-7555, or vistal@willisdady.org
Make a Charitable Contribution
The Willis Dady Emergency Shelter is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Please see below to find out how you can make a charitable contribution for a great cause.
Our Sunday Table Program
Willis Dady is looking for groups to prepare a Sunday lunch for approximately 30 people and bring it to the shelter; we provide tableware and the mouths to feed. Clients and staff enjoy the meal and conversation. All help clean up.
Volunteer at Willis Dady
Willis Dady is always in need of volunteers for all kinds of tasks. Please contact Brad Bybee for details at 362-7555, or vista1@ willisdady.org
Donate Items to Stuff, Etc.
WDES has made arrangements with Stuff, Etc. to accept items on behalf of the shelter. Proceeds from sold items will be applied to our account. When dropping off at Stuff, Etc., 252 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE C.R. Please use account number 13519.
Financial Contribution Online 1. Go to http://willisdady.org/ 2. Click on “How to Help” 3. Click on the box near the bottom labeled “Donate Now through Network for Good” 4. Enter your donation and credit card number U.S. Mail 1. Return the envelope included in this mailing with your contribution
Thank Special thanks to some of Those who have recently given Donations or awarded Grants All Saints Catholic Church Ruth Altermatt Trust Community Circle of Care Cedar Rapids/Marion CROP Walk Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation: Steven and Joanne Carfrae Fund Immaculate Conception Church Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust St. Jude Church St. Pius X Church Salem United Methodist Church Volunteers needed to help with events! Are you: a natural organizer? Committed to our work but have limited time? Who could do one task but do it well? Great at getting the word out about fun events to help worthy causes? If so, we could use your help! See the contact information in the left column of this page.
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter would like to thank all of our volunteers who have stayed overnight. You provide a valuable service your generosity makes a big difference. We would also like to extend congratulations to our friends attending area colleges who are graduating. We wish you the best of luck and success in the future! WDES is proud to be a Partner Agency of the United Way of East Central Iowa
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 49 Cedar Rapids, IA
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter, Inc. 1247 4th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Board Members Meet Our Board Members!
Kay Henry
Kay Henry is a long-time Cedar Rapidian and one of Willis Dady’s newest board members. She and her husband – local legendary photographer George Henry – have long supported Willis Dady as volunteers and through their church, First Congregational United Church of Christ. Kay enjoys living in the Southeast part of Cedar Rapids, where she and George have made their home since the 1960s. Kay believes in Willis Dady because she thinks it is a great community resource and values the services provided to U.S. veterans. Kay has previously volunteered and served on the board of directors of several local nonprofits.