shelterworks News from the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter
Yolisa’s Piece
Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. ~John R. Wooden
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Julie and Mike. They have been together for quite some years and, through those years, have travelled many long roads strewn with many of life’s obstacles. Some choices and some plain bad luck had led them to a place where they didn’t see themselves going. As a veteran, Mike battled with his past as well as health issues that just seemed to get worse and worse until he finally had a stroke. This took a toll on both of them and seemed to get in the way of what they were trying to do. So they moved back to Cedar Rapids so Mike could be closer to the VA Clinic and get the care that he desperately needed. Despite the battle with health and staying with relatives, not knowing when they’re time would be up, they reached out to Operation Home, in hopes that someone would finally be able to give them a chance at rebuilding what seemed to be broken. When I first met them, I was happy to work with such a polite family that knew what they had to do to get where they needed to be. Julie spent much of her time taking care of her husband; she would make his appointments, do all the calling, and find ways to get them from point A to point B. She was very open with me about her past and about the mistakes she had made that seemed to be keeping them from moving forward. Mike was also very honest about his
Summer
2014
past and his concerns. There were many days when Mike’s stroke seemed to have gotten the best of him and started chipping away at the man he once was – he was ready to have a place they could call their own and Julie was ready to have a place where she could take care of her husband and feel accomplished again, without waking up sore from sleeping on the floor or in a relatives car. It would seem that all of the things in their way would be more reason for them to give up. Knowing their transportation issues and Mike’s health issues, that prevented him from doing much walking, I assumed that much of the work to find them a home would be my responsibility. Boy was I wrong! Julie tiredly, but eagerly went to get on the bus and look for places. She would leave me messages with names and numbers of landlords she had called and would ask that I simply verify with them what the program was about and if they would accept it. She also took my advice and was truthful about her and Mike’s past. Within a couple weeks they had found a landlord willing to rent to them and who was more than open to the idea of working with the program. They now have a signed lease and the key to their new home, which has also brought a renewed sense of hope and the push they needed to keep going. They repeatedly thank me for everything I’ve done, but the joy is that they did the work on their own and I must remind them how far they’ve come and how much they should be proud of themselves. Note: Yolisa Gibson has been on the staff of Willis Dady since 2012. She is a Veteran Advocate with the Operation Home program and a Resident Attendant at the shelter. She can be contacted at wdesra2@willisdady.org 319 362-7555 ext. 107.
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter Board of Directors James Locke, Treasurer Kay Henry Janet Slimak, President Rebecca Jacobs, Vice President Tim Carson Sam Jones Melissa Cullum Bobette Ash, Secretary Clay McBride
Dave McInally Theresa Ann Trimble Jason Vestweber
Charisma Wickham Tim Wilson, Executive Director
Dady Doings 3rd Annual Run for Shelter 5K run/walk
8:00 am, Saturday, August 23 Cedar Lake Loop, Cedar Rapids Visit willisdady.org this summer for registration and sponsorship opportunities
Five Seasons Stand Down for Homeless Veterans
All-day, Friday, September 5 Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cedar Rapids Contact Linn County Veterans Services for details. Registration required
We are making a renewed push to find opportunities for our shelter clients to volunteer when they are not engaged in paying work. We are hoping that with the onset of warmer weather, there will be more things to do that will help our clients find “productive time,” perhaps learn some new skills and build references for paying jobs they apply for. Many of those who come to Willis Dady seeking shelter already have jobs, sometimes full-time jobs. Others have little or no experience with regular employment. Most want to work and have some skills, oftentimes they have extensive experience in trades and professions. Most of our clients are able to find temporary and/or part-time work quickly. However, their schedules and the weather often create “down time” when they could be volunteering.
Volunteering obviously does not help generate income directly but it does create opportunities to learn new skills, cultivate positive employment references, and practice good tending habits. So we are looking for one-time, short-term or drop in work opportunities for which our clients could volunteer. Do you have a community garden that needs work? Does your congregation have an event coming up for which having some volunteers to help direct parking would be useful? Does your group need help setting up or cleaning up after an event? If you have a need like any of these, please contact me at 319 362-7555 or wdesed@willisdady.org to discuss specifics and I will talk with the staff here to see if we might have a match in terms of volunteers.
Willis Dady could not have survived for more than 25 years without support from the community. We are only too happy to give back whenever we have an opportunity to do so. Have a wonderful summer and thank you for your interest.
-- Tim Wilson
Give to wdeS
How Can I Help?
OVERNIGHT VOLUNTEER
We have a hard time finding volunteers to staff overnight during the summer. If you can help, please contact Denine at 319-362-7555 ext. 106 or wdesra1@willisdady.org.
Financial Support
Help Now To contribute to shelter operations and services:
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
Invest In Our Future To help ensure that shelter and services continue into the future, make a donation to our Endowment at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. Online 1. Go to https://gcrcf.org. 2. Move cursor to “Donors” option near top of page 3. Click on “Giving Opportunities” 4. Click on “Search Giving Opportunities” 5. Scroll down to “Willis Dady Emergency Shelter” on alphabetical list and click on “Action” at far right Phone 1. 319 366-2862
Our Sunday Table Program
Willis Dady is looking for groups to prepare a Sunday lunch for approximately 25 people and bring it to the shelter; we provide tableware and the mouths to feed. Grants clients and staff enjoy the meal and conversation. All help clean up. There are several dates available in the first part of 2014, including: May 25, June 8, 22 and 29, and July 13 and 27.
Volunteer at Willis Dady
Willis Dady is always in need of volunteers for all kinds of tasks. Please contact Denine to let us know about your talents and interests at 319-362-7555 ext. 106 or email wdesra1@ 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.
Thank
Special thanks to some of Those who have recently given Donations or awarded Grants Adcraft Printing Housing Fund for Linn County Linn County Emergency Food & Shelter Program Salem United Methodist Church St. Jude Church We wish to thank all of our terrific sponsors of the very successful “Red, White and Blues” concert and silent auction. Also we are grateful to the businesses and individuals who donated auction items and those who attended. The event raised nearly $8,000! WDES is proud to be a Partner Agency of the United Way of East Central Iowa
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter, Inc. 1247 4th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 49 Cedar Rapids, IA
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Board Members Meet Our Board Members!
Dave McInally
Dave McInally moved to Cedar Rapids in 2013 to become the president of Coe College. He is a native of Akron, Ohio, where he grew up in a neighborhood that he describes as identical to Wellington Heights. Dave has held a variety of positions in higher education administration—including serving as executive vice president at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, where he worked for 27 years—and his professional interests include environmental sustainability and strategic planning. He and his wife, Janice, have two children in college.
Dave was drawn to our community by the reputation of Coe College and the quality of life in Cedar Rapids. He joined the Willis Dady board because the shelter’s mission resonates with experiences in his own background, and because upon arriving at Coe he was eager to become involved in the community in meaningful ways.