shelterworks News from the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter
Denine’s
Case Notes
Toward the end of 2014 I began working with a new client by the name of Landon. My first scheduled meeting with Landon through Operation Home turned out to not be our first meeting after all. Landon had spent over ten years battling homelessness, traveling all throughout Iowa and some surrounding states in his van. Landon worked many odd jobs during his travels and picked up many skills along the way – good and bad, according to Landon. In my eight years of working at Willis Dady I have met many clients but cannot always remember everyone’s name. However, I never forget a face. Landon had been one of the clients living at the shelter when I started in 2006. He and I both recalled his stay during that time. Landon had changed over those eight years but in a good way! He had most recently been a resident at Shelter House in Iowa City where he first signed up for Operation Home. Landon said he was tired of living in shelters, his van and even worse, on the streets. I could look in his face and know he meant those words. Landon had been doing odd jobs and working at various temp services in Iowa City when he decided to take his chances on Cedar Rapids
Buy A Car,
Help Willis Dady! Zimmerman Auto is providing an opportunity to help friends of Willis Dady support our programs and drive a new vehicle! Willis Dady will receive $200 whenever someone purchases a vehicle from Zimmerman between now and April 18, 2015. That is, provided: 1) you take this ad with you; 2) you ask for Sales Consultant (and former Willis Dady staff member) Kyle Orth when you arrive at or call the dealership; 3) the vehicle value is at least $4,995. So if you are in need of a new or quality used car, please check with Kyle at Zimmerman first!
Spring
2015
again. Landon arrived sometime in October and was living in his van. Luckily he landed work immediately, installing windows for a guy with only two other employees. This was one of the skills Landon had perfected during his travels. Landon and I met. I gave him a housing list and explained the SSVF program in detail. Within a week Landon had secured an apartment from the housing list I had given him. By the next week he had signed the lease and was ready to move in. Landon also received a nice new comfortable bed delivered to his apartment through Operation Home. He settled in very well to his new two bedroom apartment.
Over the next few months, Landon worked his way up as the top window installer, even traveling to surrounding states and heading large jobs. Landon had also been saving most of his pay checks as SSVF covered his monthly rent for the next 90 days. Landon has applied for a first- time home buyer program and hopes to be able to purchase a small home of his own. During one of our final meetings, Landon expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the Operation Home program. Landon stated this program helped to change his life for the better and he plans to only look forward to all the great opportunities his new life has to offer. As we stood up to shake hands at our last meeting, he said “I’m thankful I can walk out of here, get in my van and drive to my warm apartment and new bed. I no longer have to spend winter nights in shelters or the back seat of a cold van.”
Dady Doings
4th Annual Benefit Concert
The 4th Annual Benefit Concert & Auction for Willis Dady will take place on Saturday, April 25th. The theme will once again be “Red, White & Blues,” with local artists and Bryce Janey and Billielee Janey. the event will be at Cedar Rapids’ Veteran’s Memorial Building. Check our website for information about tickets, auction items and when doors open.
*vehicles already on Clearance are not eligible
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter Board of Directors James Locke, Treasurer Rebecca Jacobs Sam Jones, President Jason Vestweber, Vice President Tim Carson Sam Jones Charisma Wickham, Secretary Melissa Cullum Clay McBride
Dave McInally Janet Slimak
Tim Wilson, Executive Director
Many things have changed in the way our community addresses homelessness. Most noticeable, perhaps, are coordinated intake and rental assistance. Coordinated intake means that those seeking shelter in the area regardless of their gender or family composition can call the same phone number (319 366-7999). This has made referrals much simpler and helps to reduce stress on the part of callers who by definition are already experiencing a crisis. Rental assistance, or technically “rapid re-housing,” provides participants with a deposit and half of first-month’s rent, leaving only the remainder of first month’s rent. Working clients can easily save this much with just a few weeks’ pay, especially when they can live virtually cost-free as is the case with Willis Dady Shelter clients. Our case managers and others working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness have worked hard to develop relationships with landlords so that most clients have options when looking for apartments. This has played a huge factor in reducing shelter stays for those who are already working or who find work quickly after arriving at Willis Dady. As a community, I believe our biggest challenge is creating permanent supportive housing for those not yet ready for a conventional apartment or transitional housing. The number of households in need of permanent supportive housing in our area does not appear to be overwhelming. However, not having
this exit option for clients creates a “bottleneck” in the system. Clients thus end up staying longer in shelter, which is intended only as a very temporary placement. Look for more discussion about this in the coming months, including examination of different options that might be best for our community.
On a final note, I am sharing a fact of which many of you may already be aware – this is my final column, as I will be leaving Willis Dady and the community in the late Spring. The summer newsletter will introduce a new yet-to-be-hired Executive Director. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in this capacity for the past six years. I treasure the many relationships that have developed over that time and feel truly blessed to have been part of such a generous and resource-rich community. Cedar Rapids and Linn County will always have a special place in my heart. Thanks to each of you for making my time here such an extraordinary experience. -- Tim Wilson
This past December we conducted a successful crowdfunding campaign to replace a washing machine at the shelter. The #WashWillisDady campaign raised $990 dollars in only 15 days. Thank you to all who donated and spread the word; this wouldn’t have been a success without you! A special shout out to our Heavy Duty Donors ($150 or more), Barbara Walsh and Gerald Estella. Special thanks to the following groups: Cornell students who organized our storage area, Alburnette High School students who brought a weekday meal and Jefferson High School students who cleaned our upstairs hall and helped with minor repairs.
WDES is proud to be a Community Partner of the United Way of East Central Iowa.
Give to wdeS
How Can I Help?
OVERNIGHT VOLUNTEER
We still have many openings for overnight volunteers on Thursday and Friday nights. If you can help, please contact Joseph at 319 362-7555 ext. 106 or services@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
Volunteer at Willis Dady
Willis Dady is always in need of volunteers for all kinds of tasks. Please contact Joseph to let us know about your talents and interests at 319 362-7555 ext. 106 or services@ willisdady.org.
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 still 2015 dates available beginning May 31. Please contact Joseph for details at 319 362-7555 ext, 106 or services@willisdady.org
Donate Items to Help the Shelter & Those We Serve 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. WDES has an agreement with Goodwill of the Heartland so that our clients can receive vouchers good at any local Goodwill retail stores for clothing and shoes. Please support Goodwill of the Heartland by donating acceptable items (goodwillheartland. orgdonors/acceptable-donations) at any of their drop off locations: goodwillheartland.org/locations.
Thank
Special thanks to some of those who have recently given donations or awarded grants Adcraft Printing Alliant Energy Foundation City of Cedar Rapids CDBG Fairfax State Savings Bank First Congregational United Church of Christ Community of Christ First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids May C. Gorntner Charitable Trust Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Steve and Joanne Carfrae Fund Gerald T. Knox Fund #2
Immaculate Conception Church Iowa United Methodist Foundation John F. Kennedy High School Mercy Medical Staff David C. Neuhaus Foundation St. Jude Church Westminster Presbyterian Church Zion United Methodist Church of Christ Mission Fund
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
Partner Profile
Waypoint Services is a key partner of Willis Dady in providing shelter and stabilizing services to those experiencing homelessness. Our teams work together daily on shelter and rapid re-housing (rental assistance). Waypoint staff handle initial inquiries for anyone seeking shelter in Linn County. Appropriate placements are then referred to Willis Dady. This clearinghouse function is known as Shelter Services. We were the first shelter to participate in this process, beginning in the Fall of 2012. Waypoint also coordinates rapid re-housing services for the community, which assists our clients by providing funds for deposits and a portion of first-month rent. This helps clients move out of shelter and into permanent housing faster. Our staffs jointly participate in the Linn County Continuum of Care Planning & Policy Council, the Annual Sleep Out for the Homeless, and other community efforts to assist those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We are delighted to have Waypoint as an active partner!
Betty Daniels (front) is Housing Specialist; Rosslen Houser , Krystal Engelken (rear) and J’nae Peterman (bottom) are members of the Intake Team at Waypoint.