shelterworks News from the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter
Emily’s
Experiences
I had just started at Willis Dady when I received a call from a woman, Jessica, who was 21-years-old, 8 months pregnant, and fending for herself in Cedar Rapids. She had been “homeless”— couch-surfing—for over ten months. I put “homeless” in quotations because the Federal definition of homelessness does not include couch-surfing. This left Jessica falling through the cracks of a system that wasn’t designed to help her—until Willis Dady created the Homeless Prevention Outreach Advocate position. Our Prevention program helps people like Jessica, people who are trying as hard as they can to get back on their feet and are in need of guidance and assistance to be successful. Jessica’s story is a hard one, but it’s one that has a happy ending. After dating an extremely violent man, who is currently in jail for attempted murder, Jessica was severely depressed and tried to take her own life. Her time in the hospital caused her to lose her job and be evicted from her apartment. Because Jessica is a strong, resilient woman, she decided to power through and work towards a successful life. When she first called me, Jessica had been approved for an apartment but was unsure how she would pay for it with a baby on the way. I worked alongside Jessica, mainly as a support, while she figured out how to create a stable environment for her and her baby. Jessica and I sat down together to look at her goals, strengths, and barriers and then looked at organizations and programs that best fit her needs. First we turned to places that help with financial support for rent: General Assistance and Helping Hands. From there we looked into furniture and food, applying for assistance from Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and Catholic Charities, all of which helped Jessica make sure she was ready to set up a safe and comfortable apartment for her growing family. Move-in day came, and everything was in order
Spring
2016
and ready to go. I picked Jessica up to go to her apartment walk-through, but as soon as she got in the car I knew something was going on: she wasn’t feeling well, and she hadn’t been all night. We decided the best thing for her and her baby was to go to the emergency room. I dropped her off, did the walk-through of her apartment, began moving in her food and furniture, and before we knew it, a beautiful baby boy had entered this world! The timing was beyond perfect, and a few days after giving birth, Jessica got to go home, to her first real home, with her healthy, baby boy. Emily Zimmon, Prevention Outreach Advocate
Emily began at Willis Dady in January as our Homeless Prevention Outreach Advocate. Since starting Emily has supported nearly 100 people in 50 households to prevent them from becoming homeless. Emily works with households that are facing eviction, are doubled-up, or need financial assistance to stabilize their situation. Emily helps families and individuals navigate the services in Linn County to help them stay in their homes and out of shelter. She also runs an interview-clothing library, checking out dress shirts, pants, and suit jackets to men and women when they go on an interview. If you have any interview clothes you are no longer using, please donate them to the library! Emily is a graduate of Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. She studied Latin American Studies, Spanish, and Religion. During her time at school she traveled to different parts of the world, working with people from a vast array of cultures. Upon graduation Emily moved to Mexico where she lived and worked for three years as a teacher. Originally from Iowa, Emily returned in 2015 with the hope of channeling her teaching abilities into social work.
Willis Dady Emergency Shelter Board of Directors Sam Jones, President Jim Burke, Vice President Melissa Cullum, Secretary Stephanie Harris, Treasurer
Sam Bergus Trisha Cornwell Connie Donovan Al Fisher
Rebecca Jacobs Jill Kasparie Jim Koch Kayla Lyftogt
Dave McInally John Oates Nicholas Scott Janet Slimak
Gisele Tallman Jason Vestweber
Phoebe Trepp, Executive Director
I’d like to update you about winter sheltering in Linn County. This August Willis Dady joined with several other community agencies to plan the “Community Overflow Weather Shelter System,” COWSS. The mission of this group is straightforward: to provide safe, indoor shelter to anyone in need during critically cold winter nights. The logistics and planning were not as straightforward, however, as we collaboratively worked with over 15 agencies, numerous volunteers, and donors to make the project possible. The basic premise of COWSS is to utilize existing shelter beds, open overflow beds at existing shelters, and open an additional off-site location for shelter only when no other resources exist to provide a safe night indoors. We took steps to make the overflow shelter open to anyone, regardless of past violations of shelter rules, possible intoxication, criminal records, family makeup, or mental health concerns. When the temperatures are critically cold, overflow is “triggered” by Shelter Services. At this point, three shelters – Willis Dady included – open additional shelter spots by using cots, couches, and other temporary beds. If all of the overflow beds fill OR if someone needs shelter but isn’t eligible to stay at one of the existing shelters (based on rule violations, family demographics, etc.), the offsite location is opened. The offsite shelter is staffed by Willis Dady, and a volunteer is called in to assist. All of the participating shelters, meal sites, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department are informed of the status of the overflow sites throughout the day so those in need can be directed to the proper location. One of the key factors in operating this system has been donations to pay for staffing, transportation, and supplies. We received a donation of $15,500 from the 100+ Men Who Care group which allowed us to implement the program just in the nick of time. Many others, including Linn County and the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, stepped in to help us purchase cots, bus tickets, and other crucial items. We hope that through the efforts of our social service agencies, volunteers, and community donors we have greatly limited the possibility of the loss of life due to frostbite and other weather related health conditions. We will continue to tweak and improve the system for the 2016-17 winter with the same goals in mind.
Some of the Agencies Active in COWSS Catholic Worker House | Cedar Rapids Police Department First Presbyterian Church | Firth Lutheran Church Green Square Meals | Linn County Public Health | Waypoint Mission of Hope | The Salvation Army | Willis Dady | NTS
November 2015 – February 2016 86 unique individuals served 42 nights overflow shelter was activated 23 nights of off-site overflow 279 total shelter nights during overflow
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How Can I Help? VOLUNTEER
Overnight. Staffing the shelter overnight would cost about $43,800 per year. Help us save $120/night and utilize as much funding as possible by volunteering overnight. Volunteers are able to sleep during their shift. Please contact Joseph at 319.362.7555 or services@willisdady.org for more information. Receptionists. With limited staff and numerous phone calls and visitors each day, a friendly welcome from a volunteer can maximize the shelter’s potential. For more information, please contact Denine at 319.362.7555 or wdesra1@willisdady.org. Sunday Meals. We’re looking for families, groups, or individuals interested in providing a Sunday meal for shelter clients. Volunteers will provide a meal for 25-30 people at noon on their chosen Sunday. Please contact Joseph at 319.362.7555 or services@willisdady.org to learn which Sundays are still in need of a meal. DONATE Financial 26% of our budget is funded by private donations. • Donate securely online via PayPal at willisdady.org/donate. • Mail checks (payable to Willis Dady) to 1247 4th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. Goods • Visit willisdady.org/donate or contact Denine at 319.362.7555 for our current needs. • Donate furniture and large items to Stuff, Etc. (252 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids) on behalf of Willis Dady (account #13519), and the proceeds will be donated to the shelter.
Endowment To help the shelter and services continue into the future, donate to our Endowment at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. • Call 319.366.2862 • Visit gcrcf.org > Donors > Giving Opportunities > Search Giving Opportunities > Willis Dady > Action
Thank
Special thanks to some of those who have recently given to Willis Dady: Donors to the Endowment in memory of Gary Fisher TrueNorth St. Pius X Parish St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Immaculate Conception Church St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Linn County Continuum of Care Wilson Avenue Hy-Vee 100+ Men Who Care
Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery Guaranty Bank & Trust All Saints Catholic Church Whittier Friends Meeting
In December we conducted a #31DaysOfGiving campaign with the goal of raising $8,200 to help end our fourth quarter on budget. Each day we shared a different fact relating to Willis Dady or area homelessness. We were blown away by your support!
1247 4th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
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Willis Dady Hops for Housing Join us Saturday, April 2 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Cedar Rapids for Hops for Housing, a fund-and awarenessraising event. Along with tasting beers from nearly 30 breweries, attendees will learn about Willis Dady and homelessness in the area. During the event music will be provided by Willis Dady Veteran Outreach Advocate, Mark Brown. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and include a souvenir tasting glass, a pretzel necklace, and unlimited samples. Tickets are capped at 400, so get your tickets now at willisdady.org/hopsforhousing.