Cindy Kelley & The Tiny House Project

Cindy Kelley & The Tiny House Project: A FOUNDATION for a Stable Life

Story by Katrice Williams | Photos by Tonya Perry

When traveling in the vicinity of 75 Dundee Street in Savannah, passers-by can see quite a “charming little housing community” with a look all its own. The community currently consists of a village of 23 tiny houses—homes provided for some of the most deserving of citizens—U.S. military veterans. The unique village is part of the Tiny House Project: “Georgia’s effort to reduce veteran homelessness by providing a community of permanent, affordable, tiny homes.”

Cindy Kelley, executive director of Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH), explained, “The project provides small, affordable homes for people in desperate need of them. This is the first Tiny Homes Project approved in the state of Georgia. This particular project serves chronically homeless veterans with at least one disability.” The concept for the local project stems back to 2015.

Having a heart for service for most of her life, Cindy has served as the CSAH executive director for seven years. She could not be prouder of the project. She understands that homelessness is a terrible misfortune that has plagued a portion of the veteran community at alarming rates in this country for many years. It does not discriminate and is often not easily remedied. Cindy, though, has seen the world of good that is being done through the Tiny House Project.

Too often, a comfortable chair to relax in after an exhausting day or just the privilege of getting a good night’s sleep can be taken for granted. For these homeless veterans, a place of privacy and solace is exactly what they need. “Vets can have a place to go in and just lock the door. They value having their own place. It is essential to their quality of life,” Cindy said.

The Savannah community consists of four Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant units that are 144 sq. ft., while the remaining units are 128 sq. ft. Single residents are responsible for the low monthly rental fee of $240, which includes utilities. Couples pay $350 due to the difference in higher monthly utility usage. Even more, the community has a medical center and clubhouse, which includes washers and dryers; outdoor grills and picnic tables are also onsite. CSAH provides an array of health/wellness services and educational workshops to benefit their residents.

This is truly a communityfunded project—churches, individuals, civic groups—they made this success possible. “

A Community For Veterans

Many residents also appreciate being in a community made up of fellow veterans. Whether socializing in the clubhouse while exchanging old military stories or just discovering all of the things they have in common, the village itself is a home all their own.

Cindy has even noticed that the village is now a home for a few furry friends; a few residents have welcomed in their pets—four dogs and one cat at present. Several of the veterans greatly value the extraordinary companionship that the animals provide.

“We offer a menu of optional services,” Cindy said. These include Bible studies, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, nutrition programs, and even financial management training. Also, each veteran receives the advantage of having ongoing case management services.

Marchese Construction is the building contractor for the homes. CSAH is diligently moving forward with the final phases of construction in the community, which includes 11 additional homes now and a final 12 homes being built by the early next year, though there is no exact timeline placed on the completion of the last 12 units.

“We are just moving to build the next village,” Cindy said. She is looking forward to wrapping up the project, making available even more homes to those who have gone without for so long.

Besides the construction company, a host of volunteers have helped make the Tiny House Project a success. Volunteers are especially helpful in areas like furniture and appliance collection, overall cleanup, and other small tasks. There is no task that is done that is insignificant to Cindy, and she is grateful for all that the volunteers do for the Tiny House Project.

A Community-Funded Project

The Tiny House Project receives no government funding—generous donors have contributed to making it a tremendous success.

“This is truly a community-funded project—churches, individuals, civic groups—they made this success possible. I would like to thank the donors. It would not have been possible without their gifts,” Cindy said.

Cindy also wholeheartedly appreciates the many gifts and talents exhibited by the team she has been privileged to work with. “I think our staff is really committed to serving the homeless population and cares a great deal about their work. I feel really fortunate to have led an organization over these past seven years that has such a great staff.”

Moving Forward

CSAH is currently working with the City of Savannah regarding an abandoned home project in which abandoned homes may be purchased and renovated to provide yet another form of housing for homeless residents who will be able to rent them. The first home of the project—a twostory house that needs significant work—is near the Tiny House community.

“I’m really excited about the project,” Cindy said, as she and her team welcome the challenge and are looking forward to the results.

While the Tiny House Project is dear to Cindy, she plans to retire in December. However, she knows the organization will be left in good hands. She will continue to assist with the housing arena for a while to help make the transition as smooth as possible for all involved.

Cindy plans to do nonprofit consulting, an area she has over 20 years of experience in. “I really care about the nonprofit community. A high-functioning nonprofit community—organizations that are strong and nimble with the ability to adjust to changing times—benefits those who they serve so much,” she said. n

of Still-DeWitt Health Brokerage, LLC

“I work for my clients, not the insurance company.”

When it comes to her work, Melissa McBride Stille would rather talk about helping clients than herself. She has been an independent insurance agent for three years and has been in the health insurance industry for 13 years with specific expertise in Medicare. As a health insurance broker, she is passionate about matching her clients with the best health care options available. She says, “I love my job and I love helping people!”

It all started when she was working for a company and realized her position was essentially a dead end job. “I had two young children so when I had the opportunity to be Regional Broker Manager for Coventry Healthcare, I went for it,” she said. Melissa got the job but had to get her Georgia Life and Health License. “I absolutely had to pass so I studied hard and passed with flying colors. Next, I had to learn the business.” Her job was to recruit and train agents and keep them compliant within the many regulations.

“I was very successful, and I enjoyed my work. In 2017, I remarried and traveling for my work had become a challenge. Supervising agents spread across 23 counties in Georgia meant I was on the road a lot.” When the opportunity became available to manage the health department at DeWitt Insurance, Melissa was excited for the new chapter.

Melissa made the decision to purchase the agency’s health department in 2019 and she became the sole proprietor of Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage in 2020. “DeWitt Insurance Agency has been in business since 1956. People in the community know the name, so I incorporated it into my agency name to keep the continuity within the community. I was very fortunate to have DeWayne Ladner, the owner of the agency, mentor me as he had been mentored by Lenda DeWitt (Crosby), when he purchased the agency in 2002.”

Customer Service

Customer service is a main focus for the agency. Melissa doesn't want her clients to feel as if they are just a number. “I care about each and every one of them and I do a review of everyone’s health policies every year because there are so many changes annually,” she says. She gives every client her cell number—it is even in all of her advertising so that every client, even future clients, can feel comfortable reaching out to her. She says, “I work for my clients, not the insurance company.” “Saving money is very important to most clients so I present multiple options enabling them to make educated decisions.” As a specialist in

Medicare, Melissa works with Medicare recipients over and under 65, including those who have Medicare through Social Security Disability and also with people utilizing Affordable Care Act Marketplace insurance, and some group insurances. Client Daylon Barnard says, “Before working with Melissa, I was paying $1800-$2100 every 3 months for my insulin. Melissa took my medication list, shopped the available plans for me and found a plan that covered my insulin better. Now I pay less than $200 every 3 months.” If you have a question regarding Medicare or other health insurance options, give Melissa a call!

Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage, LLC

Cell (912) 239-7119 | www.StilleYourAgent.com Melissa@StilleYourAgent.com | 5877 Hwy 21 South, Rincon

Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union is one of the oldest locally owned financial institutions in the Savannah area. Their mission is making a positive difference for their members and the communities they serve. As a not-for-profit organization, they can—and do—put members first. They strive to maintain a one-on-one relationship with their members while providing them with a full line of financial resources. As stewards of our community, they work to promote and assist in its growth each and every day.

As we celebrate veterans in this issue of Pooler Magazine, we would like to introduce you to Tim Beeson, Vice President of Information Technology at Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union and a proud veteran of the United States Navy.

Growing up, Tim experienced living in many different parts of the country. He says, “My father was a very successful grocery warehouse distribution manager for Safeway Stores Inc. They transferred our family around the US about every five years. We lived in Washington State, Oklahoma, California, and Virginia. I graduated from high school in Chesterfield, Virginia.”

Tim joined the US Navy in 1980, and in addition to playing soccer for the Navy all over the world, he was a Legalman—the term for the Navy’s paralegals for military attorneys and judges. In his first two years as a Legalman, he performed paralegal duties, such as recording courts martial, administrative discharges, legal research, and assistance to commands in regard to legal administration.

One of his best experiences in the Navy was writing his first computer program. This made him realize how computers can improve our lives. This motivated Tim to change his career path to information technology. His military training and experience gave him a broad understanding of all areas of computer concepts. After his Naval career, Tim completed his Information Technology degree. In 1989 he found his next passion working in the credit union industry. He credits the Navy for fostering an environment of camaraderie that also carried over into his work in the private sector. Today, he is the Vice President of Information Technology at Georgia Heritage.

Tim says he would like people to know that Georgia Heritage FCU has been in existence for over 80 years and is financially strong and secure. “Our mission is making a positive difference for our members and the communities we serve. We deploy smart and secure technology that helps provide excellent service to our members,” he says. “It’s a great place to work. Apply for employment and join our team!”

Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union is an Equal Housing Lender (NMLS ID# 446248).

Tim Beeson, Vice President of Information Technology at GHFCU.

LOCATIONS:

Lathrop Branch & Main Office: 1085 West Lathrop Ave, Savannah Stephenson Branch: 200 Stephenson Ave., Suite 100, Savannah Pooler Branch: 102 Park Ave., Pooler Rincon Branch: 5745 Hwy 21 South, Rincon Georgetown Centre (ATM ONLY),: 1040 King George Blvd. Savannah

110 Pipemakers Circle, Ste 115 Pooler, GA 31322 2453 G Hwy 17 South Richmond Hill, GA 31324

How Muscle Strengthening Affects Fine Motor Skills

There are several aspects of child development that many of us take for granted. Some children develop right on time as they should, where others seem to struggle to keep up.

Fine motor skills is a term we use to refer to the ability to make movements using the small muscles in our hands, wrists, fingers, feet, toes, lips and tongue. These skills are are required to master activities such as using scissors or pencils, building with lego or duplo blocks and even dressing (zippers, fasteners, buttons, tying shoes, etc)

For children to have good fine motor control, they must have a good base of support. In occupational therapy, we often use the phrase “proximal stability for distal mobility.” This means that the larger joints and muscles must be stable to provide a good solid base for precise movements at the joints further away from the body like the hands and fingers.

For example, if you observe your child sticking their elbow out when coloring or cutting, this could be a sign of weakness in the shoulder girdle that is affecting their fine motor skills. Difficulties with shoulder stability may also be seen with problems with tying shoes, manipulating small objects, using two hands during play, or handwriting difficulties.

Here are a few ways to help build strength at home to improve fine motor skills: • Do animal walks, wheelbarrow walks, pushing/pulling weighted objects, monkey bars, or chin ups/pull ups • Practice writing, coloring, or crafts on a vertical surface.

This allows the force of gravity to help strengthen shoulder muscles as well as improving wrist stability. • Complete activities on your belly like watching a movie, reading, or playing games. This promotes weight bearing through the upper extremities and help develop strength. • Tossing a balloon or beach ball and hitting it back either with hands or a racket.

Please contact Chatterbox Pediatric Therapy if you feel like your child is struggling at home or school to complete these tasks. Our Occupational Therapists will evaluate your child and provide the necessary recommendations your child needs to succeed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION related to your child’s fine motor development, please check out our FREE developmental checklist using the QR code below