shelterworksE-News from the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter

Fall 2012

E-News Edition 1

Willis Dady Emergency Shelter Board of DirectorsJanet Slimak, PresidentDavid Fisher, Vice PresidentTim Wilson, Executive Director

Dave Thielen TreasurerBobette Ash, Secretary

Jasmine AlmoayedAnthony ArringtonJohn EhrhartGabe Erickson

Kay HenryEric Jacobs Rebecca JacobsSam Jones

Jesse MartinezTheresa Ann TrimbleJason VestweberRobin Wagner

“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” -Mother Teresa

Note: Late last year, Willis Dady was able to create a second case manager position to provide outreach. The focus is to help people at risk of becoming homeless to maintain permanent housing. This effort has included building relationships with responsible local property managers who are willing to help some households with less than ideal credit histories, so long

as Willis Dady is providing case management. Despite the focus on prevention, some families who are already homeless come to Dusty, having nowhere else to turn. I was contacted in early June from a local property manager. She asked if I would be willing to investigate a possible homeless family, and I agreed. She gave me an address and I was there the next morning. After walking down a small hill in the back yard of a local residence I

found three tents. I was able to make contact with the couple that resided there and they told me that they are indeed homeless and were uncertain how long they were going to be allowed to stay in their current location. The next question was “are there any children involved” and their reply was “yes we have four children who are also sleeping outside with us”. The effect of sleeping outside has devastating consequences on adults but even worse for children. This situation needed to be resolved as soon as possible. I made contact with a local landlord who was willing to work with us. Throughout the weekend I checked in on them by making sure that they had food and water. By Monday they were placed in permanent housing and continue to reside there today. Both parents have since found temporary jobs and are applying for permanent employment.

-Dusty

Dusty’s Corner

Join Us On August 25!

There is still time to participate & volunteer!We encourage all of our friends to participate by running, walking, and or volunteering. To register, visit our website at www.willisdady.org. E-mail intern1@willisdady to volunteer.

Dady Doings

Volunteers and partnerships make it possible for Willis Dady to function. Indeed, we could not do much of anything to help our clients beyond providing beds and a roof over their heads without volunteers. Volunteers help with cleaning and maintenance, organizing our supplies, preparing meals, providing overnight coverage and numerous other tasks. Partnerships also vary widely in nature, from providing clients with counseling, medical services and employment assistance to facilitating volunteer efforts, such as the Our Table Sunday meals program. One set of partners who help in many ways are our local institutions of higher education. Here are just some of the ways they help: We have board members from Kirkwood Community College and many of our clients enroll in degree and certificate programs at Kirkwood. Coe College provides large numbers of overnight volunteers, and students donate their unused meal plan points so that our clients can have sack lunches as they head to work on Monday morning. Cornell

Willis Dady Emergency Shelter 5K Event On Saturday August 25th, Willis Dady Emergency Shelter will hold our first-ever 5K event. This event will serve as an awareness raiser and a fundraiser for the shelter. Please thank our sponsors: Adcraft Printing • Cedar Rapids RoughRidersRoad ID • Van Meter, Inc

Platinum Sponsors:

College sends students each September for the school year kick-off “Day of Service”, provides outstanding interns and is also a huge source of overnight volunteers. Mount Mercy University regularly provides committed junior and senior field placement students (interns) and other volunteer services, including the production of shelterworks. And for the first time ever, we are being served by a Kaplan University extern this summer. As the new academic year approaches, we at Willis Dady salute our local partners in higher education, including those students, faculty, staff, and leaders who place a high value on serving and learning from agencies in the community such as Willis Dady. In the coming year, we hope to build on these relationships:• More links to academic coursework, including

in-shelter observations and even class sessions• Expansion of volunteer opportunities that match

student interest with client needs• Adoption of our family apartments for much-needed

improvements• Greater engagement in the annual Sleep Out for the

Homeless, which benefits all shelters in the area We are truly blessed to have such great resources in our community, and we look forward to making these partnerships even stronger in the months and years ahead. -Tim

7th Annual Sleep Out for the HomelessThis event supports Willis Dady and other shelters and agencies serving the homeless. The event will take place at Veterans Stadium the evening of Saturday, November 10 through the following morning. Learn how you can help out at www.sleepoutforhomeless.org!

How Can I Help?Overnight VolunteerWillis 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 Martha, 319-362-7555, or wdescm1@willisdady.org

Make a Charitable ContributionThe 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 ProgramWillis 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. We are currently looking to fill 2013 dates.

Volunteer at Willis DadyWillis Dady is always in need of volunteers for all kinds of tasks. Please contact the shelter for details at 362-7555, or wdesed@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 ContributionOnline1. 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. Mail1. Return the envelope included in this mailing with your contribution

Thank

All Saints Church Alliant Energy FoundationDevotay Holy Redeemer Lutheran ChurchHus Memorial ChurchMcGrath ChevylandOur Savior’s Lutheran ChurchPepsico Foundation St. George Antiochian ChurchSt. Jude Catholic ChurchSt. Joseph Catholic Church Stuff Ect. Verizon Foundation

Special thanks to some of Those who have recently given Donations or awarded Grants

WDES is proud to be a Partner Agency of the United Way of East Central Iowa

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.

Give to wdeS

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.

Willis Dady Emergency Shelter, Inc.1247 4th Ave SECedar Rapids, IA 52403

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Cedar Rapids, IA

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Gabe Erickson joined the Willis Dady Board of Directors in 2011. He is a news reporter andweekend anchor for CBS 2/FOX 28 in Cedar Rapids. Gabe enjoys spending time with his son Carter, working out, and getting involved in the community. He is originally from Preston, MN and attended the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a degree in journalism. Gabe believes it is important to support the community and is proud to serve on the Willis Dady board because of the difference he sees it making in the community. From his start in fundraising at WDES, he met genuine people who really cared for one another and tackling the issue of homelessness.”

Gabe EricksonMeet Our Board Members!

BoardMembers