shelterworksNews from the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter

Winter2013

Willis Dady Emergency Shelter Board of DirectorsJanet Slimak, PresidentRebecca Jacobs, Vice PresidentBobette Ash, Secretary

James Locke, TreasurerTim CarsonGabe Erickson

Kay HenrySam JonesMelissa Cullum

Tim Wilson, Executive DirectorTheresa Ann TrimbleJason VestweberCharisma Wickham

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Jane woke up, just like any other ordinary weekday; she got ready for work, ensured her son was out the door in time for school, and went to work. However, this was not just an ordinary day, this was the day that Jane’s life as she knew it was about to change. This was the day that Jane had a stroke at age 48. The journey to recovery was short; she suffered a second stroke at 49. Jane and her son endured many hardships due to her medical condition, which eventually led them to homelessness. Jane was with Family Promise of Linn County for two months, when during an application for transitional housing she disclosed that she was a veteran who had served in the army, Jane then was directed to apply to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF). She met eligibility requirements and was enrolled into the program.Jane is currently in transitional housing and is working with me as her case manager to find a permanent place to call home for her and her son. Despite Jane’s medical condition, she has already lined up a job and is eager to start work. Jane is a remarkable woman who not only

Rebecca’sReflectionsonce, but twice looked fear in the face, lived through the horror and disruptions it brought, but is still standing, like any good soldier, ready to fight the next battle that comes along. Jane is doing things that most thought she could not do. Most importantly, Jane is ready to wake up to once again experience an ordinary weekday.Note: Rebecca is a full-time case manager with the SSVF program who began working at Willis Dady at the end of September. As part of the Army Reserve, she served two tours of duty in Iraq, totaling nearly two years of deployment. She is a native of Cedar Rapids holds a B.S. in psychology from Upper Iowa University. She can be contacted at wdescm3@willisdady.org or 319 362-7555 ext. 103.

Dady Doings

Sleep Out for the Homeless Sunday, November 9-10 Visit: sleepoutforhomless.org

3rd Annual Benefit Concert & Silent AuctionAuction Saturday, April 5, 2014

Dining Out for Willis DadySunday, April 27, 2014 Devotay Restaurant, 117 N. Linn St., Iowa City

Rev. Craig Bex was a native Iowan known to many as pastor of Edgewood Family Fellowship in Cedar Rapids. Craig served congregations in other locations prior to being called by Edgewood and also served as a marriage and family therapist in Ft. Dodge for several years. He enlisted in the Air Force upon graduation from Washington High School and served honorably as a Medical Service Specialist in Vietnam. He was looking forward to joining Willis Dady as a case manager with the new SSVF program when he died suddenly on October 7. Craig will be honored by Willis Dady in a new project honoring to U.S. veterans, scheduled to be dedicated on June 14, 2014. Citizens will have an opportunity to honor Craig or any other veteran as part of this project. Details will be available early in 2014. Craig A. Bex

1953-2013

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Perhaps hyperbole, but launching a new federally funded program as the government shuts down for three weeks is not something I’d recommend for the faint of heart. We are delighted to be partnered with HACAP in launching a new Supportive Services for Veteran Families program to serve struggling veteran families in five counties. The local initiative is being called “Operation Home” and has already enrolled a handful of clients as this is being written, with more contacting us every day. The program provides many resources, including case management, to participating families. The fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs was operating on a very limited basis for our first three weeks complicated several things, including access to funds, timely responses by VA staff to program questions and the ability of veterans to obtain documents verifying

their service. And although we were able to partially staff the program from the first day, we incurred a sad and shocking setback when one of our new staff members, Craig Bex, died on the very day he was to start work on the program (see box on this page). At this point, the project is in very capable hands. We are working hard to get information about the program out to the service area (veterans living in Benton, Iowa, Linn, Johnson, and Jones Counties) and to enroll eligible clients. One of our new staff, Rebecca Egli, introduces herself on the front page. Rebecca and her colleagues are meeting with enrolled clients; Outreach Specialist Mark Brown (like Rebecca, an Army veteran) meets with applicants to help determine their eligibility. Mark and the entire team are available and eager to speak to groups about the program. This month includes both Veterans Day (November 11) and National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 16-24). It is good to be able to draw attention to all those who struggle with homelessness and still need our help, especially those who have helped protect our freedom. -- Tim Wilson

How Can I Help?Overnight VolunteerWe 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 SupportHelp NowTo contribute to shelter operations and services:

Online1. 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

Invest In Our FutureTo help ensure that shelter and services continue into the future, make a donation to our Prairie Fund Endowment at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

Online1. Go to https://gcrcf.org.2. Move cursor to “Donors” option near top of page3. 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 rightPhone

1. 319 366-2862

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. A few 2013 dates are still available, including November 24 and December 8, 22 and 29. Many 2014 dates are also available.

Thank Adcraft PrintingAll Saints ChurchAlliant Energy FoundationConcordia Lutheran ChurchDevotay RestaurantGreater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation- Program Grant FundHoly Redeemer Lutheran ChurchHousing Fund for Linn CountyIowa Coffee RoastersRockwell CollinsSt. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic ChurchSt. Mark’s United Methodist ChurchWestminster Presbyterian Church

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

Volunteer at Willis DadyWillis Dady is always in need of volunteers for all kinds of tasks. Please contact Denine for details 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.

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

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Cedar Rapids, IA

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Melissa Cullum is the Manager of Community Benefit and Mission Outreach at Mercy Medical Center. Melissa’s responsibilities include providing leadership for programs and activities that provide treatment or promote health and healing in response to an identified need, specifically focusing outreach to those persons who are low-income or disadvantaged. Previous to this position, Melissa worked as an operating room nurse and manager. Melissa resides in Cedar Rapids with her husband, daughter, and black lab. Melissa is honored to serve on the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter board and truly believes in the mission and services the shelter provides its patrons. She looks forward to working with an organization that helps individuals increase self-sufficiency and end the cycle of homelessness.

Melissa CullumMeet Our Board Members!

BoardMembers