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Stories CFH Employment Workshops Underway
The first workshop lasted 5 hours and was a real success, with 10 participants attending. Case Managers Stacey Witte and Bruce Borremans presented classes on job search strategies, interview preparation and how to communicate effectively. We ended the workshop with practice interviews which included an evaluation and feedback form. We also had a computer lab that was staffed by life coach Karin Evensta, to help participants learn the basics of using the Internet for job search and sending resumes. We are looking for volunteers to help with the workshop in the future. You could teach a class, help with computer tutoring, or participate in the mock interviews. Please contact Bruce Borremans at 425-985-7233 if you are interested. Also a big thank you to St. Andrews for graciously allowing us to use their classrooms for this ongoing workshop.
One challenge we are having is getting clothes for our larger men. If you have clothing in hard to find sizes - 2XL, 3XL, 4XL or 5XL men's suits, casual wear, coats or business wear it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Stacey Witte (425) 765-1782 to make arrangements for a drop off and for obtaining a tax donation receipt. Thank you in advance for any help you can give us. By Denise Peeler Last Christmas, our life group went to feed the homeless men, and we were changed. Changed by a man named Zack. I was compelled to write the story of that day in a poem, and God nudged me to share what He did that day. I am happy to say that Zack is now living in transitional housing with a new job and a new future. It would be amazing to make his poem into a book and have Zack be the illustrator! You never know! One winter morning families gathered together, by Karin Evensta, Liaison at Bellevue First Congregational Church Home. It conjures images of warmth, comfort, and relaxation. Sadly, those are not the primary attributes of the hall in our church where the men stayed in November. It's a big barn of a room, with hard chairs, a tile floor and dim lighting. The men like our church because of the location (near the bus station, library, and several Starbucks), but I really wanted it to feel warmer, too. The men were our guests! So I talked to Home to Home, the organization that furnishes the apartments and houses that the guys move into, and had them deliver 3 couches, 6 comfy chairs, 3 coffee tables, and floor lamps. The furniture didn't change the room entirely, but it gave the men a place to unwind a little on a cold November evening. The furniture was always in use all month long.
Thanksgiving was another day that is wonderful when you're home, but tough when you don't have a home to go to. The men were able to stay in all day, Sacred Heart brought the amazing dinner, as they did every evening all month, and we put out tablecloths and real silverware and china. The doors were open for the men from CFH housing, and for men off the street who needed a good dinner. There was football on the biggest TV, movies on another one, card games, and it seemed like a pretty relaxing day. The men were guests in my house for a month. As a congregation, we strive for "extravagant welcome", and I sincerely hope the men felt at least a little of that during their month in our house!
It can be a difficult time for the men at the shelter so we are ringing in the Holiday season with several activities to build community among the men and remove the barriers between homelessness and moving forward.
A Letter from Executive Director Steve Roberts Dear CFH Supporter, Living on the streets is a rough life often filled with shame and self destruction. Once homeless, the road back to stability is long and rocky and impossible to travel alone. It’s hard to believe that we have 300-500 homeless men and women living on the greater Eastside. Chad’s story is one of hope, losing ground and rediscovering his own desire and ability to live a life of sobriety and productivity. Before entering the shelter in September Chad was gainfully employed and like many people was laid off. Depression and a series of medical complications drove Chad to drinking heavily. It didn’t take long and he found himself homeless with nowhere to go. CFH gave him more than a warm, safe place to sleep; they provided him with a place to rejuvenate, a support system and community After a several months of living in the shelter and receiving case management he started working at the Severe Weather Shelter and transitioned into an apartment with the help of CFH. Today Chad is employed by CFH as a site manager. He remains true to his recovery and his goal of living a productive life.
The secret to successful case management is being able to stabilize the men in a safe environment where they can let down their guard and allow the healing and help to begin. CFH provides access to shelter, permanent housing and case management services to 135 of formerly homeless men each year. Residents receive job skills training, life skills building, access to mental and physical health care, and advocacy to access other needs as identified. CFH has a long history of success, one we plan to continue. We are only able to do this work thanks to the 3,000 volunteers that help us annually and support from generous people like you. Your help is needed today to continue to turn homeless men’s “dark, cold winters into warm springs” filled with hope. IIt is the men’s tenacity and our stable presence for when they are ready that make Chad’s story a successful one. Your gift of $1,000, $500, $250, $100 or even $50 will make the difference for homeless men living in our community. You can donate by going to our Donate page here and clicking the "Donate" button. Your generous response will be the difference in the lives of homeless men looking for a better, more productive life.
Sincerely,
The Dirty Little Secret Last Friday I decided to attend an opportunity for learning more about Pottery from the Streets. Of course I had my preconceived notions of the sorts of activities that went on there but I also had delusional ideas that somewhere inside me lurked a pottery master.
Unbelievably, I seem to have the appropriate skills needed to make even Henry Ford proud when it comes to assembly line magic. I was able to lovingly create 17 hand crafted soap dishes, each unique in its own way. Soon they will be painted and photographed to be offered up to a lucky buyer. The fellowship and support provided for me to find my inner artist was perfectly matched to overcome my dilapidated self-esteem. I had copious amounts of fun while working and watching others work clay on the wheel. I am inspired that someday I to may feel confident to try my hands at making a vase or cookie jar! Sometime on the road of life it is difficult to find direction and purpose, its also good to have successes along the way, Pottery from the Streets has touched my life in a positive way and for that I am grateful.
It is potteryfromthestreets.com belief that every person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity and most of our clients, if provided with a chance to become productive, will take steps to greater fulfill their potential. The purpose behind potteryfromstreets.com is to create opportunities for displaced members of our community to ground themselves in a social enterprise that is directly connected to the housing lifeline provided by Congregations of the Homeless and its partners.
We provide a opportunity to become a part of Potteryfromthestreets.com to all that have the willingness to do so. Creating the opportunity isn't enough in some instances, many of the people we attempt to serve need encouragement and support to become interested in trying something different. Love and tolerance are the principles that guide our hearts to be inclusive at every opportunity. We are here to teach the inexperienced or the experienced to work in clay and all its therapeutic aspects and still create a way to put real dollars into their hands. Socially, mentally, economically and spiritually the chance to change their lives is truly in their own hands to make with it what they may. For many it’s a second chance to be a part of a whole, to reunite with a family of fellow humans all on the same path, a place where synergy can produce grown in financial and social manner. By standing together as a cohesive team we can create art and at the same time recreate lives in tangible ways. Our ability to become a part of the business world is directly related to our success in partnering with businesses that buy our pottery for resale. 65% of profits go to the homeless artists to help them with everyday living expenses. 2010 Results – Statistics Tell the Story For most of us, the results of 2010 for Congregations for the Homeless are best reported in the stories we share with you every issue. However, for those for whom statistics are important, here are the year's results. We were able to serve 127 different men in our shelter and provided 10,793 bednights (one man for one night) and 32,379 meals all supported by over 3,850 volunteers from 12 host congregations and 31 support congregations. Together we provided 3,665 case management hours, 432 dental procedures, 209 visits to our in-house nurse volunteers, and found jobs for more than 22 men. 20 men attended our bible studies. We were able to place 68 men in housing which was 73% of the men who left the shelter. This brings the total through 2006 to 252 men who have left life on the streets for permanent housing and a transformed life. Heartfelt thanks to the thousands of you who served in person or made contributions of food, clothing, blankets or funds. It has made a real difference. |
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CFH
is proud to announce its new employment workshop, currently being held twice
a month. This workshop focuses on succeeding in the job search process and
access to a computer lab and instruction. 
If
you have ever been to our office you may have noticed that donations of
men's clothing are usually stacked thigh high. We are so fortunate to
receive such generous donations from many of you. Because of your donations
our men have the opportunity to feel and look good when they apply for jobs,
interview or begin their new jobs.
The hustle and bustle of the holidays is in full swing. The twinkling
lights, shimmering tinsel and brightly wrapped presents abound. It is a time
to enjoy the season, reconnect with family and take time to be thankful for
the wonderful gifts all around us.
The
first thing the facilitator Julie discussed was the goals and itemized
priorities for works in progress. Evidently there is a need for hand crafted
soap dishes and I was immediately show the appropriate way to create master
pieces that could then be painted and sold.
We believe that participants
can develop and harness the qualities needed to create, those skills can
then be directly translated into the foundation needed to transition into
more challenging opportunities. A little success can go a long way in
rebuilding a self-esteem that has been damaged by difficult life challenges.