[Lekooks] Family Promise News

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Family Promise Update~~~

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From: Jim Hansen <iriejim22 at yahoo.com>
To: "gymbeau at netzero.net" <gymbeau at netzero.net>
Subject: Fw: Family Promise News
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:13:11 +0000 (UTC)


  Trouble viewing? DOWNLOADView this email in your browser   Community Connection Updates From The Board Chair  ~ Marjore Thompson ~ It seems as though summer has finally arrived and with it comes a fresh landscape filled with new life and activities. The Board also has had much activity these past few months springing forward with new energy, people, tasks, and goals. In February we bid farewell to our Executive Director, David Tennyck. We are thankful for the knowledge, experience and effort David brought to Family Promise during such a short period of time and we wish him the best in the future.  In February and March, the interview committee worked diligently to find Lakesha Jones, our new Executive Director. Lakesha began on April 3 and we are already impressed with her leadership and skills. Lakesha was previously Chief Executive Officer at Sophia's Heart Foundation, where she worked to advance services for at-risk youth and homeless families. She has also served as Grants Manager for the State of Colorado, Executive Director of the Hemophilia Society Rocky Mountain Chapter, and Director of Development at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Rocky Mountain Chapter. She holds a MPA degree from Loyola University and a B.A. in Public Administration from Talladega College, one of Alabama's oldest and most prominent Historical Black Colleges. Join me in welcoming Lakesha aboard!  New Board Members: Since December of 2016, we have added 7 new Board members. For the first time since opening our doors to guests in 2014, we no longer have any of the original founder members. We have been working on diversifying the Board to better reflect our wider geographic reach, add more cultural diversity and specific area expertise as we grow the organization. Our current Board members are: Jan Britt, Glenn Davis, Joe Deklotz, Mark Flessert (Secretary), Rose Garcia, Jessica Gonzalez (Vice-Chair), Rev. Lindsay Jordan, Carol Lawnicki, Johnna Sachtschale (Treasurer, Jeff Thiel and Marjore Thompson (Chair). I want to thank Kristi Davis, Laura Seipel, Ann Moran Lecher and Beth Lauck who recently completed their board terms. Their service and commitment to Family Promise is greatly appreciated and with their help we made great strides in serving families in need. A solid foundation was certainly created when Family Promise was started,  and we stand ont he shoulders of those leaders who have gone before us! Strategic Plan Update:  At the beginning of the year the Board had an annual strategic planning meeting. We established 5 work goals for this year: Develop Sustainable Strategies: Diverse funding streams, leverage volunteers through better use of technology, having strong committees (continuity of members and efforts, support to Board and staff), Develop Graduate Program, Increase referral base)
Achieve Capacity Building: Develop Partnerships (funding, program, business), Board Diversity recruitment, Committees to run with Non-Board leadership.
Build Targeted Geographic Services: (Additional host and support churches, day center re-location and or additional site; transportation alternatives and access for guests)
Focus on Learning and Training: Well trained/successful Board, staff, volunteers,)
Have a Quality Program: (use data, evaluate, yearly feedback, everyone doing what they do best; efficient operations).
Most of the progress thus far has been on recruitment of Board members and new ED, and developing and growing the various committees needed. A new Program committee was started and currently all Board members are assigned to 1 or 2 committees. We are continuing to recruit for all committees in order to have depth and better continuity.  Our current standing committees are: Development, Awareness, Program, Personnel, Congregational Relations and Finance. We will highlight each one in the upcoming newsletters, but if anyone is interested in finding out more about them, please contact Marjore Thompson, Board Chair or Lakesha Jones, Executive Director.  On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank all of you individuals, families, congregations, community groups, organizations, businesses, corporations and foundations who have so generously supported Family Promise of Waukesha County. Please continue to invite us to speak and present in order to tell the stories of our guests who receive help and support from all of you!  Please visit us on our website: www.familypromisewaukesha.org for other ways you can help and contribute. We need your continued support.  Marjore Thompson, Board Chair thomp106 at gmail.com  Tel. 612-230-5796 From the Desk of Our Executive Director    Dear Friends, It is with a full heart that I introduce myself to you as the Executive Director of Family Promise Waukesha.I'm excited to work with all of you, and for a program that really works to help those struggling to take care of their families. It is rewarding to be part of such a movement that is changing lives.  The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that Karen Olson (Family Promise’s founder) was struck with pure genius when she envisioned the Family Promise model. By using existing church buildings, engaging interfaith volunteers to work together, and offering professional case management services to homeless families, she put all the best ingredients together.  Three or four families are in the program at one time – no more than 12 or 14 people. This allows families to connect with staff and volunteers – and each other. Case management can really tackle the issues affecting each family in this kind of intimate scenario, and offer support not only weekly (or daily), but sometimes many times during the day. This jumpstart empowers families with the tools and confidence they need to regain their independence. And, having volunteers and supporters like you that provide meals and friendly support each and every evening lets our families know there are many, many people out there that care about them.  Together, we are working to end homelessness face to face, one family at a time...and that is a community message that is beyond words in my opinion.   I look forward to beginning this exciting new phase with you and wanted to extend an invite to contact me anytime with questions, or just want to say hello. My contact information is below or simply stop by the office anytime.   Thank you sincerely for your commitment and dedication to Family Promise Waukesha. The need is great, but together our impact is greater!  Warm regards,  Lakesha Jones Executive Director Family Promise Waukesha Lakesha at familypromisewaukesha.org Tel. 262.968.2321  Our Story of Success~ From The Words of a Family Promise Guest ~  My name is Ann Becker and I am a single  mother with two children, Sianne age 11 and Brennen age 6. I came to Family Promise in early March of 2017 with little hope and no where to go. The place my family was living in was not the best neighborhood or place for my kids or myself to be in and we needed a way out. I looked aimlessly online for places to move but realizing it was going to be an uphill battle with no job and no transportation I knew I needed help. In addition, any place I applied at for work would not hire me because I was not qualified or did not have the experience needed so I was easily overlooked. When I first came to the program I was not sure how it was going to work out or if I was going to really receive the help I specifically needed to do better.  Here I am three months later and ready to move into our new home and preparing to go to college in the fall of all things.  The best thing about Family Promise is that it helped me find a place to live within my budget and I felt there was a support system to help me get through this difficult time in my life. The case manager helped me find a job and the Executive Director connected me to a great program that will help me obtain a bachelor's degree with additional support I need to make it happen. The program was there for me more than anyone has ever been in  my whole life. I have never had anyone that has wrapped their arms around me like this and it was just what I needed to get through it all.  The churches were supportive and welcoming and was there to talk and listen when I needed it most. Overall it was great to have that extra support and care when you don't know what to really do. The volunteers really support the adults and interact with the kids and that really helps during the evenings.  The church volunteers really are accommodating and try to help in every way possible and that means a lot.  I really appreciate the help with the move out as well since it provides the necessary things you will need in your next chapter that can be stressful to even think about. You don't get that normally and it is so important to make sure you have a bed and furniture when you are moving into your own home.  The volunteer that sits down with you to plan the move out really eases your mind on the next steps and allows you to focus on the bigger picture of what's next for you and your family.  I really appreciate that.  Some advice I would give to new families entering the program would be that the program works, if you are open to take the advice and support given by case managers, and volunteers... you will succeed. Be open to help and there are plenty of doors that will open if you just let them help you. The budgeting is a good tool offered and recommends taking it seriously so you succeed.  **As you read this newsletter, Ann and her family moved into their new home on June 4th. Her next goals will be to engage with the Family Promise Alumni Program, continue working and planning for school in the fall.  Thanks Ann for sharing your story with us, we are so thankful we could be there to support you and your family. We look forward to hearing more about your success as you venture into the next parts of your journey! TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE A recent study by United Way took a look at poverty in Wisconsin and elsewhere and the finding may surprise you. The report, shows that there are significant people in Waukesha County struggling and are one paycheck from poverty. working people struggling not only in Milwaukee County, but also in Waukesha County. In fact, 41% of families in Waukesha County in financial trouble and close to homelessness. These numbers are high because of the increased cost of living, for example a family with two adults, an infant and a preschooler could spend $812 a month on housing, but twice that, $1,638 on childcare. Further, many social services are designed for people who are living below the poverty level, so what happens to those that are just above the level and still not thriving? Family Promise is gearing up to take on the challenge and we need your help.  Join us for the 41-DAY CHALLENGE TO HELP HOMELESS FAMILIES in Waukesha County. Our goal is to raise $10,000 in the next 41-days to help families who lean on Family Promise programming and volunteers during their time of need. Will you join the challenge?  No amount is to small or big and every gift is appreciated and needed.DONATE    "Small Acts of Kindness Can go a Long Way. I often hear volunteers say, “I just prepare a meal,” or “I just play games with the children,” or “I just do the laundry,” or “I just set-up the beds.” But I’ve come to understand that there are no “justs” in Family Promise."- Karen Olsen, Founder and President Emeritus, Family Promise (National)  Any act of service, however seemingly small, can come together with others to produce a powerful and transformative effect. If I’ve learned one thing from my involvement with Family Promise it is that the simplest acts of kindness can profoundly change people’s lives.  Volunteer Extraordinaire Spotlight Every Family Promise volunteer is important and appreciated no matter how much time they give to our mission. Some volunteers give hundreds of hours to help throughout the year. Some come in once a week or month to assist with special tasks. And others give whatever time they can to help our mission and we are forever grateful to each one of you! VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT IS ON YOU ~ Claudia Visser ~  Claudia has been volunteering for Family Promise for 2 1/2 years as the Coordinator for St Jerome Parish,Oconomowoc. St. Jerome is the support church for UCC, and Claudia works with them to prepare and set up for the hosting week. Claudia takes pride in her role of setting up the menu for the week, shopping for food, and ensuring the kitchen is prepared to receive families. In addition to those tasks, Claudia is responsible for communicating with previous and upcoming host church's on the week's menu.   Claudia said her favorite volunteer role however is preparing breakfast, especially on Saturday mornings when things are a little more relaxed from the chaos of the week. "I volunteer for all positions, so I can be prepared to offer information and advice to our volunteers. My favorite spot is Breakfast Preparer. On Saturday morning we provide a large breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, etc. Its nice for our guest to sleep in a little later and enjoy a delicious breakfast and fellowship."  Claudia says her motivation to volunteer for Family Promise is the satisfaction of knowing that within a couple of months, we can help a family out of homelessness and into a sustainable living situation. " The relief and delight in the faces of the families is such a gift and makes it all worthwhile!" She went on to express her gratitude that the mentor program has been implemented to help families while transitioning from the program to their homes because everyone needs a good support system to achieve success.  Claudia's future volunteer goals include continuing her role as a volunteer coordinator, promoting the program and helping to train new volunteers. She also plans to increase the time she spends volunteering once her young children are out of school by visiting the Day Center.  Thanks Claudia for your commitment to Family Promise! Will the light shine on you next?  Or would you like to nominate someone your volunteering with?  Contact Lakesha Jones at lakesha at familypromisewaukesha.org to nominate someone that deserves the spotlight next.  "There are no great acts, only small acts done with great love." ~ Mother Teresa   Former Family Promise Families Host Fundraiser For Family Promise's New Alumni Program On May 21st, Former guests in Family Promise's Shelter Program to raise funds for the new Family Promise Alumni Moving Ahead-Family Support Group. $800 was raised by selling hot dog meals and baked goods. The Families who participate in the Alumni program worked together to coordinate the fundraiser and volunteered their time the day giving back to the program that helped them along the way.  The new program is aimed at maintaining continuity with our families once they leave the shelter program so ongoing support can happen. The program goals are to help families increase alumni families job skills and employment training that will help them secure better jobs with livable wages so they can sustain self-sufficiency.  The program meets monthly and maintains a significant participation rate with a planned increase of 20 families by the end of the year in the program.  For more information about the Alumni Program and to volunteer with the program contact Martha Terry at Martha at familypromisewaukesha.org .    How Your Company Can Help.Does your company have a matching program, grant program, or do they sponsor fundraising events? Cause-marketing relationships provide a way to help Waukesha Families at Family Promise succeed and here are some of the ways to get your company involved:Providing Funding: corporate gifts are a vital part of our budget, making it possible for us to help children and their families.
Volunteering in the Family Promise Program: serving meals, playing with children, staying overnight.
Specialized Skills: using business world talents to change lives through activities like job coaching, serving on the Board of Directors, teaching budgeting skills, etc.
Leading Drives: collecting materials for families in the program, such as hygiene items or school supplies, and hosting holiday parties.
Done in a Day: mobilizing employees to address short-term projects like painting the Day Center or hosting a job fair for Family Promise families.
Event Sponsorship: providing sponsorships and resources for events.
Education: having Family Promise staff, volunteers and former guests speak at corporate eventsmfor community awareness.
 If you would like to discuss your company working with Family Promise in your community to fight family homelessness, call Lakesha Jones at 262-968-2321 or email director at familypromisewaukesha.org DONATE Copyright © *|Issue #1 2017|* *|Family Promise of Waukesha|*, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is: *543 A.J. Allen Circle, Ste. D, Wales, WI 53183*  Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list        This email was sent to iriejim22 at yahoo.com  why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  Family Promise of Waukesha County · 543 A.J. Allen Circle · Suite D · Wales, WI 53183 · USA    On Wednesday, June 21, 2017 7:03 AM, Family Promise of Waukesha County <director at familypromisewaukesha.org> wrote: 
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