February 2008 ECHO NEWSLETTER text Letter From the President I want to thank all of you for your support of the Ecumenical Community Center in 2007. Because of that support the programs of the ECC, Helping Hands Ministry and Compu- Place, were able to reach more people than ever. The faithful support of churches and individual donors allowed Helping Hands Ministry to provide a record amount of emergency aid to people facing financial crises. CompuPlace was able to extend the hours it was available to disabled individuals seeking access to the world of computers. This year, Helping Hands Ministry will be working in Marion to help qualified individuals with their first month’s rent. The goal of the program is to move people into permanent housing arrangements. Director Lois Rude will help match funds with individuals meeting the requirements of the program. The rent money will be provided by a grant from the City of Marion. The cost of administering this excellent program will be borne by ECC with office space generously donated by Living Water United Methodist Church. Also in 2008, CompuPlace has been busy adding computers and special adaptive software. Robin Brunner is working to increase and improve CompuPlace’s ability to serve both individuals and groups. New software improves access as well as expands the selection of programs available to disabled individuals using CompuPlace’s services. The Ecumenical Center is also working to finalize arrangements for a new location. Once these arrangements are completed, ECC will be able to offer Green Square Meals a new home for the critical community service that program provides. At the same time, the programs of the ECC will enjoy improved facilities as will all of the non-profit agencies to which ECC currently provides reduced cost office space. All thanks to you! Your generosity has touched with kindness the lives of people you may never meet. Many, many thanks for your support. Jim Kennedy ECC Board President Helping Hands Ministry 1035 Third Avenue SE #101 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403 Lois Rude, HHM Director Phone: (319)-366-2651 Barb Kane, HHM Staff Associate Email: helpinghands@ecc-cr.org A total of 1,022 households/2,014 persons were assisted financially by HHM main office during 2007. Another 3,900 referrals were made by HHM staff and volunteers. New this year was the establishment of a site on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids in the Crossroads Mission at 526 Third Ave SW. Barb Kane served as HHM Staff Associate at this location and provided services to a total of 102 households representing 228 persons. Unfortunately, services at this west side location were suspended due to lack of additional financial support. Should more support be secured, operations will resume. The grand total for Helping Hands Ministry in 2007 is 1,124 households representing 2,242 persons! This exceeds the goal of 1,000 households made by the HHM Steering Committee at our strategic planning meeting the beginning of this year! In addition, 779 hours of volunteer office support was provided. Thank you, volunteers! Also new this year was receipt of a $36,260 grant from the City of Marion to provide first month’s rent to provide stable housing. Recipients must be able to pay their own deposit and show financial stability to pay ongoing rent. Living Water United Methodist Church is providing free office space at 1179 Grand Avenue in Marion. Office hours are Tuesdays by appointment. Look in the February 21st issue of the Marion Times for a more complete article. A special “thank you” to Midwest Athletic Club for the full page advertisement on 01/22/08! Please mark your calendars for a March Magic Extravaganza a benefit performance for HHM. Members of the local “Mombo” ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians will have two performances (2:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.) on Saturday, March 29th, at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 1285 Third Ave SE, Cedar Rapids. Admission is $5 per person or $15 for a whole family! Tickets may be purchased by calling HHM at 366-2651 or at the door. What a fun way to support Helping Hands! See you there! Lois Rude Helping Hands Ministry Director Helping Hands Ministry Page 3 HHM was pleased to have two “Composition II” students from Kirkwood Community College this past term. Amanda Mason revised the HHM brochure and Lisa Phillips interviewed churches to provide the following article: In 1998 Cedar Rapids area churches felt a strong need to assist members of the community economically, a need that they did not have the resources to fulfill individually. Because of this, our community now has Helping Hands Ministry. When talking with Kate Brokaw, Office Coordinator from St. Paul’s United Methodist and Wendy Kemmann, Administrative Assistant from First Lutheran, a common thread can be determined. This sentiment is not a coincidence, but an overwhelming assertion that HHM is a positive place for churches to refer those seeking help. It is a place that can take care of the details that the churches do not have the time or staff to complete, a place that can verify which of those seeking help are repeat customers who may need further referrals. Because Helping Hands exists this also cuts down on the leg work for the clients, who no longer have to go from church to church seeking help; they can find help or information in one central location. According to both Kate and Wendy, one outstanding part of Helping Hands is Lois Rude, the Director. Wendy stated that its fortunate Lois had so much experience as Director of Linn County’s General Assistance before joining the staff at Helping Hands. Because of her knowledge of the government programs, more people are helped more effectively. One of the things that both Wendy and Kate like best about HHM is the level of communication with Lois. She is always willing to visit a congregation, sharing what the Helping Hands mission is and answering questions that anyone may have. Another thing Wendy likes is that Lois will call or email from time to time when emergency funds might be needed, giving the congregations a chance to contribute even more than they already do. The most requested services when churches are approached for help is assistance with rent, utilities, food, and gas money. Local food banks supply pantry items, and both of these churches offer times when meals are served so that no one has to go hungry. St. Paul’s and First Lutheran do, however, send 10 to 15 clients per week to Helping Hands for other assistance. Lois and the volunteers are always willing to listen to each person and help as much as possible. “The location is good, just across the street,” said Wendy. Kate agreed that being in a central location was great and knowing that “people are treated with respect and dignity” makes sending them to Helping Hands a blessing. Both First Lutheran and St. Paul’s are actively involved with Helping Hands. Kate serves on the HHM Steering Committee, and both churches contribute to the mission through special offerings that are collected on Sunday mornings. At the moment, neither of these churches currently has volunteers working at HHM. Wendy attributes the lack of volunteers to the fact that people are so much busier with work and family these days. Kate agreed that everyone is busy and that volunteer positions might be more readily filled if the churches did a better job of listing specific tasks and time slots that need to be taken care of. On the financial side, both Kate and Wendy agreed that if the public could be more involved, maybe the operating budget would grow, increasing the number of people that can be helped. The only way this can happen is to educate those who don’t know about Helping Hands. By spreading the word maybe others would contribute either time or money, helping to make HHM even more successful in its mission. Overall, Kate and Wendy both agree that Helping Hands Ministry has been a definite asset to the Cedar Rapids area. Without the help of Lois and the volunteers, too many people would go without assistance. St. Paul’s and First Lutheran, as well as most churches are dedicated to being mission oriented, and with the assistance of Helping Hands Ministry they are now able to work on that mission right here in their own neighborhood. CompuPlace 1035 Third Avenue SE #105 Robin Brunner, Director Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403 Phone: (319)-362-4284 Email: compuplace@ecc-cr.org COMPUPLACE: Provides Abilities-Based Computer Access and Training to People with Disabilities CompuPlace provided over 2509 hours of service to 121 individuals in 2007. A monthly average of 63 clients received 209 client-hours of service requiring 147 paid staff hours. Although most clients are on a limited income, and an increasing number canNOT contribute, clients donated an average of almost $600 per month last year. We are most flattered by this fact, and we are grateful for the support of churches grantors, and individuals. The CompuPlace Director has taken on the tasks of Website maintenance and converting and sending the email version of the ECHO newsletter. News and links to add should be emailed to compuplace@ecc-cr.org Here is a sampling of individual CompuPlace successes: A.B. has been a client for several years. Reading is difficult, but she is very sentimental and loves to make greeting cards. Our greeting card program makes it worth the effort to work on reading, spelling and typing. These tasks have so often been frustrating, and CompuPlace is a safe haven to wrestle with these skills. It can take a long time to build the trust that will allow someone to let go of insecurities built over a lifetime. A.B.’s trust in the atmosphere of encouragement at CompuPlace is a source of great joy, as is her amazing skill at a strategy game of drop down tiles. C.D. is a relatively new client. He came with family and staff for the first visit. We tried several programs to see what would work the best for him. In the process of matching pictures of food and grocery store words, his family discovered that he recognized a variety of words that they did not realize he knew. This is a very attentive family, and their astonishment was a bit awkward for a moment. But this is a common occurrence at CompuPlace. We can isolate parts of tasks and thereby provide a way for someone to display their strengths and understanding. E.F. is a long-time client who has been coming to CompuPlace for many years. Her behavior at home can be difficult. But at CompuPlace she is sweetly polite, expresses her desire for certain programs, and directs her own work here. She will say that she is having a tough day, but smiles and works and plays with grace, mostly leaving troubles at the door. We can be more concerned with the person and with dignity than with any single particular outcome without sacrificing attention to goals. Control and selfdetermination make a world of difference. In her work here, she has improved with money skills, dexterity, typing and mouse skills, and with expressing herself positively and confidently. G.H. visits CompuPlace weekly. This Client, his Staff and the Director gather around one computer and play together with a touch screen. We play a fierce game of making 3 jewels in a row. Since this game requires thinking a step or two ahead, and since we play it together, speedily reaching over in “you snooze, you lose” fashion, this helps him to maintain and improve dexterity, quick decisions and confidence. Sometimes one strategy must be quickly exchanged for another. G.H. is very good at this game, and Staff and Director have to pay close attention to keep the beat. This is wonderful fast-paced mental exercise, and we all look forward to this weekly hour of friendly ruckus. I.J. has been a client for several months. He comes weekly, from a little further away than most clients, and works on spelling and communication through typing. He uses a program that has over 500 words and pictures and gives hints about the next letter. The word list he uses in this program has been especially selected just for him. We can select tools, or animals, or appliances, or combinations of these and many other things. He has also brought pictures from home that we are using to create new ways for him to work on these skills. CompuPlace serves as a “try before you buy” center, and also as a referral and training center for a family member to better assist him. He has been very shy, but is becoming more comfortable with each visit. CompuPlace has some new CD’s, one to work on words that are on signs in the community that tell us where to go and what to do. These are important signs for everyday living. Another allows people to create their own small books. Other CD’s provide opportunities for working on Nouns and Verbs in a variety of ways. In addition, a slide show to pique the interests of our many animal lovers is being created inhouse. Call and make an appointment to stop by to see the work in progress. Can you donate a few of your own photos for similar projects, with animals, or with nutrition, hygiene, money or short common whole words? Questions? Can we help you? Can you help us? Call 362-4284 or email compuplace@ecc-cr.org Do you see yourself in a position to volunteer for ECC? Serve on a steering committee? Volunteer office support to Helping Hands Ministry? Help out at CompuPlace? If so call Lois at Helping Hands (366-2651) or Robin at CompuPlace (362-4284) today! Margaret Bock Housing Update “A Home on Third” 1021 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403 Margaret Bock Housing (MBH) wishes to thank the Community Circle of Care for the generous donation of many blankets for the low income, single adults residing at MBH. MBH has a total of 34 single rooms. Six of the rooms have an adjoining bathroom whereas the remaining 28 share one of several community bathrooms. Rent varies according to the size of the room from $225 to $240 per month including utilities and cleaning of all common areas. A few of the smaller rooms are available for immediate occupancy. The minimum requirements for acceptance are • Must be single • Must have a source of income • Must make a $100.00 security deposit • Must pay current month’s rent in advance • Must agree to a “criminal check” Rent applications may be picked up at the Helping Hands Ministry office located at 1035 3rd Ave SE, Suite 101. The MBH Property Manager, Raymond Pina, is available between the hours of 8 a.m. And 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling 361-6871. Wish List for Residents: Single bed fitted & top sheets Pillows and Pillowcases Please consider supporting MBH and join us as we strive to continue operating and improving Margaret Bock Housing. ECCF Board of Directors Jim Kennedy, President, First Lutheran Charles Scott, Vice President, At-Large Peter Riley, Treasurer, At-Large Lois Nosek, Secretary, Mound View Neighborhood Association Linda Bibb, Salem United Methodist J.D. Combellick, Peoples Unitarian Universalist Dale Crosier, At-Large Jim Federer, At-Large Henry Hernandez, Immaculate Conception Catholic Ed Holstrom, St. Paul’s United Methodist David Jiruska, Westminster Presbyterian Robin Kash, Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association Scott Olson, At-Large Jean Oxley, First Congregational Dave Rogers, Echo Hill Presbyterian Tom Ryder, At-Large John vonLackum, First Presbyterian-CR Mary Evans, First Christian Vacancy = Lovely Lane United Methodist* Vacancy = Christ Episcopal Church* *Would like to have positions filled no later than March 2008 ECC News - 2007 Donations & Thanks: Jan Alderton Margo Anders Albert Aossey CR Aquatics Assoc Gregg & Susan Austin First Baptist, Marion David/Judy Pedersen Benn 1st Congregation Women Timothy & Mary Bennington Carol Berg Jonathan & Susan Benya Theodore/Marlene Bey Jim & Diane Bradbury Scott & Eileen Britten Charles & Kate Brokaw Robin Brunner James Burlingham Immaculate Conception St John XXIII Catholic St Joseph Catholic St Jude Catholic St Ludmila Catholic St Matthews Catholic St Pius X Catholic Steven & Mary Chamberlin Ashok & Purnima Chawla Community of Christ Christ Episcopal Encounter Christian Church First Christian First Congregational Peoples Unitarian Troy Mills Christian Trish & Richard Bruxvoort Colligan Civil Rights Commission Linda & Walter Corey Brimmer Associates Corp Inter Religious Council Dale & Alice Crosier Janice Cuffel H. T. Decker Robert & Karen Doyle Roberty/Nadine Drahozal Gary Donnermeyer William & Zmira Earley Mark & Dorothy Eckman Douglas & Gayle Elliott Mary Alice Ericson Michael & Patricia Esker Jim & Janet Federer Chada-Pautz Fellowship Alan & Susan Fletcher GCRCFTokheim Fund Rockwell Collins United Fund Nations Financial Group La Vern Gordon Stephen & Sharon Geppert Kathleen Hall Doris Hamilton Harlan/Barbara Hanson Mark & Sue Hartung Churches United City of Cedar Rapids City of Marion Ann & Eric Hearn Henry Hernandez Jeraldine Hewitt Dave & Dorothy Higdon Ruth Holm Ed & Rebecca Holstrom Mission of Hope Margaret Bock Vicki Hughes Karla Ice United Way of E Central IA B Diane Jacobs David Jiruska Cynthia & John White Johnson Douglas & Anita Johnson Thelma Johnston David & Janiese Karpa James & Connie Kennedy David & Deann King Kiwanis Club, Marion Daniel & Nova Kolander Kenneth & Virginia Kolek Richard/Marjorie Koolbeck Lisa LaDue Phyllis Lindsay Chris Lumm Ascension Lutheran Bethany Lutheran First Lutheran Gloria Dei Lutheran Our Savior’s Lutheran St John’s Lutheran St Stephens Lutheran Peg Maher Francis & Judith Mclaskey Brenda McMillan Gwenn Meek Sisters of Mercy Andrew Meyer Brian Middleswarth Gladys Millen Dora Mueller Bess Naujoks Sandy Nelson Oakland Church of Nazerene Joyce Nielson Lois & Joe Nosek Shartier Ntanyungu Foman Nutrition Scott Olson Jean Oxley Thomas Pietz Richard & Marion Patterson Lynda & Robert Payne Carley & Delores Pisel Echo Hill Presbyterian First Presbyterian Hus Memorial Presbyterian Westminster Presbyterian Apollo Data Processing Grace Pruss Eldon & Margaret Pugh Peter Riley Lois & Ronald Rude Lutheran Church of Resurrection Carol & David Rogers Mary & Louis Roman Robert & Kathryn Roys Mileneo Runnyugu James & Dianna Russo Tom Ryder Matthew/Karla Sander Chad & Kandy Sands Vernon Middle School, Marion Darlene Schrimper Jenny Schulz Charles Scott Thomas & Margaret Sears Deborah Sedlacek Jack & Joyce Sedlacek Donald & Marilyn Shahan Wm & Winifred Shuttleworth Kay Slocum Sandra Smith Randall & Sarah Smedstad Muslim American Society Sashi Solomon Mary Stalker Opal Stout Stephen & Marcia Swift Janene Thompson Living Water Methodist Lovely Lane U/Methodist Prairie Chapel U/Methodist Salem U/Methodist Sharon U/Methodist St. Paul’s U/Methodist Gregory & Bonnie Van Sloten Michael & Jan Vlasak John Vonlackum Welcome Wagon Janice & Roy Watkins Marcie Watson Edward Winter Brett & Marita Wolgast 1st Presbyterian Women Westminster Women Keith & Gretchen Wright Leonard Wright Karen Young Narcotic Anonymous Groups (Excuse Typos Please)
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