Melville Charitable Trust: Spring 2015 MASH MYSTIC AREA SHELTER & HOSPITALITY, INC. MASH AT WORK Ending family homelessness, one family at a time Working Opportunity Ending Family Homelessness Do you have a job? Does your job center you in the community and support you and your family? Have you ever experienced the stress and anxiety of being without a job? Many families in our community are precariously housed due to unemployment or underemployment. A relatively minor financial crisis can cause them to become homeless. On the Housing Front Letter from MASH Executive Director 2 Letter “HOME” Bulletin: Board HBS Community Partners Complete Pro-Bono Analysis 3 Local Largesse MASH services focus on empowering our clients to achieve permanent, stable housing and employment is a critical part of the equation. That’s why when MASH recently welcomed a young mother into the MASH shelter, we quickly assessed her employment potential. A kind and gentle woman, her dream had always been to work in nursing. Towards that end, she had saved her meager earnings to complete a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course shortly before her world turned upside down. She lost her job and a family conflict caused her to lose the home she shared with relatives. As soon as she came into shelter, she worked with MASH on her resume and MASH helped her find a part-time minimum wage job, but her future was uncertain. Fortunately, MASH had recently been awarded a grant from the Melville Charitable Trust to support a number of families transitioning from homelessness to housing. The program goal is to provide the education and training necessary to secure and maintain a steady income through employment. The obstacle to a CNA position for this client was the cost of the exam. Thanks to the grant, MASH was able to pay for the cost of the test, as well as the transportation and childcare necessary for the client to take the exam. She proudly reported that she had passed. Within weeks she got her dream job at a local assisted living facility, with the income necessary to secure stable, permanent housing. We wish her every success in her future career and are excited at the opportunity offered by this innovative grant. Wheels to Work Family Foundation Grants 3 Arts and Homelessness Maintaining Shelter On January 11th, the Paddington Bear movie previewed to a full house at the Avon Theatre in Stamford, CT. Sneak peak ticket sales benefitted the CT Coalition to End Homelessness Be Homeful project, a special campaign designed to help CT families that find themselves on the cusp of homelessness. The event raised much needed funds and brought greater awareness to the plight of family homelessness. Spring Cleanup Check out this video of Dallas artist Willie Baronet’s efforts to change the way we look at homelessness throughout the country. Supplies Needed 2 http://hooplaha.com/2014/11/eclectic-artist-brings-homelessness-tolight-through-thought-provoking-collection/ Spring 2015 MASH Ending Family Homelessness On the Housing Front Re-housing clients in economically viable housing is a daily challenge for MASH Housing Coordinator, Noreen Zupnik. According to Zupnik, “What we think of as affordable housing is quite simply beyond the reach of our client families.” This is true throughout CT, where there is an effort to redefine what affordable means to homeless families. Until “deeply affordable” housing becomes available, MASH is exploring more creative solutions to housing our clients, including roommate sharing opportunities. Dividing expenses between two families makes housing more affordable and sustainable. A Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness training brought this idea to the forefront, where it is being piloted in urban areas with the homeless single population. MASH will initiate a partnership with other area providers in exploring roommate sharing with families. Letter “Home” Because of your support MASH can give local homeless families hope. In thanking MASH, our clients thank you. Maintaining Shelter Letter from MASH Executive Director Dear Friends, There are many times throughout our lives when we feel compassion for others. We feel compelled to act, but then life gets in the way. In 1997 Rev. Dr. G. Kenneth Carpenter acted on his compassion. Deeply moved by the plight of a homeless woman sleeping on the steps of the church where he ministered, he gathered together members of the community to assess the extent of the problem. Because of Ken Carpenter and because we live in a community that truly cares, MASH was formed. st That’s why on May 1 , we will celebrate community support for our mission and honor the difference that our founder’s actions have made in the lives of countless families. I hope you will join us at this year’s gala “There’s No Place Like Home”. With your support, we can continue Ken’s vision and continue MASH’s work to end family homelessness. Every family in our community should have the comfort and belief that there is no place like their own home. “None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for your guidance and helping hands along the way.” “A year ago I would’ve never thought I’d be where I am let alone grateful for it but I can say with an honest mind and open heart that I truly have never felt the gratitude that I felt today.” “I can’t imagine how many people you have helped throughout the years. I’m blessed to be one of them and hope that someday I can give back to the world as that has been given to me….” Denise Collins MASH Executive Director Special thanks to our Event Committee for their brilliant ideas and the countless hours st spent planning MASH’s May 1 Gala. David Cruthers • Melinda Elliott Carlisle• Debra Chamberlain • Quincy Clayton • Laurie McElwee • Laurie Finan • Irene KoenigKluepfel • Laura Manfre • Michael Mondello • Betsy Moukawsher • Bonnie Nault • Bill and Betty Smith • Allisa Young Spring Cleanup Middle school students from the Groton Bible Chapel will spend a Saturday in May sprucing up the MASH shelter. Thanks to their efforts, the signs of a long, hard winter will be raked and swept away. Also on the “To Do” list is reorganizing donated bedding and household items stored in the shelter. Thanks to the students, MASH’s shelter will continue to shine inside and out. Supplies Needed When in shelter, our client families are responsible for cleaning their temporary homes. To help in their upkeep, MASH seeks in-kind donations of the following items: electric brooms; mops; dust pans and brushes. We could also use new shower curtains (we have plenty of liners); bath mats and anti-slip bath liners for the tubs. Call (860) 254-0222 to donate any of the above items. Board of Directors: Michael Mondello, President Karen Roman, Vice President David Cruthers, Secretary Neil Kluepfel, Treasurer Rev. Ann M. Aaberg Jeffrey Anderson Rev. Dr. G. Kenneth Carpenter Betsy Moukawsher James Rosenman William Smith Staff: Denise Collins, Executive Director Marlynn Benker, Social Worker Kathryn Keller, Office Manager Trisha Shah, Intern Noreen Zupnik, Housing Coordinator 2 Spring 2015 MASH Local Largesse Bulletin: Board Wheels to Work Since last October, MASH has received car donations that have helped to change the lives of two families. As executrix of her late mother’s estate, a friend of MASH donated a 1996 Buick her mother had rarely driven. In spite of the car’s age, it had less total mileage than most of us travel in a year. Stacy Fournier, a name you may recall from a January article in The Day, is a single mother of three children who was at risk of homelessness when she lost her job and couldn’t pay her rent back in November. Her car had broken down and her 8-year old had been hospitalized. Getting to her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) job proved impossible. MASH helped Stacy and her family stay out of shelter by finding her an affordable apartment in Norwich, paying the security deposit and first month’s rent, and giving her the Buick. Stacy was so excited to have a working car that she registered, insured and arranged to pick up the donated vehicle in Cape Cod. MASH social worker, Marlynn Benker, also assisted Stacy in a new job search. Having a car allowed Stacy to consider jobs around the region rather than limiting herself to jobs she could access by bus. Today, Stacy works well-paid per diem jobs and she and her family are living stably. Board Treasurer Neil Kluepfel donated his 2002 Toyota, the keys dangling from an Eiffel Tower keychain. Although the odometer read in excess of 70,000 miles, this car will run for a long time on the brand new tires Neil had installed before donating the car. Neil’s car was given to a mother with two children, who asked to remain anonymous due to domestic violence. She received the car shortly after leaving the MASH shelter, at a time when she was still struggling to achieve economic stability. With car ownership came the break she had hoped and prayed for. She increased her shifts at the restaurant and in turn, her income rose, improving her ability to budget each month. And she loved the whimsical key chain. When asked why he left the Eiffel Tower on the ring of keys, Neil responded, “In my experience, dreams can be powerful motivators. If given opportunities, there’s no telling where some of our clients will go.” HBS Community Partners Complete Pro-Bono Analysis Since 1997 MASH has pursued the mission of “ending family homelessness, one family at a time”. We have used a data-driven approach so that we can effectively and efficiently serve as many families in need as possible. With the support of Harvard Business School (HBS) Club of CT Community Partners, MASH has been assessing its programs and services to evaluate how our future work can have the greatest impact on ending family homelessness. HBS alumni Chuck Barton, Ed Harris, Jeff Krulwich and Rebecca Wayland spent the last four months gathering data and analyzing options in line with MASH’s mission. In February, they presented an insightful assessment of where MASH is today and how MASH can continue its role as a regional leader in combating family homelessness. In the months ahead, a subcommittee of the Board will meet to develop a 5-year strategic plan that will reflect the findings and vision of the assessment. Board President, Mike Mondello stated, “We are very grateful to Chuck, Ed, Jeff and Rebecca for their time, energy and thoughtful dialogue. With their strategic assessment, the MASH Board is better equipped to map the future of the organization.” Family Foundation Grants Donations from local family foundations help MASH provide critical support to at-risk and homeless families. Moved by our last newsletter article about kids in summer camps, a local donor selected MASH to receive a significant family foundation grant for summer camp scholarships. This generous gift will provide added support to client families who struggle to juggle jobs and childcare during the summer. They’ll also enjoy the added benefit of happy, tired kids at the end of a work day. 3 Spring 2015 MASH Don’t miss MASH’s Gourmet Gala celebrating 18 years of community support and our founder, Rev. Dr. G. Kenneth Carpenter Friday, May 1, 2015 @ 6:30 pm The River Room Mystic Seaport’s Latitude 41 Champagne & Sparkling Wine Tasting • Gourmet Dinner & Open Bar • Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods Desserts • Live Auction • Music & Dancing Information and Tickets at www.mashshelter.org or (860) 245-0222 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit #7 Mystic, CT 06355 www.mashshelter.org Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Fax: 860-245-0035 www.mashshelter.org 119 High Street, Mystic, CT 06355 860-245-0222 Ph:860-245-0035 Fax: MYSTIC AREA SHELTER & HOSPITALITY, INC. MASH Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Ending family homelessness, one family at a time www.mashshelter.org 119 High Street, Mystic, CT 06355 119 High Street, Mystic, CT 06355 Fax: 860-245-0035 Contact Information Ph: 860-245-0222 Information 860-245-0222 Ph:Contact Contact Information Non-Profit Organization Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Organization Permit #7 U.S. Postage Paid Mystic, CT 06355 Permit #7 Mystic, CT 06355
© Copyright 2024