If you missed the last IHELP meeting do not despair.   Stay tuned for minutes from the last meeting.  We value your opinion, please consider coming to the next meeting so we can get your input! 

Thanks TEAM TCAA for your dedication to complete the race, The Mayor's Run"/PF Chang's Rock 'N' Roll Arizona's Marathon and Half Marathon!  We appreciate our team members and Coach Brian Steines for making training fun!

"TEAM TCAA" - finishing the full at 26.2 says a lot about you:  Charles Hursh, Amanda Pulawski & Judy Ramos.  The Half Marathon at 13.1 is still a lot to walk or run:  Ed Baker, Robert Cerillo, Fletcher Corbett, Danny Dong, Stephen Dong, Jared Estrada, Kathy Estrada, Beth Fiorenza, Ann-Margret Howard, Grant Purdy, James Kraus, Don May, Lou Silverman, Stephen Sparks, Sam Sumner & Dave Wells.  Thanks also for all your fundraising.  A special thanks to Charles Hursh who raised almost $2,400.00 for "TEAM TCAA," way to go Charles!   Thanks for your generous support, and to all the sponsors;  Gold Sponsor;  Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Arizona;  Silver Sponsor;  Tempe Marketplace;  Bronze Sponsors;  Tempe Gateway, Veolia Transportation, Bob Ramsey-Jenny Norton - PMT Ambulance!  Many thanks to Mayor Hugh Hallman for matching our donations!!  And to Kerry Fetherston for the incredible job she did organizing the teams

A client, we'll call Michael, came to the IHelp program after being evicted from his Scottsdale residence that he was renting with his son.   Sam Sumner suggested that Michael work with the TCAA Case Manager to figure out his immediate goals, with the understanding that he would be allowed into the IHELP program on a nightly basis if he would actively participate in his Case Management plans.  Michael quickly started working with his Case Manager on his resume, cover letter, and job leads, and applying to online jobs.  Within two weeks Michael had received a part time job at Sears as a Sales Representative making $12.00 an hour.  His Case Manager has been helping him sort out some issues, and looking into alternatives for pursuing education, and job placement in the Green Industry.  Michael has been able to connect with a career guidance specialist through the Maricopa Workforce Connection (TCAA is an AccessPoint).  He and his guidance counselor are looking into the Statewide Energy Sector Partnership Grant which may enable him to obtain additional training in a long term sustainable industry. 

Michael's next steps are to work on budgeting, goal setting, housing, and reuniting with his family.  We are very proud of Michael for taking the initiative to use the available resources in the IHELP program to create a better life for himself.  Way to go Michael!   You are an inspiration to us all, and living proof that IHELP is a caring program seeking to empower people!

Bethany Community Church has been in the news lately for starting their own marathon team - iRUN for IHELP.  There were 11 participants that signed up and finished the race!  They raised a combined total of more than $1,000.00 for the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (IHELP).   They had a great support network with 13-15 total participants training.  Middle School Pastor, Josh Harper casually finished the half marathon with a teammate with a great time of 1:39.  Read the full article from the Arizona Republic.   Thanks to Bethany iRUN for IHELP Team for all the hard work training and fund raising!  We appreciate all your efforts!