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BY THE NUMBERS
Case Management Hours
June 864
July 651
August 805
Total 2320
In-Kind Donations
June $24,637
July $24,754
August $32,571
Total $81,962
Monetary Grants and Donations
June $17,283
July $7,424
August $52,185
Total $76,892
Educational Service Hours
June 2054
July 1937
August 2200
Total 6191
Volunteer Hours
June 1695
July 1721
August 1692
Total 5108
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Greetings!
I am very excited about the progress LifeSTEPS has made in our Fund Development Department and the impact this will have on families and seniors struggling to survive the effects of the weak economy. In early 2008, this agency implemented a new approach to Fund Development which involved hiring a full-time staff person to work in conjunction with our Regional Directors of Social Services throughout the state. This team dynamic has proved extremely successful as this past quarter we received $76,892 in cash awards which will be used to improve the lives of families and seniors living in affordable housing complexes in your communities.
It is important to note that 100% of funds received through grants & donations will directly benefit residents and that LifeSTEPS does not attach any administrative fees to it. We are particularly thrilled with the $25,000 grant award from Bank of America which will allow us to provide rental and emergency assistance at 21 sites throughout Sacramento and Yolo counties.
LifeSTEPS is dedicated to serving our communities and looks forward to continuing to do so in partnership with you and our generous donors. See our "Grants and Donations" section for additional details.
Sincerely,
Craig Gillett, J.D., M.F.T.
Co-Executive Director |
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SAVE THE DATE
FREE E-WASTE COLLECTION
Saturday, October 10th
9:00am - 1:00pm
Terracina at Elk Grove Apartments
Parking Lot
9440 West Stockton Boulevard
Elk Grove, CA
Contact: Jennifer Savin (916) 949-6466
Will accept: monitors, televisions, desktop computers and notebook computers, VCRs, stereo equipment, speakers, keyboards, mice, PDAs, digital cameras, zip drives, telephones, cell phones, printers, copiers, laser and multifunction scanners and fax machines. | |
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USA United
Prior to the start of the 2009/2010 school year, USA United rallied together to collect school supplies for children of low income families living at sites in the Northern California region. Forty-seven children at seven sites were thrilled to receive such an abundance of new supplies and many parents were relieved to see their children's needs met thanks to the generosity of USA United.
The distribution process was similar at most of the sites. LifeSTEPS hosted a party to which the entire community was invited. Residents enjoyed ice cream, played Rock Band, and everyone in attendance won after school supplies. The children were overheard sharing their expectations for the new school year. Everyone in attendance went home with a well stocked bag of supplies and better prepared for school. This was a phenomenal way to get the kids excited about returning to school.
Verizon has awarded LifeSTEPS a $9500 grant which will be used for the after school program at Casa Grande and Casa La Paz Apartments in Coachella, CA. At the after school sessions, the children will improve their academic performance with a focus on literary skills. The Verizon Foundation is committed to improving student achievement and LifeSTEPS is pleased to have been selected as a partner to help them fulfill their mission.
Bank of America
LifeSTEPS is honored to have been selected as a recipient of a $25,000 local grant from Bank of America. With this award, an emergency assistance fund has been established for residents living in 21 affordable housing communities in Sacramento and Yolo Counties. In conjunction with this monetary assistance, LifeSTEPS will continue to provide financial counseling and education that will help residents to remain in housing, plan for the future, and provide for their families.
Click Here to see who else is supporting LifeSTEPS. |
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Sam
Erick, the LifeSTEPS Director of Social Services at the El Palmar Apartments in Avenal, an MCA property, met Sam and his mother in Spring 2009. At that time, they were new residents and Sam was experiencing academic challenges at school which put him at risk of repeating the first grade. The Tamarack Elementary School principal, who is familiar with LifeSTEPS' services, contacted Sam's mother and Erick to suggest that he be enrolled in our after school program. Sam's mother was extremely distraught when she first met with Erick to discuss Sam's grades and behavior. She was particularly troubled by the verbal and physical abuse Sam exhibited toward his younger siblings. Erick suggested that Sam be enrolled in the LifeSTEPS After School Program where he could receive tutoring from one of our local high school volunteers. In addition, Erick met with Sam every two weeks for counseling and after school sessions. Sam's mother was delighted to see him excited about the program and engaged in activities, but nothing compared to the joy she felt when Sam was recognized at school as the "Student of the Month" for May. What a victory for a once troubled child! Not only has Sam enjoyed success at school but he is also experiencing positive interactions with his siblings. Those who know him say that Sam is actually "Student of the Year" as his hard work has resulted in him being promoted to the second grade! Recently Sam's mother came to the El Palmar office on an errand and saw Erick speaking to a mother and daughter. She told them, "Just do what LifeSTEPS says and they'll make your child Student of the Month!"
Lou
In June 2009, Lou, an active resident at the Heritage Park Senior Apartments in Cathedral City, a USA Multifamily Management Inc. property, contacted his LifeSTEPS Director of Social Services, Marla, to help him resolve a billing dispute between him and the service provider of his phone, cable and internet. In late 2008, the service provider was sold to a new company - taking Lou's account and all its issues along with it. This new company inherited all the pre-existing problems, including billing errors for services not rendered, double charges and misapplied payments. To make matters worse, the new billing system the company implemented caused some bills to get mailed late and others to not go out at all. Lou had already spent countless hours on the phone trying to sort matters out when he reached out to Marla. Read More.
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NEW PROPERTIES
In June 2009, LifeSTEPS began providing services at eight new sites bringing our total properties served to 128. Our new sites include Arbor Terrace and La Entrada in San Diego, Elm Street Commons in Anaheim, Manitou Vistas in Los Angeles, Metro Loma in Glendale, Tanager Springs II in Fresno, Brookfield Place Apartments in Oakland and Terracina at Elk Grove.
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 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Tino Tejeda is not only an employee with USA Multifamily Management Inc. but is also a volunteer with LifeSTEPS. Since 1999, Tino has been volunteering at multiple properties for LifeSTEPS and currently volunteers at Village Crossing Apartments in Elk Grove. He provides eight to ten hours of instruction each month teaching residents how to paint with watercolors, oils and pastels. Tino has 15 years of art related experience including some formal education. He likes to volunteer because it gives him an opportunity to engage with the residents on a different level. He is committed to volunteering and appreciates the assistance that LifeSTEPS has given him in the past. |
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Note to Management
In order to ensure that LifeSTEPS and Property Management are prepared for an audit, LifeSTEPS has created an information binder for each site. It includes all activities information and sign-in sheets. Please share all upcoming audit dates with LifeSTEPS and refer compliance agencies to the LifeSTEPS Binder.
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 LifeSTEPS Corporate Office
Phone: (916) 965-0110 Fax: (916) 965-0102
Kirsten Hebron - Administrative Assistant
Extension 201
Brigid Perakis - Director of Administration
Extension 202
Wende Watson - Fund Development Manager
Extension 203
Misty Watson - Accountant
Extension 204
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