|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BY THE NUMBERS
Case Management Hours
September 876
October 860
November 768
In-Kind Donations
September $32,663
October $36,572
November $37,828
Total $107,063
Monetary Grants and Donations
September $6,910
October $13,765
November $2,504
Total $23,179
Educational Service Hours
September 2,354
October 2,434
November 2,242
Total 7,030
Volunteer Hours
September 1,762
October 1,560
November 1,793
|
 HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT LIFESTEPS! | |
Greetings! 
Happy Holidays from the LifeSTEPS team. While we recognize that it has been a challenging year for so many, we also wish to take a moment to acknowledge some of the positive things that have taken place. LifeSTEPS has been honored to receive monies from Bank of America, Verizon, Target, Rotary Club of Sacramento, River Cats Foundation and Wal-Mart, among others. Our agency absorbs all of the administrative fees associated with fundraising, therefore 100% of monies received is being used to educate, inspire and improve the lives of residents. All in all, LifeSTEPS has raised over $125,000 in cash donations this year, including our most recent grant from Change a Life Foundation. This is a $10,000 award being used to provide much needed emergency assistance in our Southorn California region. It has been a real privilege to be a source of support for residents and see their needs being met.
While monetary support is crucial, our residents are also benefiting from a variety of in-kind gifts and services solicited by our Directors of Social Services. Resident youth have experienced improved academic achievement as the result of volunteer tutoring services. Individuals and families have come to rely on the weekly distribution of essential household and food items which they use to stretch their hard earned dollars. Due to the generosity of local vendors and community members that have provided grocery, dining and special activity gift cards, our community building events are often an exciting opportunity to win a special gift. We also use these gift cards to reward youth for success in the after school programs. Each of these donations enriches the lives of residents and collectively are valued at more than $300,000 for 2009.
As the number of sites to which we provide services expands, so has our staff. Today we serve residents at 134 sites, up from 117 as of January 2009. We have added five full-time positions and 20 part-time positions- for a total of 91 staff members. As 2010 approaches, each member of our team remains dedicated to delivering service with integrity and impacting lives in a powerful way. Happy Holidays!
Respectfully,
Beth Southorn, MACP
Executive Director | |
|
GRANTS AND DONATIONS
Funded by a grant from the Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation, accomplished glass artist, Tim Harlan, has been working with a group of 12 Vintage Shores residents for the past year, teaching them how to turn plain glass tiles into lovely pieces of art. Residents have learned how to compose small and larger works by sketching a picture and then placing very small particles of glass on their clear glass tile canvases. Tim then takes their work back to his kiln to fire it, and returns with wonderful works of art. Not only are the residents enjoying a creative outlet; they also are gaining confidence as they revel in learning a new skill. Residents make their own projects, and also have joined together to make two larger works of art, now being displayed at Vintage Shores. Due to the success of this endeavor, the Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation has extended this art experience by another year. Residents will continue to hone their skills and create beautiful masterpieces to share with their friends, families, and neighbors.
 
________________________________________________________________
Our Southern California Regional Director of Social Services, Zoila Parodi, applied for an in-kind donation of computers from the Edison International Corporate Contribution Program in May 2009. We have since been awarded five computers - four are installed at the Creekside Apartments clubhouse in Cathedral City and the other is located at Villa Cortina Apartments in La Quinta. Thanks to the generosity of Edison and partner Technology Training Foundation of Americas (TTFA), residents at these two sites now have convenient access to computer technology. On November 2, LifeSTEPS hosted a donor appreciation event at the Creekside Apartments where representatives from Edison and Technology Training Foundation of America were formally thanked. Among those present were Cathedral City Mayor Kathy DeRosa and City Councilman Chuck Vasquez, McCormack Baron Property Management, LifeSTEPS staff members and community residents. Jeanette Roache, President and Executive Director of TTFA, was so moved by LifeSTEPS' services and the gratitude expressed by residents that she has authorized a donation of five additional computers. LifeSTEPS is honored that TTFA recognizes the needs of our residents and is providing such generous support. A special thanks to LifeSTEPS' Zoila Parodi, Edison International and Technology Training Foundation of America for your efforts and contributions to our communities.
Kathy DeRosa, Jennifer Keller, Jeanette Roache, Zoila Parodi, Chuck Vasquez, and Joanna Rivera.
Click Here to see who else is supporting LifeSTEPS. |
|
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
When the LifeSTEPS Director of Social Services (DSS) at Vintage Park Apartments noticed that senior resident, Elisa, had stopped visiting with neighbors and participating in social events, she was concerned. For the past two years Elisa was always sociable, going out of her way to make other residents happy, and a regular volunteer at the Friday Food Bank. The DSS called Elisa and asked to visit her; fortunately, she was very open to talking. It seems that Elisa was experiencing the beginning stages of dementia. The LifeSTEPS DSS contacted Adult Protective Services to request an evaluation by a Sonoma County Social Worker. Elisa's doctor confirmed the dementia; however, he felt that she was able to continue living independently and noted that early detection was critical to her well-being.
Now that Elisa and her family are aware of the diagnosis, steps can be taken to help her maintain an independent life. Elisa is relieved to have an explanation for the way she feels, and said, "I would rather know than not know. I want to spend some quality time with my family." The LifeSTEPS DSS has encouraged Elisa to participate in social activities and supported her decision to give up driving. Elisa is congnizant enough to recognize the potential danger of driving with impaired senses and memory. With LifeSTEPS' guidance Elisa sought proper medical attention and as a result is ever mindful to appreciate every precious moment with her family. She is also relieved that she will not be a menace to others on the road and pleased to remain in her apartment.
_________________________________________________________________
In October, Jack and Kate Ballou were referred by their apartment manager to their LifeSTEPS Director of Social Services, Rebecca. Jack and Kate are residents at Terracina at Park Meadows, an SHRA site, who were facing huge financial challenges due to lost jobs and a stolen vehicle. The Ballou's relocated to California about three years ago and, until recently, easily provided for their growing family. Then, within a short period of time, Jack lost his job, their car was stolen and, the final straw, Kate lost her job.
Initially Jack and Kate asked their families for help, but given the difficult economy they were only able to help a bit. Rebecca referred them to the Salvation Army and Traveler's Aide who could not help at all; however, HEAP and their church provided a small amount of assistance. The Ballou's were also able to negotiate a more affordable rent for their apartment and LifeSTEPS provided emergency financial assistance made possible by the Bank of America grant. Funds provided by LifeSTEPS brought them current on their rent as well as paid a partial amount for the upcoming month. Meanwhile, Rebecca is coaching Jack and Kate on job skills, updating their resumes, and connecting them to the One Stop Career Center. They are each still actively seeking employment and continue to meet with Rebecca on a regular basis to receive case management. Read More |
NEW PROPERTIES
In October and November 2009, LifeSTEPS began providing services at six new sites bringing our total properties served to 134. Our new sites include Copperstone in Sacramento, Los Vientos in San Diego, Serenity Villas Senior in Los Angeles, Tanager Springs I in Fresno, Valle del Sol in Brawley, and Vintage Square at Westpark in Roseville.
Los Vientos by AMCAL Multi-Housing is an 89-unit affordable housing community located in San Diego. |
|
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
 Leah Harrell is a resident volunteer at Villa Siena Apartments in Lake Elsinore. She began volunteering with LifeSTEPS in July 2009 as a facilitator for the after school program. Each month Leah donates 24 hours of her time to help the children with homework, teach arts & crafts activities, and supervise fun educational games. The resident youth are fond of Leah and attendance has doubled under her guidance. She loves working with kids and in the past has traveled to Africa where she spent six months working to help build orphanages. Leah enjoys volunteering for LifeSTEPS because it gives her an oppportunity to be around children and engage them in creativity, fun and learning. LifeSTEPS extends a special thank you to Leah for her commitment to the children enrolled in our after school program at Villa Siena Apartments. |
|
LIFESTEPS STAFF CHANGES
Please not some changes to LifeSTEPS' organizational structure. Previously, Craig Gillett and Beth Southorn were the Co-Executive Directors of LifeSTEPS. Craig was also the President of the LifeSTEPS' Board of Directors. Craig will continue to be an active Board President and leader who is responsible for strategic planning, establishing and maintaining partner relationships, and all contract negotiations. Beth is now the LifeSTEPS Executive Director and partners with Craig in strategic planning, maintaining partner relationships, as well as managing overall agency operations and fundraising. The new position of Senior Director of Program Operations has also been created. This role is filled by our long-time staff member, Meredith Chillemi, who was previously Senior Regional Director of Social Services for Southern California. Meredith has a firsthand understanding of how to deliver services and has successfully designed programs to enhance your communities. It is a milestone for LifeSTEPS that such changes are warranted and we are confident that this new structure will enable us to be more effective than ever. | |
|
 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 Director
Extension 203
Virginia Terry - Fund Development Assistant
Extention 210
| |
|
|
|
|
