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e-Network News, November 2011
In This Issue
From the Streets to Stable Housing
Save the Date
Adopt A Family Program Launches
Take Our Survey
Raise the Roof for Affordable Housing: Thank You
Community Resource Day is Nov. 16
Oakland County Landlord Breakfast is Nov. 28
Debra Hendren Receives Carla Javits Award
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PPFrom Living on the Street to Stable Housing: A Success Story in Progress

Cynthia Keller* was living out of her car when it was repossessed. She had nowhere to go and was forced to live on the streets.

After a stroke in 2009 that left her with cognitive defects and weakness on her left side, Cynthia lost her job as an employment specialist. 

Cynthia also struggles with borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder and Post-Traumatic  Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Though she has now been sober for three years, Cynthia used to be addicted to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with the despair she felt over her situation. 

  Fortunately, Cynthia came to Community Housing Network for help, where she found that she qualified for temporary help through the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). That program helped her to get off the streets and into an apartment.

Though the lingering symptoms from her stroke have prevented her from working, Cynthia would eventually like to start working again and attended a peer support specialist workshop in September. She is also in the process of writing a book about her story with the hope of getting published.

 

"If CHN turned me down, I was ready to turn in the towel, and I'm glad I didn't attempt to take my life," she said. "They gave me a place to live and a reason to live."

 

"I'd lost all hope," she said. "I eventually broke down enough to ask for help, but I didn't think anybody could help me at that point."

Save the Date! 
 

Nov. 1 -Dec. 12:
Adopt A Family! Join us. Learn more here.

 

Nov. 1-Nov. 30: CHN survey to assess housing needs for Oakland County residents with disabilities. Take the survey here.

Nov. 10- Nov. 30:
 Working With Continuum of Care Bodies Workshops. Various dates. Go here for more info. 

Nov. 2011- Feb. 2012:
 Getting My Own Address Overview Presentations. Various dates. Go here for more info.

Nov. 16:
 Community Resource Day. More here.
 
Nov. 28:
 Oakland County Landlord
 Breakfast. More here. 
Message from Marc

Dear Supporter

house with handsThank you to everyone who participated in our successful annual fundraiser in October, Raise the Roof for Affordable Housing. We couldn't have done it without our supporters, and we are humbled by your generosity. Read more here.

And, right around the corner -- right now, in fact -- is our Adopt A Family Program. This is a fun and uplifting opportunity to help formerly homeless and at-risk individuals and families with necessities and gifts during the holiday season. I hope you'll join us! Read more here.

We have additional opportunities for you in this month's newsletter:
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope to see you around for Adopt A Family!

Sincerely,

Marc Craig
President
AAFGirl smilingAdopt A Family Program Launches -- Join Us! 

Believe it or not, it's that time of year again...  CHN staff and volunteers are geared up for our annual Adopt A Family program, and we would love your help!
Adopt A Family is an annual program that provides gifts and basic necessities to formerly homeless families in CHN's supportive housing programs.  It's a great opportunity to get involved, at whatever level works for you. Read more here on our website.

See this video from a participant in last year's Adopt A Family program, who told her story at our recent "Raise the Roof for Affordable Housing" event.
surveyTake Our Survey to Help Us Meet Your Needs 

Are you a resident of Oakland County? Do you have a disablility, or are
clipboard
Take our survey!
you a family member or support person of a someone with a disability? If yes, we'd like to hear from you!

We're conducting a short survey to assess the status of housing and to identify the present and future needs of housing for Oakland County's citizens with disabilities.

Please take a few minutes to take our survey here. Please share this with anyone who may be interested.

Thank you!
RtRRaise the Roof for Affordable Housing: Thank You for Your Support!

RtR 2011 Matt Holiday, LoreleiThis year's "Raise the Roof" event brought in a record $68,000 to help people with disabilities and those who are homeless find long-term, successful housing.  Read more in this article that ran in the Troy-Somerset Gazette.

Photos from the event can be seen here on our Flickr page.

Thanks again to everyone who participated, including our Leadership Sponsor Attorneys Title Agency!
CRDCommunity Resource Day to Help Those Who are Homeless, At-Risk of Homelessness

The Oakland County Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable
Community Resource Day
Community Resource Day, 2010
Housing will have its annual Community Resource Day on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Vincent De Paul Church, located at 46408 Woodward Ave. in Pontiac.  See this flyer for more information, and please help spread the word! Thanks.
LandlordBreakfastOakland County Landlord Breakfast to Take Place Nov. 28

house with handsThe Oakland County Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing is sponsoring a complimentary breakfast for landlords who are interested in learning more about how they can find qualified tenants for their housing.

Please see this flyer for more details, and feel free to pass it along to anyone you feel may be interested in this event!
Debra Hendren Receives Carla Javits Award

At the recent
Debra Hendren, CHN, and Lisa Chapman, CSH
Homeless Summit in Lansing, CHN employee Debra Hendren accepted the 2011 Carla Javits Award from the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) for her work in ending homelessness in Michigan. 

The award was presented to Debra by Lisa Chapman of CSH.

 Congratulations, Debra! 

View a video here and photos here. 
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We'd love to hear from you! To contact us, please call (248) 928-0111. For media inquiries, or for suggestions regarding this e-newsletter, please call the above number or email aosmer@chninc.net. Visit our website at www.communityhousingnetwork.org. Thank you! 
With support from:
OCCMHA