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e-Network News - November 2015


It's not too late to adopt a family this year!

We are excited to be able to offer our Adopt A Family program again this year! This year we hope to fill the wish lists and provide basic necessities and gifts for several hundred individuals and families. Many of these families would go without during the holidays if not for Adopt A Family!
 
If you, or someone you know are interested in being a part of Adopt A Family this holiday season, please e-mail Tami Jelinek at [email protected].
CHN named Detroit Free Press Top 100 Workplace 4 years running!

Congratulations to the CHN team for being a Detroit Free Press Top 100 Workplace for the fourth year in a row.
 

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This month I would like to introduce you to Tami Jelinek, our Adopt A Family coordinator. 

As the Adopt A Family coordinator, Tami receives the wishlists from participants in CHN's housing programs, including families with children and single adults. She then matches donors with families and individuals in need of adoption.
 
Organizing the logistics of receiving the gifts from donors and then distributing the correct gifts to the participants in a short turn around time is a particularly important part of Adopt A Family that CHN does well.

How did you get involved with the Adopt A Family program at CHN?
Over the years my family has participated in various adopt a family programs. I felt like it was a good idea to get my kids involved so that they didn't just think of themselves, but others, during the holiday season. Participating in an adopt a family program is a good way to get children involved in a hands-on way. My family lives far away from the rest of our extended family, so it was fun to participate because we were able to shop for someone that might not have a family and we were here without our family.
I coordinated an adopt a family program at another organization for several years and a senior care giving program. I worked with lots of volunteers to get them on board with helping.
Last year was my first year at CHN; I was a volunteer and learned a lot about the Adopt A Family program. It was very touching for me because one of the roles I had was checking recipients in, and the people were so grateful and overwhelmed by the generosity of our
donors. This year I am dealing with all aspects of the program. As all of the donors drop off gifts, seeing the distribution room full of gifts gives you the Christmas cheer. If you need to feel the holiday spirit, stop by CHN during the holiday season!

What is the story behind Adopt A Family?
Adopt A Family was started in 2004 to help make the holidays merrier for the people we serve, including formerly homeless families. The families now live in safe affordable housing, but many are unable to provide holiday gifts for their loved ones and are in need of many basic necessities.
Warm coats, boots, hats and gloves are needed by many of the families, along with clothing and household items.  We also ask each recipient to request a wish or two, something fun to make their holiday brighter. Donors are asked to spend no more than $100 per family or individual. For many, these will be the only gifts they receive at the holidays. 

It sounds like Adopt A Family really fills a need for the people we serve. Is there anything that stands out in your experience with this program?
There is a lady that leads a Cub Scout troop in which the boys wanted to participate in a service project, and she wanted to have them do something that they could relate to. We have a lot of single seniors in the Adopt A Family program. Many times when families or groups participate in the program they want to adopt a family with younger children. So even though there is a great need to have the single adults adopted, it can be a little more challenging. The Cub Scout troop adopted an older single person and the troop leader explained that this could be a grandpa or grandma that is all alone. This ended up being a great way to have the Cub Scouts be able to relate to what they were doing, while also fulfilling a big need.
We are always trying to put a face on what we do, and the Adopt A Family program is a way we can do that. We have been incorporating videos in our outreach for the program because they really help donors and volunteers connect to the people we serve.

What are ways that people can be involved with the Adopt a Family program?
1. Adopting a family.
2. Giving a cash donation. Not all of our families are adopted out, so we use these donations to shop for them, fulfilling at least some of the items on their wishlists.
3. Donating general items such as dish soap, kitchen sponges, household cleaners, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, hand/bath soap, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, shaving cream, razors and deodorant.
4. Volunteering in the program. We need help with gift wrapping, receiving gifts as they are dropped off, and assisting the recipients who are picking up their gifts.

What do you enjoy most about your position?
I love the process of matching donors with participants, because I know what a difference those gifts will make for that individual or family. I love that I get to see the gifts as they come in, and the gifts as they go out -- there are lots of smiles and even happy tears on those days!
I also love knowing that each donor is going to receive a blessing from their involvement. One of my goals is to do whatever I can to facilitate the process for a donor so that it is a smooth and easy process for their family or office group, and a richly rewarding experience as well.
I also enjoy working with such a positive group of people and being able to contribute to an organization that does so much to impact the lives of the community that it serves. 

Any parting words of wisdom?
To anyone considering getting involved with Adopt A Family with CHN, I highly recommend it because you are sure to have a great experience!  

I am grateful for Tami's work, as well as the work of all CHN team members. If you are interested in participating in Adopt A Family please email Tami at [email protected].  
 
Thank you for your ongoing support!
 
Marc Craig
President
  With support from: Fair Housing Logo
OCCMHA

Community Housing Network | 248-928-0111 | [email protected] | http://www.communityhousingnetwork.org
570 Kirts Boulevard, Suite 231
Troy, MI 48084