October 2017 E-NewsLetter Fall is in the air. Cooler temperatures mean lots of requests for blankets, socks and coats. We really try our hardest to accommodate our clients and to gather community resources to help to meet those needs. I am confident that the work we do and the services we provide are improving our clients lives. With the weather change, we are looking for gently used blankets, sleeping bags, overalls, socks and tents for our homeless population. Currently, we have roughly 25 people who are classified as homeless enrolled in our daytime drop-in program. We continue to see great success with this program. Just recently, we successfully moved two people off of the streets and into affordable housing. Dillions continues to be a major supporter of Wesley House through the Community Rewards Program. We just received notice that our third quarter payout was $247.63. This money helps to fund the food pantry. If you are not currently enrolled in Community Rewards, please go to https://www.dillons.com/account/enrollcommunityrewardsnow and follow the instructions. This program does not affect your fuel points. This is a very easy way to support Wesley House. Thank you for all your prayers, donations and financial support. Wesley House has been in mission for over 30 years doing God s work of helping those who are underserved and underemployed. Without you, this would not be possible. Peace, Pastor Marcee
Family Stability Action Program By Lou Ann Colyer, Family Stability Case Manager On September 26 th, Pastor Marcee, Wesley House Executive Director and I had the privilege of attending the Cox Charities Experience luncheon in Wichita. Pastor Marcee had written a grant for Bring Your A Game to Work. My students were graduating from the class and were trying to pull together clothing appropriate for interviews but were having difficulty in doing so. I had talked to Pastor Marcee and I felt that if we could offer appropriate clothing for interviews, steel toe boots, skid resistant shoes and even a haircut, that the clients would be more successful. We talk about how important the right clothing is to make a good impression with a future employer, but when you are homeless or haven t worked in a long time, you don t have the resources to do so. Cox Communications Grant made this possible so that we could help the clients with this vital piece of preparation for the interview. We received $7,000 to purchase work appropriate clothing and work shoes and provide haircuts. Cox Communications is a unique foundation; its employees donated money and they are ones that review and award the grants. We were invited to a luncheon where we were one of 27 nonprofits from across the state. Cox Charities gave away $109,911.00 to a variety of causes. The luncheon was entitled Cox Charities Experience. They had us submit a scenario representing our grant ahead of time, then the day of the lunch we were divided into groups and rotated in 10 minute segments, talking about our scenario to different Cox employees. Each Cox employee invited had to have donated $500 in the last year. Their questions were to the point; they were very serious about making sure that their money was being well spent. After salad, soup and sandwiches each grant recipient was recognized and we were dismissed. It was a great way to educate more people about Wesley House and it made for a very interactive luncheon and award ceremony.. In October, we have had two graduates of Bring Your A Game to Work. It s still very exciting to have clients pass the test and receive their certificates. One of our clients, who is homeless, was determined to pass the exam. She had aced the practice exam, but nerves caused her to miss the 90% mark on her first two attempts on the real exam. So, we talked and developed a game plan. We were determined that she would pass. She had been working very hard to achieve this goal. She had a good time; there was a little discussion about some of the selection of items, but my 25 years of retail experience won out. She has since obtained a job, her hours are increasing, she has received a small raise, and hopes to be housed in the next few weeks. Her attitude and outlook have improved 100%.
The clothing purchased has given her more self-confidence. She now dresses appropriately for work and she is achieving more success in the workplace. She is going to be able to achieve her goal of having her own home and not be out on the streets any longer. She is now a contributing member of society and she sees herself as such. We have helped her with the tools to change her life. FOOD PROCUREMENT PROGRAM By Allen Childers, Wesley House Food Procurement Officer The weather has started to cool down considerably. We hope you have been staying warm and getting prepared for winter. Store donations are still coming in regularly for meat and dry goods but produce has gone down considerably. Hope to see you all soon! The Ellie is still rolling along! Pantry Needs - Laundry Detergent Dish Soap Jelly Toilet Paper Canned Vegetables. All donations are welcome! Thank you! *Total Weight includes: Meat, Bakery, Deli, Dairy, Seafood, Produce, Dry, and Frozen items. - Week Ending 9-1-17... Total Weight 2301 LBS - Week Ending 9-8-17...Total Weight 2573 LBS - Week Ending 9-15-17...Total Weight 2641 LBS - Week Ending 9-22-17...Total Weight 1640 LBS - Week Ending 9-29-17...Total Weight 2405 LBS - Total Weight for September...11,560 LBS Have a great FALL! -ALLEN
HOMELESS DAY SHELTER By Kelly Pulliam, Wesley House Day Shelter Case Manager In the Wesley House Homeless Daytime Drop-in Center, it has been a productive month. Two of our folks have been able to acquire housing and a third will be moving into a duplex around the first of the month. One of the people enrolled in the Wesley House Day Shelter Program has followed through and worked on a plan to become housed. He came to us the first part of August. During the initial intake, we discovered that he is a veteran. Being a veteran opens up access to more resources. We made contact with Catholic Charities Supportive Services for Veterans and Families and started the process of getting help for him to get into an apartment. He was able to meet with them over the last several weeks and moved into an apartment in the middle of the month. His success comes at a time when the weather is getting cooler. He will be warm at night and will be able to enjoy the upcoming holidays. % &!! " "!! %! &! # ' $! %
CONTACT INFORMATION Wesley House 411 E. 12 th St. Pittsburg, KS 66762 620-232-3760 telephone 620-232-6602 fax www.wesleyhouseumc.org website wesleyhouseumc@yahoo.com e-mail www.facebook.com/pittsburgwesleyhouse Facebook http://twitter.com/wesleyhouseumc Twitter