Winter 2013 - Cedar Valley Friends Of The Family

Cedar Valley
Friends of the Family
Presorted
Standard
US Postage Paid
Waverly IA
Permit No. 78
CEDAR VALLEY
Shaping a future free of violence and homelessness
Volume 14 Issue 4
Shelter, Hope, & Healing
Winter 2013
“An Artistic Affair”
FRIENDS
OF THE FAMILY
P.O. Box 784
Waverly, IA
50677-0784
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
Or Current Resident
(319) 352-1108
FORWARDING
SERVICE
REQUESTED
The Board of Directors for Cedar Valley Friends of the Family is sincerely grateful for the amazing support received for “An Artistic
Affair.” The November 2nd event was simple, elegant, and wonderfully successful. Over $27,900.00 was raised which will be applied
toward matching grant funds and allow the agency to continue to support its clients in Northeast Iowa and beyond for the following year.
We are grateful to those who attended and donated by purchasing art. Artists who donated their works and time include:
Cedar Valley Friends of the Family
would like to wish everyone a happy and
healthy holiday season.
Barmuda, Anne Boerschel, William Close, Shelly Codner, Doug Cole, Cutting Up Creativity, Samantha Dahlby, Karen Dilger, Double C
Cowboy Cookers, Double JJ Wanglers, Ecker’s Flowers & Greenhouses, Edible Arrangements, Barbara Fedeler, Gallagher-Bluedorn, Dan
Hatala, Sam Herkelman, Hy-Vee, Shallie Johnson, Tami King, Kip Ladage, Duane Mann, Beth Peterson, Sara Petersen, Clay Reints, Doug
Reynolds, Christine Robbins, Jerry Schmitz, Christopher Singewald, Joe Singewald, Terry Singewald, Bonnie Smith, Sue Soenen, Peggy
Sorum Molkegaard, The Spa at the Waverly Health Center, Titan Machinery, Van Dorn’s Custom Framing, Vermeer Glass, and Wartburg
College.
This event also could not have happened without the support of local businesses, individuals and, organizations who donated their time,
materials, and funds in support of the evening. We are very thankful to have had support from the following:
The Accel Group, B&B Builders and Supply, Mike and Kathy Babcock, Bank Iowa-Lawler Branch, Dr. Michael and Deborah Berstler, Bill
Cowell Ford, Bremer Mutual Insurance, Buchanan County Health Center, Bob and Jean Buckingham, Alfred and Janice Buenning, Butler
County Rural Electric Company, Vern and Jean Byl, Centennial Oaks Golf Club, Cousin Custom Builders, CUNA Mutual Group, Eugene
Drape, Bruce Ecker and Kimberly Folkers, William and Mary Sue Ellinger, Elsamiller Electric Co., Dr. Glenn and Gail Fenneman, First
National Bank of Waverly, Kathy Folkerts-Northwestern Mutual Life, David and Merry Fredrick, Mike and Lisa Kukral, G&R Publishing,
GMT Corporation, Go-Hawk Graphics, Dennis and Ronda Happel-BNKD Dev., Holschlag Bin Sales, Josephine Iserman, Jerry Roling
Motors, Joe’s Knight Hawk, Inc., Lindley and Joanne Jones, Kaiser-Corson Funeral Homes, Inc., Keith Oltrogge,CPA, Keller’s Home
Furnishings, Kiwanis Club of Greater Waverly, Jeffery and Hannah Klug, Al and Carol Koeneman, Love and Lace, Melissa Lea Reicks
Foundation, Meyer Healthmart Pharmacy, J. Howard and Fran Mueller, Northern Iowa Therapy PC, Amanda Olson, Luke and Kjellrun
Olson, Parkview Counseling, Mark and Barbara Piel, David Prentice and Dr. Deborah Loers, The Printery, Rada Manufacturing, Dr. James
and Evelyn Rathe, Richard and Dr. Ann Bell, Kenneth and Pamela Riggs, Schumacher Elevator Company, Security State Bank, Signature
Realty LC, State Bank and Trust of Waverly., Steven M. Elgi, Tatroe Electric Inc., Tenenbaum’s Jewelry, Thrivant Financial for Lutherans,
United Equipment Accessories, Gerald and Susan Vallem, Van Doren’s Picture Framing, Mark and Rhonda Vaughan, Margaret Vaughn,
Veridian Credit Union, Ted and Deborah Waitman, Fredric and Edith Waldstein, Michael and Leann Walker-State Farm Insurance,
Waverly Health Center Medical Staff, Wheaton Franciscan Health Center, Dr. Jerry and Eavon Woodin-Edward Jones Investments, Dr.
Warren and Barbara Zemke, and Nancy Zimmerman.
Bottom left to right: Ben, Carrie, Stephanie, Karlee, Kaili, Amber, Marcie, Casey
Top left to right: Sydni, Cassie, Genna, Heather, Lizzie, Melissa, Kristine, Alicia
Not pictured: Terry Campbell, Kelly Johnson, Claudia Rodriguez, Kelly Schmitz, and
part time advocates.
We would like to acknowledge the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Service Award, the CVFF Auxiliary, which was presented with
the award that evening. A huge thank you is owed to CVFF Staff for their help and support in making “An Artistic Affair” such a success.
And finally, a special thank you to Mark Simpson and Bob Westerman for entertaining the audience as our emcees and celebrity
auctioneers.
Board of Directors, Cedar Valley Friends of the Family
Page 2
Volume 14 Issue 4
Director’s Note
First Annual Soup Cook Off Success
Community Support
We had around 50 people come try the chefs' delicious soups and
there were 19 individuals/teams that participated to make this
event a success! Our awareness event was able to raise $320
through admission costs and generous donations.
Winners:
Best booth: Heather Clark
Best cream based and peoples’ choice: CVFF Cluckers
Best broth based: Linda Schnabel
Best chili: Vicki Schoneman
All of the prizes were from the Wild Carrot which consisted of gift
cards, dip mixes, batter bowls and fun fall inspired kitchen
accessories. A special thanks goes to our local celebrity judges,
Cyndi Ecker Dan Hatala, Bob Sable and who took time to try all
the wonderful soups and help us raise awareness. St. Mary’s
Church was so kind to let us utilize their banquet hall and facilities
which helped make this a great event.
Genna-Court Advocate
Band Together To
Raise Awareness
NO MORE
Over $1,500.00 and
donations were raised
for CVFF during a live
band event at Spicoli’s
in Waterloo. UNI students planned this event
for a class project and chose CVFF to receive
the proceeds.
Thank you!
I continue to be amazed at the support we
receive from the local communities and
the great work that is done by our
staff. As we approach the end of a
six-month transition, I realize that it may
be a time to catch our breath and look
back at what we have accomplished.
It has been said to me on many occasions
that we have led a healthy transition. We
continue to receive positive feedback on
the sheltering plan that we put in place for
Northeast Iowa. Over the last 6 months,
we have opened outreach offices in Cedar
Rapids, Dubuque, and Waterloo, and have
hired seven new staff members. We now
serve many clients in new communities
and I have watched the staff at CVFF grow
and flourish professionally. At times it feels
like there is no challenge we cannot
overcome.
Permanent supportive housing and
transitional housing continue to help those
families and individuals that are
experiencing homelessness. The
caseworkers and housing director do a
wonderful job in stabilizing housing for the
homeless while teaching them skills that
will help retain their housing. Over 90% of
those we work with will exit into
permanent housing, greatly reducing the
likelihood they will return to
homelessness. These programs are vital to
CVFF and those who are most vulnerable.
Even with all the successes, we must still
look into the future and see what goals we
can put in place for 2014.
Iowa. Third is to continue developing the
staff at CVFF because they are the
backbone of the agency. Finally, we will
continue engaging you, the public, in
helping us succeed. Every time you talk
about CVFF, volunteer, visit our website,
make a donation, or like us on Facebook,
we come one step closer to shaping a
future free of violence and homelessness.
Most important of all I would like to wish
everyone a wonderful holiday season and
thank you for your continued support.
Ben Brustkern
Executive Director
The first is to continue progressing shelter
services and perfecting the model we have
in place. Second is to continue to decrease
the number of families and individuals who
experience homelessness in Northeast
Rock Away Hunger & Homelessness Success
Prevention Education
Our “2nd Annual Rock Away
Hunger & Homelessness” was
another remarkable success!
We raised over $420.00 and we
plan on utilizing the donations to
purchase organizational tools for
our clients to aid them in
achieving self-sufficiency. Thanks
to the band, Bar Flyz, The
Fainting Goat, and everyone else
who came out to raise
awareness for hunger and homelessness. I hope to see you
next year!
–Sydni Fenner, Transitional Housing Caseworker
Cassie Martin, our new Prevention Educator, has hit the ground
running. Cassie provides prevention services to Bremer, Butler,
and Chickasaw Counties. So far this school year, Cassie has
spoken to 220 high school students on Healthy Teen
Relationships, Bullying, and Cyberbullying. She has spoken to 160
elementary students on Bully Proof and Take Charge of Your
Body, and she has trained 17 adults in how to be active
bystanders. Along with updating her presentations to be more
interactive with the students, Cassie is
working on expanding the Coaching Boys into
Men and the Mentors in Violence Prevention
programs. She is really enjoying speaking with
the students and teachers.
Retirement
Pam
Schrock
One of
CVFF’s long
time
employees
retired in September after
working over 13 years with
survivors. We are grateful for
all Pam has contributed to
CVFF over the years.
Thanks Pam!!
You will be missed.
New Employees
Adopt A Family
During our
transition, we
have had the
opportunity to
hire 5 new
full-time
employees to
our team. We
welcome them
to CVFF.
Front left to right: Karlee, Waterloo Mobile Case Manager,
Lizzie, AmeriCorps worker.
Back left to right: Kristine, Cedar Rapids Mobile Case
Manager. Claudia, Multi Cultural Advocate and Terry,
Dubuque Mobile Case Manager.
This year our Adopt A Family program will
be serving over 40 families, which includes
55 children. We have received an
outpouring support from individuals,
businesses, and organizations to help make
this Christmas season merry for our CVFF
families. Thank you!
Heather-Shelter Coordinator
Page 3
Butler County Rural
Electric Coop and Basin
Electric Power Coop.
generously donated
$ 200.00.
Nashua Plainfield High School
students brought by diapers
for the children using our
services. NP students have
donated in the past and we
appreciate the support
greatly. Thanks!
The children have been busy bees this season with many different activities in the last
month. They were able to participate in a family pumpkin carving night, (due to the
generous donation of all the pumpkins by our 10 year friend Quincy who grew them for
us), a door decorating contest, and Trick-or-Treating throughout the CVFF halls! The
John Deere Woman REACH organization helped CVFF with a SPOOKTACULARHalloween Costume Party where the children dressed up to join the CVFF crayons.
Thank you to everyone who made all of the Halloween fun possible for the children!
The children also continue to participate in “kid’s night” where they practice helpful
communication skills, positivity, identifying feelings, and self-esteem. Moms and their
children also have the opportunity to participate in guided conversations and Family
Night to help strengthen the mother-child relationship while in this transition period in
their lives.