ndependent Living Skills - Community Youth Services
Transcription
ndependent Living Skills - Community Youth Services
I ndependent Living Skills Volume One Issue Six February & March 2009 Welcome to the February & March 2009 Special Double Edition Extravaganza! We are happy to report that the Independent Living Skills Program continues to grow by the week, and many exciting changes are on the horizon. We have greatly appreciated your patience during this transitional time and are beginning to see the fruits of our efforts in increased participation and a more connected network of service providers. I hope In this Issue: you enjoy this edition. Let me know if you have any feedback or March and April Calendars questions. IL Tips and Tricks with Ben Heather Guz ILS Case Manager 360.943.0780 x 109 [email protected] Service Spotlight A word from Dae And much more!!! March 2009 Monday 2 Tuesday 3 Wednesday 4 5 6:00-8:30 Art Workshop 9 10 Thursday Friday 6 4:00-5:30 Lewis Group 11 12 13 4:00-5:30 Lewis Group 16 17 18 19 20 24 25 26 27 ILS Shutdown 23 4:00-5:30 Lewis Group 30 April 2009 Monday Tuesday Wednesday 1 6 7 8 6:00-8:30 Housing Workshop 13 20 14 21 Thursday 2 3 4:00-5:30 Lewis Group Shutdown 9 10 4:00-5:30 Lewis Group 15 22 16 17 4:00-5:30 Lewis Group Shutdown 23 24 4:00-5:30 Lewis Group 27 28 Friday 29 30 4:00-5:30 Lewis Group A word from Dae Shogren, ILS Program Coordinator Thanks to all of you for sticking with us through our many transitions here at ILS! I wanted to take a moment and tell you little bit more about myself…I am Dae Shogren, the new ILS Program Coordinator. I am thrilled to have joined such a great staff and am looking forward to strengthening the program! I have been active in the human services field for almost 20 years. I initially started working with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence at WSU while earning my BA. I then moved to Olympia, to complete my BA and became involved with local agencies through internships and volunteering. I completed two years with AmeriCorps at the Crisis Clinic of Thurston/Mason Counties, becoming more involved with the young adult population. Since then I have coordinated an after-school/day camp program, taught the Reconnecting Youth curriculum in Colorado and in Washington, and facilitated case management for numerous youth. In 2007 I earned my MPA (Master’s in Public Administration) with a focus in NonProfit Management. Just prior to coming to CYS, I was with Thurston County Family and Juvenile Court as a Prevention & Intervention Specialist for North Thurston School District. I am committed to provide consistent, reliable, accessible resources to youth in our community. I feel that the stronger our people are, the stronger we are as whole. My ongoing goal is to support our participants from empowerment to sustainability. We are all better for it. ~dae Tips and Tricks for Independent Living (brought to you by our Americorp member Ben!) Renting Unless there is something on paper—a lease or at minimum a written signed agreement—you have no legal rights. Make sure you read everything before you sign. Ask questions and you have the right to negotiate terms. The best people to room with are not always your closest friends, and living with someone will often strain a friendship. Make sure a roommate is someone you can trust and have a plan in writing regarding payment of rent and utilities. When searching for housing make sure that you find out in addition to the monthly rent the estimated expense of the utilities and the security deposit. The power company (PSE) can inform you what the cost has been over the last 6 months for electricity. Be honest about your background and your credit history. This can save you an application fee, because the landlord may have a rule against accepting applicants with no rental history or a felony. Offering personal references can help you overcome this hurdle. Act like it’s a job interview. The landlord is going to trust you to take care of their property, so dress nicely and act professionally. Service Spotlight The following information is from the GRuB website. Go to www.goodgrub.org to learn more! Our Mission Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB) is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to nourishing a strong community by empowering people and growing good food. We grow inspired, self-confident and community-minded youth through educational and employment opportunities. We help low-income families and seniors to help themselves by building raised-bed gardens at their homes. Our work is guided by our core values: caring youth and adult partnerships, strong communities, sustainable land stewardship, education, and good food for all people. We work in Thurston & Mason counties in Washington State. Location & Contact Information 2016 Elliott Ave NW Olympia, WA 98502 (360) 753-5522 “Nourishing strong communities by empowering people and growing good food” Thank you to all our Volunteers! March Our Art / Expression workshop was a hit thanks Throughout February and March our volunteers came through with to: an amazing show of support and Beth & Geoff Morrison, generosity: February Our Tax / Money Management workshop was a great success thanks to the following people: Cindy Berger, and Cathy Faulconer who combined their cooking skills to create a wonderful and healthy variety of food. Rebecca Steinhagen who came with supplies and ideas to work with participants on writing. Tai Koenig who brought The Mom’s Club of Lacey examples of glass art and provided a delicious dinner spoke with participants about what it’s like being a glass Kirk Smith and Kamber artist. Craft from Twin Star Credit Union presented on Dave Banking Basics Sederberg who came Karen Sanders and Dawn with some Williams helped examples participants with Tax Forms of his work with metal. Julie Wilson brought some of her own art as well as paints for the participants to use. Get to know your friendly neighborhood ILS team... Name: Dae Shogren Position: ILS Program Director Favorite Color: Yellow What shoe would you be?: Dansko Clog, Mary Jane style (functional, sturdy, earthy, and funky) Contact Info: (360) 943-0780 x 124, [email protected] Name: Ben Schrager Position: Americorp Member Extrodinaire Favorite Color: Sky Blue What shoe would you be?: Lionel Messi’s soccer cleats (favorite soccer player’s cleats) Contact Info: (360) 943-0780 x 169, [email protected] Name: Brian Hatcher Position: ILS Case Manager Favorite Color: Brown and Green What shoe would you be?: Motorcycle boot Contact Info: (360) 943-0780 x 137 [email protected] Name: Heather Guz Position: ILS Case Manager Favorite Color: Green What shoe would you be?: My sneakers with rainbow flowers painted on them and felt glued to the bottom Contact Info: (360) 943-0780 x 109 [email protected] Do you know of a youth living in Thurston, Lewis, or Mason County? If so, remember that ILS is available to most of those between the ages of 15 and 21 who are or were state dependent or in a dependency guardianship. Look below for specific eligibility requirements: Eligibility: Youth is at least 15 years old and has not yet reached his/her 21st birthday and is currently a dependent and in the legal custody of the state (or was until age 18) -ORYouth is at least 15 years old and has not yet reached his/her 18th birthday and is currently in Tribal out-of-home care.or is not yet 21 and was in Tribal out-of-home care until age 18 Youth is adopted from State or Tribal custody on or after his/her 16th birthday. Non-Eligibility: Youth was adopted from State or Tribal care before the age of 16. Youth who are under a voluntary placement agreement (VPA). Youth under a CHINS petition. Do you have a youth living in another county? Contact us today and we can refer on to an IL provider in the area where the youth is living. “Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth.” -J. K. Rowling-