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A Day in the Life of a AmeriCorps Health Coordinator (1) Stepping Stones Receives NAP Tax Credits (1) Volunteer Spotlight (2) Board, Staff, & Community Partners (2) SuperVillains vs. SuperHeroes - BHRG & SS (2) We Need Your Help The Icing on the Cake (3)
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A Day in the Life of an AmeriCorps Health CoordinatorMy position involves meeting with each resident initially to do a
health assessment and from that point work with them, one on one to achieve their health goals.
Among some of these health goals is to improve diets. Many of the residents come into the program with a desire to learn more about cooking. It is the Health Coordinator’s role to facilitate opportunities in order to help the residents know their way around a kitchen and grocery store. For instance, I will meet with a resident and have them pick out a recipe that sounds semi-challenging to them. Then we make a list and go grocery shopping for any ingredients that we do not have. It is my responsibility to inform them of healthy opportunities that they could part take in and urge them to try something new. When we return from shopping we read the recipe and work our way through the instructions. It is always rewarding to see a resident complete a meal and sit down to enjoy it with the satisfaction that they just did something good for themselves.
Another aspect of this position is implementing the Be Active program. This program was designed 4 years ago by previous AmeriCorps members in order to keep the residents participating in healthy activities on a weekly basis. Each resident is urged to participate in at least 10 events a month that are organized with the group that involve some sort of physical activity, be it rock climbing or going to the local YMCA. If the residents participate in enough activities then they may be eligible for the monthly incentive of $25. Being physically active is a great preventative measure that the residents can take now and utilize in the future.
Being healthy is a choice that an individual must make. It cannot be forced. But, when breakthroughs happen, it is such a great feeling for all parties involved. When a resident can push themselves to do something like go rock climbing and climb higher than they ever thought possible, or when a resident decides they would like to try to eat a vegetarian diet and asks for help making that happen -- those are moments that shine. Our hope that the words (that may seem to go in one ear and out the other some how) get caught and sprout eventually into healthy behaviors and habits that pop out years after living at Stepping Stones.
P.O. Box 1366 n Bloomington, IN 47402 n [office] (812) 339-9771 n [fax] (812) 339-2991 n www.steppingstones-inc.org
Stepping Stones, Inc. touchstones July 2011
MISSION To provide transitional housing and
supportive services to youth aged 16-20 that are experiencing homelessness.
We want to do our part for the environment by reducing paper use. If you would like to receive your newsletters electronically please send an email message to [email protected].
by Sarah Anderson NAP Tax CreditsNOW AVAILABLE!
Stepping Stones was awarded $15,000 in Neighborhood Assistance Program (or NAP, for short) tax credits. This means that we need to raise $30,000!
When you donate $100 or more to Stepping Stones under the NAP Program, you can receive a 50% state tax credit in addition to being able to claim the contribution on your federal taxes.
If, for example, you make a donation of $1000 contribution, you receive a tax credit against your state tax liability for 50% of the contribution.
How do you make a NAP Contribution?
1. Make a contribution payable to Stepping Stones of $100 or more with “NAP” in the memo line.
2. Fill out, sign, and return (with original signature) the NC-10 form. The form can either be downloaded from our website or, if not included with your contribution, it will be sent with the receipt for your contribution.
3. Mail both the check and NC-10 to Stepping StonesPO Box 1366Bloomington, IN 47402
4. Unlike years before, you will not receive an NC-20 from the Department of Revenue. The receipt of your contribution issued to you by Stepping Stones will suffice for your records.
If you would like to claim your NAP credits or if you have any questions, please contact Warren Wade by phone (812) 339-9771 or by email at [email protected].
2010 Annual ReportWill be available by the end of July. Make sure to check out our website at www.steppingstones-inc.org/news.html and see what you helped accomplish in 2010!
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Board of DirectorsDustin Plummer, President Phil Randall, Vice President Beth Pless, Secretary Steve Englert, Treasurer Mike Beam Glen Burkholder Liz DeckardShelia EvansPamela Hensler
Staff Sarah Anderson, AmeriCorps
Health CoordinatorSheri Benham, Executive DirectorTemi Ekiran , AmeriCorps
Health Coordinator Kim Goad, Counseling InternLauren Hall,
Independent Living CoachTravis Lawson, Counseling InternColleen Rose, MSW InternWarren Wade, Assistant DirectorJingyuan Zheng,
Counseling Intern
Community PartnersAmeriCorpsAmethyst HouseAsset Building CoalitionBig Brothers Big SistersCatholic Social ServicesCenterstoneChamber of CommerceCommunity KitchenDrop Out Prevention CoalitionHoosier Hills Food BankINGLBTIU Business CommunicationsIU Legal ClinicIU School of CounselingIU School of EducationIU School of InformaticsIU SPEAIU School of Social WorkMartha’s HouseMiddle Way HouseMonroe County Schools CorporationMonroe County United MinistriesMother Hubbard’s CupboardNon Profit AlliancePositive LinkRhino’s All Ages Youth CenterSalvation ArmyShalom Community CenterSouth Central Housing NetworkSuicide Prevention CoalitionUnited Way of Monroe CountyVolunteers in Medicine (VIM)Vocational RehabilitationWork OneYouth Services Bureau
n Make a monetary donation. You can give a couple of different ways:l You can send cash or checks to our PO Box listed in this newsletter.l Or head to our web site and make a safe online donation via PayPal.
n Would you pledge your support of Stepping Stones and our youth with an annual or multi-year pledge? These simple method of giving is a means of helping our staff plan and anticipate how we will able to continue to serve these youth.n Remember Stepping Stones in your will or trust! n Make an “in-kind” donation: click on “How to Donate” at steppingstones-inc.org. Our wish list link is at the bottom of the page.
Stepping Stones - Touchstones Newsletter
On Saturday, June 25th, in a harrowing bout of Super Heroes vs. Super Villains and their final bout of the season, the Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls presented Stepping Stones with their gift of $2000!
Throughought this year, the BHRG team has worked with us painting our apartments, getting the world out about Stepping Stones and they even came out during Homeward Bound and skated for homelessness intervention and prevention.
Thank you, BHRG, for all of your support! What a great season!
Some current needs are: l Gift Cardsl Cleaning Supplies like dish
soap, dishwasher detergentl Tall Kitchen Trash Bagsl Paper towelsl Toilet paperl Bath & Kitchen Towels
We also help furnish residents apartments as they move out:l Couchesl Twin Bed Sheet setsl Comfortersl Other apartment furnishings
Stepping Stones & BHRG
*please only “gently” used items
Volunteer SpotlightDavid Jankowski David Jankowski
became a volunteer with Stepping Stones just this past February. On the very same day that we posted a need for a volunteer mechanic to help residents with their car repairs, David responded. He has already helped one former resident, whose car had not been starting for over a month, repair her car on-site and drive away that day.
This summer David hosted a session with the residents on Car Maintenance 101. He has over a decade of professional automative repair experience and currently works at Bloomington Ford Dealership. Stepping Stones staff and residents are extremely appreciative of his willingness to offer his expertise!
We Need Your Help!
Stepping StonesGoes Green(er)
In an effort to promote environmental awareness and encourage our residents to be good stewards of the environment, Stepping Stones has rolled out a a couple initiatives:
1) Stepping Stones will be collecting recycling that our residents accumulate and taking it to the recycling facility each week. We have done this in our community center for some time but now our residents can do it in their own apartments.
2) We’re also initiating a “Utilities Challenge” for our residents. Stepping Stones will pay the utilities for the apartment with the lowest bill!
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The Icing on the Cake An Evening of Awards and Desserts
Stepping Stones - Touchstones Newsletter
Every year, Stepping Stones recognizes two individuals who have impacted the lives of youth in our community. This year, on May 18th at Ivy Tech in teh Student Commons, Stepping Stones awarded Brad Wilhelm and Mandy Capps with the “Stepping Up Award.” The “Stepping Up” award, a pastry platter designed by Stepping Stones’ residents, is given to these “Youth Champions” because they have a history of advocacy and demonstrated leadership.
Brad has served as Rhino’s Executive Director for 19 years. Since that time, he has cultivated an environment in which youth can connect with friends and adults, be expressive, and embrace their youth. As one former Rhino youth noted, it was the “place where I first fell in love with music, where I made most of my friends, and where I spent some of the most formative years of my life.” This artistic encouragement for youth has found its ways to murals created by youth located around the city to youth radio on WFHB.
Mandy Capps has served as a juvenile probation officer of Monroe County Probation for the past 10 years. With her expertise within the judicial system and knowledge of available services within the community, she has worked tirelessly to look for positive opportunities for her kids while considering alternative courses of action. She is committed to excellence and accountability while exhibiting considerable empathy and compassion. One colleague noted that she is “truly one of the best child advocates that I have had the honor to work with.”
In addition to honoring Wilhelm and Capps, Stepping Stones recognized people in the community identified by our residents as having a significant impact on their lives including teachers, school counselors, administrators, family or friends. Residents state that they would not have been successful in graduating or dealing with family problems without these supports.
Stepping Stones also awarded “Volunteers of the Year” to Sarah Koch Connor and Brandon Drake. They have been mentors for over three years investing considerable time
and care to current and former Stepping Stones residents. Sarah currently lives in Indianapolis but keeps in contact with former residents and recently raised the most money as an individual at Homeward Bound for Stepping Stones. Starting at just one day a week, Brandon’s commitment to our youth has cultivated strong, caring relationships with current and former residents and he filled in as interim resident assistant for two months!
We are grateful for the work you all do on behalf of youth!
Resident’s HonoreesHannah ArnoldCraig BarnhartIan DavisMurray DavisJane FaubianJanet FellerAnthony FellerTracy GatesMatt GodseySophie HarrisBetty Jo HeadHeather HirstChuck HollowayTim HudsonGreg MarchantSamantha MonroeJanet NicholsTanya RakhumkulovaKaren RidenKathy RilloKathy SalyersRoger SalyersKay SalyersJack TaylorJana WilsonVolunteersSean BirdMary BlizzardLydia ButlerEmily & Ben CowanBrandon Drake - Volunteer of the Year Steve EulingAmerson FontanaSarah Koch Connor - Volunteer of the YearStacy MatavuliRegina MooreTracy StohrSponsorsBloomingfoodsIvy Tech Community CollegeMcAlister’sScholars Inn Bake HouseUpland Brewing CompanyPrevious AwardeesViola Taliaferro - 2008Ron Thompson - 2008Jennifer Staab - 2009Chuck Holloway - 2009Marti Myers - 2010Mark Voland - 2010
From left to right: Dustin Plummer, Brad Wilhelm, Mandy Capps, Sheri Benham
From left to right: Sheri Benahm, Brandon Drake, Sarah Koch Connor, and Dustin Plummer
“When I was going through abuse in High school, she would always talk to me and keep me smiling. She would put an arm around me and tell me everything would be alright. I wouldn’t have made it through high school without her. “~Resident about heR nominee
Thank you!
If you receive two editions of our newsletter, please pass one on to a friend and notify Stepping Stones. Any requests to be removed from our mailing list will be promptly honored.
Stepping StoneSp.o Box 1366Bloomington, in 47402SteppingStoneS-inc.org
MISSION To provide transitional housing and supportive
services to youth aged 16-20 that are experiencing homelessness.
Summer 2011 Newslettern A Day in the Life of a AmeriCorps Health Coordinator (1)
n Stepping Stones Receives NAP Tax Credits (1)
n Volunteer Spotlight (2)
n Board, Staff, & Community Partners (2)
n SuperVillains vs. SuperHeroes - BHRG & SS (2)
n We Need Your Help
n The Icing on the Cake (3)
Non Profit Org.
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Bloomington IN
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Contact UsP.O. Box 1366 Phone: (812) 339-9771Bloomington, IN 47402 Fax: (812) 339-2991
Email: [email protected] our website at: www.steppingstones-inc.org
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Stepping Stones
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