Touchstones Newsletter

Page 1

In case you hadn’t noticed, this summer has been hot. So hot, in fact, that National Public Radio released this photo (top-right) from the National Climatic Data Center “showing the number of places where daily maximum temperature records were broken in June. Each dot represents a broken record. The data center says “2,284 records were broken and another 998 were tied”1. The NCDC also that the Year-to-Date average temperatures for some of our neighboring Indiana cities are higher than they’ve been in decades: Indianapolis, 65 years; Fort Wayne, 73 years; and South Bend, 110 years.2

As the heat effects everything from water supplies and yards to crop yields, it also effects those that are exposed to the elements without respite: the homeless. And among the numbers of the homeless, youth continue to rise. Nationally, some estimates suggest that each year approximately 1.6 million youth will experience homelessness.

These youth “run away from home or are forced out of their homes by parents, guardians or other caretakers...[and]...[t]he vast majority [have] experienced grave abuse and/or neglect in their homes.”3

We see similar trends here at Stepping Stones. Since March, 50% of our applicants reported having to leave their home either by request, force or by choice or they were fleeing domestic

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 V. II, 2012

MISSION To provide transitional housing

and supportive services to youth aged 16-20 who are experiencing homelessness.

2011 Annual ReportWill be available in August. Make sure to check out our website and see what you helped accomplish! www.steppingstones-inc.org/news.html

Prior to coming to our program, Jessica* had been staying at her friend’s mother’s house for just under two months. Before that, she had stayed at another friend’s house even though her friend’s mother wasn’t sure how long she could stay because she worked a lot and felt uncomfortable with a “strange kid” in her house.

Just one year ago, Jessica left her father’s house because of his violent temper which often left her feeling scared for her safety. She was an average student but her dad’s temper in the evenings often forced her to get out of the house causing her grades to suffer. When it got too much for her, she left determined to make it on her own but it proved to be difficult.

Having just turned 18, no one

would rent to her and, at $7.25 an hour at her part-time job, she couldn’t afford it even if they did.

Then her friend’s concerned neighbor mentioned Stepping Stones to her. The neighbor had heard something about our program on the radio and thought it sounded

like something Jessica could use. Jessica wasn’t so sure and thought that she could continue to get by on her own but the neighbor insisted. She was certain that being in our program would help her that she sat down with Jessica and filled out the application with her.

After having months of “instable” housing, Jessica moved in to Stepping Stones where she was provided the encouragement of caring adults and the extra support she needed for the 6 months she stayed

with us. During that time, Jessica was able to focus on her schooling, save up money and, when time came for her to move out, she moved into an

apartment with two of her friends and is paying her part of the rent.

Jessica graduated from high school this spring, something she wasn’t sure that she was going to be able to do.

Jessica’s story is one of the many that we hear and experience each day at Stepping Stones: breakdown within the family leads to a youth experiencing homelessness. And, sadly, there are many stories that aren’t heard because the youth is ashamed of their homelessness or their friends and family do not know.

You are the difference.It is your support that offers them

the opportunity to stay under a roof rather than a bridge; to sleep in a bed rather than in the backseat of a car; and to be surrounded by a network of staff and volunteers who are looking out for their best interests.

July is “Make a Difference to Children/Youth” month and every day you are making a difference in a youth’s life when you support Stepping Stones.*Based on an actual resident’s experience. Names and details altered for confidentiality.

YOU Made a DifferenceinJessica’s Life

I graduated HIgH ScHool becauSe of you

Homeless Youth, the Heat, and You

*continued on page 2

Touchstones Newsletter

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BOARD OF DIRECTORSPamela Hensler PresidentGlen Burkholder, Vice PresidentMike Craig, TreasurerMike Beam, SecretarySteve EnglertBruce McCallisterStacey McGualeyDustin PlummerPhil RandallMaryAlice Rickert Darla Hartun-StarnsShannon Stryjewski STAFFDerek Andrews, Health Coordinator - AmeriCorps Sheri Benham, Executive Director Hillary Carter, Counseling InternKatherine Cler, Resident Assistant Logan Emmitt, Resident Assistant Alysia Fornal, Independent Living CoachAndrew Hollis, Social Work InternJaimie Huguenard, Social Work InternKellie Kierce, Program Development CoordinatorStephanie McGee, Independent Living CoachAndrea Newcomb, Health Coordinator - AmeriCorpsRoald Samuel Shrader, Development InternStephanie Simpson, Marketing Intern Clayton Sparks, Counseling InternStephanie Turpin, Counseling InternWarren Wade, Development Director Ching Diana Yu, Administrative Intern

COMMUNITY PARTNERSAmeriCorpsAmethyst HouseAsset Building CoalitionBig Brothers Big SistersCatholic Social ServicesCenterstoneCommunity KitchenDrop Out Prevention CoalitionHoosier Hills Food BankINGLBTIU Schools of Counseling, Education,

Informatics, SPEA and Social WorkMartha’s HouseMiddle Way HouseMonroe County Schools CorporationMother 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

We want you to stay in touch and up-to-date and there are lots of ways to do it. Find out about our upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and needs1. Keep reading this Qtrly newsletter (sent to 100s of donors like you)2. Join our monthly e-Newsletter (over 150 people signed up!)3. Become a fan on Facebook @ Stepping Stones, Inc. (We post weekly for you

to read and share to your friends. Now w/ 411 likes!)4. Follow us on Twitter @Stepping_Stones (103 Followers. R U 1 of them?)5. Send us a letter at P.O. Box 1366 Bloomington, IN 47402 6. Give us a call at (812) 339-9771 7. Send us an email at info@steppingstones-inc.org8. Visit our website at www.steppingstones-inc.org

Stay Up-to-Date with Stepping Stones!

violence or substance abuse in the home; 73% of them were 18 and under. Their situation forces them to “couch surf” at their friends’ houses, stay in shelters, or other places not meant for anyone to live, let alone someone who is not yet an adult. The dangers of homelessness for youth are now compounded with the summer heat.

This combination of desperation and heat may be part of the reason that the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) recently reported that they see an increase in calls regarding youth looking to return home during the summer. Their program “Home Free” offers youth a free a ticket home that is also coupled with supportive services aimed at rebuilding the broken or lost connections with their family. Of those that are reunited, nearly 7 out of 8 of the families report that “the issues that led the youth to run away were somewhat, mostly or completely resolved within a month”and that 3 out of 4 “did not leave home again.”4

In light of “National Family Reunion Month,” we celebrate the successes of family reunification efforts locally and nationally. At Stepping Stones, we frequently

receive calls from parents looking for alternative living situations for their

troublesome teen and from youth looking to out of a dysfunctional or negative situation. We work hard with both parent and youth, discussing their situation, brainstorming possible solutions, and encouraging healing their relationships.

Not all relationships are repairable (or at least not as soon as the youth would need it to be) nor are all home environments safe to return home to. For those youth who cannot be at home for a variety of reasons, Stepping Stones is here.

Your support helps provide them with the shelter and some of the supports their family was not able to provide. And while they are with

us, we work with both parties to work towards reunification, as much or as little as either are willing or able to work.

Every youth deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive with a system of support that

wants and encourages them to succeed. At Stepping Stones, we work hard to do just that while creating a supportive community for them to develop the skills they need to live independently.

Warren WadeDevelopment Director

1 Memmott, Mark. How Hot Is It? All You Need to See Are These Two Maps. NPR.org. 07/06/20122 http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/extremes/records/3 Legal Center for Foster Care & Education. “What Child Welfare Advocates Can Do for Unaccompanied

Youth.” center.serve.org/nche/downloads/child_wel_uy.pdf. 2008.4 National Runaway Switchboard, More Runaway Youth Look to Return Home During Summer Months . The

Sacramento Bee. 07/16/2012

50% of applicants to Stepping Stones

reported having to leave their home either by request, force or by choice or they were fleeing domestic violence or substance abuse in the home.

217# of NrScallS from

(812)

*continued from page 1

Touchstones Newsletter

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Over the years, Stepping Stones’ has grown and changed thanks to your support. We’re now housing twice as many youth as we had when I started back in 2007 and we have the program staff to effectively serve the needs of these new youth.

If you’ve been a part of our Stepping Stones Family for a while now, you’ve probably seen my name with a couple of different titles like “Office Administrator” and “Assistant Director.” In order for Stepping Stones to continue to effectively serve this population -- a group that has no indications of growing smaller with their needs changing but their barriers no less difficult to overcome -- this spring my role has changed to become the “Development Director.”

While development had always been an essential part of my job details, I now am able to focus exclusively on writing grants, executing special events, marketing and ensuring that you, our donors,

know the impact your gift is having. We want you to know where your gift goes, how it is used, and what it means to support Stepping Stones and the youth we serve.

So that we can plan better for the future, we’d like to know how we’ve done in the past and how we’re doing today.

To that end, I’ve created a “Newsletter Survey.” And here’s the link:

It’s a quick, 6 question survey with room for your feedback and comments. We welcome and

appreciate any feedback you’re able to give.

A similar survey will go out those of you on our e-newsletter list. Have you SIgNed up for our e-NewSletter?

Thank you so much for your support. I’ve enjoyed talking with many of you over the years and look forward to partnering with you into the future as we respond to the needs of youth experiencing homelessness.

Warren Wade, Development Director

$1/wk ($52/year) can support…

•One professional counseling session for one resident.

•One healthy, drug-free activity for nine residents.

•Pays for basic school supplies for one resident.

$5/wk ($260/year) can support…

•One load of washed and dried laundry / wk for 1 resident.

•Provides interview clothes and haircuts for six residents.

$10/wk ($520/yr) can support…

•Utilities for 1 resident for 1 year.•YMCA annual group membership,

providing wellness access for residents.

$20/wk ($1040/yr) can support…

• One group meal a week.• Provides 2 hours of case

management a week that includes financial management, job skills coaching and other independent living skills.

The Difference Your Support Makes!

1.DonatedirectlyfromourhomepageviaourPayPalaccount

2.Sendcash/checktoPOBox1366Bloomington,IN47402

3.Findoutmorewaystogiveat

steppingstones-inc.org/donate.html

Ways you can give

SpeCial thankS to the follo

wing C

om

munity Suppo

rterSUPCOMING EVENTS

NIght at Nick’s

Thurs. Aug 16 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM

Come out to Nick’s! 10% of food sales in the backroom plus

Natalie’s tips will be donated to Stepping

Stones!www.nicksenglishhut.com

GRANTSThe Monroe County CARES grant for their

generous award of $10,383.45 to our Alternatives & Awareness Program, aimed at intervention and substance awareness.

South Central Indiana REMC for their gift during the “Operation Round-Up.” Funds

were used to purchase much needed supplies for our resident apartments.

Indiana Housing & Community Development authority for funds for our supportive housing program through the

“Emergency Solutions Grant” program and for the “Neighborhood Assistance

Program” award.

SPECIAL THANKS!Alpha Omicron Pi & Kiwanis Club for making or contributing to “Welcome

Baskets” for our residents

Flannelgraph Records for their donation from their benefit

alburm during the 2011 Holidays.

flannelgraphrecords.com

Cardinal Stage Company for the “Community Sales Collaboration”

opportunity in which we sold tickets and

will receive a portion of the amount sold for

their September 8th presentation of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

cardinalstage.org

Kip May Photography taking Senior pictures for our high

school seniors.kipmay.com

RESIDENT’S SUMMER TRIPThe residents at Stepping Stones would like

to thank the following for contributing to their summer trip to King’s Island:

Texas Roadhouse for their “Donation Night” on 6/20.

Bucceto’s for their “Night Out” on 05/14

K-Mart for allowing us to use their water and parking lot for Car Washes the

residents did.

Your Input is Needed!

bIt.ly/SSNewSletter

Touchstones Newsletter

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It’s that time of year, again! Neighborhood Assistance Program (or “NAP”) credits are available! This year, we’re able to offer $18,100 in credits, worth $36,200 in donations. For every donation over $100, you’ll receive 50% back as a credit against your state tax liabilities. For example, if you donate $100, you can receive a $50 credit on your 2012 Indiana State Taxes.

Your gift through NAP will go to support the payroll of staff who provide direct services to our youth.

Here’s how it works:

1. Contact Warren Wade at the number or email below to claim your credits. If there are credits remaining, you will receive the NC-10 form afterwards from us.

2. Make a donation of any value over $100 after July 1, 2012 by check or online via PayPal.

3. Fill out the NC-10 Form and mail in the originally signed document with your contribution (or send it in separately if you donate online).

• Please note “NAP” in the reference field or memo line of your check.

4. You will receive a letter from us recognizing and thanking you for your contribution. This letter should be kept with your personal records.

Donations can be mailed to Stepping Stones P.O. Box 1366, Bloomington, IN 47402.

If you’re interested, make sure to contact Warren Wade as soon as possible to reserve your credits!

These will go fast!

He can be reached at (812) 339-9771 or by email at wwade@steppingstones-inc.org.

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

NonProfitOrg.

U.S.Postage

PAID

BloomingtonIN

PermitNo.248

Return Service Requested

NAP credits are available now !

...because of the recorded state budget you'll be receiving a refund credit from the State of Indiana on your 2012 taxes [an estimated $100 (single filer) / $200 (filing jointly)]?1 Use that $100 to make a difference in the life of a youth experiencing homelessness! Make your gift through the NAP program today!1 Olivia Ober, “State budget surplus means refunds for Hoosier taxpayers” The Herald Times July 6, 2012

Did you Know...

You Made a Difference 1

Homeless Youth, the Heat, and You 1

Stay Up-to-Date 2

We Need your INput! 3

Your Support Makes a difference 3

Ways You can Give 3

NAP Credits are available! 4