AIDS Network – A case manager helped a local client, who was homeless with no family to support him, work with a landlord to obtain housing.

The client, who also suffers from depression, was matched with a volunteer who helps provide emotional support. Because the client has seizures and therefore can’t drive, the volunteer additionally helps the client with simple things we all enjoy, like going out to eat, or to the movies, or even to Great America. The socialization helps combat the depression.(Back)

Beloit Meals on Wheels – Client Bernice, who is on a very limited income, is convinced that the specialized diet she is able to receive from Meals on Wheels is what is keeping her out of a nursing home.

Bernice, 81, fell in her driveway, fracturing her jaw in two places. She blames her uncontrolled high blood pressure for contributing to the reason she fell. Jaw restoration surgery has been impossible to date.

She has no children or other local family, so friend Kay Fields referred her to Meals on Wheels where pureed, heart healthy meals were available.

“The food is excellent and the volunteers are wonderful,” said Bernice.

Stateline United Way funding insures that no one is denied service due to inability to pay, and for that Bernice is thankful.(Back)

Beloit Meals on Wheels – For Sylvia, more times than not, the friendships, the family time and the community involvement centered around food.

Cooking for her family and staying connected with friends and neighbors were always important to Sylvia. She often shared baked goods with the mail carrier, church, friends and neighbors in times of celebration as well as consolation.

So when she started taking Meals on Wheels, the visits with delivery volunteers were as valued as the meals themselves.

“You can see that by providing Meals on Wheels to my mother, we were providing her with the very things that she provided for so many people over the years – a good meal and a daily opportunity to connect with someone,” said her son, Bill Lock. “Meals on Wheels helped to ease our worries about Mom’s well being because we knew she was getting a hot, nourishing meal delivered to her home every day. It enabled her to live on her own for a much longer time, than if she had to make her own meals.” (Back)

Big Brothers Big Sisters (Lunch Buddy Program)
David has found a mentor in Kathy, his Lunch Buddy for almost three years, and the relationship has meant the world to a youngster who was neglected, easily distracted and untrusting.

She has seen him progress and gain self esteem because one of the things she does each time they meet for their weekly lunches at this elementary school, is ask David to repeat three words to her, “I am special.” David knows that he can trust her and that she is his special friend. After lunch they play Uno, and David usually wins.

David came from a background where his mom neglected him, spending all her time and energy on her other children and an ailing husband. As a result, David was left to fend for himself. He suffered severe health issues due to the neglect, including poor physical condition and mental distress.

Finally, after David’s case was reported and investigated, David’s grandmother was awarded sole legal custody of him. The youngster suffered a great deal of agony when he was torn from his family. He felt unloved and had no trust for adults. His self esteem and school work diminished terribly.

Soon after that he was matched with Kathy, who is married and has children of her own.
David’s spirits and self esteem have lifted dramatically, he has come out of his shell and his grades have improved.

Just one hour a week enriched this child’s life more than words can tell. (Back)

Catholic Charities (Rock County Recreation Program) - Kelly, who is visually impaired and has a developmental disability, goes places with family, but rarely with peers just for fun.

When a caring provider started taking Kelly to dances sponsored by Catholic Charities” Rock County Recreation Program, she had so much fun she started wanting to participate in other events as well. Her favorites are dances and high school plays, but she also likes going to the movies.

As a result of her activity level increasing, her physical health and self-esteem have also risen. Her confidence shows, according to staff. (Back)

Community Action (Community Kids) – Katie, a single mom of three boys, works full-time but just can’t seem to get ahead financially.
The scholarship program, made possible because of funding from Stateline United Way, came in handy after she and her youngest (who attends Community Kids Daycare) got the flu.
“I missed work, he missed daycare, and I was still responsible for paying for the days he did not attend,” she said. “That adds up fast. I am so grateful for receiving a scholarship to cover my bill. It made a huge difference for me especially being so close to the holidays.(Back)

Community Action (HUB Connections) – A 19-year-old woman with a young son has been in the HUB Connections transitional living program for 18 months, making great strides to turn her life around.
Besides being a teen-age mom, she has experienced homelessness twice, been in an abusive relationship with the baby’s father, was unemployed with no means to meet basic needs, and was diagnosed with depression.

Due to intensive case management services and HUB’s staff encouragement not to give up, she has attained permanent housing, ended the abusive relationship,gained a monthly income for her household and received treatment for mental health needs.

She says she hopes to return to college and be a case manger, just like those who supported her in her time of need.(Back)

Energy Services –Danielle, the single mom of a young child was unable to work because of a physical disability, was struggling to survive on a fixed income which was not meeting her family’s basic survival requirements.

Due to a legitimate financial crisis and mounting arrears, her utilities had been disconnected earlier in the year. With the heating season fast approaching and in danger of losing her rental assistance (because of unpaid utility bills), she turned to Energy Services.

Energy Services was able to tap into government and Keep Wisconsin Warm Funds to restore her utilities. By restoring her utilities her eviction was prevented.
Funding from United Way also allowed Energy Services to work with Danielle on budgeting and linking her to other basic support services available in the community. (Back)

Family Services of Southern Wisconsin & Northern Illinois (Transitional Living Program) –Mary came to the transitional living program broken from all the hurdles in her life.

She had three children, no job, no transportation, and no high school diploma. Mary grew up being abused by her parents. Running to find safety at the age of 16, she went into a violent abusive relationship which lasted 16 years.

Mary transitioned from living at the Beloit Domestic Violence Center into the The Key Transitional Living Program. She received 18 months of subsidized housing, safety planning, employment & education assistance, and counseling from Family Service counseling. Mary was empowered to become a part of her community in a healthy way.

Today Mary has a full-time job, her HSED diploma, a car, has become the owner of a three-bedroom house, and has been free of abusive relationships for three years. Financial support from Stateline United Way helped make this transition possible. (Back)

Family Services of S.W.A.N.I. ( Counseling Program) – Molly, 36, came to Family Services with symptoms of depression, multiple medical problems requiring medication, trouble sleeping, appetite changes – all causing her to be unable to work.

Thanks to United Way funding, and a sliding fee scale used by Family Services, she was able to receive psychiatric care and medication for depression and related health issues. She called Family Services a “light in the darkness” as she continues to work on mood and relationship issues with her children, and improve her life. (Back)

Family Services of S.W.A.N.I. (Beloit Domestic Violence) -
H.J. came to the shelter as a victim of domestic violence in thefFall of 2008 and returned to her abusive partner after a few weeks.

Several more weeks passed by and H. J. called the hotline again to re-enter the shelter, this time vowing to leave her abusive partner for good.

While participating in the program for several weeks she began to realize, and then admit to herself, that she was suffering from substance abuse. She decided to work toward recovery from substance abuse at the same time as working from victim to survivor of domestic abuse.

She found employment while residing in the shelter facility and after several more weeks was able to move into a small efficiency apartmen. She continued to attend support groups at the center, and remained independent of the abusive partner.

“H. J. has maintained the same job, was able to move to a larger apartment in a secure building and continues to access services through the center by participating in one-on-one sessions,” according to staff. (Back)

Family Services of S.W.A.N.I. (Youth 2 Youth Program) – A 15-year-old youngster who came from one of the most crime-ridden areas of America in East St. Louis, said he was exposed early on to bad influences including cigarettes and hard drugs.

“While growing up my father and stepfather had torn my family apart by using drugs…luckily my mother never fell under the influence.”

In Beloit the youngster got involved with the Youth 2 Youth Program which has provided adult role models, and in return have helped him become a role model to younger kids.

“I tell kids that there are better things to do than smoking and doing drugs… I am making a difference by letting kids know tobacco is usually one of the first drugs a person may pick up that can lead to further drug use. I don’t want another kid to live through what I have.” (Back )

Family Services S.W.A.N.I. (Consumer Credit Counseling Program) Stephanie, a single mom of two who was also raising her sister’s son, came to Consumer Credit Counseling Service because she was getting calls from bill collectors.

The pressures of working full time while caring for the kids, plus worrying about her bills, was causing her stress. This resulted in her losing sleep, not eating well and losing patience with the kids.

The credit counselor helped Stephanie prepare a budget to facilitate paying bills on time. They then helped her find ways to reduce expenses in these ways:
1. She dropped her landline and is using her cell only.
2. She changed pharmacies and is using a prescription discount card to save even more.
3. She is planning trips to her bank drive-thru rather than depending on ATMs with fees.
4. She applied for kinship care which provides an additional $215 per month because she cares for her nephew.
5. She changed tax withholding so she gets more money on each paycheck.
6. She filed a W-5 form with enables her to get earned income tax credit with each paycheck.

Stephanie is now living on a balanced budget. (Back)

Hands of Faith - After being layed off from their jobs, having their car die, and being “evicted” from their rental home when the landlord decided to live in the house, Scott and Nicole Bavlnka, their young daughter, along with Nicole’s mother who is on disability, found themselves homeless.

They found Hands of Faith, a homeless shelter for families, where they stayed for about six months.

The Hands of Faith program is operated by 22 participating places of worship. Cots are put up in a church basement where residents sleep for one week, then the cots are moved to a different church for the next week. Host churches provide evening meals and during the daytime residents are expected to be seeking work or a place to live. Others spend the day at the Hands of Faith office building which has a play area for the children and space to watch television or make phone calls.

The Bavlnkas said they found the staff at Hands of Faith to be very supportive, never looked down on them and made their trials more bearable. They enjoyed fellowship with church volunteers, and came to look forward to the week hosted by Mount Zion Baptist Church because of the wonderful fried chicken and catfish meals they received.

Finally a home was found for the family, and volunteers from the churches donated money and home furnishings. (Back)

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland Council
(Girls Who Rock Program) - This hands-on after-school program engages 4th and 5th grade girls who are at risk. It provides leadership opportunities and adult mentors for the girls, insuring their understanding of personal safety through problem solving and good decision-making.
They sit in small groups with adult mentors who help engage them in topics such as having a positive body image, friends, peer pressure and most importantly bullying, violence and sexual harassment.

Our goals is that girls who complete our program will take these valuable lessons back to their communities and help create a healthier, more productive and safer environment where more children will be able to flourish and reach their potential.
(Back)

Independent Disability Services – Rachel is an adopted 4 ½ year old girl with spina bifida which causes her to have problems controlling bowels, bladder and kidneys.

The mom has to carry a backpack filled with diapers, wipes, potty seat and change of clothing wherever they go. With the kind of emergencies Rachel has, these are all necessary.

These problems make it virtually impossible to hire a qualified, and willing, baby sitter.

The family’s financial resources are already being stretched because of the child’s medical appointments and co-pays. But thanks to United Way funding, the IDS Respite at Risk program was able to help the family hire, train and pay a special person to watch Rachel.

This allows the mom to take a break, run an errand or just take “sanity time” without worrying about her daughter’s behavioral changes and bathroom emergencies – and without lugging that backpack - before returning to her daughter’s needs. (Back)

Lutheran Social Services (Positive Parenting Program) – When a woman felt she was ineffective in her parenting, she met with a Lutheran Social Services caseworker who found her a receptive and interested student.

The caseworker said she can see weekly improvements in the woman’s abilities and confidence as her parenting skills improve. For example, she has begun a reward chart for her son, offering positive comments on his improved behavior.

The woman has also made strides in feeding her son nutritiously, thanks to this program. (Back)

Lutheran Social Services (Runaway and Youth Services) – When a teenaged daughter continued to get involved in illegal behavior, skipping school, being aggressive to peers and adults, and running away for what seemed like the 100th time, her parents contacted Lutheran Social Services.

Sessions with the family focused on her bad behaviors, plus strengthening family bonds. After the fifth session, the daughter realized that her hate was not only hurting her family, but herself.

As sessions closed, the girl began volunteering at a church, ceased running away and illegal behaviors, improved her grades and stopped running away. The family claimed, during that final session, that it was refreshing to now only be dealing with “normal” adolescent problems like who to go to the dance with, or about picking up her dirty laundry.

Runaway and Youth Services offers not only family counseling but an emergency shelter for runaways, outreach services to youth, a 24-hour runaway hotline and educational programs and workshops for the community. (Back)

Merrill Community Center (After-School Program) – The Merrill Community Center is working hard to enhance its after school program so kids are kept off the streets and engaged in meaningful activities.

“With the recent violent occurrences, which have involved drugs, gangs and victimization, we see it is even more necessary to promote and reinforce positive character traits,” said Regina Dunkin, executive director.

The program is becoming viewed as successful in the neighborhood, she said, citing one parent who wanted her child involved in the program so badly that, even though she had little money, she would volunteer her time at the center instead.

“Because of money we receive from Stateline United Way, we are able to scholarship the memberships for students of parents who would otherwise have nowhere else to turn,” said Dunkin. (Back)

Merrill Community Center (Senior Bingo progam) – Many of the elderly neighborhood residents who attend Senior Bingo sessions are on subsidized incomes and have physical limitations.

For most of them, this may be the only time they get to socialize with peers and sometimes receive information or resources pertaining to healthcare, exercise, or housing.
“You can look at their smiling faces and hear the warm conversations being exchanged between the seniors to understand how much the program means to them,” said Regina Dunkin, center director. “Without the Merrill Community Center this group would not thanks to funds from Stateline United Way. And unlike most Bingo games where winners take home cash, canned or packaged foods are used as prizes. (Back)

Nutrition and Health Associates - When an African-American teen found herself pregnant, she got involved in the Prenatal care and education program offered by Nutrition and Health Associates.
Since African Americans are at a higher risk for infant mortality, staff at Nutrition and Health felt it was a successful intervention when the mom delivered a healthy baby and was able to nurse, which improves infant health. (Back)

RSVP - One of the agencies funded by Stateline United Way is the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. One of the many volunteer projects this agency has is In Home Volunteering. This is a program that gives senior citizens a chance to give back to the community, even though due to lack of transportation or infirmity they cannot actively volunteer.

In Home volunteers knit or crochet hats, mittens, scarves & sweaters which are then donated to agencies dealing with people in need. In 2009 over 2000 items were donated by RSVP volunteers.

When she delivered a bag of hats an mittens to the RSVP office, volunteer Mary Wilson was asked why she takes part in this project. With a look of surprise Mary replied “for the love of the children, I know what it is like to have frozen fingers”.

Just a few of the people who received these items were a family who were being housed at Hands of Faith, a homeless shelter for families. There were 3 adults and 7 children. Jeff Hoyt, Director of Hands of Faith, reported that the expressions of gratitude on the mother’s face, when presented with these gifts for her children as well as for the other residents, made the Holiday Season a little brighter. (Back)

Salvation Army – After living in an abusive relationship for years, Becky took her two children and got out.

The Salvation Army helped her get the financial and emotional help to move on, but her income was limited. She was very happy to find help from the Salvation Army Toy Shop as Christmas neared. Each of her children received a bike.

In appreciation, she wrote: “Thank you for both of the bikes. You don’t know how much it means to my kids. It was an answer to prayer. They both had their bikes stolen this last year and I haven’t had the money to replace them. Again, thank you!” (Back)

Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills – A group of Beloit area residents who are bi-polar, schizophrenic and/or depressed, most with severe movement disorders as a result of the medications they were taking, found help by using the SMILES program.

“The interaction with the SMILES horses is comforting and relaxing, and all of the riders in our group have become very skillful in the arena,” said a clinical coordinator working with the Beloit group. She added that “riding has given them the courage to try new and different things in the community. I have seen dramatic improvements in their lives.” (Back)

Stateline Boys and Girls Clubs – Besides helping staff at the Boys and Girls Clubs work with the multitude of kids grade 6 and younger, high school freshman Toby Conner gets a big benefit himself.

Toby’s male role models since a young child included a birth father in jail, an adopted father who was also in-and-out of jail. He is residing with a half brother’s grandmother, who is no relation to Toby.

Staff understands that Toby attends the club because he craves positive adult role models, discipline/structure in his otherwise chaotic life history, and sees it as a place to escape the pitfalls that at-risk youth face.

Services provided at the club, made possible because of United Way funding, give Toby a safe place to just be a kid. (Back)

Stateline Literacy Council – Sovan Srey, a Cambodian married to an American Missionary, first came to SLC in 2009.

She spent only a few months in the Intermediate class, and after both verbal and written testing, was promoted to the advanced class, where she is doing well.

Her first goal was to learn to drive. After failing the written test twice (despite her husband helping her study) she got a personal tutor at SLC. They worked diligently on the words in the sample test, meeting once a week for two hours until Sovan was ready to try the test again. She passed and now has a learners permit. She looks forward to taking the driving portion of the test.

Meanwhile, she signed up for the Citizenship Classes at SLC, and also hopes to register at Blackhawk Technical College within the year.

“She will make it. She also is an inspiration to other students,” said SLC Director Linda Ward. (Back)

Voluntary Action Center – The data base of local volunteers in the VAC office helped save one of the county’s valuable services.

Rita Sostrini-Norgal helped create a new program for Rock County’s Mediation and Family Court Services. It is called Neutral Exchange SiTe (NEST for short) and enables parents who are not living together to make child custody exchanges in a secure environment, involving no direct contact with one another. The program relied heavily on volunteers, which VAC helped secure. But with attrition, the volunteer numbers diminished and Rita, as project coordinator, was left with more and more of the burden until she was near burning out.

When VAC staff made a follow-up call to Rita about her program’s volunteer needs, Rita explained that unless she could acquire at least 6 volunteer helpers, the program would be in jeopardy.

VAC workers began combing data bases for possible volunteers, and even advertised the need in its weekly Bulletin Board. Seven volunteers were found and Rita was overwhelmed with gratitude that this valuable program could continue reducing parental stress and protecting children from trauma. (Back)

YWCA of Rock County (CARE House) – Care House offers a child-safe environment where child victims of abuse can be interviewed with a minimum of trauma.

After an unfortunate encounter, a 12-year-old girl was brought by her parents for an interview. She also attended two, six-week sessions in a support group, which time staff got to know her well. They also grew to appreciate the parents who made sure she got to each meeting.

During an early meeting she requested Muenster cheese during snack time, thus earning herself the nickname of “Cheese.” Staff was sure to always have her favorite cheese there for subsequent meeting snacks.

“Week by week we watched Cheese open up and become more comfortable with herself and speaking up for her needs as a result of her participation,” said a staff member. (Back)