By admin, on April 20th, 2012
 We don’t always know why someone chooses to donate to the work accomplished at Helping Services. We don’t always know why people give year after year. But we do know it’s quite a struggle to effectively show the depth of our appreciation for that kind of commitment.
We do have one special couple, however, who have been funding the work of our agency for twenty-five years. Every month and sometimes more than that, they sit down, make out a check, and put it in the mail. We admire them for their consistent giving because it plays a vital role in our ability to provide services to those who need them.
Recently we asked the Streets, “Why?” Not because we don’t think we deserve or need their gifts, but so we can understand and make sure we’re fulfilling their hopes as a donor. Here’s what this lovely couple had to say:
“Put very simply, we support (and have supported) Helping Services because we like what they do. Whether working with victims of abuse, persons at risk, persons seeking a better lifestyle, etc., every person is seen as an individual of value, with abilities and possibilities to discover and develop. Helping Services’ programs also grow and . . . → Read More: Donor Spotlight: Mr. and Mrs. Street
By admin, on April 19th, 2012
During the season of Lent, St. Benedict School students collected items and bags for children going into foster care or children of families who have to leave their homes because of domestic violence. Each bag contained a blanket, stuffed animal, toothpaste and brush, other personal care items, coloring book or writing pad, and crayons, markers, pencils and pens. St Benedict Parish members and Girl Scout Troop #232 from nearby school, North Winn, also contributed items for the bags. A total of 55 bags were given to Helping Services of Northeast Iowa and other area agencies.
Mindy Myers of the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Resource Center shared, “We are grateful for the generosity of these students and their families. Victims and children fleeing a violent home often have to leave almost everything behind. These bags offer personal care items but also the comfort of a blanket or stuffed animal. Coloring, writing, and drawing can be a good method of coping with a scary and difficult situation.”
Pictured are the Student Council members from St. Benedict School in Decorah and Mindy Myers, Director of Individual and Family Services with Helping Services for Northeast Iowa.
Here are a few ideas that . . . → Read More: St. Bens Students give to victims of domestic violence and their children
By admin, on April 18th, 2012
 By David Runyon, Executive Director
Knowledge is dynamic and fluid. If it were fixed, then we could learn something “once and for all” and never have to be trained again. But we are constantly learning new information and skills, innovative practices, and ways of framing the issues our clients face. We invest significant dollars each year so that we present the public we serve with a well-prepared staff.
As technology develops, we are able to get more training at a significantly reduced cost. Now with training available through webinars and other online options, our budget can be stretched further. However, we still encourage staff to travel because there is great value in rubbing shoulders with others working on the same issues.
This year we expect to spend about $1,500 per staff person for training. It is important that we get something useful from expenditures of this size, and I believe we do.
What are we getting this year? Here is a very partial list of trainings our staff attended in 2011 to gain new expertise:
Domestic Violence and Disability
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Understanding Drug Dependence
Drug Endangered Children
Mental Health First Aid
Engaging Volunteers
Successful Volunteer Interview Strategies
Homeless Prevention for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Children . . . → Read More: The Cost of Staying Ready
By admin, on April 18th, 2012
By Ryan Cooper, VCC Project Director
What do you get when you cross politicians, three local mothers, several Helping Services staff, Washington D.C., and 2,700 other people from around the country (and world)? No, not a cheesy joke!
You get Involvement! Cyndy Ward, Melody Gilson, and Teri Wagner from the Valley Community Coalition (VCC) decided to become more involved in the community. So, they jumped on the opportunity to take an exciting trip to Washington D.C., participate in a national conference, and learn how to help their community fight against drug problems. During their visit, they spent time at the Capitol and met with our state’s representative staff. They discovered the way vital pieces of our nation, states, and communities operate and their own role in that structure.
Getting involved in the community is not difficult to do. For these three moms, all it took was a little willingness to learn. Here are a few reasons why they are involved:
Melody: “I want our kids to grow up in a safe place while helping other parents become aware of the issues surrounding drugs and alcohol.”
Cyndy: “It is up to us as parents to educate our children and communities on the issues . . . → Read More: Recipe for Change
By admin, on April 18th, 2012
 By Steven Drewes, Board President
Longtime sports broadcaster Pat O’Brien, told this story about basketball great, Michael Jordan.
While at an autograph signing session, Mr. O’Brien was accompanied by his young son. Mr. O’Brien, who was seated with the basketball star, was told by Mr. Jordan that his son could step to the front of the line to get his autograph. Mr. O’Brien told Mr. Jordan that he wanted his son to be treated like anyone else. His son waited in line about 1½ hours before he got to the table. After signing the autograph for the O’Brien boy, Michael Jordan turned to Pat O’Brien and told him that his son was the only person out of several hundred who said “thank you.” That little thank-you left a huge impression on a man who had received thank-you’s and praise for much of his life. I am sure Mr. O’Brien was very proud of his son, and a great lesson had been taught and learned in the process.
The Hausa people of Africa have a saying, “Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.” I believe the above story illustrates this statement. If we probe our . . . → Read More: Thank You, Mr. Jordan
By admin, on April 17th, 2012
 By the Mentoring Staff
What is your definition of poverty? Does your mind go back to the Great Depression, or to the homeless of today? Is it the person that doesn’t have enough money to pay bills? Possibly the family who finds difficulty in keeping themselves and their children clean?
It may be those things, but poverty entails more than low financial resources. It is also the extent to which an individual goes without emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical support systems. This kind of hardship exists in our area and impacts people we work with and live near. To better equip ourselves, volunteers ,and the public with tools to help those in poverty, we held a training. It was so informative, we wanted to share with you two key things we learned.
1. In Iowa, 15% of children are living in poverty. If the head of a household is female, this rate jumps to 38%. So this is a reality in our area. You may not know all 4,000 children living in poverty in northeast Iowa, but you probably know a few of those kids.
How should we respond? We need to care. Help . . . → Read More: What We’ve Learned About Poverty (and why we think you should know it too)
By admin, on April 17th, 2012
By Jenny Stolka, Delaware County SPF-SIG Coordinator
Imagine you are sitting on your couch; the lamp is giving off a lifeless glow against the darkness through the windows. You glance at the ticking clock on the wall one more time. Your daughter is an hour late and isn’t answering her cell phone. She always calls to let you know she is running late or if she has decided to stay over at a friend’s house. Your mind starts racing through the horrible possible scenarios… there was a car accident, she was kidnapped…or maybe she is drunk and passed out somewhere. No…she doesn’t drink, she told you so.
If you have lived through this scenario, then you are probably feeling a little bit anxious right now. If you haven’t, take action now so you don’t have to! As a parent, you have the power to help reduce the chances of your child developing an alcohol problem. You can help your child learn to make smart, safe choices; you can help your youth avoid the dangers of underage drinking.
Get started today! As the parent, it is your responsibility to get involved, to be present, and to guide . . . → Read More: Are You on the Right Parenting Path?
By admin, on April 17th, 2012
 In 1997 an 18-year-old Italian girl was sexually assaulted by her 45 year old driving instructor. She pressed charges. The perpetrator was convicted of rape and sentenced to prison. However, he appealed the case to the Italian Supreme Court where it was overturned. The reasoning behind the judges overturning this case – the victim wore tight jeans, so she must have helped to take them off, and in doing so, it was no longer considered rape.
Unfortunately, many of the victim-blaming attitudes held by the Italian Supreme Court exist in our own community today. Survivors of sexual assault deserve support and assistance, not shame and blame.
As a response to the court decision in Italy, Denim Day has become an international symbol of protest against harmful attitudes towards sexual assault.
April 25 is this year’s Denim Day. We are asking everyone — neighbors, businesses, employees, clinic staff, elected officials, and students — to host their own Denim Day (it doesn’t have to be on the 25th) and wear jeans. By wearing your denim, you will help raise awareness about sexual assault myths, and you will show survivors you know their assault was not their fault. Pledge to . . . → Read More: Host a Denim Day
By admin, on April 17th, 2012
 By Belle Hemesath, SODA Vice President
2 and 40. Remember those numbers. They are important. They tell a compelling story. 2 and 40.
A few weeks ago, my little brother and I went for a bike ride on our local bike trail. We were looking forward to the fresh, spring air, the blades of grass emerging from the ground, and the birds singing their approval. We were not looking forward to the big problem we discovered.
Recently, the VCC began a campaign to draw attention to this problem. The Every Can a Crime campaign is a project to show the community the severity of a problem we deal with every day. Although many people believe the main problem with beer cans in the ditch is litter, there is actually a much larger underlying problem. Every beer can in the ditch represents a person who was drinking and driving. When a person chooses to drink and drive they are choosing to endanger not only their own life, but also the lives of everyone else driving on that road. This campaign is an effort to show all community members that every single beer can on the side of the road represents a serious . . . → Read More: 2 and 40: The Underlying Problem
By admin, on April 12th, 2012
 As a parent it's important to keep communication open with your new freshman student. This booklet includes information about the risks, consequences and warning signs of alcohol, drug and tobacco use and what your role could look like in this next stage of your child's life.
It’s hard to believe that college is right around the corner for your student. You know that your worries and hopes for your child don’t stop when you drop them off on campus. You may think that your opportunity to have conversations with them about alcohol and other drugs or your influence over their decisions is coming to a close. But it doesn’t have to. We know that your influence as a parent continues, even when they’re not living under your roof.
The first six weeks away at college can be very important. This may be the first time that your new collegiate is exploring their new-found independence. They choose their friends, join campus activities and groups, and set the stage for how they will socialize on and off campus. They may experiment with drinking or put themselves in uncomfortable situations. Because of this, keeping the communication open with your new student . . . → Read More: My high school senior is heading to college. Help!
|
|
|
Recent Comments