SOJOURNERTRUTH2014-2015HOUSE Annual Report Refl ections Ripples Healing Mind, Body Our Financials and Donor Listing Realities And Spirit Our Volunteers page 8 a message from Executive Clients benefi t from Sojourner Truth House Director, Sister Peg participation in holistic serves an average of Spindler, CSA program delivery 2,100 clients each month thanks to your support page 2 page 3 page 5 What Your Support Means In 2014, your support helped us assist an average of 2,164 clients In 2015, your support helped us assist an average of 2,100 clients each month and feed 25,422 individuals and 8,175 families. each month and feed 24,722 individuals and 7,945 families. We transported clients 13,409 times for housing searches, medical We transported clients 11,457 times for housing searches, medical visits and employment opportunities. We served 16,941 meals visits and employment opportunities. We served 16,495 meals and provided emergency services for 541 shelter clients. and provided emergency services for 475 shelter clients. Kim (center) presents a donation from her fellow church member to Sr. Peg Spindler, Executive Director (left) and Sherita Brewer, Development Services Manager (right). Kim’s Story God has given me another chance and with God’s help I will make healthier, better choices. Can you imagine being in a place where you have almost nothing… Finally she felt a peace she had never experienced before. Kim and admitting that you are bored? You’re struggling with addiction, looked around and saw a place where there was “no big I and little living in unsanitary conditions, working only when the mood hits… you” and knew she was fi nally home. She decided to listen to her and you’re actually bored. Nothing seems attainable so you stop case managers, believing they would stick with her as she mended trying. No one seems to care so you decide you don’t care either. her life, and they have. Kim believes this is “a program that works” Simple, unsuccessful, unimaginative existence becomes the word and believes that “if other women had this type of program, maybe of the day and you accept it…because you’re bored! homeless numbers would not be this high.” Kim once lived this way. She refused to listen to anyone, especially Kim recently made a personal testimony about her life’s path to God, instead choosing to “run away” when things seemed tough. members at her new church about what it has meant to her to Unfortunately she ran to a life riddled with substance abuse and be an STH client. She said that she could “never turn (her) back questionable relationships. But Kim says that the farther she ran, on STH” A fellow parishioner heard her story and was compelled the more God “was keeping her there.” She found herself tired, to make a donation to further the mission of STH which Kim was hungry and alone when a Sister from Missionaries of Charity looked eager to present. Kim says she will continue to tell her story in at her and said “Kim, stop throwing your life away!” Stunned by the hopes that others will support STH because “all they want for us is Sister’s honesty, she decided to do something that had evaded to get better, to do better and to be better.” Kim has moved into her for most of her life-she decided to trust. Kim came to Gary her apartment and IS better-because of your support and says and began her “journey” November 2, 2015 and found that she “God had given me another CHANCE and with God’s help I will was “being fed physically and spiritually.” She arrived at STH on make healthier, better CHOICES if I will allow Him to CHANGE November 4 and hasn’t looked back since. me from the inside out.” 410 West 13th Avenue Gary, IN 46407 (219) 885-2282 www.sojournertruthhouse.org | 1 | 2015 Board of Directors Judith Stanton, Esq.; Chairperson Sr. Carleen Wrasman, PHJC; Secretary James Huson; Treasurer India Castaneda Susan Cohen Doesn’t it seem that something old is dying and something new is being born these days? Some folks are trying Sylvia Collins desperately to hold on to some mythical “what was” while Denise Dillard others call for things to change, for more justice, more James Donovan sustainability, more compassion. Fear, mistrust and hatred Sr. Michele Dvorak, PHJC abound. Protests and riots are more numerous and organized. Rev. Dr. Alfred Johnson Young people glimpse a future that we don’t see, maybe can’t see. Earth, our home, seems destined to lose what gives us Pat Kelly life if we don’t change our “small picture” thinking. Sr. Cathy Schwemer, PHJC Hope lies in becoming aware of the “big picture,” the fact Dr. Chantal Walker that change and growth are what the Universe is all about. Chelsea Whittington And we, as the Universe conscious of itself, certainly infl uence Pamela Yttri that evolution. It’s not always comfortable or easy, but it’s the Sr. Peg Spindler, CSA way of all creation. Jesus says, “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (Jn 10:10) And that involves growth and change, like it or not. Here at Sojourner Truth House, we have to keep the “big picture” in mind, the ”big picture” of mission, funding and direction, even as we attend to an individual client struggling on her journey. Transformative change is hard, both for our clients and for us as we work with them. Growth involves leaving old thoughts and stereotypes and beliefs behind, not wallowing in the imagined security they seem to provide. If one family at a time can begin to see a “bigger picture”, if Prospective supporters gather at a recent Coffee & Conversation to learn each of us, staff, volunteers, Board and donors, can open our more about Sojourner Truth House. eyes a bit wider, then the world can be a better place for our visioning. I think that’s why we are all involved in this ministry. This report covers the last two years because we’ve experienced large doses of that transformation. Our innovations (new Director of Operations, new classes and partners), the scaling up (our permanent supportive housing project), our efforts at sustainability (our annual Walk on June 11) and the many partners with whom we have engaged collaboratively over the years—all this empowers our evolution as a sponsored ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. And that leads to “fullness of life.” We cannot Walkers line up for the 2015 Walk for STH thank you enough for your commitment to “birthing something new” here in NWI. Because of you, we live in the hope that awareness of the “big picture” brings. Co-workers, volunteers and well-wishers attend the dedication of the co-branded Prompt Ambulance/Sojourner Truth House emergency transport vehicle. Blessings! Sister Peg Spindler, CSA Sojourner Truth House Executive Director | 2 | SOJOURNERTRUTHHOUSE Annual Report Healing Mind, Body And Spirit Clients benefi t from participation in programs targeting the mind, body and spirit The reasons that people become homeless STH clients are also encouraged to They begin to gain the strength needed are as varied as those who experience it. acknowledge addictions without assuming to cope with life in more positive ways There are countless contributing factors they will be judged or condemned. While and regain their position as thoughtful, and each affects clients in different ways. not all clients wrestle with addiction issues, successful providers for their families. Securing housing is only half the battle the stressors associated with housing STH clients come to STH needing healing, since they must fi rst lay a solid foundation instability create the perception that each in their own unique way, and these for renewal and healing. Sojourner Truth escape through the use of alcohol and invaluable facilitators reinforce renewed House clients benefi t from participation in drugs will provide a way out. Facilitator self-esteem, self-acceptance and self-care. programs targeting the mind, body and spirit. Brenda Comer, MSW, LCSW, LCAC is Darolynn and Brenda respect each client STH clients fi rst focus on skills for their basic a leading Substance Abuse counselor in and embrace their individual strengths survival. Facilitator Darolynn Sharp works the area and educated clients on ways to while helping them address their challenges. with clients on personal development resist those ever present temptations and They stand in front of them when they by enhancing basic learning levels and uses components of the 12-Step Program need direction, behind them when they building on their educational foundation to reinforce the positives of abstinence. need support and beside them when they and personal growth. Her courses help Clients speak openly in class settings where need a hand to hold. clients to insert knowledge into real non-judgmental and candid conversations world experiences while communicating are shared by others with like experiences. at a 21st century level. Clients receive Clients are encouraged to defi ne themselves through personal mission statements. coaching in resume writing, completing job applications, appropriate interviewing skills and proper attire and are also tasked with understanding household budget preparation, meal planning and shopping. Darolynn encourages clients to move past psychological limits they have imposed on themselves and to reach for new goals. They begin to gain the strength needed to cope with life in more positive ways and regain their position as thoughtful, successful providers for their families. Brenda Comer, MSW, LCSW, LCAC Darolynn Sharp, MSM/CPFFE | 3 | Marlene Birdsong-Smith, Early Childhood Development Specialist, stands next to “Gigi’s Doghouse” in the STH Child Enrichment Center Donor’s Gift Creates Hopeful Environment for Children Children learn and excel in a safe, nurturing environment while Moms focus on rebuilding the family Sleeping in a car.