Valentine’s Party for Shelter Residents

The stories of residents at The Salvation Army Women and Children’s Shelter are usually sad ones. Most of the residents – many are mothers and their children – come to the shelter as a last resort because they are homelessness or fleeing abusive domestic situations. To celebrate Valentine’s Day may be especially hard for some of these mothers.

Residents sat excitedly in the lobby of The Salvation Army’s Social Services Center Feb. 13, 2010 to await a Valentine’s Day party. In the room down the hall, 12 members of the Indian Creek Christian Church were setting up the last minute preparations to make this a day that would brighten the spirits of those who have endeared so much. In the room were tables for making cards and picture frames, a table for icing cookies and a gift table.

Different groups throughout the year put on such events as this one. It’s a way for residents to be able to get out of their rooms and associate with other residents.

“I think it shows clients that people care”, said Julia Sipes, special projects coordinator for the shelter. “It gives them something to look forward to.”

Indian Creek Christian Church member Lesa Caldwell has helped with events for the shelter before. Her bible study group thought of the idea of a Valentine’s Day party for the shelter. They wanted to make this a positive day for the residents.

Caldwell’s 8 year old son was helping at the party by wrapping the gifts at the gift table, where kids could select a Valentine’s Day present for their moms. The church members realized that some mothers didn’t currently have photos of their children to be put in their decorated frames, so they were taking photos at the party for the frames as well. The church also brought several bags of clothing and supplies for the shelter.

Caldwell said that this event has been a way for the group to “move outside the walls of the church to serve God.”

The party was successful with about twenty residents attending. *Sharron and her grandchildren are residents at the shelter escaping a bad situation. “I love it,” Sharron said about the party. “We are so grateful.”

*Susan, another shelter resident, also came to the party. She’s staying at the shelter because she has nowhere else to go and has no other family with her. She calls the events like the Valentine’s Day party as a way to distract her from the situation that she’s in. “When you’re here [at the party] you don’t think of where you are,” said Susan.

For further information on how you can put on an event for the shelter, contact Julia Sipes at 317-224-1067.

 *Names have been changed to conceal the identity of the residents.

Harriett* has been struggling with depression for most of her life. When she came to The Salvation Army four years ago, she had left a domestic violence situation with her husband and had overcome a drug addiction. However even though she was past the violence and the drugs, she still struggled with her mental health. During her first stay at The Salvation Army, Harriett rarely left her room and did not take any actions to improve her own life.

Harriett recently came back to the shelter for a second time, and she made great progress! She started to take control of her depression, and has been working on her independence and self confidence. She no longer stayed in her room, but made efforts to look for a part time job while applying for SSD and participating in the Shelter Plus Care program. Harriett also sees a counselor twice a month, which she would have never done before.

We am so proud of Harriett and the progress she has made. Even though she was nervous about moving out on her own, she knew that was the step in the right direction and that The Salvation Army was there still to support her. She has been clean for over 20 years and now has much better coping skills. She is part of our Continuing Support Program and continues to meet with her case manager once a week.

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.

The Door Swings Two Ways

I remember November the fourth.  That was the day that I walked into The Salvation Army.  That day could have been a bright, sunny day, but at that moment everything around me was dark.

I remember the lady at the front desk asked how she could help me.  I remember trying to talk to her as I broke down into tears while explaining that I had no place to stay and I needed shelter.  I was immediately given a roof over my head, food to eat and a bed to lay my weary body.  During my stay at Salvation Army I met other ladies who were going through similar situations.  After going through a depression, I began to deal with my sadness and anger and began attending programs, classes and bible studies.  I began to start feeling more uplifted and realized that God had a real plan for me.

The shelter staff and my case manager encouraged me all through my trip to a new beginning.  I want to tell you that having caring people behind you really means a lot.  I am now working and recently started going to school.  I even found my own apartment!

I believe with God’s blessings and the Salvation Army’s help I am now on my way.  Like I said, the door swings two ways, you may walk in down, but you can walk out with your head held high knowing that you are blessed and not having to look back at the garbage you left behind.

Thank you Salvation Army.  God is good all the time!

School on Wheels Partners with Monday Funday!

Monday, January 11 was an exciting day for us here at the shelter – it was the first day of the new and improved “Monday Funday!”

Monday Funday is a mentoring group that was started last summer by a group of volunteers.  Originally intended to be a 14 week program, it was so successful with the residents and the volunteers that we decided to carry it over into the school year.  School nights changed what the activities of Monday Funday looked like but it surely didn’t change the positive relationships being built between our kids and volunteers!  Each week volunteers spend about an hour helping the children with their homework or an educational activity.  After that we end the night with a fun activity or craft.

This spring semester we have teamed up with one of our long time partners, School on Wheels, to make Monday nights even more effective.  School on Wheels is helping our mentors improve their tutoring skills with improved resources and approaches that have proven to be effective through their years of tutoring.

We’re excited about our new partnership and can’t wait to see what this semester will unfold!

A Success Story

Sonny* came to our shelter from Chicago after leaving a very abusive situation with her son’s parents.  Sonny struggled both with  finding a job and with her son, who is truly an example of the terrible twos!  She finally found a job at Steak n’ Shake working days.  She worked very close with the Homeless Initiative Program and found herself an apartment.  Sonny moved out the shelter 2 weeks before Christmas.  Sonny continues to come to the shelter for case management and childcare.  She is also enrolled in our Continuing Support program, in which we can assist her with food and household items.  Sonny is now currently taking classes at Ivy Tech and her son is thriving in their new apartment.  He will begin Head Start in the fall.

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of our clients

Shelter Participates in Help-Portrait

The Salvation Army’s Women and Children’s Shelter in downtown Indianapolis was abuzz with activity on Saturday as a team of photographers, hair stylists, and makeup artists converged on the site. Help Portrait Indy 2009, a one-day event meant to coincide with the worldwide launch on December 12, was a chance for those with artistic talents to give back to their community. Katie Moon, professional photographer, spearheaded the event with the help of 40 volunteers. 234 men, women and children were photographed, which included current and past clients, and residents of the Barton Center Apartments.

On Monday, “everyone is still talking about how awesome it was” said Julia Sipes, Special Projects Coordinator for the shelter. That is exactly the emotion that would’ve pleased Nashville photographer Jeremy Cowart, founder of Help Portrait. Mr. Cowart used the internet to generate interest in his idea which was birthed during the summer and exploded into a global movement to give disadvantaged people a chance to get professional photos taken. Nearly every state and 60 countries held their own Help Portrait event which included media coverage aired on CNN. Photo editor Joel Mills, who volunteered for the event in Virginia summed up the impact – “Giving a photo to a stranger gives you a unique opportunity to speak a kind word of encouragement, value, beauty, and truth that isn’t quite as tangible without the photo to give your words context.”

At the shelter in Indy, stylists and makeup artists pampered the women while the children were kept busy decorating cookies. Participants were presented with a framed family portrait, gift bags and children’s books. Afterwards, everyone was treated to pizza on behalf of the volunteers. Next year’s Help Portrait has already been slated for December 4th around the globe. For more information about how you can give or volunteer for events at The Women and Children’s Shelter contact Julia Sipes at (317)637-5551.

October Shelter Statistics

This October we served a total of 213 women and children in shelter – that’s 117 adults and 96 kids.

Of the 213 served, 181 were seeking shelter due to domestic violence, stalking sexual assault, isolation and forced prostitution.

We served 7,031 meals.

Want to help?  Call Julia Sipes at (317) 224-1067 to find out about volunteer opportunities or click here to see our wish list!

True Determination

Sam* came to the Salvation Army Women and Children’s Shelter in June after being laid off in April and having to move out of her house due to black mold.  She was determined to get back on her feet and provide her 3 beautiful girls with a home.  While Sam was at the shelter, she participated in Life Skills and Ladies Night, both in which encourage self-esteem and self-respect.  Sam searched endlessly for a job until she finally found one in early August.  She works full time while making sure her kids are doing well in school and getting everything they need.  Her oldest daughter was just approved for the Starfish Initiative Program.  Sam is also working with the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic against her previous landlord for health code violations.  Sam just moved into her new 3-bedroom apartment a few days ago, with a little help from the Salvation Army by means of utility and rental assistance.  Her determination to get back on her feet sets great example for everyone, especially to her girls. 

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.

Christmas City Bureau

Looking for information on the Salvation Army’s Christmas Assistance Program?  Here’s everything you need to know!

You MUST be employed or in school to be eligible for this program!

Accepting Applications:   Tuesday, November 3, 2009- Thursday December 3, 2009
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00pm-8:00pm
Saturdays from 9:00am-12:00pm
Closed for Thanksgiving – Thursday and Saturday, November 26 and 28.

Application Sites:

The Salvation Army Fountain Square Corps, 1337 S. Shelby Street, 46203

The Salvation Army Eagle Creek Corps, 4400 N. High School Road, 46254

The Salvation Army Barton Center, 210 E. Michigan Street, 46204 (TUESDAY’S AND SATURDAY’S ONLY)

The following items are REQUIRED in order to apply for Christmas Assistance:

• Picture ID for all adults in the household
• Social Security Card (or passport, green card) for all adults in the household
• Social Security Card and Birth Certificate (or shot records, school records, or Medicaid card) for each child
• Combined household income statements
• Proof of employment or school status for head of household
• Proof of address

**Incomplete applications will not be considered!**

Eligible applicants will be invited to a “Toy Shop” where they can choose new gifts for each approved child in the household.

Coats for Kids

It’s hard to believe that we are almost 2 weeks away from our 23nd Annual Coats for Kids campaign!   As winter approaches The Salvation Army, WTHR Channel 13 and Tuchman Cleaners are again asking generous people from the city of Indianapolis to donate new or gently used coats, hats, gloves and scarves to help us with our campaign. Donations can be dropped off at any Tuchman Cleaners where they will be cleaned before distribution day on October 10.

This year interested patrons can also donate money online. All funds collected will be used to purchase new coats for children in need this winter.

Click here to buy a coat for a kid.

Are you wondering how you can get one of our new or gently used coats for your child this October?  Simply come to the Northwest Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds between 8:00am and 4:00pm on October 10th.  The event is free and open to the public, but remember that your child must be present to receive a coat!

Questions?  Contact Julia Sipes at (317) 224 1067 or julia_sipes@usc.salvationarmy.org.

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