Sara Achieves Self-Sufficiency GoodMoves Dedicated to helping homeless families and individuals return to stable housing and self-sufficiency. Fall 2016 Newsletter Growing up in foster care, life was hard for Sara. She became a wife and mother at a young age and held three simultaneous jobs as the primary earner for her family. Her husband was unable to work because of mental health issues and stayed at home to care for their children. Unfortunately, Sara suffered a debilitating injury and was unable to work. Their family had no savings or income and were unable to pay their rent. They quickly became homeless and couch-surfed and slept in their car. Gathering her courage, Sara asked for help and was referred to LifeMoves | Opportunity Services Center in Palo Alto. Her case manager, Kenya, helped Sara create a life- changing plan with housing and employment resources and mental health services for her husband — everything she needed to find a rapid return to stable housing and self- sufficiency. Following the time-tested LifeMoves model, Sara received guidance and support to help her with housing needs and employment applications. By leveraging the collaborative relationships LifeMoves has with other community agencies, Sara was introduced to the Stanford Law Clinic for pro bono legal services to help her appeal her husband’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability case. Like the majority of clients served by LifeMoves, Sara followed her case management plan and worked hard. She found a duplex in San Jose that her family could afford to rent long- term, and she was successful in the SSI appeal on behalf of her husband. Sara has overcome homelessness and continues to build a brighter future for her family. The boys are thriving in their new home and at school. Sara’s injury has healed and she is going back to work. Her dream is to one day work as a case manager so that she can help others. Sara wants to draw on her personal experience to inspire and encourage other local families who struggle to overcome homelessness. To help more families overcome homelessness, donate online: www.lifemoves.org/donate “We were at rock bottom. We are so grateful that LifeMoves was there to help us when we needed it most.” – Sara Sara, Christian and their children “We were exhausted and depressed. Every day, we packed up and looked for the next place to stay. I wanted my children to have a good childhood, and we were failing.” – Sara Sara works closely with her LifeMoves case manager
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Sara Achieves Self-Sufficiency
GoodMovesDedicated to helping homeless families and individuals return to stable housing and self-sufficiency. Fall 2016 Newsletter
Growing up in foster care, life was hard for Sara. She became a wife and mother at a young age and held three simultaneous jobs as the primary earner for her family. Her husband was unable to work because of mental health issues and stayed at home to care for their children. Unfortunately, Sara suffered a debilitating injury and was unable to work. Their family had no savings or income and were unable to pay their rent. They quickly became homeless and couch-surfed and slept in their car.
Gathering her courage, Sara asked for help and was referred to LifeMoves | Opportunity Services Center in Palo Alto. Her case manager, Kenya, helped Sara create a life-changing plan with housing and employment resources and mental health services for her husband — everything she needed to find a rapid return to stable housing and self-sufficiency.
Following the time-tested LifeMoves model, Sara received guidance and support to help her with housing needs and employment applications. By leveraging the collaborative relationships LifeMoves has with other community agencies, Sara was introduced to the Stanford Law Clinic for pro bono legal services to help her appeal her husband’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability case.
Like the majority of clients served by LifeMoves, Sara followed her case management plan and worked hard. She found a duplex in San Jose that her family could afford to rent long-term, and she was successful in the SSI appeal on behalf of her husband.
Sara has overcome homelessness and continues to build a brighter future for her family. The boys are thriving in their new home and at school. Sara’s
injury has healed and she is going back to work. Her dream is to one day work as a case manager so that she can help others. Sara wants to draw on her personal experience to inspire and encourage other local families who struggle to overcome homelessness.
To help more families overcome homelessness, donate online: www.lifemoves.org/donate
“We were at rock bottom. We are so grateful that LifeMoves was there to help us when we needed it most.” – Sara
Sara, Christian and their children
“We were exhausted and depressed. Every day, we packed up and looked for the next place to stay. I wanted my children to have a good childhood, and we were failing.” – Sara
Sara works closely with her LifeMoves case manager
We all witnessed an extraordinary event on June 29 – more than 70 Bay Area media outlets coordinated a blitz of coverage on homelessness. From historical perspectives to political analysis, from individual profiles to editorials, one trait that most stories shared was the tendency to describe the homeless problem as intractable or overwhelming. While there’s no question that the challenge is large, at LifeMoves we know that it can be solved.
We contributed to the coverage – with profiles of our clients who demonstrated the courage and conviction to turn their lives around and get back to stable housing and self-sufficiency. We highlighted the elements of our model – intensive customized case management, safe and supportive housing, and the opportunity for clients to build the life skills needed for long term self-sufficiency. Our goal was two-fold: to prevent people from throwing up their hands in the face of the problem and to point out at least one model with a proven track record of success in moving families and individuals – more than 700 last year – back to stable housing for good.
Of course none of this is possible without the dedicated volunteers and generous donors who create the foundation for all the amazing work that our staff does with our clients. I encourage you to read some of the coverage in the Press section of our website -- with a sense of pride for helping to make our clients' successes possible and a sense of inspiration for helping us tackle the challenge that remains.
Best Regards,
From Our CEO
Bruce Ives
CEO
From Our CEO
Thanks to dedicated local youth volunteers throughout the year, and especially during the summer months, LifeMoves is able to provide unique programs such as Achieving Career and Educational Success (A.C.E.S.) to homeless children in our community. The A.C.E.S. curriculum is anchored in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math learning opportunities that rebuild self-confidence in children to help them overcome the trauma of homelessness.
We are delighted to report that the sixth annual LifeMoves A.C.E.S. Summer Adventure Camp served homeless children from seven facilities in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
Summer Adventure Camp was staffed by 120 high school and college-age volunteers. Thanks to their support, homeless children participated in new experiences through educational activities and by exploring places like the
Tech Museum, NASA, and the California Academy of Sciences. The volunteers gained valuable work and life-skills while helping others in their community this summer.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities and internships throughout the year contact Lynnelle Bilsey, Sr. Manager, Volunteer Program: [email protected] or 650-685-5880 ext. 125
Ana, Jaanvee, and Azul proudly display the results of their “quick sand” experiment
Youth Volunteers Give Back
Camp counselors Brittany, Lizzie, Katherine, and Amanda enjoy a field trip to Levi's Stadium with campers
To support the A.C.E.S program, please donate online: www.lifemoves.org/donate or contact Richard Ajluni at [email protected] or 650-685-5880 ext 115. Your donation will help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
"My experience as a volunteer camp counselor working with homeless kids has been phenomenal. I love the kids! It makes my day so much more exciting." – Ana
Filomena, 84, came to the United States to find a better future and greater opportunity for her family. She quickly secured a job at GEICO Insurance as a quality control specialist. When her husband became ill, she took a leave of absence to care for him until he passed away.
Returning to the workforce as a caregiver, Filomena worked until health issues forced her to retire. The loss of income made it impossible for her to afford the rent she was paying for her apartment. With nowhere to turn, she was referred to LifeMoves | Maple Street in Redwood City for homeless men and women.
Thanks to her dedicated case manager, Morgan, Filomena was able to create a life-changing plan that helped her secure long-term affordable senior housing. She needed help navigating the application process, signing the lease and moving into her new home. Every LifeMoves
client receives individualized services, and Morgan took great care to guide Filomena through the complex housing application process, which can be insurmountable to some seniors.
Thanks to the financial support of donors like you, LifeMoves is able to serve an increasing number of seniors. Last year, thirty-five percent of all homeless clients served by LifeMoves were senior citizens. Often with no prior history of homelessness, many are living on a fixed income and are forced from their housing due to significant rent increases.
By donating to LifeMoves every month, Dave and Tanya Reynolds help ensure that local homeless families, individuals, and a growing number of homeless veterans and senior citizens get the help they need to find a rapid return to stable housing and long-term self-sufficiency.
Dave and Tanya have found the Monthly Giving Circle to be a consistent and meaningful way for them to help people in need in their community. “By thoughtfully making the decision to donate monthly to a successful organization like LifeMoves, I feel connected to the work on an ongoing basis,” shared Dave.
Dave and Tanya didn't see much homelessness in Michigan before they relocated. Living in the Bay Area, they constantly see people struggling with homelessness and they want to be part of the solution. After researching local organizations, they decided to donate monthly to help ensure the long-term success of LifeMoves
programs. While many people donate during the upcoming holiday season, Dave and Tanya feel strongly that solutions for homelessness requires support year 'round.
Join Dave and Tanya in the Circle! A monthly gift – of any amount – is meaningful! The power of your monthly donation will help our most vulnerable neighbors transform their lives. To learn more about the program, and to sign up to be a monthly donor today visit: www.lifemoves.org/monthlygiving.
Join The Circle! Meet Monthly Donors Dave and Tanya Reynolds
“I’m so grateful to LifeMoves for helping me find a new home. My case manager helped me to overcome my challenges and not feel alone. I finally feel settled in my new apartment.” – Filomena
“We care deeply about making a positive impact in our community and are committed to donating regularly.” – Dave and Tanya
Dave and Tanya are making a difference every month
GIVINGCIRCLE
M NTH LY
Meet Filomena: A Homeless Senior Citizen
To make a donation to help more homeless seniors find a rapid return to stable housing and long-term self-sufficiency, please visit www.lifemoves.org/donate.
Filomena in her new apartment
Art therapy isn’t just for kids and artists. Extensive research shows that individuals who experience illness, trauma, and mental health problems benefit from therapeutic aspects of artistic self-expression and reflection*.
William, who goes by “Tack,” is a 57-year-old veteran who receives art therapy as part of his comprehensive case management program at LifeMoves | Montgomery Street Inn in San Jose.
With the help of his art therapist, Katrina, Tack has learned how to positively express traumatic feelings from his experiences in the military through art. Tack is grateful to LifeMoves for helping him this way.
In this fiscal year, LifeMoves annual fundraising goal to support veteran programming is $3M. If you would like to help over 400 veterans served by LifeMoves each year to return to stable housing and long-term self-sufficiency, please go to: www.lifemoves.org/donate.
This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the youth internship program at LifeMoves as a development intern. My relationship with LifeMoves began years before when I was an awkward seventh grader. My mom and I had just joined National Charity League (NCL) and we were introduced to LifeMoves, formerly Shelter Network, while serving meals to the homeless adults in Redwood City. We didn't know it then, but our experience serving meals would lead us both to a much deeper relationship with LifeMoves and its mission to break the cycle of homelessness for the next generation.
Throughout my high school years, I continued to stay involved with LifeMoves, whether through volunteering as a camp counselor, hosting a Valentine’s Day party or hanging up holiday decorations with my mom and sister. When the opportunity came up to intern at the administrative offices, I couldn’t pass it up.
As I head back to Northwestern University this fall, I am so grateful to have had the chance to "peek behind the curtains" this summer as an intern. I have so much appreciation for the dedication and commitment it takes to bring this organization to life – and to help the homeless in our community overcome homelessness. I will continue my studies in social policy so that I can someday pursue a career in the public sector.
“Dream, I was living” refers to Tack’s life before he served in the military
Art Therapy Empowers William to Heal
Katherine Ericson: My Life-Changing Experience
Katherine Ericson, university intern at LifeMoves
To learn more about how you can get involved in the Summer Intern program at LifeMoves visit: www.lifemoves.org/summerintern. Internships are available all year.
"Art therapy has increased my quality of life and sense of self.” – William
William benefits from the LifeMoves art therapy program
Adobe Increases Visibility for Solutions for Homelessness
Important Site Dedication and Grand Re-opening
Corporate ‘Moves’ Help End Local Homelessness
Thursday, September 22 10:00am – 11:30am 50 Hillcrest Drive, Daly City
On July 14th, Holly Campbell, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility at Adobe Systems and LifeMoves Board Member hosted a special event for LifeMoves in the South Bay. Employees and community members enjoyed an update from LifeMoves
CEO, Bruce Ives, and special guest, Jacky Morales-Ferrand, Housing Director for the City of San Jose, on solutions for homelessness for local families and individuals.
Thank you to the following companies who have recently provided substantial help to LifeMoves in the fight against homelessness:
Thanks to you, we are changing lives!
For more information about our Corporate Partnership Program, contact Diane Pham, Senior Manager, Corporate Partnership: [email protected] or 650-218-4890.
for a grant that expands our domestic violence programming for a grant to support our behavioral health programming for a grant to support LifeMoves Summer Adventure Camp for 500 children for celebrating Memorial Day with us at LifeMoves I Montgomery Street Inn for helping us beautify LifeMoves | Redwood Family House
Holly Campbell, V.P. Vice President, Corporate Responsibility Adobe Systems
Jacky Morales-Ferrand Director of Housing City of San Jose
Cindy Chavez Supervisor Santa Clara County
Adrienne Tissier Supervisor San Mateo County
On August 24th, the program for homeless women and families on Commercial Street in San Jose was formally renamed LifeMoves | Georgia Travis House in honor of the late Georgia Ball Travis. She was well known for her activism on behalf of
homeless women and families in San Jose.
Special guest speakers included Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez; Nancy Anderson, a personal friend of Georgia Travis; and Matthew Bahls, Chairman, LifeMoves Board of Directors.
Join the celebration as we re-open our newly renovated building for homeless families in Daly City.
Special guest speakers will include San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier and LifeMoves CEO, Bruce Ives.
RSVP: www.lifemoves.org/familycrossroads or email Janet Huynh, [email protected]
Newly renovated Family Crossroads
Attendees also participated in the annual backpack drive to provide 600+ homeless children with school supplies and were invited to visit LifeMoves locations. To schedule a tour, contact Richard Ajluni, [email protected].
“I’m so proud to be serving on the LifeMoves board of directors.LifeMoves has proven solutions that help people regain control over their lives and break the cycle of homelessness for good.” – Holly
