The Soroptimists of Whitefish have partnered with the Samaritan House to provide for a fully furnished transitional housing apartment on our property that will provide shelter for Whitefish area women and girls who are in need.
Soroptimists International is a worldwide organization for women working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. Their mission is to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.
The first family is a single mother family that came to the Whitefish area to work as a live in tutor. After arriving here she found that the position was not as it was originally described and it was necessary that she not stay in that situation. She is now working as a permanent full time substitute teacher for Kalispell Schools. Her apartment help from Soroptimists of Whitefish makes it so that she can save $100 each month.
The Samaritan House would like to sincerely thank the Soroptomists of Whitefish for partnering with us and making a huge difference for this family.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Estelle, Likely the Final Update
Great news in what today may be the final update on Estelle. She has moved in to her apartment. It is a subsidized apartment close to downtown. We were able to get a bed, linens and her things delivered for her. A gentleman who learned about Estelle by reading Homeless in the Flathead offered a bed and a big comfy chair.
Have we been succesful? The client, Estelle, is no longer homeless.
What did we do for her? We were able to provide shelter, food and a safe place for her to get healthy after her treatments. The community really did come together to help Estelle.
What could we have improved on? The truth is Estelle was easy. She was self-motivated and even had her own transportation. (Most of the people we serve do not have their own transportation.)
Thank you to all who called, emailed and offered support. Estelle made it through what could have been a much more difficult life crisis. This was a success because of your help.
Have we been succesful? The client, Estelle, is no longer homeless.
What did we do for her? We were able to provide shelter, food and a safe place for her to get healthy after her treatments. The community really did come together to help Estelle.
What could we have improved on? The truth is Estelle was easy. She was self-motivated and even had her own transportation. (Most of the people we serve do not have their own transportation.)
Thank you to all who called, emailed and offered support. Estelle made it through what could have been a much more difficult life crisis. This was a success because of your help.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Estelle Third Note
Estelle has been surprising the staff with the grace and dignity that she goes through her treatments. She has been stopping by the bread store to get bread for the shelter.
The cancer has spread to her stomach and her treatments are now daily. She has continued to come in to rest after her treatment. She says that she needs a couple hours to nap.
Some good news, a local apartment complex called to accept her application for an apartment. Estelle says that it is an apartment that she can afford and it is close by to the doctor and the grocery store. She will likely be moving in soon.
Samaritan House staff was able to earmark a bed for her to take with her.
Any day now she will have a place to call home.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Estelle Update
Estelle has gotten her birth certificate on her own. Having identification is necessary for getting an apartment or any type of housing. This is something that Samaritan House will typically offer to pay for but she did it on her own.
Upon further discussion about her late husband I did learn that their relationship was not as fond as I originally said it was.
On at least one occassion she did need to rest for the day due to her cancer treatments. This is a weekly treatment that takes a couple days to recover from.
Estelle has enjoyed Movie Night at the Samaritan House, especially "Bucket List". It sparked some good conversations among the shelter residents.
Staff at the shelter have commented about her sense of humor and ability to "work the crowd."
Estelle has set goals concerning her income and states she would like to find a job. Other goals include finding a house sitting position or an apartment that she can afford. She has made application to a few apartments in the Kalispell area.
Upon further discussion about her late husband I did learn that their relationship was not as fond as I originally said it was.
On at least one occassion she did need to rest for the day due to her cancer treatments. This is a weekly treatment that takes a couple days to recover from.
Estelle has enjoyed Movie Night at the Samaritan House, especially "Bucket List". It sparked some good conversations among the shelter residents.
Staff at the shelter have commented about her sense of humor and ability to "work the crowd."
Estelle has set goals concerning her income and states she would like to find a job. Other goals include finding a house sitting position or an apartment that she can afford. She has made application to a few apartments in the Kalispell area.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Blogging About Homelessness
There are several good blogs about homelessness. I enjoy http://www.thehomelessguy.blogspot.com It is a blog written by a gentleman Kevin Barbieux in Nashville, I learn a lot by reading his firsthand thoughts on homelessness.
Mr. Barbieux listed other blogs that are written about homelessness. It's pretty interesting reading. Some of them are:
http://journeytohomelessness.blogspot.com
http://homelessmanspeaks.wordpress.com
http://homelessfamily.blogspot.com
http://www.lahomelessblog.org
Mr. Barbieux listed other blogs that are written about homelessness. It's pretty interesting reading. Some of them are:
http://journeytohomelessness.blogspot.com
http://homelessmanspeaks.wordpress.com
http://homelessfamily.blogspot.com
http://www.lahomelessblog.org
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Estelle Chapter One
Estelle came to the shelter two days ago as a result of her employment and housing ending. They ended simultaneously as she was employed as a house sitter. The house sold and she was given very little notice that she would have to be out.
Estelle looks like she would be a really nice Grandmother dressed very nicely with her white hair, oversized purse and a quiet polite voice. I did notice a tissue clutched in the palm of her hand when she arrived and it did look as though she had been crying. She looked lost and hesitant as though she was clearly in a position that she had never been before.
Estelle is 74 years old and has very little family in the area even though she is a life long Flathead Valley resident. She has survived the death of her husband, her children have all passed away due to cancer, tumors and a car accident though she does have a niece in the area.
I introduced Estelle to the Samaritan House Staff and reassured her that it's OK and that most people here feel that way. During the Intake process Estelle spoke fondly of her belated husband and that after his death she began sitting houses. When asked about her work history she refers to herself as, "A jack of all trades and a master of none."
Estelle does receive Social Security Income in the amount of $766 every month. Upon Intake she cited having $30. She does also have a dependable vehicle, a '99 Buick.
Further into the Intake Estelle reveals that she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and that it has gone further to now be Cancer in her stomach.
Most stories have some ups and downs. Let's follow this one over the next few days as Estelle finds her way through the challenges ahead of her. Right now her immediate needs are to find an affordable rental apartment, a single sized bed, a small table and chairs and the normal household stuff that would be in a small apartment.
Estelle will be meeting with the Case Manager to set goals and establish a plan of attack. I will update as the progress is made.
Estelle looks like she would be a really nice Grandmother dressed very nicely with her white hair, oversized purse and a quiet polite voice. I did notice a tissue clutched in the palm of her hand when she arrived and it did look as though she had been crying. She looked lost and hesitant as though she was clearly in a position that she had never been before.
Estelle is 74 years old and has very little family in the area even though she is a life long Flathead Valley resident. She has survived the death of her husband, her children have all passed away due to cancer, tumors and a car accident though she does have a niece in the area.
I introduced Estelle to the Samaritan House Staff and reassured her that it's OK and that most people here feel that way. During the Intake process Estelle spoke fondly of her belated husband and that after his death she began sitting houses. When asked about her work history she refers to herself as, "A jack of all trades and a master of none."
Estelle does receive Social Security Income in the amount of $766 every month. Upon Intake she cited having $30. She does also have a dependable vehicle, a '99 Buick.
Further into the Intake Estelle reveals that she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and that it has gone further to now be Cancer in her stomach.
Most stories have some ups and downs. Let's follow this one over the next few days as Estelle finds her way through the challenges ahead of her. Right now her immediate needs are to find an affordable rental apartment, a single sized bed, a small table and chairs and the normal household stuff that would be in a small apartment.
Estelle will be meeting with the Case Manager to set goals and establish a plan of attack. I will update as the progress is made.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
20 Lifestories in 20 Sentences
I recently asked everyone at the Samaritan House to consider their life to write a sentence that summarizes their life, a one-sentence memoir.
If you listen you can hear the pain and regret from tragedy and wrong choices as well as the hope and determination of second chances. Some are written looking at the past and some are focused on future events and unfinished business.
Here are some of their one-sentence memoirs:
Tragedy I am still trying to recover from.
There have been ups and downs but God has always been watching over me.
Still trying to recover and think straight.
God has three words for my family: yes, not yet and I have better things in store for you… which is where we are right now.
Trying to recover and think straight.
Life feels like it’s passing me by but I’m keeping positive thoughts as best as possible.
Made some mistakes but I‘m trying to get things right.
I have grown and now I have true friends.
Helped by your kindness now I have a chance.
I see the love and caring of others and now His love for me.
Leave my past behind and look to my future.
Soon to be a postman.
If only I had known then what I know now.
Making positive changes and personal goals one step at a time while making sacrifices that have to be made along the way.
Honoring my past and rebuilding my future for a better year in 2009.
It is never too late to change.
I’ve had a lot of bends in my road of life, it’s getting straighter now though.
I was put here for a purpose and I’m not sure why.
Trying to put it together but everything seems to be working against me.
Got a fresh start here half way through.
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