@ the shelterCrisis Ministries E-News January 2007 |
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Click to donate online through our secure server. Donor policies support 2007 tax codesCharitable write-off rules have changed slightly in 2007. Crisis Ministries donor acknowledgment policies, which have not changed, support the new regulations. We want to communicate our donor processes clearly, so all of you who generously donate food, funds and supplies will continue your invaluable support. Our policies, which have not changed are: -Every monetary gift, regardless of the amount, will receive a dated receipt within 10 business days. -In-kind donors may request a thank you card from Crisis Ministries, which leaves space for the donor to estimate the value of his or her gift. Please note that it is considered a conflict of interest for the charity to estimate the value of used items. Therefore, the value line for in-kind donations is completed by the donor. Annual volunteer meetings
All volunteers, especially group leaders, are encouraged to attend one of two Volunteer Meetings being held in February. Two meetings are scheduled in hopes of accommodating as many schedules as possible, but it is only necessary to attend one: -Thursday, Feb. 22, 6 -7 p.m. Grace United Methodist Church, 1601 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, Charleston. or -Saturday, Feb. 24, 6 -7 p.m. Morris Brown AME Church, 13 Morris Street, Charleston. Please click here to inform Brad Cashman of an RSVP number from your group. Please join us!
Verizon sponsors screening of The Pursuit of HappynessMany of you joined us for the private screening of The Pursuit of Happyness on Sunday, January 7th. Verizon Call Center of North Charleston sponsored the event to raise awareness of homelessness in our community We collected donated cell phones for their Hopeline program that benefits domestic violence victims. We would like to thank Tracey and Colleen at Touchpoint Communications for making the event happen. Click here to see the coverage on Charleston Magazine's event page.
Save the date!Food.Shelter.Hope, Crisis Ministries' annual fundraiser, will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at the Historic Rice Mill building on the Ashley River. WED, Good Food Catering, JBC Catering, The Beach Company, Royall Ace Hardware and others have joined forces to ensure that this year's event is as memorable and successful as always. Corporate sponsorships are still available. Contact Missy Hatley at 723.9477, 126 or email her at mhatley@charlestonhomeless.org for more information.
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A Christmas Card Storyby Missy Hatley All the Christmas cards received this year were appreciated and valued. However, one card really stood out. It featured a smiling snowman wearing a scarf. Inside were the words “Best Wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.” It was signed “Kevin Carlin.”*
As the Community Relations Director, I work mostly with donors and volunteers. I don’t often know our guests on a personal level like our clinical staff does. However, I immediately remembered Mr. Carlin. Mr. Carlin came to the shelter in September of 2005. He was 47 and had been homeless for 11 years. Unlike some guests when they arrive, he did have an income. As a young adult, he was diagnosed with a mental illness called schizo-affective disorder and was granted disability. This complicated disorder is difficult to treat and often leads to unemployment, poverty and homelessness. Social therapies and services and drug therapy are necessary to help patients live a productive life. (Source: www.mentalhealth.com). In the best cases, living with the illness is difficult. However, Mr. Carlin’s social worker, Jeff Yungman, noted that he presented himself well and was compliant with medications. Jeff explained that if he was willing to stay at Crisis Ministries and save his payments for a few months, he could qualify for a subsidized apartment. After 11 years of being homeless, Mr. Carlin had given up any hope of ever having a place of his own. Making him realize that living in his own apartment was a possibility was a big first step for him. There were many logistical tasks to cover. Mr. Carlin had only a few belongings and a Medicare card in his possession. He needed a State ID card, a social security card, a birth certificate and a CARTA ID, just to get started. Obtaining these materials from scratch takes a great deal of paperwork and patience. Mr. Carlin would also need a range of supportive services that could build his trust and continue after he left the shelter. Over the next few months, Mr. Carlin deposited his disability check into a savings account while his meals, showers and a safe place to sleep were taken care of by Crisis Ministries. Once his personal matters were in order, he joined a waiting list for subsidized housing. An apartment became available in July of 2006. Shortly after Mr. Carlin moved in, a volunteer phoned with bedroom and living room furniture to donate. We don’t have anywhere to store furniture at the shelter, but the timing of her offer was great. I offered to meet her at his apartment for delivery. Several of his new neighbors helped us unload. Everyone was friendly and it was clear that they looked out for each other. His apartment was sparsely furnished, but it was quiet, clean and all his own. I was so appreciative of Mr. Carlin’s card. I pictured him writing cards in his living room and walking to the post office to mail them. It is a great image of self-sufficiency, which is what we hope for all of our guests. Thank you for allowing us to help people like Mr. Carlin. *Guest's name has been changed to protect his privacy.
Contact usMailing address: Crisis Ministries Physical address: 573 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29403 Click here to learn more about our programs and services. If you have feedback about this publication, please click here to email us. |
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