CHN Network News, 6th Edition
December 2004
HOMES Coalition Event a Success
Same Building but New Office Suite – CHN has moved across the hall!
Message from Marc – CHN President Marc Craig
Carol Behm Helps CHN Run Smoothly
SUCCESS STORY: Mother Raising Son with Autism Purchases First Home
Welcome HMIS Coordinator, Jill Shoemaker
Chuck's Home Care Corner
HOMES Coalition Event a Success
Community Housing Network was once again selected to receive an outpouring of support from the wonderful members and friends of the Homes Coalition. The 5th Annual HOMES Coalition Dinner and Silent Auction was held on October 7th at Andiamo's Italia Ristorante in Warren. One hundred seventy people were in attendance including builders, contractors, realtors, lenders, service providers, consumers and advocates. The event was co-chaired by Cindy Boudreau, Steve Cole and David Layne. CHN staff members also personally contributed their time toward the special evening. A warm and balmy Indian summer night provided the perfect setting for an evening of food, fun, and good times; all in the interest of helping persons with disabilities find secure, affordable housing.
Attendees enjoyed mingling and bidding on 250 donated treasures at the silent auction tables prior to enjoying an outstanding five course dinner. The bidding was fun and competitive. Auction items could be found in a variety of categories including jewelry, personal care, décor, home & garden, gourmet foods, sports, holiday goodies and other assorted services and treats. A live auction followed the dinner and presentations. Excited guests vied for items such as a hot air balloon ride, a sunset dinner cruise, hotel packages and vacations in warm locations.
It was also an evening of heartfelt sharing and celebration. David Layne told a moving story from Wayne Dyer's book, The Power of Intentions. The tale was about a young boy with physical and developmental disabilities who was helped by his able-bodied team members and members of the opposing team to win a baseball game. The boy's father had questioned if any perfection could be found in his severely disabled son. His answer became clear when he observed the other boys reaching their level of perfection to care for and support his son throughout the game. David also noted special guests in attendance including Tony Filippis Sr., founder of Wright & Filippis Home Health Care Supplies and Equipment, John Cocciolone, President & CEO of Easters Seals of Michigan and Roger McCarville, Executive Producer of the PBS television program Disabilities Today.
CHN Housing Resource Center Specialist, Linda Velandra later related three success stories of participants in CHN's Homeownership and Leasing Assistance programs. Linda noted that one common factor each recipient possesses is a profound courage and determination to overcome the personal and societal obstacles that hinder their abilities to lead full, productive lives. Two of the individuals whose stories were shared attended the dinner and received standing ovations from the rest of the audience.
An opportunity arose to share CHN's accomplishments with a broader audience when Roger McCarville interviewed David Layne, Linda Velandra, and two CHN participants about the work of Community Housing Network. The piece will be telecast on the Detroit PBS station on Tuesday, December 7th. Check www.disabilitiestoday.com for more listings.
The HOMES Coalition is an all volunteer committee formed to raise public awareness of the desperate need for accessible housing for persons with disabilities. CHN is extremely grateful to members of the Coalition and to all the kind people who made the event a success. Over $38,000 was raised to support Community Housing Network's efforts. You can find pictures of the event on page 2.
Same Building But New Office Suite
When you visit the CHN office, please note that we have moved across the hall. Our address and suite number remain the same. Our new entrance is directly to the left after you enter the 570 building facing Kirts Blvd.
Like many of you, I am wondering how this year could have passed by so quickly. 2004 brought many opportunities and challenges to our organization. We successfully worked through some natural growing pains and seized opportunities that allowed us to expand the scope of our operations. Thanks to your contributions and support, Community Housing Network is now serving an even greater number of persons and families with disabilities in Oakland County. All of us at CHN are very grateful for your dedication and commitment in support of our work. I would especially like to thank David Layne, Cindy Boudreau, Steve Cole and members of the HOMES Coalition for their tireless efforts on our behalf. Groups such as the Metropolitan Consolidated Association of Realtors deserve our thanks as well.
I'd like to share with you a few of the accomplishments CHN realized during the past year. We prioritized group home maintenance projects and developed a group home maintenance training program in cooperation with MORC. We completed the purchase of a dozen group homes which will allow leasing rates to be contained within a growing market. To date, the Housing Resource Center responded to over 2,000 contacts this year and has provided 120 hours of technical assistance to consumers, families and support persons each month. Our Leasing Assistance Program grew to include the provision of housing and services to over fifty formerly homeless and disabled individuals and families. Our Homeownership Program helped make it possible for three persons or families with disabilities to purchase a home of their own. And we have even more ambitious plans for the coming year.
I have also been remembering an old song called "Home for the Holidays." The song reminds me of the many persons with disabilities who still remain homeless or are living in substandard housing conditions this holiday season. Your support in the form of donations, through the purchase of Friends and Family Memberships, or by creating a charitable gift annuity can make a huge difference. I'd also like to remind you that your contributions are tax deductible as allowable by law. And for the remainder of 2004 you can take a full deduction on any vehicle you donate to Charity Motors in CHN's name. Your gift can directly assist many others with disabilities to find a good place to live by this time next year. The members of the CHN staff and I extend our warmest wishes to all of you for a peaceful and safe new year.
Carol Behm Helps CHN Run Smoothly
CHN staff members are pleased as punch that Carol Behm has joined their ranks as a part-time administrative assistant. Carol's outgoing, friendly personality touches all who come into contact with her. She is always ready to help out, no matter how difficult or mundane the task. Her willingness and enthusiasm contribute greatly to the smooth running of Community Housing Network.
Carol moved from Phoenix Arizona to Michigan with her husband and daughter in 1996. Prior to the move she worked in a variety of customer service oriented positions. A relative told her about the many contributions CHN makes to the disability community and Carol started helping out on a temporary basis. She admits she is a big softie when it comes to people and their feelings, especially those living with exceptional challenges. Her joy in taking care of others is evidenced by the loving and helpful ways she assists everyone who calls or visits the office.
Carol's interests away from the office include nurturing her teenage daughter and working out to keep healthy. She also takes great pleasure in feeding the deer and other wild animals that wander into her back yard. Carol's desire to always look on the bright side and to put a smile on someone's face makes her a valuable asset to CHN.
SUCCESS STORY: Mother Raising Son with Autism Purchases First Home
Karen Adragna is a vivacious mother of two teenagers. Her son Santi is thirteen and is experiencing the emotional challenges of autism. After her divorce in 1998 Karen and the kids moved from the family home in Ferndale to a small rented flat in Berkley. Karen has since been sleeping on a futon in the living room so her son and daughter can have their own rooms. Karen works full-time in a doctor's office as a medical billing specialist. She is grateful to have a job that includes insurance benefits. However, her salary is barely enough to make ends meet. The idea of being able to purchase a home never entered Karen's mind. That was until Santi's MORC Supports Coordinator, Julie Frei, told her about the CHN Homeownership Program. Karen contacted Linda Velandra at CHN and went through the application process. To her delight, Karen found out she qualified for the program. A three bedroom home in Berkley was identified. Rehabilitation is currently taking place and Karen hopes to move into her new home soon. The house has a small backyard which is especially exciting for Karen. Her education is in horticulture and she formerly worked as a greenhouse manager. She cannot wait until next spring to create a gardening masterpiece.
Karen exudes energy and enthusiasm when she speaks about the challenges of raising a child with a disability. She is dedicated and committed to his well-being, growth and development. She is also grateful for the services Santi receives from MORC. His supports coordinator, Julie Frei, meets with Santi weekly and visits Karen to discuss Santi's progress every two weeks. A MORC psychologist developed individualized behavior plans for Santi, one for when he is attending school and another plan for when he is at home. In addition, a support person meets Santi when he returns from school and stays with him until Karen gets home from work. In the summer the family has extended respite hours. This schedule of support makes it possible for Karen to work full-time. She likes MORC's philosophy of gentle teaching to always be sure the child feels safe and loved. Basically, everything Santi does is built on choices. He has a choice to take a shower and then play a game. If he chooses no shower, then he also chooses no game. Karen consistently practices gentle teaching with Santi and it works well.
Santi is of average intelligence. His autism manifests itself in behavioral and social areas. He is a gifted singer and artist but does not enjoy creative outlets as much as he did when he was younger. His level of aggression and non-compliance increased as he entered adolescence. Karen notes, "We have tried to mainstream Santi in school but this past year was a rough one and he was in three different schools. Dealing with his aggression is harder than when he was younger. He is a wonderful kid but he is trapped in his disability."
Karen finds great support from the members of her church, who often help her with Santi. She is growing even more excited about her new home as the time to move in draws near. She is especially impressed by the range of improvements being made during the rehabilitation phase.
"I have been telling my friends at church that there will be four or five things that will be done to rehabilitate the house. Community Housing Network sent me twelve pages of things they were going to do and I cried, I just sat there and cried. That was the first time I realized that they are not just going to help me get in the house and then leave me on my own. They are actually fixing everything up for me. I couldn't believe it and now I can't wait to move in. I am a hard worker but there is no way I could have accomplished this on my own. I am so grateful that CHN and their Homeownership Program was there for my family."
Karen has made a lot of progress since the divorce. Her friends at church recently told her that it was so good to see a smile on her face because for so long all she did was cry. If there are any tears for Karen today, they are tears of joy for her new life with her children in their own home.
Read other success stories in the October 2004 newsletter >
Welcome HMIS Coordinator, Jill Shoemaker
Our newest addition to the CHN staff is Jill Shoemaker. Jill is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). CHN was awarded a two year grant from HUD to implement the system throughout Oakland County. HUD has mandated homeless service provider agencies receiving McKinney-Vento and Emergency Shelter Grant Funds to utilize HMIS to obtain an unduplicated count of homeless individuals. Jill has been contacting the agencies and training them on the web-based software. She helps them prepare to input live data and will review their information to ensure data integrity. Jill is excited about her new position because it utilizes her organization, project management, computer and people skills.
Jill obtained a degree in sign language studies from Madonna College. She has tutored deaf and learning disabled children. Her current position allows her to utilize her classroom skills in her new training efforts. "The training portion of this job has been great because I have met some outstanding people who work at the agencies, she noted." She has toured each of the HUD funded organizations and has met the staff members who will use the HMIS system. Jill would like HMIS to have as many human service agencies as possible on board by the end of the grant. Her enthusiasm about the program is contagious and other non-mandated agencies are thinking about the using the system. She believes agencies will eventually start sharing their information which can lead to the initiation of important policy changes.
Jill has been working in the business field for 24 years. She is continuing her education by taking numerous legal courses. She would also like to take more sign language interpreting classes to become a certified sign language interpreter. Jill says she loves working at CHN because the environment is one in which the staff members support each other.
In addition to her new job, Jill loves going to the movies and reading books such as mysteries, romance novels, and American history. She also quilts, enjoys various crafts, and spends quality time with her nieces and nephews.
Over the years, CHN Resource Manager Chuck Bratton has acquired a wealth of home care tips and information. In this regular section, Chuck will answer home care questions that should be of interest to all our readers. We encourage anyone with a question to write Chuck at: Chuck's Home Care Corner, Community Housing Network, Inc., 570 Kirts Blvd., Suite 231, Troy, MI 48084. Answers to your questions will appear in future issues. Chuck's responses to the following questions will help you get through the winter in a warm, cozy home or office.
Question: How warm should I keep my home?
Chuck: To address that question I will refer to the State of Michigan group home licensing standards. These standards can also apply to any private home or apartment. Licensing regulations state the thermostat should be no lower than 68 degrees and no higher than 72 degrees. This is a very healthy range. It's not good for the heating/cooling system and not good for one's biological system to experience great variations in temperature. So keep the temperatures moderate, not too hot and not too cool.
Question: What is a heat exchanger?
Chuck: A heat exchanger is located in your furnace where the heat is exchanged from the heat source to the air blowing through your home. A fan blows air into your house. But that air has to be heated. The heat exchanger mechanism consists of metal bars that are heated up. The cool air that passes through the hot bars becomes warm and is then blown through your house to provide warmth. The bars in the exchanger can be heated by electricity or by direct flame. The exchanger is the most important part of your furnace. If the exchanger stops functioning it can cause carbon monoxide to be put into your air. An annual furnace cleaning and inspection can extend the life of your heat exchanger and eliminate potential health hazards.
Question: How often should I change my furnace filter?
Chuck: Change your furnace filter once a month. An inexpensive filter works as well as the more expensive varieties if you change the filter each month. Thicker, more expensive filters contain more volume to trap dirt and particles. You can change these filters less frequently. And one last note: In air conditioned homes, furnace filters should be changed during the summertime as well as in the cooler months