United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Guide 2011 - Shelter House

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give. advocate. volunteerNeighborhood centersMecca servicesof Johnson countyIt is not easy to serve on a nonprofit board, It is a lot of responsibility and requires a willingnessto learn. But behind every successful nonprofit agency, you will find a strong and engagedboard, made up of people willing to give the time and do the work because they believein the mission. One of those board members is Susan Hauer, Vice-chairperson of MECCASERVICES’ Board of Directors.Susan is not a board member who warms a seat once a month. She is currently Vicechairpersonof the board and serves on four of the five MECCA board committees. She hasserved as hostess for “Meet MECCA” events – opportunities for the public to come to MECCA,learn about what we do, see where our services are provided. She is a strong advocate forMECCA’s mission in the community. When asked about her commitment to MECCA, Susansaid, “I know people who once were trapped in their alcoholism and addiction. I’ve seen thehopelessness and despair, and how it affects not only the individual, but their family and friends,their employers and co-workers; it extends outward to all areas of their community. I havealso witnessed people recovering from this disease. Families heal and are once again integratedinto life and the community. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity treatment provides.Ultimately, it benefits us all.”Susan is also a MECCA donor and participates in MECCA fundraisers, such as helping withthe agency’s Give Hope benefit and volunteering at the ICARE Pancake Breakfast every year.Susan has been an Iowa Citian for nearly 40 years. She and her husband, Mike, enjoy outdooractivities in all of Iowa’s seasons. Susan would like to see everyone have a chance to enjoy thepeople, places, and activities that they love. “Not everyone will get clean and sober, and somewill die. That’s the reality of the disease. But many do recover with the help provided byMECCA services. I want to do my part in making treatment and recovery available to all whowant it. Volunteering as a MECCA board member allows me to give to my community in a waythat is very meaningful to me.” nDave Leshtz answered the call to join a community-based tutoring program last spring.Dijon Genus begged us for a ‘buddy.’ From the beginning they were a perfect, quirky match.On the afternoon of their first meeting, Dijon walked in over an hour early to the BroadwayNeighborhood Center in anticipation of meeting his new tutor. He nervously bouncedaround the lobby asking every five minutes or so if his “tutor was coming?”, and “what is helike?” When Dave came through the door on that warm spring day and shook Dijon’s hand,something special happened—Dijon and Dave made a special connection.A spirited, energetic kid, Dijon was not quite ready to sit down to read a book or do mathproblems yet. Dave began to get to know Dijon through sharing games, playing catch, andtelling jokes. Together, they built trust and developed a connection. Dijon began to counton Dave and their time together. Nearly every day, Dijon would come to the Center andask if it was a ‘Dave Day.’ Their relationship flourished.Dave, still working with Dijon every week, recently shared with staff that “last spring Dijoncouldn’t or wouldn’t concentrate on a book or a game for more than a couple minutes at atime and now we are up to 10 minutes!” Their relationship, because of the one hour theyspend together weekly, will help Dijon grow into a healthy, caring, and responsible young man.Research supports that every young person needs a ‘Dave’ in their corner—a supportiveand caring adult. The simple act of getting to know a child—his likes and dislikes, his humorand his dreams—lets the child feel valued. The simple act of listening to a child allows thechild to grow his voice. The simple act of spending time with a child shows the child he isimportant. Dave and countless volunteers like him give a lot; they give of themselves andtheir time week after week to truly deliver something special to a child. n430 Southgate Ave., Iowa City, IA 52240MISSION:Dedicated to the possibilities of change and committed to enhancing quality oflife through accessible behavioral health services.SERVICES:Substance Abuse Prevention and Early Intervention, Substance Abuse TreatmentServices, Problem Gambling Services, ICARE (Iowa Center for AIDS Resources &Education), Synchrony ServicesCOMMUNITY IMPACT:• MECCA serves over 15,000 people each year through substance abuse, mentalhealth, problem gambling, and HIV/AIDS services and programs.• MECCA is licensed by the State of Iowa to provide substance abuse and problemgambling services, and is accredited by the Department of Human Services as amental health provider.• Over 70% of our substance abuse clients successfully complete treatment, comparedto the state average rate of 59%.2651 Roberts Rd., Iowa City, IA2105 Broadway St., Iowa City, IAMISSION:Whether it is getting children ready for kindergarten or preparing new parents for lifewith a baby, Neighborhood Centers is committed to helping our neighbors find theirplace in the community and use their talents to bring them success and happiness.SERVICES:Child Development, Family Development, Youth Development,Community DevelopmentCOMMUNITY IMPACT:• 230 children age 0-5 and 161 households participated in 2010 Parents as Teachershome visits• 100% of the 26 families in the Community Liaison program reported an increasein knowledge of DHS process and proceduresUnited Way of Johnson County | 18
give. advocate. volunteerIowa Legal aidUniversity of Iowa College ofLaw Citizen Lawyer ProgramThis semester, a total of 26 law students worked on different projects forIowa Legal Aid. Students helped low-income Iowans who were acting as theirown lawyers in filing divorce petitions in both Johnson and Linn counties.Some did research to update Iowa Legal Aid’s webpage containing legalinformation for the public. Others supplied legal research to Iowa Legal Aidstaff attorneys working on cases around the state, while still others helpedclients file bankruptcy petitions at the bankruptcy court in Cedar Rapids.In the Iowa City office, law students Eric Bigley, Molly McPartland, and WadeHauser assisted low-income clients by listening to their legal problems, andcompleting applications for assistance from Iowa Legal Aid.Elliot Higgins has helped with the Foreclosure Defense Project. He completes applications for assistance forpeople who are facing mortgage foreclosure. “It has been a great learning opportunity to work with realIowans and assist them with real-world problems. I truly feel that we are making a positive difference.” Elliotvolunteers in the Iowa Legal Aid office about once a week. nThese volunteer activities were organized by the Citizen Lawyer Programat the University of Iowa College of Law. Pro bono projects presentstudents with opportunities to develop skills, meet clients, learn substantiveareas of law, try different practice settings, and learn the value of the legalprofession’s value of doing pro bono publico work –providing services tothose who can’t afford them.“I chose to work for Iowa Legal Aid because I wanted to work with thosewhose financial situation might disadvantage them in their interactions withthe legal system,” said Eric Bigley, a first-year law student who spends threeor four hours per week doing intakes for ILA. “I learned more about lawbecause I was responsible for getting information from prospective clients anddetermining whether their cases met Iowa Legal Aid’s criteria. I learned a lotabout the nuances of Iowa’s family law and landlord/tenant law in particular.”Molly McPartland, another first-year law student volunteering at Iowa LegalAid, added, “I got exposure to the law that I couldn’t get at law school andhadn’t gotten elsewhere in my work or volunteer experience.”“The Iowa law school cultivates a culture of service,” says Linda McGuire,Associate Dean for Civic Engagement. Students who meet service goals arehonored at graduation with the Boyd Service Award. They participate inclothing, toy and food drives. “Our students have found a way to build afeeling of community through their service,” adds McGuire, “whether duringthe half-day orientation community service projects or during alternativespring break service trips to New Orleans, South Dakota Indian reservationsor Chicago legal aid agencies. We are proud that each year they step up toembrace the law profession’s values of community service and leadership.”Iowa Legal Aid has been fortunate to receive help from undergraduates atthe University of Iowa as well. ➤MISSION:Iowa Legal Aid makes hope, dignity and justice available to low-income Iowans through legalassistance and education that protects fundamental rights, basic necessities and access to thejudicial system; challenges policies and practices that harm low-income persons; and empowersclients to advocate effectively for themselves and their communities.SERVICES:Iowa Legal Aid provides free legal services to low-income people and other vulnerable populationsthat will help them meet their most basic necessities (food, shelter, income, safety). For example:• Victims of domestic violence receive assistance in obtaining court ordered protection;• People who are eligible for public benefits programs, but have been illegally denied those benefits,receive assistance in qualifying for public benefits;• Homeowners receive help in avoiding foreclosure of their home;• Tenants receive help in avoiding illegal evictions and loss of personal possessions, household goodsand rental deposits;• Consumers receive assistance to prevent illegal garnishments and repossessions, as well as avoidcar and home repair scams or other consumer fraud.COMMUNITY IMPACT:For the period January 1 through September 30, 2011, 575 cases were closed on behalf of residentsof Johnson County. Of those 575 cases, 88 percent received sufficient service to address their legalproblem either through direct representation by an Iowa Legal Aid or a Volunteer Lawyers Projectparticipating attorney, or through information provided by an attorney which enabled the client toresolve the legal issue on their own.For the period January 1 through September 30, there were 254 Johnson County residents who receivedassistance through community legal education, pro se clinics and outreach. This includes people whowere assisted at monthly clinics for self-represented people dealing with divorce (where there are nominor children).United Way of Johnson County | 191700 South First Avenue, Suite 10, Eastdale PlazaIowa City, IA 52240
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