by Leslie Ford –
This is Part 2 of my blog on Seeds of Strength’s 2014 grant recipients. I hope you find it heartwarming to read the success stories from Annunciation Maternity Home, Goodwill Central Texas, Williamson Burnet County Opportunities, The Georgetown Symphony Society, and Family Eldercare.
Annunciation Maternity Home was awarded $15,000 to hire a full-time Licensed Social Worker (LCSW). Forty-seven mothers were served during the grant period. The project helped mothers achieve a higher state of mental well-being by helping them overcome traumas and/or personal issues. Here is a success story shared by Alyssia Woods of Annunciation Maternity Home:
A client who entered the program was not sure that Annunciation was the right place for her. She had not received any family support with her pregnancy, and she was confused about her future. A history of physical and verbal abuse caused her to experience high anxiety as well as a lack of self-esteem. This young woman didn’t believe she was worthy of happiness in her life. Because of her fear and anxiety, she often acted out in anger. Her counseling sessions focused on issues stemming from her childhood, and her success within our program helped raise her self-esteem and confidence. She has left the cycle of abuse and neglect in her past, and is a loving, attentive mother. In addition, she is attending college, working part time, and saving money. Through the support of the counseling program, she is now able to envision a successful future for herself and her baby. She feels like the sky is the limit!
WBC Opportunities was awarded $10,000 to support the delivery routes for Meals on Wheels in Georgetown. The grant helped Meals on Wheels add two new rural routes. This project supports local seniors who desire to age in place. 89% of homebound seniors reported that they are able to remain in their homes longer because of Meals on Wheels, and 77% reported that they feel safer because they have someone checking on them. Here is a success story shared by Marla Miller, Director of Senior Nutrition/Meals:
This was the first year that we participated in the March for Meals campaign in partnership with Meals on Wheels America. Over 2,000 meals were delivered to Georgetown homebound seniors with the generous support of over 300 volunteers including city council members and other community champions. This event also played a large role in raising awareness about the WBC Opportunities Meals on Wheels program and the tremendous need that exists in Georgetown and Williamson County. Additionally, WBCO received a $2,000 grant from Meals on Wheels America!
Goodwill Central Texas was awarded $15,000 for the Job Readiness Training (JRT) Boot Camp. 78 low-income Georgetown students participated in the program. These students increased their career knowledge, participated in mock interview training, and created professional portfolios that included a resume, a sample application, letters of reference, and other relevant work. Here is a success story shared by Matthew Figg, Transition Coordinator:
We received a referral from the Georgetown Project. The student successfully completed all requirements of the Boot Camp. Afterwards, he and the trainer worked together to explore his interests and potential barriers. An internship opportunity was arranged at the local Goodwill Store so that he could practice the skills he learned in a “real world” paid opportunity. Throughout the internship, we were able to check in with the student and the manager to make sure that any issues were addressed, and to provide job coaching and guidance as the intern grew in his position. This included helping him communicate clearly and in a timely manner, an area in which he has shown a great amount of growth. The store managers have been impressed by the intern’s ability to demonstrate professionalism and reliability. Both the Goodwill Team and the Intern feel that they are a family, and the Goodwill Store is in the process of hiring him as a permanent employee.
The Georgetown Symphony Society was awarded $7,500 to support the Musical Enrichment Program for the 2014-2015 school year. In October, 2014, the Pipes and Drums Band performed for 4th & 5th graders, and in May, 2015, Line Upon Line Percussion Trio performed. Approximately 850-900 students attended each of the four concerts. The SoS grant paid for artist expenses and transportation to and from the concerts for nearly 3600 elementary school children. Here is a success story shared by Nancy Robohn of the Georgetown Symphony Society:
Teachers and administrators have expressed how grateful they are to GSS for providing such rewarding concerts for students. Children are well-behaved and interact appropriately during concerts, with a very high interest in what is being performed. A parent told me that her son would come home from the concerts when he was in elementary school and tell her how excited he was to go to KLETT and hear the performances. He later was involved in music, and the concerts were the reason he pursued music in school.
Family Eldercare was awarded $3,000 to pay a portion of the Case Manager’s salary in the Care Transitions Program. This program supports older adults with complex chronic conditions as they move from one setting to another (e.g., from the hospital back to their home)–a time of high risk for these adults. The program handled 16 client referrals, with 11 clients choosing to remain in the program and receive services. Here is a success story shared by Laura Carter of Family Eldercare:
We worked with a woman who was diagnosed with multiple health issues. She had lost her housing and was in a state of self-neglect when referred to the program. She originated in Williamson County, but she wanted to move to Travis County to be closer to family. Her options to use her Section 8 housing voucher were limited. Fortunately, our program was able to work with her to transfer her voucher to Travis County, and we also enrolled her in a financial assistance and case management program. She now resides in a new apartment complex on a bus line and is medically stable.
Isn’t it great to be a member of Seeds of Strength and know that we are doing so much good in our community? Now I’m looking forward to learning more about our 2015 grant recipients. So, with the help of Jan Spence and Dee Dee Vickers, we will be providing information each month about our new grantees.