MEET THE INTERN

I am a 5th year social work undergrad at Kutztown University. I am originally from New Jersey, and am involved at the University as a tour guide for the admissions office and attend the Christian Fellowship. I am busy at Friend meeting new clients and I am looking forward to the rest of the year here.

Marc Francavilla 		STEVE SAYS by Steve Sadusky

I wish to share with you a brief tale about one of our client families. I shall falsely refer to them as the “Green” family.

The Greens relocated to our area and originally sought our food pantry services. For a few years, we have been able to offer them pantry services, and as a consequence, they have seen some of their monthly income freed up from grocery expenses so they can apply that money elsewhere. We were also able to link the Greens with the LIHEAP program, so that they have been able to receive a partial subsidy toward their home heating needs each winter.

The Greens were willing to become involved with case management via Friend, Inc. A major emphasis of case management had to do with their oldest son, who was having trouble with schoolwork. I engaged in several home visits, with a focus on helping this son with school assignments. I also encouraged Mrs. Green in her continued communication with the school, and I attended school sessions along with Mrs. Green to review the Individualized Education Program and her son’s progress. At one point, a mental health advocate was also involved. With this concerted effort, the son was able to successfully pass into the next grade.

While all this was going on, Mrs. Green proudly announced to me that she had passed and obtained her GED! This had long been a goal of hers, and Friend, Inc. had helped her with some resources to prepare for and to take the test.

The Greens also longed to own a house of their own. Happily, their involvement in regular receipt of pantry and in the LIHEAP program helped them put some money aside to use with family gift money toward purchasing a home!

I am pleased to have shared in some of these successes with the Green family. Are all their issues resolved? No. They continue to struggle at times with finances, and may benefit from money management with a trained volunteer as the next step in case management. Have they succeeded nonetheless? Most definitely!
6 Skills for Financial Independence
Research has shown that individuals with limited resources have frequently not acquired skills to successfully manage their money, parenting, family life, housing and food preparation. Without these life skills it is difficult to balance work and family. Lack of these skills can create constant stress that leads to employment failure and financial difficulty. Consequently, low-income individuals frequently see life as a hopeless struggle over which they have no personal control creating a self-fulfilling cycle of helplessness and dependence. To help break this cycle Friend, Inc. Community Services is developing the “Six Skills for Financial Independence” program. Eight volunteers from the community have participated in the "Skills For Taking Control of Your Future" sponsored by Penn State. This training program consists of six areas addressing taking control of your life: money, parenting, family life, food and living space. Each volunteer will be assigned to one individual or client family to work with them on a one on one basis to help teach these critical skills. These skills are what gives the individuals the ability to successfully manage their money, parenting, family life, housing, and food preparation to break the cycle of helplessness, dependence and poverty.

15th Annual Friend, Inc.
Community Services Benefit Auction

Things Old, New and Sweet
May 1, 2004 at the Kutztown Fire Company 5:30 to 10:00 PM

There will be a wide variety of antique and new items, objets d'art, collectibles and delectables, 50/50 raffles, silent auctions and a verbal auction.

It's Going To Be A Great Evening of Friendraising and Fundraising and Fun!

To contribute old or new items or baked goods for the auction and/or to purchase tickets at $20 each, which includes a Pennsylvania Dutch Dinner with a cash bar, please call Cathy at 610- 683-7791.

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