ndependent Living Skills - Community Youth Services

I
ndependent Living Skills
Volume One Issue Six
February & March 2009
Welcome to the February & March 2009
Special Double Edition Extravaganza!
We are happy to report that the
Independent Living Skills Program
continues to grow by the week, and
many exciting changes are on the
horizon. We have greatly appreciated
your patience during this transitional
time and are beginning to see the
fruits of our efforts in increased
participation and a more connected
network of service providers. I hope
In this Issue:
you enjoy this edition. Let me know
if you have any feedback or
March and April Calendars
questions.
IL Tips and Tricks with Ben
Heather Guz
ILS Case Manager
360.943.0780 x 109
hskillingstead@communityyouthservices.org
Service Spotlight
A word from Dae
And much more!!!
March 2009
Monday
2
Tuesday
3
Wednesday
4
5
6:00-8:30
Art
Workshop
9
10
Thursday
Friday
6
4:00-5:30
Lewis Group
11
12
13
4:00-5:30
Lewis Group
16
17
18
19
20
24
25
26
27
ILS
Shutdown
23
4:00-5:30
Lewis Group
30
April 2009
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
6
7
8
6:00-8:30
Housing
Workshop
13
20
14
21
Thursday
2
3
4:00-5:30
Lewis Group
Shutdown
9
10
4:00-5:30
Lewis Group
15
22
16
17
4:00-5:30
Lewis Group
Shutdown
23
24
4:00-5:30
Lewis Group
27
28
Friday
29
30
4:00-5:30
Lewis Group
A word from Dae Shogren,
ILS Program Coordinator
Thanks to all of you for sticking with us through our many transitions here
at ILS! I wanted to take a moment and tell you little bit more about
myself…I am Dae Shogren, the new ILS Program Coordinator. I am
thrilled to have joined such a great staff and am looking forward to
strengthening the program!
I have been active in the human services field for almost 20 years. I initially
started working with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence at
WSU while earning my BA. I then moved to Olympia, to complete my BA
and became involved with local agencies through internships and
volunteering. I completed two years with AmeriCorps at the Crisis Clinic
of Thurston/Mason Counties, becoming more involved with the young
adult population. Since then I have coordinated an after-school/day camp
program, taught the Reconnecting Youth curriculum in Colorado and in
Washington, and facilitated case management for numerous youth. In 2007
I earned my MPA (Master’s in Public Administration) with a focus in NonProfit Management. Just prior to coming to CYS, I was with Thurston
County Family and Juvenile Court as a Prevention & Intervention
Specialist for North Thurston School District.
I am committed to provide consistent, reliable, accessible resources to
youth in our community. I feel that the stronger our people are, the
stronger we are as whole. My ongoing goal is to support our participants
from empowerment to sustainability. We are all better for it.
~dae
Tips and Tricks for
Independent Living
(brought to you by our Americorp member Ben!)
Renting
Unless there is something on paper—a lease or at minimum a written signed
agreement—you have no legal rights. Make sure you read everything before you
sign. Ask questions and you have the right to negotiate terms.
The best people to room with are not always your
closest friends, and living with someone will often
strain a friendship. Make sure a roommate is someone
you can trust and have a plan in writing regarding
payment of rent and utilities.
When searching for housing make sure that you find out in addition to the
monthly rent the estimated expense of the utilities and the
security deposit. The power company (PSE) can inform you
what the cost has been over the last 6 months for electricity.
Be honest about your background and your credit history.
This can save you an application fee, because the landlord
may have a rule against accepting applicants with no rental
history or a felony. Offering personal references can help you
overcome this hurdle.
Act like it’s a job interview. The landlord is going to trust you to take care of their
property, so dress nicely and act professionally.
Service Spotlight
The following information is from the GRuB website.
Go to www.goodgrub.org to learn more!
Our Mission
Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB) is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to
nourishing a strong community by empowering people and growing good food.
We grow inspired, self-confident and community-minded youth through educational and
employment opportunities.
We help low-income families and seniors to help themselves by building raised-bed gardens
at their homes.
Our work is guided by our core values: caring youth and adult partnerships, strong
communities, sustainable land stewardship, education, and good food for all people.
We work in Thurston & Mason counties in Washington State.
Location & Contact Information
2016 Elliott Ave NW
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 753-5522
“Nourishing strong communities by empowering people and growing good food”
Thank you to all our
Volunteers!
March
Our Art / Expression
workshop was a hit thanks
Throughout February and March
our volunteers came through with to:
an amazing show of support and
Beth & Geoff Morrison,
generosity:
February
Our Tax / Money
Management workshop was
a great
success
thanks to
the
following
people:
Cindy Berger, and Cathy
Faulconer who combined
their cooking skills to create
a wonderful and healthy
variety of food.
Rebecca Steinhagen who
came with supplies and ideas
to work with participants on
writing.
Tai Koenig who brought
The Mom’s Club of Lacey examples of glass art and
provided a delicious dinner spoke with participants about
what it’s like being a glass
Kirk Smith and Kamber
artist.
Craft from Twin Star Credit
Union presented on
Dave
Banking Basics
Sederberg
who came
Karen Sanders and Dawn
with some
Williams helped
examples
participants with Tax Forms of his
work with
metal.
Julie Wilson brought some of
her own art as well as paints
for the participants to use.
Get to know your friendly
neighborhood ILS team...
Name: Dae Shogren
Position: ILS Program Director
Favorite Color: Yellow
What shoe would you be?: Dansko Clog, Mary Jane style
(functional, sturdy, earthy, and funky)
Contact Info: (360) 943-0780 x 124,
dshogren@communityyouthservices.org
Name: Ben Schrager
Position: Americorp Member Extrodinaire
Favorite Color: Sky Blue
What shoe would you be?: Lionel Messi’s soccer cleats (favorite
soccer player’s cleats)
Contact Info: (360) 943-0780 x 169,
bschrager@communityyouthservices.org
Name: Brian Hatcher
Position: ILS Case Manager
Favorite Color: Brown and Green
What shoe would you be?: Motorcycle boot
Contact Info: (360) 943-0780 x 137
bhatcher@communityyouthservices.org
Name: Heather Guz
Position: ILS Case Manager
Favorite Color: Green
What shoe would you be?: My sneakers with rainbow flowers painted
on them and felt glued to the bottom
Contact Info: (360) 943-0780 x 109
hskillingstead@communityyouthservices.org
Do you know of a youth living in Thurston, Lewis, or Mason
County?
If so, remember that ILS is available to most of those between the ages
of 15 and 21 who are or were state dependent or in a dependency
guardianship. Look below for specific eligibility requirements:
Eligibility:
Youth is at least 15 years old and has not yet reached his/her 21st
birthday and is currently a dependent and in the legal custody of the
state (or was until age 18)
-ORYouth is at least 15 years old and has not yet reached his/her 18th
birthday and is currently in Tribal out-of-home care.or is not yet 21 and
was in Tribal out-of-home care until age 18
Youth is adopted from State or Tribal custody on or after his/her 16th
birthday.
Non-Eligibility:
Youth was adopted from State or Tribal care before the age of 16.
Youth who are under a voluntary placement agreement (VPA).
Youth under a CHINS petition.
Do you have a youth living in another county?
Contact us today and we can refer on to an IL provider in the area where
the youth is living.
“Age is foolish and forgetful when
it underestimates youth.”
-J. K. Rowling-