Living less on the edgeThe challengeThe month of January was a challenging chapter in our nearly 118 year old story. Our four percent revenue shortfall to budget was more acute because we had no operating reserves to fall back on. From 2001-2009, our reserves of about $1.8 million had been depleted.

Initial responseOur response needed to be quick. Guided by our values, we made a series of decisions that were fairly summarized in a recent article in Twin Cities Business. As painful as they were, we would not have been able to implement these decisions without the professionalism and dedication of every VOA-MN colleague. Thank you!

Expected results We are most grateful that after all these decisions are fully implemented, out of a total of over 25,000 people served last year, at most only 19 will no longer receive our services. Some of those will transition to other VOA programs.

We already see positive financial results from our necessary but painful actions. In addition, occupancy in many of our residential services increased in December and January, including Omegon Residential Treatment, both reentry centers and assisted living. The health of the whole organization is dependent on the financial performance of these core services.

Bob and Miriam Nolte, two of our pioneering leaders at VOA-MN and at VOA National, wrote a book about our first hundred years in Minnesota. In it, they characterized much of our history as “living on the edge.” While we want to continue to take risks to serve the most vulnerable, we cannot afford to live on the edge when it comes to financial stability.

We are all leadersWe need your continued dedication to accomplish all this. As a trauma-informed organization, we know that we can’t avoid the negative realities of the world. However, how we respond to those realities is essential. Let’s remain committed to kind and loving interactions with each other. Tracy Dereszynski, our Ministry and Outreach Coordinator in VOA-Wisconsin recently shared a “Leader’s Prayer with me.” I am moved each day by its message:

Let our greatest passion be compassion. Our greatest strength, love. Our greatest victory the reward of peace. In leading let us never fail to follow. In loving, let us never fail.

Excellence Pages 2-4Care Options Network Celebrates 25 years! Gift Card Program a Huge Success, Facelift at Omegon

Dignity Pages 5Southwest Senior Center News, SPSN Recipe of the Month

Hope Page 6-71000 Cranes of HOPE!

Self-reliance Page 7-8Lake Street Reentry News, Unique Amicus Holiday Greeting Card, Park ElderCenter Ceremony, New Beginnings for the New Year at Amicus

January/February 2014

VISION

Upl i f t A l l L i ves

VALUES

Col l abor a t ion, Compassion, E xcel l ence, In t egr i t y and Respec t

MISSION

Help peopl e gain sel f-r e l iance, d igni t y and hope

VOICESNewsletter by and for the colleagues of Volunteers of America-Minnesota

Paula HartPresident and CEO

CLICK HERE TOVIE W PAUL A’S V IDEO

EXCELLENCECelebrating 25 Years of Caring

Think back 25 years to 1989. The baby boomers were in the prime of their lives and the topic “aging”’ was not making headlines. Fast forward to today. Boomers have aged and we are talking about aging! In 1989, innovators at Care Options Network had the foresight to create a member supported network of senior care professionals in the Twin Cities. These professionals, including social workers, senior facility administrators and elder law attorneys to name a few, built referral relationships through the Network and shared what they learned with clients - seniors living in our communities. The focus of Care Options Network at inception was to support the work of social workers who are often the first referral source to seniors and their families. This base understanding speaks to the success of Care Options Network and continues to make us one of the most comprehensive member supported Networks in the senior care industry.

In 1989, membership totaled about 100 members. Today we are over 1,000 members strong. “Nearly every service that a senior might need is in the Network,” said Susanne Grochett, director of Care Options Network. How does Care Options Network succeed? We recognize effective referral relationships and, via our personal relationships and publications, support members in connecting and establishing their own referral relationships. This is what attracts, maintains and grows membership, Grochett said. Care Options Network publishes the annual SeniorCare GuideBook which is referred to as the ‘Bible’ by social workers. Inside the GuideBook, you’ll see just about every senior housing option and service offered by our membership.

The original “Care Options Guide” was a three-ring binder with less than 300 pages. In its 25th printing, the SeniorCare GuideBook has grown to one of the most comprehensive reference tools in the industry. Today, it is a professionally designed and printed spiral bound book expected to exceed 700 pages in 2014.

Care Options Network also publishes the annual Senior Housing Directory, a free newsstand magazine for the public. In addition to these annual publications, we stay in touch with members through online news (Network Newsletter & Employment Newsletter) and vacancy reports plus networking events.

How will Care Options Network honor its 25th anniversary? A member testimonial contest with prizes is currently underway and a spring time party is planned. - Submitted by Suzanne KAYE Kienietz, Care Options Network communications

That’s a whole lot of information! Annually Care Options Network publishes the SeniorCare GuideBook which helps connect Twin Cities seniors with suitable housing. In its 25th printing this spring, the spiral bound book is expected to exceed 700 pages.

Proudly serving you for years

Care Options Network

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VOA-MN Holiday Gift Cards Gives HopeIn the beginning of December Kelly Cash, SPSN DSP, noticed that the young female individual we serve through in home supports was wearing shoes with three inch holes during the cold weather. Also, she and the other two siblings in this family she works with were expecting little for Christmas with money being tight. This family of four has received services from SPSN for a number of years and has a unique family make up. The father is a single Dad who originally took the 3 children in and only one of those was his biological child. Their Mom had been struggling with addiction and the end result was that he was given the opportunity to become the legal guardian to all of them, which he did. He did this out of compassion, to keep them together and hoping to give them a better chance for a normal life. It has not been easy for this family and whenever we have been able to help them in anyway this father has expressed his heartfelt thanks for things many of us take for granted. Kelly took it upon herself and reached out for this family to friends and acquaintances and we were able to collect used clothing items (including multiple shoes for the young female individual we serve) and at least one new item for each child to be under the tree. We also asked if there might be a donor with our VOA gift card program that might help with a small grocery gift card. Our expectations were minimal. To our surprise the donor chose to give a significant donation to a local retail store. As you can imagine, this meant so much to the children during this time. Thank you to Kelly, everyone that contributed, and to the donor who made a difference in this family’s life at this special time of year!

Face-lift at OmegonThirty volunteer soldiers from the Army National Guard spent a chilly morning in December at Omegon Residential Treatment Center in Minnetonka completing some much needed painting around the building to create a Trauma Informed Care environment so residents can complete treatment in a calm and inviting space.

Last month, eight Cargill volunteers made their way over to Omegon to prime the recreation room that the soldiers completed. Residents will soon be using one of the walls to put their own stamp on the space with a mural. Thanks Jade Mason, Erin Hoffman, Jody Lilleboe and Terry Melacha and all the volunteers for working together to make this day happen!

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EXCELLENCE January 2014 Anniversaries

Congratulations and thank you for your service!

Leola Dixon S.P.S.N. 15 yrs

David Marsh Housing 10 yrs

Larry Weight Mental Health 10 yrs

Nafiso Afyare S.P.S.N. 5 yrs

Leslie Laidlaw Adult Re-Entry 5 yrs

Mark Younghans Bar None 5 yrs

Yulonda Blackmon Housing 1 yr

Torrie Boehmer S.P.S.N. 1 yr

Chris Brandberg S.P.S.N. 1 yr

Patricia Brown Seniors 1 yr

Nathan Carda C.R.T.C. 1 yr

Kayla Devorak Avanti Center for Girls 1 yr

Tammy Eischens Avanti Center for Girls 1 yr

Catherine Hilgart Housing 1 yr

Suzanne Kienietz Seniors 1 yr

Trisha Lingl Avanti Center for Girls 1 yr

Stephanie Lorz Omegon 1 yr

Arianna Milian Mental Health 1 yr

Alayna Morgan Housing 1 yr

Dianne Niemela S.P.S.N. 1 yr

Hoa Pham Seniors 1 yr

Dana Suttles Mental Health 1 yr

Dustin Varney S.P.S.N. 1 yr

Heather Vogel Avanti Center for Girls 1 yr

Pang Vue Diaz C.R.T.C. 1 yr

Regina Warren Housing 1 yr

NOTE: Volunteers of America recognizes service anniversaries in the following increments: 1 year, 5 years, 10 years and 15 years of service. The 20 year mark and above are then recognized each year.

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Tim and Trina Taylor ‘Bikes for Kids’, donated bikes to the VOA-MN Foster Care program.

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Holiday Gifts for Families VOA-MN partnered with Countryside Elementary School in Edina, CenturyLink, Lube Tech, and many individuals and families to raise more than $4,400, which funded gift cards to benefit families and individuals served through VOA-MN’s Community Family Supports, Senior Services, and Services for People with Special Needs. Gift cards to Target, Wal-Mart, Cub Foods and Rainbow Foods were given to families and they were able to purchase gifts for their children and buy food to make a big holiday meal. Gift Cards were provided for more than 350 individuals served through VOA-MN services. In addition, a dozen Disney Princess dolls were donated by an individual at CenturyLink and 11 bikes for youth in our foster care program were donated from Tim and Trina Taylor ‘Bikes for Kids’. Mellissa, the mother of two young girls who received a Disney Princess dolls said “Thank you so much for your donation of dolls. My daughters loved them. Your generosity made our holidays brighter!” Thank you to our generous community partners for making the holidays brighter for the people we serve!

DIGNITY“Joe” Finds Hope and Friendship at Southwest Senior CenterAlthough he is plagued by short-term memory loss due to a motorcycle accident when he was 20, Joe (81) doesn’t forget to come to Southwest Senior Center each morning to start his day with a cup of coffee. Joe has been a fixture at the Center for over a decade and he greatly values the opportunity to do new and interesting activities each day. “I’d probably wait for time to pass if the senior center wasn’t here,” said Joe.

The Center meets Joe’s needs in many ways. Each day he enjoys a hot meal with friends and brings one home to his wife, who is now home bound. Center computer classes taught him how to use the Internet and can often be found in the computer lab following what is happening at NASA and throughout the galaxy. Joe also enjoys the opportunity to “feel useful and productive” at the Center where he helps out in the computer lab and during the weekly conversation circle where he is the designated poem reader.

Joe says that he easily forgets specific information, but that he doesn’t forget the good friends that he has made at the Center or that he always has a place to feel valued. -Submitted by Mary Ann Schoenberger

SPSN Recipe of the MonthJosh from Princeton South HouseCheeseburger and Fries Casserole1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef3/4 cup chopped green sweet pepper (1 medium) 1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium) 2 cloves garlic, minced1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained1 6-ounce can tomato paste1 10.75-ounce can condensed cheddar cheese soup1/2 cup light/fat free dairy sour cream4 cups frozen french-fried shoestring potatoes1 teaspoon seasoned salt (optional) Assorted toppers (ketchup, pickle slices, yellow mustard, and/or chopped fresh tomato) (optional)

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a very large skillet cook beef, sweet pepper, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain fat; discard. Stir undrained tomatoes and tomato paste into beef mixture. Bring to a boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered for 5 min.

2) Spoon beef mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 2-quart rectangular baking dish. In a medium bowl stir together soup and sour cream; spread over meat mixture in baking dish. Sprinkle potatoes over top of soup mixture. If desired, sprinkle with seasoned salt.

3) Bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes or until heated through and potatoes are golden. If desired serve with assorted toppers.

Southwest Senior Center Holiday & Christmas Events!

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HOPEStory of 1000 Cranes of HOPE - Jennifer Thompson’s Story of CompassionSpiritual support, delivered within the framework of organized religion or within her daily actions and behaviors, is one attribute that Jennifer brings to the Ashland Team. Jennifer has been accompanying

residents to Church on Sunday mornings and Glory Club Tuesday evenings, but her spiritual support does not stop there. She has an unbelievable understanding of each individual’s need and is able to create personal experiences for all. For one consumer, it is Sunday Church, for another it is family visits, talking about memories of past and present.

Last June, Jennifer’s mission was 1000 Cranes of Hope. A resident who had lived in our Ashland home for 26 years was in the hospital battling a life ending illness. After a week of his hospitalization, Jennifer asked for her team’s support in making 1000 paper cranes. She explained that this was an ancient Japanese tradition of Senbazuru which promises that a person who folds 1000 cranes will be granted a wish. Her wish was for our resident to improve his health and come home. Jennifer worked with team members, teaching each the intricate folds. Next, she assembled strings of Cranes to be hung in his bedroom. Days of his battle continued and on the 11th day our Ashland team got word that there would be one final attempt to wean him off the ventilator. While some of us went to the hospital to be bedside, other members finished assembling the one thousand cranes of hope and the Senbazuru was completed around 2 pm. When the ventilator was removed at 4 pm, the doctors were astonished; our resident began breathing on his own. Four days later, our friend and resident return to his Ashland Home under In-home Hospice care. As he was preparing to go home to God, he was surrounded by his Ashland family and the 1000 paper cranes of Hope strung from his bedroom ceiling. - Submitted by Denise Hutchins, Ashland Homes

Kezie Ames, Avanti November Employee of the Month!Congratulations to Kezia Ames, Employee of the Month for November. Kezia is a Lead Counselor at Avanti Center for Girls and has stepped up her game and has been a pinch hitter on both units. She has a good read on team dynamics and has become more confident in giving feedback in the

moment and pushing herself to be assertive-even when it’s uncomfortable. Peers have noticed her growing in her leadership role, and she presents as a strong, consistent steadfast and calm presence. Described as helpful, knowledgeable, and able to give the girls tough love, she is one who has a good relationship with the residents as well as her peers. - Submitted by Pam Solberg

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SELF-RELIANCELake Street NewsWe had a new year’s eve party here at the house with the guys. Second year in a row. Pizza, card games and movies and music. A pro-social, substance free way to ring in the new year. About 30 guys participated.

We collected about 20 pieces of winter gear from our drive including coats, gloves, scarves and hats. Thanks for all who participated.

Two new Program Services Coordinators were hired for Lake Street and Roseville. Both named “Debbie”! Deb Hagen (RV) and Deb Jonasen (LS) and started with us on Dec. 9. We are super excited to have them on board. DJ brings lots of experience with domestic violence and chemical dependency and DH is from MN DOC with an LADC in chemical dependency. -Submitted by Amy Moore

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Park ElderCenter Helps Unfold the Story Cloth

Park ElderCenter partnered with the Hennepin County Library recently to unveil the Story Cloth, an artistic memoir of the role of the Hmong culture in the United States’ involvement in Vietnam in the 60s and 70s.

“I did not learn how to read or write but my mother taught me how to sew,” said Manichan Yang, one of the elders who presented. “So I tell my story with thread.” Yang came to Minneapolis in 1993 with her husband Col. Song Leng Xiong. They brought three daughters and five sons with them. One of the daughters, Sivai Xiong, translated for her mother as she used her walking stick to point out highlights on the Story Cloth.

The cloth (shown below) depicts the historic migration of hundreds of thousands of Hmong refugees who fled to Thailand seeking political asylum after they helped the CIA resist the Communist Pathet Lao in Laos. Thousands of these refugees have resettled in Western countries since the late 1970s, mostly the United States.

The Hmong elders who spoke participate in a variety of activities at Park ElderCenter, on Park Avenue in Minneapolis. - Submitted by Bee Vue, Service Director – Park ElderCenter

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New Beginnings for a New Year at Amicus Amicus is excited about several new opportunities coming together with the new year.

Project Reboot (beginning in mid-January 2014) Rebooting one’s life after incarceration usually requires significant changes in daily habits and thought processes. Some of the most important changes often need to take place in improving employment habits, finding stable, affordable housing and making smart moves related to personal finances. Project Reboot is a 32-hour program which combines elements of all three of those areas, building on curriculums which have proven successful in helping people make positive changes. Staff expect to work with about 60 clients each year. The typical client will have been referred through state correctional facilities or county jails and will usually have been assessed as medium to high-risk of reoffending. This program is funded through a two-year Community Crime Prevention grant by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility Project (ramping up in February 2014)Amicus’ cornerstone program is One to One, which recruits, trains and matches volunteers for visits and positive interaction with inmates at Minnesota

State Correctional facilities. Building on that model, Amicus is beginning a mentoring program, recruiting volunteers to work with those at the Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility. The contract with Hennepin County calls for Amicus to work with approximately 30 clients in the first year with a potential for future growth as the program gets established.

Girls Circle H.E.A.R.T. - (Pilot Project beginning in January 2014) Girls Circle H.E.A.R.T. is a 16-week program addressing the issues of healing, empowerment and recovery from trauma. Hennepin County is piloting the program with agencies it already has a contract with and the Amicus Radius staff has agreed to try out the program in its North Minneapolis region. Radius works with teenaged girls who are involved in the juvenile justice system. While the Girls Circle H.E.A. R. T. program is different from Radius, the need for trauma-informed care and education with teens is very relevant – particularly related to sexual trauma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime and nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced other forms of sexual violence at some point in their lives.

PLAY

SELF-RELIANCE

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Future Plans for VOICES

Our monthly VOICES newsletter will change to a format that we can deliver reliably, while still providing a forum to recognize the great work we do to help people gain self-reliance, dignity and hope. Stay tuned for the details in the weekly Small VOICES, which will continue.