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NATH Notes
C O M M I T T E D T O E N D I N G A N D P R E V E N T I N G H O M E L E S S N E S S

CELEBRATING ONE YEAR OF OPERATIONS

January 31 marks the One Year anniversary of the opening of Frederick Place to aid those experiencing homelessness. Since that date, it has never been empty! Frederick Place has been home to 103 residents and provided 3904 nights of shelter. According to NATH President, Bill Miller, Frederick Place is not just about shelter; it is about professional case managers who support a resident-based plan of success and change, which supports independent living and positive lifestyles. Frederick Place is living up to its vision of providing a place of dignity, respect, safety and hope. 2011 has been a year filled with community fundraisers including regional soup suppers, rummage sales and raffles. New activities included meat raffles, movies on a frozen lake, polar plunges, funruns and a golf scramble. Raffles included an art raffle and a sports raffle for a pair of kayaks and a road bike. With these fundraisers, corporate and faith based contributions, and individual contributions, NATH had an estimated income of $208,000 for 2011. Expenses are estimated to be well within budget through outstanding contributions of meals, supplies, services, and volunteer support. Improvements in telling our story are aided by the development of our DVD and a Power Point presentation of Frederick Place. We welcome all opportunities to
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Frederick Place as it looked In January 2011 on Opening Day and how it appeared In October 2011 after landscaping was completed.

share our vision and operations. A group of Board Representatives is available to present our story, discuss housing issues in the Northwoods, and to provide current information about Frederick Place. In 2012 we will continue to strengthen our partnering relationships with faithbased communities and to enhance our efforts at forming corporate and business partnerships and at sharing our vision and successes with Foundations. I am excited about our future. Our future is one of providing essential services to the most vulnerable that only want a safe, clean place to lay their heads and to begin to believe in the future and hope. Together, let us give them a chance, now and for the future. NATH continues to need your financial support, your volunteer service and your prayers. Come partner with us as we serve those who have no clean, safe place to call home. BILL MILLER NATH President

You Are Invited

To: NATHs First Anniversary Benefit Dinner on February 4th! Time: 5:30 pm Social followed by Dinner Place: Holiday Acres 4060 South Shore Dr. Rhinelander Cost: $40.00 each or $75.oo for two Entertainment by the Northwoods Brass Quintet Door Prizes, Silent Auction, & Raffles Tickets available at Trigs, Coffee Beans, Forth Floral and Frederick Place All Proceeds Given to Frederick Place

NATH Notes

January 25, 2012

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

Faces of NATH
Youve heard it said: Theyre lazy. They dont want to work. They spend all their money on alcohol or drugs. These are common misconceptions of the homeless. Frederick Place has been in operation for a year and we have seen first hand, that these are not the common traits of the homeless. Everyone has their own story, their own set of circumstances which lead them to our doorstep. Here is what a few had to say, when asked: What was the change of circumstances, or what happened that rendered you homeless? Bruce was doing well, living a simple life. I just wanted to improve my living conditions. He said. So I found a nicer place to live, gave my landlord 30 days notice, and got a loan for the $200 Security Deposit for the new place. Everything was all set to go. Then suddenly, the new landlady decided not to rent to me. Now Im out my $200 and my old landlord found a new tenant. I had nowhere else to go. My friends used and drank. I couldnt be around that. I am so thankful that Frederick Place is here. I just dont know what I would have done otherwise. Bruce stayed at Frederick Place for only 16 nights. While he was here, staff helped him fill out paperwork, put him in touch with help to recover his $200, and gave him contact information for a new landlord. He is now residing in his own apartment. Dan was on the path to recovery. I had been sober for 6 months, and then I moved in with my friend. He went with me to a couple of AA meetings. But he really didnt want to quit drinking. Somehow, someway, I started drinking with him. I didnt want that, and I knew I couldnt be around it. I had to leave to stay sober. Dan is now employed and is searching for an apartment. He regularly attends AA meetings and is sober. Mindy was working full-time, and living in a nice place with her son. A chain of events lead her to Frederick Place. It was a combination of things, she explains. Mindy told me about her landlady. She was harassing me. She called my job. She spied on me. I saw her go in my garage and dump my garbage on the ground When I tried to talk to her about it, she evicted us. Mindy had five days to leave, so she and her son moved in with her parents, while she looked for a place of their own. It was really small and cramped; we slept in their Living Room. It was hard for my parents, my dad wasnt used to having kids around, and it was a long drive to take Billy to school. Then, in a week, things went from bad to worse when, through no fault of her own, Mindys job was terminated. Mindy and Billy are now residing at Frederick Place and she has recently started a very nice full-time
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Presents for all were under the tree. Members of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship served a Christmas Eve Feast!

Secret Santas Make Christmas Merry

Frederick Place residents were speechless Christmas morning when they were each given a laundry basket full of gifts. I expected that the three kids would get something from Santa, but I never imagined that we adults would get any gifts, said one resident. Numerous Secret Santas from local communities provided boxes, bags, and baskets of Christmas gifts. All adults received items such as thermal underwear, gift cards, toiletries, hats, gloves, snacks, shirts, and other goodies. The three children received toys, clothing, stuffed animals, books and treats. Members of the Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship from Woodruff prepared and served a wonderful Christmas Eve Feast. A SINCERE THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE SECRET SANTAS!

position. To save money, Linda and her two small children rented an apartment with some friends. We were going to split the rent three ways. She explained. But, in less than a month, I got in a fight with one of my roommates. She went to the landlord and said that my kids were destroying the house, which wasnt true, but he said that I had to leave. I didnt have any money saved to rent my own place. With only a part-time job, Linda is struggling to save enough money to get her own place and to be able to support herself and her adorable little ones. It can happen very quickly; a sickness, loss of a job, get behind in your rent or mortgage Homelessness can happen to anyone. Now, thanks to this wonderful community, we can offer help to those who find themselves in this position. Thank you to all who donate time, talents, and/or items. Together, we can end and prevent homelessness.
[The above are excerpts from conversations between Jodi, a staff member, and residents. Names have been changed to protect confidentiality. All have given permission to print their responses.]

NATH Notes

January 25, 2012

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

NATH is extremely grateful for the tremendous community support for Frederick Place throughout the Northwoods area. Our hope is that Frederick Place will be able to remain open for the future serving the needs of those experiencing homeless. It is estimated that it will cost $205,000.00 per year to operate the shelter. This amounts to approximately $40.00 per resident per day. How are these funds used? Expenses include utilities, telephone, food, insurance, supplies, staff salaries, case management, and maintenance. Fund raising projects are on-going and include the GIVE A GIFT BE A GIFT Project, the 1000 Give $100.00 Campaign, area Soup Suppers, Raffles, and a First Anniversary Benefit Dinner. State, federal and private grants are being applied for to support operations. NATHs GIVE A GIFT BE A GIFT Project asks individuals, families, faith communities, businesses, and organizations to support the shelter by offering your time, talent and treasure to the less fortunate among us. Consider Giving a Gift by financial donations; sponsoring a resident for one or more days/weeks of shelter; organizing fund raising events; contributing meals, food, gas cards, taxi vouchers, or items from out Wish List. You can Be a Gift to others in need by volunteering at Frederick Place or with the NATH Board of Directors. In addition to operating costs, Frederick Place also has several future capital needs for the facility. An exterior handicapped access is needed soon. The building needs to be painted and a new roof will be needed within 4-5 years. We invite YOU to partner with us as we move into 2012 and beyond. Will you GIVE A GIFT BE A GIFT to NATH?

GIVE A GIFT BE A GIFT

FREDERICK PLACE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The success of Frederick Place is due in large part to the many volunteers from our five-county service area. When NATH Board Members speak with community groups, they are frequently asked, How can we help? Listed below, are some of the needs that we have that can be fulfilled by volunteers. Staff Relief: 4-8hr shifts, house is staffed 24/7... Day, Evening & Night shifts available, times are flexible. (Training & background check required) Evening Meal: Provide, serve & share (optional) a dinner with the residents, approximately 10-20 people, cook at your facility, use the kitchen at our house or order in pizza. (We will confirm # of people for dinner 24 hours in advance). Transportation: Donate time/gas using your vehicle. Drive residents to appointments, interviews, jobs, etc. (Proof of insurance & copy of Drivers License required). Drive to pick up evening meal from area restaurants who have donated food. House Support: Spend time at Frederick Place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays, supporting staff by answering the door and telephone, helping with donations, mailings, etc. Committee Member: Provide your support and knowledge to one of our Board Committees. Committees include: Finance, Community Fundraising and Outreach, Grants, Personnel, By Laws, and Facilities Other: Teach a class, tutor, organize fund raising events in your local area, etc. Contact: Tammy Modic, Executive Director, at Tammymodic.frederickplace@gmail.com or 715-369-9777.

NATH Notes
NATH Executive Director, Tammy Modic, peers from behind the three Swierczynski children at Frederick Place. The Swierczynski children saved their Culvers Points. With their points, they went to Culvers to get balls and other items to bring to Frederick Place before Christmas. When the Culvers staff learned where the items were going, they added to the donation.

January 25, 2012

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

Wish List Top Ten

1. Black & Decker 12V Lithium rechargeable battery ( for cordless drill) 2. Brother P-touch 1/2" label tape (Office Max) 3. Hair Spray 4. Feminine Maxi Pads 5. Flat Panel Monitor 6. 8 1/2 x 11 Copy paper 7. Milk 8. Lunch Meat 9. Lunch, Quart & Gallon Zip Lock Bags 10. Masking Tape

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
~Edward Everett Hale

Donate A Meal
Numerous faith communities, civic organizations, businesses, families, and individuals are supporting Frederick Place by providing an evening meal. Listed below are the dates that are still available to meal donors: February: 4, 12, and 19 March: 3, 7, 12, 18, 24, and 28 April: 2, 7-9, 15-17, 24 and 28 Please call Becca or Tammy for details at 715-369-9777

CONTACT INFORMATION Frederick Place 204 West Frederick Street Rhinelander, WI 54501 Phone: 715-369-9777 Email: nathnorthwoods@gmail.com Website: www.nathnorthwoods.com
NATH Notes is published monthly by the Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing, Inc. If you would like to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to NATH Notes, please contact Tammy Modic at 714-369-9777. Please submit information that you would like included in future issues to Carol Miller, editor, at millercw@frontiernet.net

CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY ON FEB. 4th AT HOLIDAY ACRES SOCIAL HOUR BEGINS AT 5:30 pm FEATURING THE NORTHWOODS BRASS QUINTET
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If you think you don't make a difference in this world, remember one rain drop raises the ocean.

One year of providing shelter for Individuals and Families.