Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. (HMHI) will hold its semi-annual Fresh Start Benefit Sale Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale is at the HMHI office and donation center located at 3805 Mississippi Avenue, Davenport.

This sale continues a 24 year tradition of providing a large selection of gently used or new items, all in working condition, including house wares, bedding, toys, jewelry, gift items, furniture, books, games, clothing and much more. This sale is known for the quality of items, the great values and the friendly staff.

Donations for this sale can be dropped off Monday through Friday any time between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Humility of Mary Housing has 47 apartments that are used for families in the program and there is a great need for single beds, dressers and sofas to help furnish these apartments. These items can also be taken to the office and donation center. Donations are accepted throughout the year.

Donated items that cannot be used to furnish apartments or by the families are put in the sale and all proceeds are used by Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. to purchase beds and dressers and other program needs. Through the program lives get turned around, children learn there is a different way to live and parents are provided with opportunities upon which they build the foundation for a greater future for their families.

In From The Cold is celebrating our 21st year of presenting our Mayors Hunger Luncheon. We would like to cordially invite the press and the public to attend our announcement of this year's grant recipients. This will take place at Schwiebert Park in Rock Island on Wednesday, October 9th at 10am.

This year's Mayors Hunger Luncheon will be November 6th in the Golden Leaf Banquet Center at 2902 East Kimberly Road in Davenport. Doors open at 11 with a meal at noon.

Over the years, IFTC has raised almost $500,000 to help fund homeless service providers and related agencies in the Quad City area.

Questions?

Contact: Harvey Wiley

hwiley@casiseniors.org

563-386-7477 x254

$3.86 Million Raised Toward $6 Million Goal to Support At-Risk Children in Linn County

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Four Oaks today launched the public phase of its TotalChild Commit to a Child campaign, announcing it has raised $3.86 million of its $6 million campaign goal. TotalChild is based on the idea that when children hurdle all obstacles to success, then families, homes, neighborhoods and communities are stronger.

Of the $6 million campaign goal, $3 million will be devoted to Four Oaks' TotalChild programing addressing youth mental health, education, family unit support and safety. The remaining $3 million will go toward housing improvements being made by the Affordable Housing Network, Inc. in Wellington Heights to fulfill children's basic needs of safe and stable homes.

"We are very grateful to the Hall-Perrine Foundation, Campaign Co-Chairs Chris and Suzy DeWolf, Campaign Co-Chairs Kyle and Susan Skogman, Donna Oldorf, John and Dyan Smith, United Fire Foundation, McIntyre Foundation, Aegon  Transamerica Foundation, World Class Industries, Union Electricians and Employers (IBEW #405 & NECA) and two anonymous donors for their lead gifts," said Jim Ernst, Four Oaks President and CEO.  "Their kindness has jump-started this important campaign to help even more at-risk children and their families get on the path to success."

TotalChild is Four Oaks' comprehensive and long-term approach for helping children and families. The approach helps families with skills like parenting, financial literacy, job training, housing assistance and education. TotalChild employs success managers to work with at-risk children and their families to stabilize children's current needs and implement a plan to meet the family's long-term needs and goals.

"TotalChild is a better way to deliver social services, and Four Oaks has helped hundreds of families," said TotalChild campaign co-chair, Chris DeWolf. "TotalChild is different from other human-services approaches that only address one childhood problem at a time and is unique in that we help kids hurdle all obstacles to success all the way into adulthood."

According to Ernst, the $3 million designated for TotalChild programming will help children overcome behavioral and cognitive problems and will connect children with community partners. These resources are coordinated by success managers who work with the children and their families.

"We believe that every child and family can be successful, and our success managers offer encouragement and hope," said Ernst. "They do not judge. When everyone else is telling these kids and families they can't, our success managers are telling them they can and will."

Another $3 million will be earmarked for Wellington Heights renovation.  The Wellington Heights neighborhood initiative will help families eventually become homeowners in a safe and supportive community.                                  

"When we think about the hurdles some of these children face daily, we are compelled to get involved," said Kyle Skogman, campaign co-chair. "Now, we ask community members to give what they can to this important campaign to help get our most vulnerable youth on the right path to become successful adults and strengthen our communities in the long-term."

In Iowa, 100,000 children live in poverty and 25,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect each year. Four Oaks, and its affiliates, serves 14,000 children and families every year in a variety of child welfare, behavioral health and criminal justice programs.

"TotalChild has been a blessing to our family.  We hope it will result in more help for families who live throughout Linn County and in the Wellington Heights neighborhood," said Mariana Hendricks, a TotalChild mother. "Our life has been transformed because of it.  I feel like I have a family partnership that will help me raise my child so he and I can be successful."

There are many ways to get involved and Commit to a Child. Gifts may be made in cash, pledges, securities, bequests, real estate, life insurance or personal property. Gifts can sponsor a TotalChild, a success manager or a renovated home, apartment or home supplies.

The Commit to a Child campaign steering committee is co-chaired by Chris and Suzy DeWolf and Kyle and Susan Skogman. Other steering committee members include : John and Thelma Rife; Kathy and Rex Eno; John and Dyan Smith; Lydia Brown; Steve Allsop; Brian Scott; Dina Dusk; Diane Ramsey; Lisa Rhatigan; Karl Hoffman; Duane Smith; Sally Novetzke; Dan Thies; and Doug Neighbor.

For more information about TotalChild and the Commit to a Child campaign, visit TotalChildIowa.org or FourOaks.org

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Rock Island, IL-Domestic violence is a pervasive problem in our community.  It is a silent predator that affects one out of every four women and, typically, impacts several generations of family members.  In recognition of national domestic violence awareness this month, Christian Care and Diamonds on the Avenue are teaming up to provide an exclusive offer that is available only in October but will help raise awareness all year long.  Diamonds on the Avenue designed a one-of-a-kind necklace just for this occasion: a purple pendant that changes color in the sun and houses a floating diamond with a very special meaning.

Purple is the color of domestic violence awareness.  The floating diamond signifies the domestic violence survivor who is a diamond in the rough, yet still shining through her pain.  The necklace design pays homage to all who are currently suffering from the effects of domestic violence, those who survived and are thriving, and those who, sadly, did not survive.  This necklace is sure to be a conversation started and, when people ask about it, both Diamonds on the Avenue and Christian Care hope that the story behind the necklace's design will raise awareness for a lifetime. 

Take a stand against domestic violence: join Christian Care and Diamonds on the Avenue by purchasing a pendant from this special collection.  Wear your purple pendant and floating diamond close to your heart.  Pendants start at $49.00.  Diamonds on the Avenue will donate $10 from every purchase of these rare pendants to Christian Care's domestic violence shelter.  

Every dollar donated makes a difference.  98% of the women who complete Christian Care's holistic programs go on to live independent lives, free of their abusers.  Purchase your pendant now at Diamonds on the Avenue located at 3320 East Kimberly Road in Davenport, right down the road from Red Lobster.

Christian Care's services are available in the Quad Cities to a growing number of homeless men and abused women and children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through their two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?they provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to anyone in need. They serve homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and the mentally ill. Their vision is to transform the lives of those they serve by providing their residents with an opportunity to start a new, more
productive life. For more information contact Lindsey at 309-786-5734 or visit Christian Care's website at www.christiancareqc.org

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