August 29, 2007

LifeWorks Gives Young Mom a Boost
By: Veronica Castelo, News 8 Austin
Pictures of Candice Coleman and her seven-month-old son J.J. fill her apartment in East Austin. "There is me and there is him and everything else doesn't matter," she said. Coleman, a single mother at 20, says she wants her son to have a better life than she did. A family conflict left her homeless at 13. She left an abusive living situation at 17, and at 19, she got pregnant. Throughout her tough times, Candice always turned to Lifeworks for help. Lifeworks is a nonprofit that provides support and services for youth and families in Austin. Duncan Cormie is the director of Transitional Living Services (TLS) at Lifeworks. He said he's been impressed with Coleman's spirit ever since she came into their shelter when she was 13. "We see ourselves, in some ways, almost as investors. We're trying to give her the tools so that she can make the life that she wants for herself and her son," Cormie said. TLS is a 24-hour home for homeless youth transitioning into adulthood. It's a coed program for 15 teens and young adults aged 16-23 and is located in Central Austin next to two bus routes. That's how Coleman got her first apartment, but it was up to her to fill it. She said it wasn't easy on what she earns at IHOP. "I had a bed and I had a futon. My walls were depressing, white and empty," she said.

Recently, Lifeworks decided to step up their support for Coleman and many others like her. Lifeworks partnered up with different sponsors to outfit 12 apartments in the Home Improvement Challenge. KB Homes sponsored $1,000 in new furniture and decorations. She also received a free photo shoot with J.J. (hence the pictures) and a new computer. "It opened up doors as far as organization, information, and convenience. I don't think I would have survived this semester without it," Coleman said. Her apartment's makeover allowed Coleman to focus on her education at Austin Community College and her dream to open up a charter school. "There are so many other me's out there. With the right guidance and exposure to the right things there can be a lot of amazing people leading us," she said.

Coleman no longer lives in the apartment outfitted by KB Home. She moved to a safer apartment, but everything KB sponsored came with her, including the portraits. She said the pictures and furniture serve as a daily reminder of how far she's come, and how far she has yet to go.

August 13, 2007

A New Lease on Life
By: Gina Swanson, News 8 Austin
Tristan Whitfield is just like any other college student. He works part-time, is enrolled at Austin Community College and has an apartment in South Austin. But Whitfield didn't have a traditional support system. He grew up in Child Protective Services and in foster homes until he turned 18 a year ago. That's when he "aged out" of the foster care system and suddenly found himself on his own with nowhere to go. "I was on the street, back and forth, back and forth," Whitfield said. "It's one thing to have a home and be scared, but it's another to not know where you are going to sleep at night, especially in Austin because it's dangerous at night time."

That's when Whitfield found LifeWorks, a nonprofit that helps homeless youth find safe and stable environments. It places teens in subsidized apartments and even fixes up the living space to make it feel like home. LifeWorks moved Whitfield into an apartment in South Austin about six months ago. It proved to be the lifeline he needed. He was able to reconnect with his younger brother, who was also in Child Protective Services. He also got his driver's license and completed a job training program. He works at LifeWork's Ben and Jerry's location on West Fifth Street. Whitfield then completed his GED, a computer training course and enrolled in ACC for the fall.

"I want to be a psychologist, a social worker, start a company and a nonprofit to get children off the street," Whitfield said. "I have become a completely different person."

Now with the help of corporate sponsors, he'll have more furniture and decorations to fill up his apartment. The Lifeworks Home Improvement Challenge provides $1,000 to paint, do maintenance work and redecorate for a young man who spent most of his life without one. "I never had a higher feeling than having all these people work to give me a home," Whitfield said. This week, he'll meet with the designer and the corporate team that will carry out his home makeover. Then the group will have a month to come up with a design and on Sept. 16, Whitfield will be living large.

Stacks for Success
LifeWorks took 1st Place in the Capital One Pancake Stackers competition last month. LifeWorks' Executive Director, Susan McDowell and Director of Development, Brett Barnes teamed up to compete against three other local non-profits for a prize of $700. After one-minute of fast-paced passing and stacking, the team with the most stacked pancakes was LifeWorks. McDowell and Barnes stacked 28 pancakes tying the all-time Austin record. They're keeping in shape in case LifeWorks is asked to defend its title in a tournament of champions. 

added November 19, 2006

Ethics in Business Award
LifeWorks received the 2006 Ethics in Business Award (non-profit) from the Samaritan Center and St. Edward’s University. Graduate students from St. Ed's scoured LifeWorks over the summer and got to know us inside and out.  One of the things that most impressed them is the integrity and commitment of LifeWorks’ staff.

Champion for Children
Lourdes Kaman, a Prevention Specialist in our Youth and Adult Counseling Program, was recognized as a "Champion for Children" at the Helping Hand Home luncheon on October 2. Lourdes is a graduate of our GED program, former AmeriCorp volunteer for counseling, and has worked the last eight years to connect youth and families with our counseling services.

Marshall Memorial Fellowship
Susan McDowell, LifeWorks’ Executive Director, was recently selected for a Marshall Memorial Fellowship. Fellows must be nominated by a recognized leader in their community and go through a competitive regional and national process. Susan’s outstanding record of achievement and commitment to the local community were among the qualities in which her selection was based upon. She and other leaders will tour Europe for four weeks to gain a greater perspective on transatlantic and domestic issues.

added July 19, 2005
Think Like a Parent

from Austin American-Statesman, July 19,2005
by Susan McDowell, Executive Director

An 18-year-old youth in foster care has the same dreams and ambitions as his or her more fortunate peers. At Lifeworks, we are inspired every day by the resiliency and strength of these young people. While bringing much needed attention to youth who are aging out of foster care, Michelle Martinezs article of June 27 only scratched the surface of the challenges faced by former foster youth and the limits to the support provided for them in our community.

Think like a parent. At what age will your children no longer need you? When will they be financially independent? How long will you provide guidance and support either to help them avoid making bad decisions or to help them shape a successful future? Who besides a devoted parent will help young adults pick themselves up and get back on track after making a serious mistake?

I ask these questions about my own child with a great deal of emotion. We promise our children that we will always be there for them, and we believe our work is never truly done. We strive to achieve a vision of our children receiving quality education, living in supportive communities, having close families and friendships, and achieving personal and professional success.

Contrast this to the reality of the 884 Texas children last year who "aged out" of foster care without the support and devotion of parents. More than one-third have not yet received their high school diploma, 40% have mental health issues, and 25% will experience homelessness within six months. In LifeWorks Emergency and Transitional Shelters, it is common to meet 17-year-olds who have lived in dozens of foster care placements since childhood. Without the support of family, the usual challenges they face transitioning to adulthood are exacerbated by fear, isolation, instability and lack of support from adults in the community.

The state and federally funded Preparation for Adult Living Program (PAL) provides highly effective, experiential training to prepare youth with the basic life skills necessary to live independently and pursue their education and employment goals. The Aftercare Transitional Services Program (ACTS) provides one-on-one case management services to youth as they emancipate. The dedicated staff and volunteers in these programs are often the only adults these youth can turn to for guidance and support.

Ms. Martinez suggested that the PAL program is under a great deal of criticism from youth. Unfortunately, she only spoke with two former students. Analysis of evaluation data and satisfaction surveys from LifeWorks alone would have revealed hundreds of youth in recent years who have benefited in both measurable and intangible ways from the program.

Years ago a LifeWorks' PAL trainer shared with me a note from a recent graduate. It read, Im scared and I will miss you. I keep this as a poignant reminder of value of PAL and the responsibility our community has to vulnerable youth.

Martinezs description of the support for former foster youth overstates the effect of the available resources. I ask all parents with children in college does $5,000 cover living expenses, books and all other costs related to college? Despite numerous partners stretching our resources, last year the ACTS collaboration served 200 youth. The demand for services is easily twice our capacity. Youth leave foster care in various stages of readiness for independent living. Some struggle to attain a low level of stabilitya roof over their heads, enough food, and basic transportation. Can we really expect an 18-year-old who has survived an abusive childhood, who may have lived in multiple foster placements, to be able to find steady employment, affordable housing and healthy, supportive networks without assistance?

Every youth deserves at least one adult who is fiercely devoted to his or her success. The Department of Family and Protective Services, LifeWorks, Casey Family Programs, and numerous faith-based organizations and foundations have effectively combined and stretched our resources.

The vision is to create a community that champions all youth, regardless of their family background. This includes establishing a resource center, affordable housing, and expanded networks of support for youth in transition. We need your help to build on the foundation that has been laid. Utilize your personal, business, civic and faith-based networks to contribute funds, organize volunteer drives for apartment starter kits, or provide employment opportunities. See LifeWorks web site, www.lifeworksweb.org, for opportunities to be involved. Create the kind of community that would support your own childrens transitions to adulthood if you could not be there for them.



added June 1, 2005
Planting Roots with National Instruments

from Get Connected - Want a Day Off and Free Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream?
by Stephanie Logerot, Corporate Communications National Instruments

Volunteer next spring for the LifeWorks Day of Caring, a great way to get a day off from work and enjoy free Ben and Jerrys ice cream while brightening the lives of LifeWorks clientele. LifeWorks is an Austin nonprofit organization that transitions youth and families from crisis to safety and success. Many of its clients were previously homeless, or are former foster children who have "aged out" of the system after their 18th birthdays.

On April 15, 12 National Instruments employees met at the LifeWorks Supportive Housing Project to build planters and plant flowers to liven up the patios of 23 units, all housing LifeWorks clients. The volunteers split into three groups - planter builders, dirt mixers, and flower planters. Working efficiently, the volunteer groups completed all planters to mount on patios in three hours, with the help of several LifeWorks employees. A few clients stopped by to check out the flowers and select a planter for their porch.

After a long day of work, the volunteers stopped by the new Ben and Jerrys at Fifth Street and Lamar to enjoy free ice cream compliments of LifeWorks. Ben and Jerrys donated the franchise to the organization, and it is staffed by people LifeWorks serves.

NI volunteers included:
Andy Oestrick, IT Infrastructure
Billy Bambrey, IT Applications Development
Chris Sherry, IT Infrastructure
Danny McPherson, IT Applications Development
Kevin Skelton, IT Applications Development
Kim Lankford, Product Marketing
Kylee Kesler, Community Relations
Lee Chapman, Corporate Communications
Leslie Hibbard, IT Applications Development
Peco Karayanev, IT Infrastructure
Stephanie Logerot, Corporate Communications
Sultan Yusufali, IT Applications Development



added December 16, 2004
With Our Deepest Thanks, Congratulations Jennifer
Each month the United Way Volunteer Center, in partnership with AMD, Directors of Volunteers in Austin (DOVIA) and the Austin City Council, honors individuals and groups that help build our community through volunteerism. LifeWorks own Jennifer McCann has been selected as Volunteer of the Month for November!

Jennifer McCann grew up in the heart of Texas and has resided here for the majority of her 32 years of life. Her ambitious nature and take-charge attitude started at the mere age of nine when she opened a bank account and began babysitting. She spent eight years in the F&B department at Barton Creek Country Club (BCCC) while financing her own education at the University of Texas. After graduation she joined the team at Dell, Inc. working in the consumer segment. Jennifer has held many positions from sales to online marketing and has received numerous awards throughout her tenure including "MVP of the Quarter". She is blessed with a great support network of friends and family, including her loving husband, Michael. She enjoys cooking, planning parties, entertaining, designing, watching football, playing "Texas Hold' em" and running with her adorable dog, Bailey. She attributes her appreciation for community involvement to her philanthropic role models and friends, Cyndi & Bill Bock. Jennifer has donated countless hours, talents, and resources to several organizations. She now resides on the Executive Committee of Lifeworks where she has helped break fundraising records for the organization for the past three years through the annual LifeWorks Academy Awards Gala Silent Auction. Jennifer's motto is everyone can and should do their part to help others, it is a win-win situation!

Jennifer will be recognized in the Austin American-Statesman, at the Austin City Council meeting, on the United Way Capital Area website and in a letter to her employer, Dell.



added October 4, 2004
Sharing the Holidays with Sara
Popular Hometown Singer/Songwriter, Sara Hickman took a tour of the LifeWorks Emergency Shelter in early September, and what she saw touched her charitable heart. Hickman took that experience with her and, without hesitation, called up KVUE and pitched the idea for a LifeWorks PSA. The focus is on educating youth in crisis about the services LifeWorks provides.

"It's so easy to fall into a pattern of what "we" need. The world does not revolve around the car we drive or the job we have. We have a responsibility to give and help build a community that supports each other. It's not just a one time effort, but a lifestyle," says Hickman.

The LifeWorks KVUE spot will air around the holidays, when needs are often critical for at-risk and homeless youth. Thank you, Sara and KVUE.

For more information on Sara Hickman's body of work, visit www.sarahickman.com.



added October 4, 2004
The HOOT is back!
The HOOT Austin (Harmonica Organization Of Texas) is teaming up with LifeWorks once again for a fun fundraiser at Antone's on Sunday, October 10. The gig starts at 4pm, so come out and bring your dancing shoes for the 4th Anniversary celebration of Austin's HOOT!
Click here to download the flyer!

For more information on the HOOT, visit www.hoottexas.com.



added October 4, 2004
Most Outstanding Organization Dealing with Youth Homelessness
At the Texas Homeless Network Conference in September, LifeWorks received the "Most Outstanding Organization Dealing with Youth Homelessness" award for it's homeless youth programs. LifeWorks first received this award in 2002. This year, special notice was given to the innovative achievements made by the organization in the past two years including: receiving accreditation and serving as the only COA compliant street outreach program in Texas; adding two apartments to its Supportive Housing Program for single moms and babies; establishing a job training program for youth through a partnership with Ben & Jerry's PartnerShop initiative; and establishing a full day of clinic services each week for our street outreach youth.

Steve Bewsey, Director of Housing and Homelessness, noted, "in the past two years - we have not rested on our laurels. This award serves as an overwhelming testament to the outstanding work of our staff. Yet, the true success of our organization is found not only is our staff's dedication but also in the uncompromising courage of our clients."

In addition to receiving the award, five former LifeWorks' youth shared their stories of transitioning from homelessness to self-sufficiency on a panel at the conference entitled "Youth Homelessness: There Is A Way Out."

1. Volunteers raked and bagged leaves for future use as mulch  2. The Flowerbed Crew at work  3. The Leaf Team takes a quick
photo break  4. Digging holes for the relocated fence  5. The Fencebuilders, after a job well done.