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Profile of beneficiaries: Families with children involved in the Angel House program (see agency and program description below)will sleep on these air mattresses each night during a 120 day "residency". The families are all homeless and struggling to get back on their feet. The parents have some multiple barriers to stability (employment, education, health/substance abuse, debt, poor background/credit history) that they are trying to overcome in this program.
How the grant money will be used: The funds will purchase air mattresses. These air mattresses are used at nine host churches in Loveland, CO.
How project works: The mattresses are stored at each individual church as it is too cumbersome and time consuming to transport fabric mattresses from church to church each week. The air mattresses are all covered with a mattress pad which is washed after the church's rotation. The House of Neighborly Service (HNS), project facilitator, will cover the cost of mattress pads. The church also uses Lysol disinfectant on each mattress after the families have departed for the week. House of Neighborly Service,will replace mattresses as needed through its general operating funds. The inflatable air mattresses are ideal as the host churches are simply not able to store fabric mattresses long term. Also, the air mattresses are much more comfortable for the families than cots.
The inflatable air mattresses, such a simple thing, are fundamental to a good night's rest. For four months the mattresses at the churches are "home" to the parents and children in the Angel House program. They provide a good night's sleep so the families can tackle their barriers to stability, at the same time succeeding at school and work while getting back on their feet and contributing to society. Without a place for families to sleep at night (thru Angel House) these homeless families don't have close access to comprehensive support they need during the day.
Project budget: Angel House needs 64 air mattresses costing $34.70 each for a total of $2220.80. The Centennial Project/District is asked for $1,000; the Rotary Club of Loveland and the Rotary Satellite Club of Loveland will contribute the remaining $1220.80.
Project sponsor and Rotary partners: House of Neighborly Service (HNS) is the facilitator and coordinator of the Angel House Program. Angel House,a program of HNS, provides overnight shelter and meals for homeless families working with HNS. HNS was founded in 1961 by the Loveland Council of Churches with the united vision of creating one central location to meet emergency needs of individual and families facing crisis. Their plan was to pool their resources, create a place of accountability, and allow the entire community to get involved. This vision couldn't have been more insightful as our community has grown. The Angel House program was adopted by HNS three years ago and aligns perfectly with the mission and vision of HNS, and with Rotary.
Also, please be aware HNS also aligns with community support services; these include mentorships, resource referrals, child care, job counseling, and mental health support-- all keys to family stability and an end to their homelessness. The mattresses are a small part of what HNS and Angel House provides; but the mattresses are badly needed.
Project Contact:
Meg Oresjo
Development Manager
House of Neighborly Service
1511 E. 11th St. Loveland, CO 80537
970.667.4939 ext 142
www.honservice.org
moresjo@honservice.org
The Rotary Club of Loveland, founded in 1920, is the largest Rotary Club in Loveland,CO and has a membership of 160. In 2014 this club sponsored the Rotary Satellite Club of Loveland a young, hands-on branch of the Loveland club. Rotary Club of Loveland is financially strong and is willing to support this Centennial Project as its contribution to the centennial year celebration world wide. While this project is small and relatively invisible to the public it will make a big difference to the small and invisible homeless population in our community.
Rotary Satellite Club of Loveland Contact:
Katie Guthrie
President Rotary Satellite Club of Loveland
2kguthrie@gmail.com
970.667.2192
The club members say this project "is an ideal way to live out the satellite club's goal of serving the homeless in the Loveland community". The satellite club is fully supporting this Centennial Project request; the members see this as an exciting opportunity which will "deepen their involvement" in Rotary and in Loveland.
Results expected: Angel House helps to make a complete turn around for families in crises. It is a program that has involved the whole community in the solutions to homelessness. Angel House and HNS measure the success of their programming by watching families stay together, and, ultimately, leaving the program to live successfully in their own homes.
Due confidentiality and privacy concerns the agency was not able to provide photographs of the project.
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