St. Luke's LifeWorks St. Luke's LifeWorks

LifeWorks Highlights in
2007/2008:
• 317 adults were served by
St. Luke’s LifeWorks this past year.
• 101 children benefitted from
our programs.
• LifeWorks Centralized Referral
responded to 3,127 phone calls
from people needing help.
• 118 people who moved into
independent housing after
participating in our programs
have been able to maintain that
housing for more than one year.
• 4,474 volunteers came from all
over Fairfield County (including
Greenwich, New Canaan,Wilton,
Norwalk, Darien & Stamford), to
give 15,000 hours of service to
facilitate the LifeWorks mission.
Welcome to St. Luke’s LifeWorks…
where people learn a living.
In 2007/2008 St. Luke’s LifeWorks delivered on our mission.Thanks to
our remarkable staff, generous donors and dedicated volunteers, LifeWorks
helped 418 people who are affected by homelessness, living with
HIV/AIDS, or recovering from mental illness, learn to make their lives
work better. LifeWorks provided emergency and supportive housing,
life-long learning, and the emotional support our participants need to
attain and maintain self-sufficiency.
39% of our participants took
advantage of Life Long Learning,
our primary initiative that offers
people who are disadvantaged,
particularly by homelessness,
the opportunity for career
development, improved life skills,
and computer training to help
them become self-sufficient.
A Message From the Board President and the Executive Director
So, what do you think of when you hear the name St. Luke’s LifeWorks –
a hospital? Church? School? Well you may know better but others think
we are the “best kept secret!”
This “Best Kept Secret” distinction was recently granted to LifeWorks as
an award bestowed upon us by Moffly Publications, owners of Greenwich,
Westport and Darien-New Canaan Magazines. Mayor Dannel Malloy, City of
Stamford, CT nominated us. He stated “There is a common misconception
that homelessness is not a problem in our area because street people
are few and far between. Much of the reason for that is because St. Luke’s
LifeWorks is quietly and inconspicuously doing its job.”
Many people are often amazed to learn that LifeWorks provides educational
opportunities, housing and support services to people overcoming
homelessness in 10 locations throughout Fairfield County. We provide
permanent solutions for families, single adults, people living with HIV/AIDS
and/or recovering from mental illness to achieve greater self-sufficiency.
Homelessness is not a new social phenomenon. It requires innovative
solutions. LifeWorks is such a solution.This annual report shares how
we have been that solution over the last year.
Teaming together, employees and volunteers (15,000 hours this past
year) have been the arms and legs in making the solution come alive.
Our volunteers truly make an impact. People like Katie Rawden who
helps our children with their homework, and Rick Napier who mentors
adults in our Gilead program. We have groups such as Women of Vision
who read and do art projects with our children and organizations like
Union Baptist Church who cook and serve meals for participants at our
Woodland Campus. Corporations like PricewaterhouseCoopers who
surprise our participants with freshly painted bedrooms and bathrooms
and XL America that beautifies the landscape at Gilead House each spring.
We are grateful to all of the donors and volunteers who join us in helping
the people we walk with—day in and day out.
We dedicate our “Best Kept Secret” award to you. Your “quiet and
inconspicuous” gifts allow us to continue to make the dreams of
LifeWorks’ participants come true.
Thank you for all of your support.
Dana E. Low Rev. Richard L. Schuster
Board President Executive Director
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