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

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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 1
In Honor of Our Volunteers No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. ThankYou. Author Unknown Katie Rawden came to St. Luke’s LifeWorks as a sophomore from Darien High School, asking what she could do to help. She took the initiative and became dedicated to improving the lives of children experiencing homelessness through the development of Homework Helpers. With a group of her high school friends, these volunteers meet on a weekly basis to help the children at St. Luke’s LifeWorks understand and complete their homework. As a result of Katie's leadership, children’s report cards show improved academic achievement, and they relate better with each other–both significant challenges for children who are homeless. Katie received a Light a Fire award from Moffly Publications this year when she was recognized as Fairfield County’s “Extraordinary Teenage Volunteer.” “Katie shows true compassion, caring and leadership.” Elaine Osowski – Director of Voluntary Services. 2 Rick Napier joined St. Luke’s LifeWorks as a volunteer in November, 2005. In the period since then he has given over 2,800 hours to the agency averaging 30 hours per week. Rick has been passionate in his support of our mission to provide educational opportunities, coaching/mentoring and housing for individuals and families facing homelessness, recovering from mental illness or living with HIV/AIDS. Rick’s volunteer efforts include doing everything from developing databases for making our Holiday Gift Collection run smoother to mentoring people like Mark Evans in this photo with Rick on the right.Rick’s direct involvement with over 100 program participants has directly impacted their ability to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. In 2007 Rick received a Volunteer Recognition Award from the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield. “Rick’s gifts of time and talent are invaluable to the organization and to the lives of the people he touches. The Rev. Richard Schuster – Executive Director Thank You Katie. Thank You Rick. 3
Page 1: St. Luke’s LifeWorks New Beginnin
Page 5 and 6: Supportive Housing & Living Our Pot
Page 7 and 8: Honor Roll of Giving Gifts Received
Page 9 and 10: Honor Roll of Giving Gifts Received

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

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