Yes, It's Walk-a-thon Time Again!
Community Family Life Services (CFLS) is excited to be participating in the 22nd annual Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon scheduled for Saturday November 21, 2009 on the National Mall.
Thanks to all our friends, partners, volunteers and donors for your incredible support in 2008. Your hard work helped us to recruit over, 1,100 walkers, meet many of our goals and have a successful and fun walk.
In addition to raising awareness about issues of homelessness throughout the Washington Metropolitan Region this exciting and meaningful event also provides much needed funds to organizations like CFLS. Given the current economic climate funds from this year's walkathon will be critical in helping us to implement and sustain the programs required to transition people from homelessness and poverty to self-sufficiency. Also, the Walkathon is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to make a real difference in the lives of the homeless and underserved among us - who despite the odds are working hard and succeeding in their efforts to achieve independence.
We have a BOLD goal this year -- recruit 3,000 walkers in order to be eligible for the $50,000 Fannie Mae Walker incentive award. 3,000 is a daunting number - - but I know we can do it if we all join forces. That's why we need all our friends and supporters to sign up to join team CFLS and to encourage their colleagues, family, friends and neighbors to register to become CFLS team members too.
The registration fee is $25 for adults and $15 for youths (25 years and under). Remember 100% of your registration fee goes to CFLS. Please take a moment to go online at www.helpthehomelessdc.org/ and register to walk for CFLS.
Thank you for you continued support of CFLS and for your courage in helping to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. If you have any questions or need additional information please do not hesitate to contact us at 202-347-0511 ext. 415 or at development@cflsdc.org
Sincerely,
Claudia Thorne
Executive Director
Jeffrey Stewart
Jeffrey Stewart was determined to get his life back on track. A single father, Jeffrey and his nine year old son Jeff enrolled in Community Family Life Services Trinity Arms Transitional Program in December 2007 after their life had been derailed by a series of unfortunate occurrences. His mother had just passed away and their home was sold leaving him and young Jeff without a roof over their heads.
After moving in to Trinity Arms Jeffrey wasted no time, he set his goals with his Case Manager and then focused on them with laser sharpness. He wanted young Jeff to have stability and thrive academically, he wanted to improve his income and he wanted to be able to move into his own apartment in under two years.
Jeffrey had this to say about his experience with CFLS'. This program has made a tremendous difference for my family. It has kept us safe and has helped Jeff way beyond what I expected. CFLS has offered Jeff an academic environment when I was unable to do so. His grades in all his subjects has improved and he has so much self-confidence. Coming here has given me true peace of mind, with Jeff in the After School program I can go to work knowing he will complete his homework, study and have a nutritious meal. As for Jeff, he enjoys all the new activities he participates in like golf, ice-skating and tennis and loves to tell me about what he learns in after-school and summer camp. He also learned about taking responsibility, respecting others as well as himself. "My case manager gave me great support and all the resources I needed to achieve my goals. She worked with me, believed in me, motivated me and encouraged me my entire time at Trinity Arms. I think it would be good if all struggling families had access to a place like CFLS."
Jeffrey worked hard, took full advantage of all the resources that were available to him and achieved all the goals he set. Young Jeff was happy and excelling in school, he had increased his income by getting a new and better paying job and this past June less than two years in the program. he moved into his own apartment.
Jeffrey is still engaged with CFLS, he and Jeff participate in the Family-to-Family mentoring program, he calls his case manager to what he calls "check in" and readily shares any resources he finds that might be helpful to other families at Trinity Arms.
