Community Family Life Services

On March 19^th 2009, Community Family Life Services had a unique opportunity to be represented before the Washington, DC City Counsel. Mr. Anthony Tate a former participant in our Partners in Prosperity job training program. was asked to present his story to the Committee on Housing and Workforce Development as a testament to the impact the Partners in Prosperity program had in his life.

Mr. Tate came to Community Family Life Services last fall with a long history of unemployment. He decided to participate in the Partners in Prosperity job training program, even though he was discouraged from past rejection and failure.

Mr. Tate completed the CFLS training program, where he gained critical job skills and a new-found confidence in himself. Empowered by this positive experience he began a thorough job search determined to reach his career goals. He was supported by CFLS staff throughout his job search, which helped to keep his motivation and confidence high. He told the counsel, "They (CFLS) helped me believe that I have something to offer."

Mr. Tate was soon placed at the Carl Vogel Center as an HIV/AIDS outreach counselor. Through this employment opportunity, Mr. Tate has met his current career goals and is in a place where he will be able to grow both personally and professionally. He is able to see a purpose to his life and take pride in his work. Through CFLS's Partners in Prosperity job training program, Mr. Tate has not just found a job; he has found a life calling. As he told the counsel, "I am grateful for all those who have entered my life and I hope that my dedication towards prevention will assist the lives of those I come in contact with in the future."

The fortieth anniversary Gala celebrated not only the recent successes and accomplishments that Community Family Life Services has achieved, but the growth and progress CFLS has made as an organization and community over four decades. On hand to celebrate this milestone event were founders, long-standing donors and friends as well as new supporters all united by a common passion for helping neighbors in DC.

The celebration of this forty-year journey was best summarized by the four speakers who shared from personal experience the progression CFLS has made from its birth in 1969 to the present including the challenges and achievements of each decade.

Jessie Roderick, on behalf of Harlan Oelke, supporter extraordinaire and this year's Community Family Life Services Founder's Awardee spoke on the first decade of CFLS and how it was born out of a practical need in the then neighborhood - a program for people on probation called the Ex-Offender Program. CFLS soon expanded to serve the children in the community as well as provide for emergency needs such as food and clothing. "We did not have a strategic plan," Jessie said, "We saw a need and we responded and our desire to help is simply scriptural: Feed the hungry; Clothe the naked." Which is exactly what CFLS has done and continues to do forty years later.

Rev. Tom Knoll spoke on the second decade of the organization, a majority of which he served as the executive director. He spoke of how, programmatically, CFLS shifted from an emergency assistance organization to helping clients build a foundation for a successful future. This included the purchase of a twenty unit apartment building on the corner of 3rd and E streets that is still actively in use today by the Trinity transitional housing program. The decade of the 80's was difficult for all area non-profits as government funding had been drastically cut. Yet CFLS stayed alive and grew through the un-wavering support of dedicated volunteers and donors that believed in the mission and championed the cause.

Dennis Godfrey, former board member, shared about the third decade of CFLS' existence. As the base of donors and supporters grew, so did CFLS, which added its second transitional housing facility in the 90's along with numerous other programs. As Dennis said, "We entered a new millennium with hope and trust that we could make a difference."

Ron Morgan, First Trinity Church member and long-standing CFLS board member, spoke about the fourth decade. The first decade of the new millennium brought catastrophic events such as September 11, Hurricane Katrina and the current economic crisis. These events have challenged the fundraising efforts of many non-profits, who have had to compete for support from an ever decreasing pool of funds. Once again the dedication of CFLS donors and supporters has kept the organization going. "We started out as a faith-based organization," Ron said, "and today we are a faith-based organization...the bedrock is that faith is not only what we do, it is who we are."

CFLS' 40 years of service to the community was fully summed up by heartwarming testimonies from former clients Anthony Tate, featured in a later article in this news letter, and Betty Washington, Administrative Assistant at CFLS. Claudia Thorne, Executive Director closed the evening's program with a brief and encouraging report of CFLS' recent achievements and on-going vision.

Forty Years of Service to the Community!

Community Family Life Services 40^th Annual Gala & Silent Auction

Honoring Our Founders

Community Family Life Services hosted a very festive 40^th Anniversary Gala and Silent Auction, Honoring Our Founders, on April 29, 2009, at the Organization of American States. More than 200 persons were in attendance to celebrate with Honorary Gala Chair, Marie Johns and the Mistress of Ceremonies, Courtney Robinson of ABC7/WJLA TV. The Gala was an opportunity for Community Family Life Services, in all of its diversity among clients, staff, members, volunteers and supporters -- to collectively celebrate transformation, growth, and perseverance, not just only among those we are honored to serve, but also among ourselves.

The 40 year evolution of Community Family Life Services was eloquently told, including its victories and challenges, by Jessie Roderick for Harlan Oelke, Rev. Tom Knoll, Dennis Godfrey, and Ron Morgan. Family Life Services continues to carry out the vision of its founders to build a faith based institution to serve and support children and adults in transition. The Gala honored one of these visionaries, Harlan Oelke, with the Community Family Life Services Founder's Award which was lovingly accepted by his family -- Amelia and Don Titzman.

Among the more than 80 auction items available --including vacations, sailing expeditions, gourmet meals, flower arrangements, and beer baskets -- the art created by the children of Community Family Life Services after-school program at Patterson Elemen

tary School in Southeast Washington was the highlight. The children and their families were feeling especially valued and appreciated with their artistic contributions and the positive feedback they received. from Community Family Life Services current programs including Milestone Shelter, Trinity Arms Transitional Housing, Partners in Prosperity Employment Program, HIV Case Management, and Family-to-Family Mentoring programs were also delighted to be in attendance. former clients gave testimony, in word and in song, on the stabilizing impact of Community Family Life Services in their lives and expressed their gratitude. Community Family Life Services staff were exemplary in their service and hospitality to insure the evening's success.

Many interwoven hands continue to build and sustain Community Family Life Services and on this evening Community Family Life Services recognized First Trinity Lutheran Church with a Gratitude Award for Outstanding Service, Community Family Life Services Board Members for their Outstanding Contributions, and long time Community Family Life Services staff member Gabrielle Tibbs for 12 years of Exemplary Service, as well as members of the auction committee for their spirit of volunteerism.

The evening was a heartfelt success. Community Family Life Services raised more than $95,000 to continue to advance its mission to provide individuals and families with the tools they need to become self-sufficient and we made many new friends and supporters. A good time was had by all. Thank you so much for your support as Community Family Life Services moves faithfully into the 21^st Century.

In Service,

Claudia Thorne

Executive Director