August 2014

Creating a Promising Future for the Individuals and Families We Serve

The Truth About Credit Counseling

Scott Shook, Consumer Credit Counseling Services Director

Myth: It costs too much.
Truth: Although fees are charged for some services, no one is ever denied service based on an inability to pay.

Myth: It's embarrassing to discuss my situation.
Truth: Bad things happen to good people, and seeking help when you need it indicates a sense of responsibility regarding your financial obligations.

Myth: Credit counselors only offer advice, not real solutions.
Truth: The services offered by Horizons help families get out of debt, buy a home, save a home from foreclosure, and/or reach goals that make a difference in their lives.

Myth: Credit counseling might damage my credit report and score.
Truth: Credit counseling is never reported to a credit reporting agency. Creditors may report if someone enters a debt management plan, but even then, most people complete the plan with a higher credit score than when they started.

Myth: Debt settlement or bankruptcy seem like better solutions.
Truth: Both debt settlement and bankruptcy can have serious negative consequences to your credit report. Credit counseling is designed to help you find the best option for your situation with the least amount of impact to your credit.

To learn more about Horizons Consumer Credit Counseling Services, click here.

Staff Spotlight

Aleenna Naylor-Bruck

Kitchen Manager

Aleenna has been with Horizons since 2006, and was recently promoted to the Kitchen Manager position. In her first few months in charge, she has successfully produced the first two Local Foods Days meals of the year, which included delicious menu items such as fresh rhubarb crisp. She has also led her team in a great start to the Summer Meals program, for which they are preparing over 600 meals each day, in addition to the over 600 meals delivered each day to homebound seniors.

Aleenna's cooking speaks for itself, and the catering she has done so far has been outstanding! Please see her for all your catering needs; she is always happy to help.

Stay tuned as Aleenna works to expand the Healthy Horizons Initiative and make healthy meals available to clients, staff, volunteers, and the community at large.

Aleenna's talent, ability to learn quickly, and willingness to take on new responsibility have made her an excellent model of Horizons' tagline, good people doing good things in good ways.

Healthy Horizons

Horizons Featured on Mediacom Newsleaders

Dianna Young, Meals On Wheels Director, was interviewed on Mediacom Newsleaders about our Summer Meals Program. Check out the link below to learn about our commitment to the health and well-being of every individual and family in the Greater Cedar Rapids area.

Dianna Young, Meals On Wheels Director

At the summer meal sites, any child age 18 and under can come and have a nutritious meal for free. There is no application process and the child may remain anonymous. He or she can simply come and have a meal...no questions asked. This year, Horizons received some donated funds that will allow parents of the children to enjoy meals as well.

Please help spread the word to ensure that all the kids in our community have nutritious meals over the summer.

For a list of ALL summer meals site locations in the area, click here.

Karl's Corner

"I recently moderated a discussion on Ethical Perspectives on the News on Zero Tolerance Policy in schools. While there are a variety of viewpoints on this topic, we can all agree upon the importance of quality education and safety for children. Horizons is dedicated to improving the lives of the children and families we serve. Working together with the community, I believe we can ensure safety and well-being for children in and out of the classroom."

Ethical Perspectives on the News 2014 7-06

You can also read my recent editorial piece forThe Gazette on racial equality and the juvenile justice system here."

-Karl Cassell, President/CEO

A Sweet Treat From Orange Leaf!

Treat yourself to some frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf on 2300 Edgewood Road SW on Wednesday, August 20, and they will donate 20% of all sales if you mention Horizons at the register!

Orange Leaf is open from 11 AM to 10 PM. Bring a friend and join the fun for a good cause!

Hooray!

A big THANK YOU to the Welcome Club of Greater Cedar Rapids and the Linn County Victim Advisory Board!

The Welcome Club of Greater Cedar Rapids, with help from the work of the Linn County Victim Advisory Board, donated over $2,000 to The Survivors Program in July. Funds will be used to provide services to families and individuals who have lost a loved one to homicide. Thanks for enabling us to bring help and hope to people who come to Horizons at a very dark time in their lives.

Learn more about The Survivors Program

Do you shop on Amazon.com?

Click here to have a portion of your purchases go to Horizons!

Let's face it. Everyone needs help from time to time. Whether clients are facing a financial crisis or experiencing a difficult life situation, Horizons helps with the following services:

Consumer Credit Counseling
Meals On Wheels
Mental Health Counseling
Family Outreach and Support Services

You are not alone. We help thousands of people feeling stuck, anxious, and overwhelmed by bringing balance back into their lives. Give us a call today!

There is Help. There is Hope. There is Horizons.

Our Mission: Instill hope, change lives, and brighten futures

Horizons Board of Directors

Horizons Board of Trustees

Board Chair Tom Petersen
Vice Chair Kent Mattison
Secretary Quinn Pettifer
Treasurer Casey Drew
Brittney Clarke
Rod Dooley

Amy Hubbell

Marcia Hughes
Pam Oldham
Jon Oswood
Paul Pelletier

Leah Rodenberg

Board Chair Steve Pace

John Bickel

Kathy Eno

Nancy Evans
Dick Johnson
Deborah Linberg-Gertsen

Joel Schmidt

Mick Starcevich
Gary Streit

Horizons, A Family Service Alliance

819 5th St. SE, PO Box 667

Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

319.398.3943 | www.horizonsfamily.org