• Brought us a new vacuum cleaner

• Have given us plants monthly

• Came back to Frederick Place to prepare a meal for the residents

• Brought flowers to brighten up the staff office

• Donated $200 worth of food

• Dropped off donuts for the residents and staff

• Provided website support

• Refinished the gathering room table

• Volunteered at Frederick Place

• Volunteered at fundraising events

• Volunteered when NATH does “ The Table” at St Augustine

• Made a meal for their fellow residents with their funding

• Came back and became a staff member

• Purchased raffle tickets

• Purchased food from our brat sales

• Donated hand crafted items to display at Frederick Place

• Donated hand-crafted items for fundraising

• Donated furniture for future residents

• Donated clothing for future residents

• Refinished the brick work for our garden area

• Helped with major yard work

• Helped haul items for rummage sale

  
  

Some of these acts happened during their stay at Frederick Place, but most of them happened after they left the house.  It is often hard for adults to find ways to say “thank you” with words, but for me a thank you means much more when shown with their actions.

Making a difference in the lives of those who have called Frederick Place home is thanks to all my staff, board members, volunteers, and everyone who supports us in any way.  Thank you!

A special thank you goes out to the businesses that supported us with delivery orders: Print Pack, Ripco Credit Union, ABX, Superior Diesel, Diel Insurance, CLC, Co Vantage Credit Union, Northwoods Auto Tech, Rhinelander Police Department, and Oneida County Sheriff's Department.

This month I’m subjecting you to an article of the educational variety centered on housing assistance. Yeah, it is kind of boring and really not my style, but I do feel this aspect of our residents’ struggles deserves explanation and attention.

In today’s society there seems to be a common misconception that one who is homeless has zero income.  At Frederick Place, a fair amount of our residents have jobs upon entrance. Those who are not employed do not find it too difficult to find a job if they are willing to do any kind of work. We also have residents who receive social security disability insurance payments every month. Unfortunately, the amount of their income source is often not enough to find affordable housing.  Thankfully, in many Wisconsin counties, help is available through NEWCAP. This entity is a private non-profit Community Action Agency whose mission is to look for and help eliminate the causes of poverty that keep people from being independent and self-sufficient. The NEWCAP program we most often see is the “Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program.” This program provides on-going rent assistance paid directly to the property owner to cover the difference between fair market rents and what the tenant can afford to pay. The hope is that during this period of housing assistance, the tenant will be able to better their circumstances so assistance is no longer needed.  What follows is an explanation of the process a resident goes through to receive help from NEWCAP.

When a resident arrives, they are told they need to make an appointment for a phone interview with an employee of NEWCAP to determine eligibility. To be eligible they have to have an income, and that income must be at or below 50% of the county median income. I could throw those numbers at you but suffice it to say if they are living at Frederick Place, their income is not high enough to affect their eligibility. What does prevent them from being eligible is a history of drug related criminal activity or violent criminal behavior. If they are eligible, they are placed on a priority list and receive an application. Once the application is complete we fax it and wait for the magical letter informing them they have an appointment with a NEWCAP representative.  How long it takes for the arrival of this letter varies. I’ve seen a resident receive one within days, and I’ve seen it arrive when a resident has begun to envision themselves out on the street and sleeping in a laundromat that is open all night.

After receiving their letter our residents impatiently wait for the appointment at which they will receive their housing coupon and review program requirements. The value of their housing coupon is determined HUD’s (Housing and Urban Development) Fair Market Rent Documentation System, which involves a formula that makes as much sense to me as freshman algebra did. The 2017 fair market value for a one bedroom apartment and utilities is $582.00 - which sounds like easy money.  However, the journey is not at all easy, and this assistance is available for a maximum of 12 months.

Once a resident has found a place and a landlord willing to rent to them, they complete the landlord’s application and notify NEWCAP. At this point some hit the wall as a result of a poor rental history or no rental history at all. The landlord cannot be blamed for declining to rent to someone whose past came back to haunt them, nor are they obligated to take a risk on someone who has never paid rent.  After all, it is their property and they need to protect their investment. If a property owner decides to take a leap of faith and rent to a Frederick Place resident, the future landlord submits a form entitled “Request for Tenancy Approval” to NEWCAP. Once this form is received, a decision is made as to whether the unit is affordable and reasonable. If the unit is deemed to be affordable a HQS (Housing Quality Standards) inspection is completed to assure the resident’s future home is safe, decent, and sanitary. If the unit does not pass, the owner must make the necessary repairs or changes before entering a lease contract. The lease must be for at least six months with a possible six month extension. At the end of this time period the lease can be renewed unless the owner terminates for good cause, the tenant relocates, or the tenant/landlord agree to mutually break the lease. After the lease is signed and all loose ends are tied up, the resident is on to better days. For many, the prospect of having a place to call their own has been a long time coming, and they have minimal household items. Thanks to the generosity of donors and businesses, I am often able to put together a “care package” that includes kitchen items, new bathroom towels, cleaning products, and consumable items.

It is difficult to convey the emotions involved during this process for residents and staff alike. There is nothing better than being greeted by a resident who received their magical letter. On the flip side it is hard to watch a resident become discouraged. When that happens, I channel my “inner Springsteen,” and tell them to believe in hope, believe in the faith that can save them, and keep pushing until these badlands start treating them good. Nine times out of ten they do just that, and before they know it they have entered their land of hope and dreams.

We’ve joined the Buzz Points network! Buzz Points has partnered with  Ripco Credit Union or Park City Credit Union to give their cardholders a free rewards program.

 Here’s how it works:

Ripco Credit Union

or

Park City Credit Union

Cardholders earn points for every dollar they spend  using their enrolled debit or credit card.

When enough points are accrued, they can be redeemed for rewards to local or national                businesses. Points can also be redeemed as a monetary donation to local charities on the Buzz Point network.

If you’re a cardholder of either establishment, it’s now easier than ever to donate to a local cause. When your ready to redeem your points, our organization will be listed in the Buzz Points online and mobile Rewards Directory. Please consider donating in this manner to NATH.

If you debit or credit card is not registered go to https://www.buzzpoints.com/

Do your everyday shopping with hundreds of great brands and earn cash back for your organization on every purchase!  

We earn even more when you share this program with your friends and family. When they shop their purchases will earn you additional cash back.

Apply for your Thrivent action Team to assist NATH.

Go to Thrievent.com/action team to get started. Here are some questions you may see when applying. What is the need you and your volunteer team want to tackle? How will your volunteer team spread generosity in your community? When will your project take place? How will you use your $250 seed money to make a bigger impact?

Once you submit your application, it’s typically review within a few days. When you project is approved, you will get to customize a hand packed Thrivent action kit based on what your team needs, including promotional banner, Live Generously T-shirts, step by step guides, invitations, thank you notes and a $250 Community Impact Card to use as seed money to get your project off the ground.

Some of the ways you could help NATH/Frederick Place, would be as a sponsor for Summer Raffle, Anniversary Benefit, Harvest Hoedown, Soup for Shelters, Golf Scramble or by preparing a meal or two for the house residents.  Any contributions are greatly appreciated.

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