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FEATURED
Defining a Future
Blake Scott is your typical 24 year-old. He recently moved out of his parents’ home, and for the last year has been learning to take care of himself - maintaining a job, experimenting with cooking and balancing his social life with his new found responsibilities. He appreciates all the ups and downs young adults go through as they navigate their independence, in large part because a few years ago he was not sure he would have the opportunity to live on his own.
Born with a developmental disability, Blake needed some level of assistance. Like many others living with a disability, he knew he could live on his own with only minimal help, but facilities that could accommodate his needs while still allowing him to retain independence are scarce.
Blake has never let himself be defined by his disability. His mother, Kathy, had always worked to instill confidence in her son. “With children with disabilities, the focus is often on what they can’t do,” says Kathy. “We have always focused on what he can do. We have to concentrate on what he can obtain and he will reach his goals.”
 With the support of his family behind him and his own determination, Blake persisted in looking for a place that would meet his needs and eventually applied to live at Green Level Homes. The Green Level Homes project was started by The Serving Cup, an organization dedicated to promoting opportunities for adults with special needs. The Serving Cup partnered with LFS Carolinas and The Arc of NC to build a six-apartment permanent housing community in Cary, NC that provides practical solutions for adults with developmental disabilities to achieve independent living and economic empowerment. An on-site program manager provides aid with transportation, job placement and assistance in the case of emergencies, but residents are primarily self-sufficient. They are encouraged to take care of their own apartments, find jobs and be active in the community.
Blake’s positive attitude made him a perfect resident for Green Level. Along with 11 others, he was selected to call Green Level home and he has since been determined to make the most of the opportunity. He regularly participates in the on-site independent living skills workshops which help residents with everything from healthy eating to at-home safety tips. He also takes part in the group activities organized by LFS staff to foster a sense of community among residents who now feel they’ve become a close knit family.
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WHAT'S NEW
LFS Carolinas receives check to assist homeless veterans
LFS Carolinas received a check for $3,000.00 to support Kinard Manor, a transitional housing facility for homeless veterans.
Kinard Manor was a beneficiary of the Lutheran Men in Mission of the Lutheran Church By The Lake’s 10th Annual “Bob White” Memorial Golf Tournament.
Located in Greenwood, SC, Kinard Manor is a ten-bed transitional housing facility for homeless male veterans. The home addresses the needs of veterans who have had difficulties adjusting to life after their time in services. Some may be disabled or may have a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder or other combat related illness making it difficult to find consistent work and housing.
Kinard Manor offers employment and benefit assistance, transportation to and from medical appointments and job interviews, counseling, re-integration into the community and support from local faith groups. The objective is to transition the veterans to independent living as soon as possible. The funds will be used to support the general operations of the home.
LFS Carolinas also operates two homes for female veterans, Angels House in Columbia, SC and Faith Farm in Dallas, NC.
PHOTO: (from left to right) Jim Hogan, Lutheran Church By The Lake, Pastor Jim Kinsler Lutheran Church By The Lake, Terry Weeks, Program Director for Kinard Manor, LFS Carolinas and George Knox, Director of Residential Services, LFS Carolinas.
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First Annual Golf Ball Drop
Come Support the LFS Carolinas
Golf Ball Drop
Saturday, May 14th, 2011 11am-2pm
TS Martin Ball Field
1810 Germany Street
Columbia, SC 29204
Plans are currently underway for this exciting event.
What is a Golf Ball Drop?
1,000 Golf balls will be sold for $20 each and taken up into a hot air balloon and dropped onto a huge target. Once all of the balls have rested on the ground, we will list all of the golf ball numbers from the closest to furthest from the bulls-eye. Prizes will be given to winning golf balls from the closest to the bulls-eye out until we run out of gifts! One lucky person may win $20,000!!!!
How Do You Win $20,000
We purchase something like a "hole in one" insurance policy. This means that an insurance company will randomly select five numbers. If the ball closest to the bulls-eye matches one of those five numbers, they win $20,000!
(This also means that LFS Carolinas in only liable for the cost of the insurance policy and not the whole $20,000. There is no guarantee that someone will win the $20,000.)
Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Selling Golf Balls: We have 1,000 golf balls to sell. We are seeking volunteers to sell books of 25 golf balls. All we need is 40 people to make this happen! This is ESSENTIAL to making our event a success!
Collecting Prizes: The prizes for all winners will be donated from local merchants. We need great volunteers to go out and talk to local businesses to collect great prizes!
Entertainment: We would LOVE to have a few bands or entertainers there. We are looking for a few people to organize some family-friendly entertainment!
Concessions: What’s a carnival without great food? We are seeking organizations, church groups or businesses to come out and sell food the day of the event. Their space will be FREE and they will get TONS of advertising. We just ask that they return 10% of the day’s profits as a donation to LFS. Volunteers will be helpful in contacting organizations and getting them signed up!
Please contact Courtney McDuffie at 803-461-2613 or courtney.mcduffie@lfscarolinas.org if you're interested in getting involved.
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The Faces of LFS
Courtney Morton
WISH Lead Social Worker
Embracing Christ’s call to serve, LFS Carolinas walks with the most vulnerable in our communities toward healing and wholeness. That is the mission statement of LFS Carolinas, and that is what WISH Lead Social Worker Courtney Morton says first enticed her to join this agency.
“My job is such that I continue to be able to meet Christ in the people I serve each day,” said Courtney. “It continues to amaze me how people can be changed by relationships with others.”
WISH stands for Workforce Initiative for Supportive Housing. It is a unique program that helps working poor families maintain quality, affordable housing, while also helping them become self-sufficient.
WISH utilizes an intensive social work model featuring wrap around services such as Hope Teams which provide encouragement and support to families moving from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Each Hope Team features four to six community volunteers who work along with WISH social workers.
A big part of Courtney’s day-to-day duties involve the WISH families and their matched volunteer Hope Teams. She works with these families on setting their goals for becoming self-sufficient, and she facilitates relationships of friendship and support between the families and their Hope Teams.
“I have been able to witness many memorable moments between participants and Hope Teams where they both have been changed by learning about each other,” said Courtney.
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Photos: Courtney Morton with her daughter, Claire
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Party with a Purpose
LFS invites you to host a Party with a Purpose, a small party held to introduce 10 of your closest friends to the mission of LFS. Your party can be organized in many different ways; including small dinner parties, breakfast gatherings, backyard barbeques, social hours, etc.
The goal of Party with a Purpose is to showcase the mission of LFS Carolinas and highlight the need for ongoing community support, which will hopefully motivate your friends to make a financial contribution. An LFS development associate would be at your party to give a presentation about LFS Carolinas and encourage guests to make a donation.
Attn Thrivent Members:
If your Thrivent chapter and/or church groups are looking for ways to help LFS Carolinas, please consider holding a Party with a Purpose! It is a fun and easy way to help us raise funds during a time when cash donations are critically needed. As you know, if at least six of your guests are Thrivent members, then the donations we receive would be matched by Thrivent.
If you are interested in helping with this important fundraising initiative, contact:
NC - Michael Handy, (704) 301-4497, michael.handy@lfscarolinas.org
SC - Courtney McDuffie, (803) 461-2613, courtney.mcduffie@lfscarolinas.org
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Upcoming Events
Foster Care Information Session
March 29, 2011
6 - 7:30 PM
4822 Albemarle Rd
Charlotte, NC 28205
Golf Ball Drop
May 14, 2011
11 AM -2 PM
TS Martin Ball Field
1810 Germany Street
Columbia, SC 29204
The Richland County Public Library is hosting
Let's Speak English
A program to facilitate conversation among international adults and local volunteers. One hour conversation sessions allow internationals to practice speaking English in a relaxed environment.
Visit www.myrcpl.com
for more information and dates.
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Church Notes
Resources for Congregations
Monthly Article
Defining a Future
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March is NC LFS Month
The NC Synod of the ELCA graciously recognizes March as LFS Month.
During the month of March, we invite your church to select a day to observe LFS Sunday, which would include the collection of a special offering to benefit LFS Carolinas.
To schedule a visit from LFS, please contact Michael Handy at (704) 301-4497 or michael.handy@lfscarolinas.org.
If you need a bulletin insert to announce LFS Month, please click the links below.
LFS Day Bulletin Insert
LFS Day Bulletin Insert
(black and white)
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Food Lion Community Rewards
When you shop at Food Lion you can support LFS! Register your MVP card online with the Food Lion Community Rewards program. Select LFS Carolinas as your charity using our organization code 252293. Every time you shop using your card, LFS will get a percentage of all Food Lion brand products purchased.
BI-LO Boosters Plus
LFS can also earn one percent of your purchases at BI-LO. Just print the this enrollment card and take it with you next time you shop.
Donate Today
There are many ways you can support LFS Carolinas as we help the vulnerable people in our communities. To learn how your gift can make a difference click here.
1-800-HELPING
www.lfscarolinas.org
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