Anawim Housing
Monthly E-Newsletter | June 2021

WOMEN EMPOWERING FAMILIES RECONNECT
VIRTUAL EVENT


Join us virtually for an event focused on reconnection, resiliency, and re-engagement with Anawim Housing! Hear inspiring stories of resiliency from tenants, staff and supporters as we recount Anawim Housing's mission in action over the past year. Be the first to learn about the exciting future of Women Empowering Families, hear plans for our upcoming ThanksGIVING event, and how you can become a member. Re-engage with familiar faces and meet new supporters - we miss you and can't wait to reconnect!

What is Women Empowering Families - WEF?
Anawim Housing's Women Empowering Families group was founded in 2007 with the vision of empowering Anawim Housing to provide safe, affordable homes for women, families and individuals in need. At Anawim Housing, we don't just place people in housing, we empower them to succeed.

We invite you to join us for this fun virtual event to reconnect, learn more and find ways you can get involved with Anawim Housing! Event is being hosted online via zoom:

WHEN: Tuesday, June 22nd
TIME: Noon - 1pm

REGISTER online for this free and informative event!

Once registered, you will receive an email with the Zoom meeting link. Please contact Mary Mendenhall-Core with any questions: mcore@anawimhousing.org

We look forward to seeing you!
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ANAWIM LOOKS TO CONVERT HOTEL INTO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR IOWA HOMELESS
The Des Moines Register Reports
On May 25th, Des Moines City Council gave preliminary approval to support a project that Anawim Housing has proposed as an important solution to homelessness in Polk County. The Des Moines Register spoke with Anawim Housing president Russ Frazier, who shared, "If the project moves forward, Anawim Housing would spend about $4 million to purchase the still-operating 78-room motel on Merle Hay Road and convert it into temporary and permanent housing. It would not serve as a drop-in homeless shelter. Rather it would be an apartment building with a full staff providing treatment and job-training services. We're working to ensure our hard-to-house population not only stays housed but is successful."

Des Moines Register shared of our preliminary plans to separate the hotel into two wings: permanent supportive housing for long-term clients and temporaryhousing for people and families who may become self-sufficient in the shorter term. It would offer on-site services such as mental health and substance abuse counseling, crisis intervention and job training.

We will continue to keep you updated as more develops with this project. Read the full Des Moines Register article by clicking READ MORE.

Photo courtesy of The Des Moines Register

ANAWIM'S YOUTH HOMELESS OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM
MEET WANDA - YHOP PROGRAM MANAGER
Anawim Housing's new Youth Homeless Opportunities Program (YHOP) began in November 2020. This program helps Anawim serve individuals between the age of 18-24 who have either been homeless for some time, or have aged out of foster care of another institution and will become homeless as a result. Individuals in this program have not had a family support system for most of their young life and are referred to Anawim Housing by Primary Healthcare. Many suffer from mental illness.

Wanda Price joined Anawim Housing in February as our YHOP Program Manager. She came to Anawim with an extensive educational and clinical background - including working working as a clinical director for a treatment center, and
substance abuse counselor.

But it's more than a job for Wanda. It's a passion and a true calling - One that connected Wanda to Anawim for a second time in life: 

"I have an extreme passion for our cliental. Twenty years ago, I found myself in a homeless situation with two girls. It was Anawim Housing who gave me my hand up." She works to meet each individual where they are at in life. "I know where these people have been because I've been there. Everybody deserves a chance." - Wanda shares.

Learn more about our YHOP Program and read Wanda's inspiring story by clicking READ MORE

Pictured: Wanda Price, Anawim Program Manager

MENTAL ILLNESS THROUGH THE LENS OF ANAWIM HOUSING
During Mental Health Awareness Month, Anawim Housing took time to reflect on how mental illness touches and affects so many aspects of the work we do and those we serve. In the following article, Cynthia Latcham, Executive Director, shares that "mental health is just health" and how Anawim Housing supports parity between physical and behavioral health services:

Qualifications for Anawim Housing's Permanent Supportive Housing programs include being homeless and having a disability diagnosis. The most prevalent disability diagnosis is a serious mental illness. Living with a mental illness still conjures feelings of shame and inadequacy. Mental Health Awareness Month helps to reduce the stigma and secrecy of mental illness through education and advocacy.

Having a safe place to call home is foundational for people to begin to create and achieve goals. For many people, addressing their mental health symptoms wasn't possible when they were living homeless. Once housing is provided, Permanent Supportive Housing program managers partner with participants to set goals for a happy, fulfilling and self-directed life.

Read the full story by clicking READ MORE
Anawim Housing develops stable homes and strengthens communities