The agency will be closed
Thursday, Dec. 24th & Friday, Dec. 25th, as well as Friday, Jan. 1st.
Community Action E-Pages
December 2020, Vol 6 Issue 3
2020 Was No Match For HRDC
During this unusual holiday season, we are thankful for the opportunity to assist the many individuals and families in our community. We are thankful for our dedicated staff and for the resources provided by our grantors, donors, and generous volunteers who give their most precious resource of time. Even during these most difficult circumstances, the compassion, empathy, hope, and the triumph of the human spirit prevails over what often seems insurmountable challenges. Please know that it is an honor and privilege to serve the families and communities of Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Yellowstone Counties. In 54 years of community action, HRDC7 understands that together we can conquer almost any challenge and overcome most barriers. If you need help, call us. If you know someone that needs help, tell them about us. HRDC 7 is here for the families and communities of South Central Montana.
While we work hard all year long to assist individuals and families, this end of year issue of the agency’s Community Action E-Pages features some of the success stories of individuals and families that we have assisted through difficult times. It is their strength and their stories that serve as a testimonial to our work.
Going back to March, 2020 no one had anticipated the intensity and ultimate impact that COVID-19 would have on Montana and the region’s families and communities.  The economic, health, and social consequences of the pandemic have resulted in job and income losses, interrupted educations, pending evictions and foreclosures, illness and deaths, increased domestic violence, and so many other unforeseen negative outcomes.

For HRDC, it meant administering its core programs and emergency services remotely. All of the agency’s programs continue to be operational, and a myriad of additional COVID-19 related emergency services are now offered as well. For HRDC and its community partners this has been a challenging time. As a Community Action Agency, we pledge to continue our efforts to serve the individuals, families, and communities of South Central Montana.  To ensure that HRDC continues to provide the essential programs and services that individuals and families need, we ask you to take 5 minutes to complete this short COVID-19 survey. No names or personal information is required and complete anonymity is guaranteed. Your honest responses will in no way impact your current or future receipt of services. The results of this survey will help HRDC provide the programs that you really need.

Thank you for helping us better assist the people and communities of our region.
Denise Jordan, CEO
HRDC7, Billings, MT
Access to resources if you are facing eviction:
Anyone in need of rental assistance or facing eviction is encouraged to work with their landlord to avoid eviction and loss of housing. If you or someone you know is facing eviction, there are two primary resources you can access.
 
 
Montana Legal Services, https://www.mtlsa.org. Montana Legal Services is currently working with the state of Montana to promote ways to help Montanans with their housing/eviction rights and legal counsel. There are NO income limits to qualify for this service. It is NOT restricted to low-income households.
Making a Difference in Childcare
There’s a long list of Montana’s essential workers that have unselfishly cared for us when we were sick, helped to protect our families in times of uncertainty, taught and cared for our children, and ensured we had uninterrupted food on our tables. Every day since March these dedicated men and women have put themselves on the front lines to ensure the well being of others living in our communities. In the midst of unprecedented events, we have observed the best in people who have come together to feed and shelter the hungry and homeless, assist the elderly, deliver food, and so many other magnificent acts of kindness. To ensure that these brave men and women are able to continue their gallant service, it is the childcare providers that care for their children while these first line workers care for us.
A Gift to the Community

In the spirit of holiday and community giving, Nathan Stone, franchise owner of Red Wing Shoes in Billings and Bozeman has established a fund to donate $5 for every pair of shoes or boots sold in his stores during the month of December. Proceeds from the Billings store will assist HRDC 7 in Billings. 
Nathan, a retired attorney from the Denver area has been an advocate for the homeless and disenfranchised populations in his home state of Colorado.  In his recent move to Bozeman, he and his family are committed to carry on this initiative through their December Red Wing Donation program.  The campaign has placed radio ads with various Billings stations to target holiday shoppers and let them know about the donation program.  All funds donated through this promotion go to support HRDC programs and services. 
The Billings Store outlet: Red Wing Shoes is located at:111 S. 24th Street, Billings, MT 59102.
Phone: 406-656-6450 
Moving Forward, A Story of Triumph
My name is Micki Morrow, and I would like to take a minute to tell you my story. Not everyone starts off with life being great or even remotely good in some cases. Well honestly, I am one of the unfortunate few that struggles with a lifelong fight against addiction. It wasn’t until about 4 years ago that I understood I could fight back and win.
I chose the wrong path for most of my life. I started using meth when I was 11 years old. By 17 I was selling it and ended up in A.Y.A Child Reform School before my graduation. By some odd chance I still managed to graduate High School the week before I was shipped off. It was never the case that I was not smart enough to know better. I was and still am an addict. After I was released from the institution, I stayed off meth for 10 years. However, I ended up in a bad accident and was prescribed pain medication for several years. I became addicted to OxyContin and started drinking to help ease the pain.
HRDC Printable Resources
If you are part of any group, a church, a club, or civic organization, we have provided a printable version of the HRDC poster that describes the agency’s services and contact information. If you know people that need help, tell them about us. If you have a bulletin board, print and hang the HRDC poster, so that as many people as possible know that we are here to help.

New Crisis Hotline
The Montana Crisis Recovery hotline is funded and available for at least the next nine months. Montanans in need of crisis counseling can call 1-877-503-0833 to receive free and confidential counseling services from trained crisis counselors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Crisis Text Line is available 24/7 by texting MT to 741 741; the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 800-273-TALK (8255); the Warmline is available Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. at 877-688-3377; and information about Thrive by Waypoint Health, an online cognitive behavioral therapy for those actively working to manage anxiety and stress, is available at https://thriveformontana.com/.
District 7 HRDC | www.hrdc7.org