We enter 2012 cautiously encouraged by the gains made in the past couple of years, recognizing that those in real need have not yet felt the strong shoulder of improved circumstance. This is certainly not unique to the communities CLC serves, but a national reality. A recent study of 2011 nonprofit fundraising suggests 2012 will be a challenging year. Some of the national findings: 

• No matter how large the nonprofit, the sector they served, or their geographic location, 65% reported an increase in demand for their services in 2011 Vs the prior year.
• At the same time, nearly 60% of nonprofit organizations reported their 2011 fundraising results were lower, or the same as 2011.
• Smaller organizations were most likely to experience reductions in fundraising revenue in 2011

Support and service groups like Community Lifeline Center are all under pressure to do more, with less. And, for the most part, they do. Community Lifeline was able to help thousands of individuals and families in 2011 – more than 450 every month – manage an unexpected crisis: provide financial assistance, job and life skills training, and serve as their advocates. While there were occasional bouts of uncertainty, the CLC mission was enabled by the gracious support of our church partners, the most generous support of the Texas Veterans Commission, the City of McKinney, and local companies.

But, most of all – as is often the case in human services – it was the generous support of the people in this community that ensured the momentum of the CLC mission. The checks that began arriving in December – large, medium and small – served as testament to the goodness and graciousness of the community in which we live.

If you visit the CLC website you’ll find these words:” Community Lifeline Center exists because a community stands tallest when it kneels to offer a helping hand.”  Those who support Community Lifeline don’t care because they give: they give because they care.

Giving is very personal. And very local.

Christine Hockin-Boyd
Executive Director

An easy way to help support the CLC is to use a plastic key fob at McKinney grocery stores.  Albertsons, Kroger, and Tom Thumb each give back a percentage of purchase totals when customers link a plastic key fob to the CLC.  All shoppers need to do is let the checker scan the bar code on the fob.  Most checkers can access chosen links without the fob by looking up a phone number.  It only takes a second during the check-out process. 

Periodically, the stores send a check to the CLC.  Funds received this way are unrestricted.  The Caseworker, then, is able to determine how the dollars might be of maximum help to a family or individual who qualifies for help.

To request the information needed to link your key fob to the Community Lifeline Center, please stop by the office at 503 N. Kentucky Street, just a block north of the main Library.  If a visit isn’t convenient, then call 972-542-0020, and staff will mail you what is needed to present to the grocery Customer Service desk to get you started as a supporter of Community Lifeline Center.  Doing so will provide help for neighbors who have fallen into difficult circumstances through no fault of their own.  And it doesn’t cost you a thing.

– By Linda Wilcox

 Here’s proof:

Scientists have long known about something called a “helpers high:” a chemical surge that makes people feel better when working as a volunteer or donating to a cause. It’s a mixture of serotonin, dopamine and other substances that give the rush.

Researchers from a variety of disciplines have looked at “helper’s high” and its effects on the body. Whether acts of heroism or volunteerism, altruism benefits health and longevity. When people act on behalf of others, research shows they feel great comfort and less stress.

According to Case Western Reserve University researcher and professor Stephen G. Post, It’s no surprise that those on the receiving end of kindness reap a benefit. “There are ample studies showing that when people receive generosity and compassion, there is a positive effect on their health and well-being, Post says.” But, now there is evidence that giving kindness and compassion also has a positive effect.

The professor’s research described how altruism can be an antidote for stress.  The connection was actually discovered by accident in 1957, when it was found that women with large families – who, giving as they do,  should be under greater stress and die earlier than women with few children – actually were healthier. Two other large studies found that older adults who volunteered and donated reaped benefits in their health and well being. Those who donate and volunteer live longer than those who don’t.

Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Texas at Austin also found those who volunteer live longer than those who don’t. Another study found those who volunteered at least 100 hours or more a year had lower levels of depression and mortality than those who didn’t sign up. The only other activity more strongly correlated with lower mortality than donating and volunteering, during the Texas study, was smoking cessation. Researchers have  found a 44% reduction in early death among those who volunteered a lot – a greater effect than exercising four times a week!

Don’t give up healthy eating or your gym membership. But,  you might want to go on a diet of good deeds, and a regular regimen of donating and volunteering in the coming year. Apparently it’s good for the head, good for the heart, and just about everywhere else!

But, the discussion began – as it always does – with a detailed review of what documentation is required for assistance: service forms, evidence of employment or unemployment, and documentation of the crisis. There are strict CLC protocols that have to be followed before assistance is provided.

The Community Lifeline Center receptionist recalls that “… he was not a happy camper when he left. As I was telling him about the paperwork he kept saying ‘yeah, yeah, yeah’.  As soon as the intake was done he left in a hurry.” So much so, that the office pool betting was 10-1 against his return. But, return he did. The receptionist warmly remembers: “I teased him about the day before, we all laughed and the rest is a happy history.” He received a gentle smile, genuine concern, and life changing assistance. 

Like so many who come to CLC, he learned that each and every dollar, utility payment , cooling fan, gas card, prescription assistance, training class, counseling session, personal item is given with great care. There are strict limits on who gets what and for how long. 

CLC knows that donations – whether from church partners, individuals, companies, federal, state or city grants – are a precious resource. They’re not infinitely renewable or sustainable. The donations that allow CLC to serve exist through the generosity of people who believe our community cannot thrive where there is poverty and crisis. 

So every request for assistance is vetted carefully following strict protocols. The vast majority of every dollar donated goes to provide services to those in crisis, so it’s crucial that those needs are genuine. In fact, a number of service organizations and churches refer those in need to Community Lifeline Center, because they trust CLC’s verification process and experience. 

Hope and help are very different things at Community Lifeline Center. Hope is infinitely renewable and abundant. Help is given carefully, one crisis at a time.

Topics include:

• Create a mental model of poverty
• Causes of poverty
• Generational poverty vs. situational poverty
• Hidden rules: unspoken cues and habits
• The role of language and story
• Mediation as a tool
• Mutual respect: relationships and the impact they can make
• Building resources and stages of change

Cost: $20.00 (lunch and workbook included)
Register your commitment and attendance now

Make payment — choose the option that works best for you:
#1 By check – Payble to “Community Lifeline Center” and mail to: P.O. Box 1792, McKinney, TX 75070
#2 By credit card or PayPal account — simply donate online and make a $20 donation by selecting “Special Projects”

I. Bridges Out of Poverty – Unite Dallas

Date & Time: Thursday, January 19, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm

Registration Deadline: January 12

Location: The Heights, Room A01 (201 W. Renner Road, Richardson, TX 75080)  Parking and entrance available at the sound end of the campus.

II. Bridges Out of Poverty – open to the general public

Date & Time: Saturday, January 21, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Registration Deadline: January 14

Location: The Chapel at First Baptist Church McKinney (1615 W. Louisiana St., McKinney, TX  75069)  Park in main parking lot and enter through doors to the right of the main church entrance.

For more information:
bridges@communitylifeline.org
214-542-1496

Lone Star Wine Cellars is helping families in need by sponsoring a Community Lifeline Fundraiser from now through this Friday, December 9. The best part is you can win by giving: it’s easy and it’s fun.

Here’s the easy part: just place a wrapped gift [be sure to add a label recipient gender and age] under the Lone Star Christmas tree in the hallway of the Ritz building in downtown McKinney. Or, provide a cash donation at the cash register.

The fun part?  SRS Acquisition Corporation will match all cash donations. And, your gift or cash donation automatically enters you in a grand prize drawing worth over $1,000. You not only get a warm glow by helping out a local family during the holiday season, you could walk away with a basket brimming with items from well-known McKinney merchants including: Gray Living, Home and Garden, Kiss & Make Up, Kitchenwares on the Square, Little Red Hen, NAN Lee Jewelry Co., Square Burger, UPTOWN, Laura Moore Fine Art Studios, Plum Creek Primitives, Loco Cowpoke, Patina Green, Orisons, Main Street Magic, and The Pantry.

It’s the best of McKinney all in one basket!  And, you have a chance to win by simply donating and attending the Lone Star Wine Cellars Christmas Party Friday, December 9. Live entertainment begins at 7:00 pm, and the drawing is at 8:30. Remember, you or a designate have to be present to win.

So, leave a gift under the tree, or a cash donation at the register, and enjoy the festivities at Lone Star Wine Cellars Christmas party Friday, December 9.  Your generous donation of money and time means more than you know to a family with no where left to turn.

Fair question. 

Why didn’t those in need put something away for a rainy day or an unexpected crisis? Why don’t they just get a job, or a second job? They shouldn’t have to ask for help.

Maybe, but consider Nancy*.  She and her family were doing “the right thing” – her husband had continuous employment and she was in the midst of improving her employability by working on her certification as a phlebotomist, which can take from 2 to six months. They had a circle of family, friends, co-workers; they were involved in the neighborhood, the community, their church.

They were living a normal life.

Then her husband unexpectedly died. He was the sole provider because she was in school. Just prior to his death he was on workman’s compensation due to an on-the-job injury. Nancy informed the company of his death, and requested access to his life insurance. But, he apparently had a conversation with a supervisor stating that the severity of his injuries could keep him from returning to work.  So, the company denied he was an active employee and was not, therefore, covered by insurance.

Nancy was now both alone and without finances, and at risk for homelessness. Community Lifeline Center was able to assist with her rent, water, and electric payments. Her church family graciously donated money to partially cover funeral costs, with the remainder coming from a loan from her Aunt. With this little bit of breathing room her plan is to repay all once her certification is complete. She is most optimistic about her future.

And then there is Stacey*. 

Being a newlywed is supposed to be a happy time, but for Stacey, bliss will have to wait.  A 27 year old veteran, she came to Community Lifeline Center seeking assistance with her electric bill. Although newlyweds, she has combined her family with her new husband’s resulting in a modern day Brady brunch of 5 children. Stacey can only work part-time as she was injured during her last deployment. The family relies on her husband as sole provider. Unfortunately, one month after they were married, her husband unexpectedly lost his job.

5 children, utilities, and rent to pay all became overwhelming.

Working with her Case Manager at Community Lifeline Center, she was able to sign up her husband for the 4 week long job seekers class. She received assistance with her electric bill and received assistance with new shoes for herself, her husband and all 5 of her children. She left Community Lifeline Center stating she would do whatever is necessary to help her family, grateful for the assistance.

Yes, maybe Nancy and her husband should have had a separate life insurance policy outside of his work to provide in the case of his death; perhaps she should have gotten her certification earlier rather than now.  Maybe she should have postponed certification after he went on workmen’s comp. Maybe Stacey should have postponed her wedding until after the economy improved, or not married at all given she is an injured veteran.

Why didn’t Nancy plan better in the event of her husband’s death; or Stacey have a plan in place in case her husband lost his job?

The truth is few of us have a perfect plan. And, most of us get lucky, so what could happen doesn’t. And, that’s why Community Lifeline Center is there:  to absorb some of the blow when the unexpected crisis collides with the imperfect plan. Just enough help to get those in need back on their feet: a little stronger, a lot wiser.

*Names are fictitious

Community Lifeline Center exists because a community stands tallest when it kneels to offer a helping hand

$15 to $20 Gift Card from an area grocery store for a family to purchase the meat of their choice (i.e. turkey, ham, chicken
Biscuit Mix
Corn Meal or Corn Muffin Mix
Stuffing Mix
Marshmallows
Stuffing Mix
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Dessert Mix
Pudding
Canned Items (minimum 2 each)
     Fruit
     Green Beans
     Corn
     Sweet Potatoes
     Broth
     Pumpkin
     Evaporated Milk
     Cranberry (1 can only)
Gravy Mix
Flour
Sugar
Brown Sugar
Pecans
Foil Roasting Pan
Pie Pan
Other items of your choice

Bring the Christmas food goodies by December 12  or sooner so that CLC Staff have ample time to distribute. And know that food goodies are welcome all year round for CLC to distribute to families in need.

Thank you for giving!