Highlights of November 9 Meeting

 

Before the bell was rung to begin the meeting, members and guests enjoyed a great meal and some social time.  Before actually checking items off her agenda, President Colleen introduced Amy, who is the catering manager at the Doubletree.  After Amy learned about our McKinney Vento - Rotary Bridges to Education program, she wanted to share a personal story.  There was a time when she had three children in the Mesa Public Schools and became homeless.  The McKinney Vento regulations allowed her children to remain in their schools even though they were moving, which allowed more stability than she imagined would be possible.  What she learned through working with that program opened other roads for Amy and her family. Thankfully, she is no longer in that situation, but - having been there - she is very touched by the program Mesa West Rotary is beginning this year.

 

 

 

 

Don was prepared with his notebook of scheduling sheets for the Salvation Army bell-ringing shifts at our station at the Bass Pro Shop.  He passed it around at the meeting.  Members need to sign up for 2-hour shifts.  It would be ideal if every member would sign up for at least three.  We start our duties the Friday after Thanksgiving.  The early weeks are usually the hardest to fill.  Don says it gets easier as people get more into the spirit of the season.  The picture of Allan and Polly Cady was taken last year to remind us that it's a fun, enjoyable experience smiling at and talking to strangers. Our station is by the store exit where people leave after some self-indulgent spending which often seems to make them feel like maybe they should be generous and help those who have less. . . Don sent a list since the meeting of shifts during those early weeks that are still open.  Let's try to make his job a little bit easier this year.  

 

 

 

Chuck asked our exchange student to draw the winning ticket.  After no-one claimed to have the number drawn, Chuck checked his own ticket and he was the winner of the $35 small pot.  He asked Olivia to shuffle the cards while he looked away before he tried to draw the Ace of Clubs which would have made him the winner of an additional $1,285.  Of the nineteen cards remaining in the deck, the card drawn was the Queen of Diamonds.

 

 

 

 

 

President Colleen introduced Justin saying he was one of the first people she met when she became a member of this year's  Mesa Leadership class.  After Justin learned about the project Mesa West Rotary is starting this year, he shared his personal story.  Colleen thought this particular meeting would be a perfect opportunity for him to share his story with our club.  Justin's early ears were spent in northeast Pennsylvania in a depressed farm community.  His family moved to Arizona in 1996.  Everything seemed fine - until it wasn't.  They were evicted from their home.  His mom's car was repossessed.  His sisters and their mom stayed at friends where there was a high level of drug activity.  His sister quit school.

 

Justin bounced around staying at different friend's homes.  Out of necessity, his priority changed from school to survival.  He stayed in school but abandoned his dreams of going to the Air Force Academy, and playing college football.  He had to start life.  He had to work.  Work was most important.  He started his own business in 2005.  It was a struggle to work, keep his bills paid and help his mom when he could.  His oldest sister - the middle child - went down a really bad path and eventually passed away.  His youngest sister struggled, but eventually did well.

 

 

Meetings are being held at the high schools where the unaccompanied homeless students which our club will be working with are registered.  On November 6, they met with five students at Westwood High School.  On November 8, the meeting was with two Mountain View High School.  The remaining three students will be introduced to Mesa West Rotary volunteers during meetings to be held November 13 and 14.

 

Dick Myren was at one of the meetings and made an "elder statesman" statement.  Of the ten students identified, only one is a boy.  The other nine were girls.  Liz Polis said the ratios are similar in her College Bound program - 80% are women, 20% men.  Dick said the students were very quiet at first, but after some icebreakers, all participated and made a good impression.

 

She could tell stories about folks who have been homeless benefitting from the stability benefit of children being able to stay at the same school.   Federal law requires that students need to be enrolled immediately.  If they are unable to produce a birth certificate or shot records, those details cannot prevent enrollment.

 

"Unaccompanied" youth do not live with their biological or court appointed guardian.  Some run away from abuse, including drug or alcohol abuse.  Every three years, the school system applies for a grant which is used for more than food.  It is also used to provide gift cards and hygiene supplies.  Transportation from shelter to school must be provided for the students.  This can include city bus passes, gas cards, Some transportation is provided by third party vendors where the students are picked up in cars and dropped at school.  These drivers have to be background checked.

 

Rents doubled and tripled during COVID.  Saving for a deposit is impossible for moth.  They end up living with other families and/or friends.  Shelters are full.  A program called Community Bridges provides shelter for up to 90 days, but are always full.  Last year, there were 1200 homeless students of which 178 were unaccompanied.  So far this year, there have been 650 homeless students with 143 unaccompanied.  When Colleen contacted Jane, she referred her to Chandler where a similar system was already working.  The goal is to get the number of graduates higher.

 

Lisa is a Social Worker.  She meets with homeless high school student weekly to find out what kind of help is needed..  Lisa is at a different school every day checking on her students' attendance and checking in.  Many of the students are in credit recovery classes.  She loves collaborative work  She sees her work as really important and it is obvious she is personally veryemotionally invested.  She loves the kids and loves the work.

 

The graduation rate at Mesa Public Schools is 75%

 

Over Zoom, Allan Cady made a pitch for Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona being a resource for some of the youth.

 

Helen's Hope Chest is a private boutique for foster kids.  It will be open to our ten kids to shop there twice each year.

 

The blankets made and donated by Son Hee Williamson were very well received.

 

Pam Cohen commented that Lisa personally screened our students.  It was obvious Lisa knew the kids.

 

Lisa shared that they are putting together holiday wish lists, but it is hard for some of the kids to come up with anything to ask for.

 

When the students graduate, their chrome books will have to be turned back into the school.  In today's world, that kind of tool is a necessity.  Donated laptops would be something to consider.

 

 

 

Don LaBarge appealed for help at the Veterans Day parade to be held Saturday.

 

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