Sheffield Place Board Member, Dan Mueller, Talks about Why He Supports Sheffield Place

Dan shaved his COVID hair and beard to raise funds for Sheffield Place.

To me, the critical part is how Sheffield Place helps the mothers and their children become self-sufficient, which entails helping the mothers provide for their children and become a contributing member of society. This is no easy task based on the trauma that these mothers have experienced, and there is not a 100 percent success rate. However, Sheffield Place continuously dedicates time and effort to help each family become self-sufficient and break the cycle that they currently find themselves within.

For each family that is successful, this program provides both the mother and their children the opportunity to hopefully achieve greater happiness within each of their lives and then continue not having those prior experiences for future generations. That is why I truly believe in Sheffield Place, not just the ability to impact the present but also the ability to change the future. While my impact will never be to the significance that Kelly and the staff at Sheffield Place have on these families, it is with the full support of the Board of Directors as well as the other advisory committees that I believe we help put Sheffield Place in the best position to succeed.

And for each family that is successful in escaping their trauma and becoming self-sufficient, Sheffield Place continues to have a significant generational impact on those families but also within its surrounding community, which is why I continue to truly believe in Sheffield Place and dedicate my time and efforts in helping the organization with their mission.

Dan Mueller, Board Member

Grant Thornton      

Students from James Madison University return to Sheffield Place for spring break

After a one-year absence due to COVID-19, James Madison University students were back at Sheffield Place for their Alternative Spring Break – Go Dukes!  The 10 students painted the interior of one of the Sheffield Place houses to prepare it for the next family, organized storage, helped a client move to one of the agency-owned houses, picked up litter in the neighborhood, and held a special session with the mothers in honor of Women’s History Month, among many other tasks. 

Here are excerpts from their reflection papers that describe their experiences:

 After spending the last few days at Sheffield Place, I believe my perspective on homelessness and poverty have been utterly reshaped.  The experience at Sheffield Place was eye-opening on the importance of one’s childhood and the effects of traumatic incidents on one’s life in the long-term.  One of my favorite highlights of this journey is seeing one of the mothers move into her new house after we cleaned it.

***

Through the voices of the women at Sheffield Place, I’ve learned of the forms that trauma can take and the effects if can have on a person and their life.  Trauma, poverty, and addiction can happen to individuals regardless of their education, family life, or economic status.  In spite of the adversity in their lives, they are at Sheffield Place and are taking steps toward a life of success and happiness, and I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to learn about this place and the stories of some of the women.

***

Through this experience, I was granted unforgettable memories.  A very happy memory was seeing a mother moving into her new house with her baby.  I remember her saying, “a year and a half ago, I would’ve never thought I would be here.  I was in the streets with heroine.”  I felt very grateful that I played a small part in her journey.

***

What really inspired me was seeing how this shelter actually works.  They have different programs, a lot of rules, and a lot of restrictions.  The longer women stay in the shelter, the more they get out of it.  We heard from clients that say staying 30 days or more is tough, but you’ll reap the benefits and you will grow!  I had no idea that it was even possible to have a place that can give a homeless person a permanent fix instead of a temporary one.   I’ll miss Sheffield Place!

***

Through my time at Sheffield Place I learned about the systemic issues that impact the homeless population, how trauma and scarcity can influence every decision you make, and how much domestic violence can take away from you.  However, I think the most important part of my learning was getting to know the incredible women who stay here.

***

I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but I will say the first interactions I had with staff members created excitement and comfort I’ve not experienced in other volunteer roles.  Everyone was so approachable and friendly.  This is when I know that Sheffield Place would make an impact on my perspective on poverty and homelessness. 

***

 I was unaware of all the services and resources that Sheffield Place provides for the women and children here.  My eyes have been opened to the barriers that women face regarding homelessness and the struggles they go through to get out of it.  Sheffield Place is an amazing organization that provides love and hope for the families.  I would not have wanted to spend my spring break any other way.

***

During my time at Sheffield Place, I was able to engage in meaningful service onsite while being exposed to the stories and experiences of the mothers at the facility.  While I will never fully andstand what these women have gone through or how they ended up at Sheffield Place, I have learned so much about the value of a place that sees these women through the lens of empowerment. 

***

I admire three things about Sheffield Place that make this place great.  First, they focus on serving mothers and have a great children’s program.  To me this is what makes the place so special.  Second, the focus is on the clients.  They make the clients feel safe and build trust between them and provide so many services to these women as well as a support system.  Third, I love how Sheffield Place is always open with love and family.  When someone walks in the front door they are welcomed with open arms and hearts ready to listen without judgment.

***

Sheffield Place has deeply changed my perspective on family homelessness.  I always knew it was a nuanced issue, but I now understand that there are so many issues that go into the reasons why a person is homeless.  I also now understand why it is so difficult to escape poverty, especially if they are breaking intergenerational cycles.    

 

 

 

EXPANDED TAX BENEFITS HELP INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES GIVE TO CHARITY DURING 2021

Here is a summary of soon-to-expire changes in the tax code that may be of interest to you!

CARES Act Special Charitable Contribution Rule

·         When? Option Expires December 31, 2021

·         Who? Any individual who itemizes deductions

·         What? Can elect 100 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for cash charitable contributions to a public charity such as Sheffield Place.

CARES Act Special Charitable Contribution Rule

·         When? Option Expires December 31, 2021

·         Who? Any individual over 59 ½ years old with an IRA

·         What? Direct your IRA to send a cash distribution to a public charity, ensuring no taxable income from the IRA this year. IRA funds are considered taxable income.

CARES Act Expanded Special Charitable Contributions:

·         When? Option Expires December 31, 2021

·         Who? Any individual who takes the standard deduction

·         What? Typically, those who elect standard deductions are not allowed to claim additional cash charitable deductions. CARES Act expansion allows you to take both the standard deduction AND an additional full deduction for a cash gift to public charity up to $300.00 (or $600.00 for married filing joint returns).

For more information, please read this information from the IRS. This information is  not intended as tax or legal advice.  Please check with your legal, tax or financial advisor to ensure you are selecting the best option for your situation.

 

 

Gabby Grimaldi is serving as an intern this summer through the Catherin V. Merrill Foundation Intern Program administered by Bishop Sullivan Center.  A requirement of the program is provide a reflection each week on the experience.  Here is one of Gabby's reflections.

Going into my first week of my internship, I had no idea what to expect, but after this week I am very excited for the rest of the summer and think Sheffield Place is the best place for me. After only a week I feel like I have developed good relationships with my coworkers and the children we care for.

Everyone at Sheffield Place was extremely welcoming and approachable and made my adjustment to the new job much easier. I also met the kids who live at Sheffield House with their moms. It was a really eye opening experience because these kids have had such different lives than I have had. These kids are so young but have already been through so much, which makes my job even that much more important.

When they are with us at Project Hope, they just get to be kids and not have to worry about anything else. They get to play and have fun and enjoy things that most kids get to. We want to be able to offer a safe space for them and let them take a break.

One of the moments that sticks out the most from my first week is with one of the 2 year old boys named Jayden. It was during afternoon group and the younger kids were running around playing with different toys. Jayden brought a plastic octopus up to me and put it on my head. I tilted my head and it fell off, which made Jayden burst into a huge laugh. He picked up the octopus, put it on my head, let it fall, and laughed again. This continued for about 10 minutes, switching between me putting it on his head and him putting it on my head.

Seeing him with such a huge smile on his face made my day, and I felt like I could see God through him giving me a bright spot in my day. Those little moments in the day of the kids make the long hours of cleaning and trying to get the kids to listen worth it.

This week I felt grateful for the life that God gave me, and even more grateful for this opportunity to serve those who have faced more hardships in their lives than I have. Service has always been a big part of my faith, as I feel that giving back to those in need is the best way to try to live a life that exemplifies how Jesus lived.

I know how blessed I have been in my life, so I see service as a way to help those who have not been as blessed and remind them that God is always with them even through the hard times. This is more than just a summer job to me. I hope that I can have an impact on the lives of these kids and families in need, but I also know that they will have a huge impact on mine too and help me look at things from a new perspective.

 

Dani, right, works with a child in the Project HOPE children's program at Sheffield Place.

Sheffield Place benefited from the services on intern, Danyel Crispin this summer.  Dani is a student at KU and interned full-time at Sheffield Place through the faith-based internship program adminstered by Bishop Sullivan Center.  In the following essay written as a reflection paper for the internship program, Dani explores the insight she gained into the nexus of theory and practice in trauma recovery.  Thank you, Dani, for your hard work and dedication to the children and families at Sheffield Place.

Hurt People, Hurt People

            Every evening at Sheffield Place, the staff members teach the kids a lesson on bullying. This past week, the kids have focused on the question, “Why do bullies bully?” The responses and discussion we have had on this question have been so interesting, and I have continued to ponder this question in relation to counseling and healing (what I am considering going into) throughout the week. The main answer to this question can be summed up in the phrase “Hurt people, hurt people.” With the kids, we talked about the fact that bullies do not just bully for fun; instead, they bully for a sense of control because they feel powerless in another aspect of their lives. Speaking about this topic to a group of children who know very well what it means to feel powerless has a lot of weight, it got me thinking about ways in which I can help others to regain a sense of security in order to prevent abusive and bullying relationships from forming.

            One of the biggest reasons why I was so excited to be at Sheffield Place this summer is because of their emphasis on recovery and rehabilitation. I get to witness some of the most beautiful stories of hope and transformation occur in the lives of women and their children right before my eyes. Whether in movies, on the news, or in real life, I love a good transformation story. The process of healing and recovery is what drew me into being interested in psychology and counseling. I think part of why I am so fascinated by stories of restoration is because it is a reflection of the Paschal Mystery we are all called to enter into.

Sr. Miriam James Heidland, a Catholic speaker, frequently says that “Suffering that is not transformed will be transmitted,” in speaking about the necessity of encountering Christ’s healing touch. In taking the question of “Why do bullies bully?” one step deeper, I can ask myself “Where I am hurting, and how is that transmitting into my relationships with others?” In examining these places of woundedness, I can start to recognize where I need to seek healing and transformation. Healing can take place in all sorts of environments where loving community and truth are present, including churches, gyms, therapy offices, schools, and shelters like Sheffield Place. I believe that total restoration, the kind of wholeness that God is calling us to, takes all of these facets of healing because we are physical, psychological, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual beings.

Any person that we may encounter as impatient, rude, judgmental, etc. is reflecting their pain which has not yet been healed. Keeping this in mind, and looking at someone in this way--as a person with a story, not an obstacle to our happiness--can totally change the way we live. This summer has been an amazing opportunity for me to receive the women and children at my internship as persons with stories who have been affected by their wounds and trauma. Seeing them this way has allowed me to be more understanding and give them extra grace because I only see them as a person who is hurting. It has also given me the opportunity to look inward, recognize my own wounds, and be more merciful with myself, as well.

 May 6,2020 

By David Hanzlick – Director, Program and Development, Sheffield Place
[The post was requested by Country Club Christian Church as a part of their annual stewardship campaign.]

The COVID-19 crisis has cast a dark shadow of uncertainty around the world and on the doorstep of Sheffield Place. The mothers worry about their health, the health of their children, their ability to stay clean and sober amidst the anxiety, and their ability to earn a living. The staff – while also under stress – work to reassure the clients that addiction and mental health recovery are possible and self-sufficiency can be achieved.

In this trying environment, the concern, kindness, and generosity of friends like the members of Country Club Christian Church are valued now more than ever. The Church found ways to help – by providing face masks made by the sewing guild, donating school and craft supplies, supplying funding for emergency needs, and feeding the clients and staff with delicious food lovingly prepared. All of this occurred at a time when volunteering onsite is suspended due to the pandemic.

These expressions of caring touch the hearts and feed the bodies and souls of the families. They know that they are not alone and that people in the community care about them and are cheering for their success.

Sheffield Place has long been blessed by the active partnership of the Church and its members – through Grace at Work and other volunteer days, sustaining grant support, the donation of handsewn items by the sewing guild, and the provision of meals and fellowship provided to the families several times each year by the Bough/Berry group.

It is during the isolation of COVID-19 that clients and staff become intensely aware now more than ever of the many ways our lives are touched by the Church’s love and compassion.

JMU students return to Sheffield Place for Alternative Spring Break

Blog Post #1

Strength is at the core of the women living at Sheffield Place. They sacrifice, take risks, and venture out of their comfort zones to provide for their children. It has been moving and inspiring to hear the perspectives and journeys of some of Sheffield Place’s current clients. Their dedication and resilience is evident in the way they carry themselves. Between attending classes, working full time or multiple part time jobs, caring for their children, and striving toward obtaining permanent housing, these women show they are extremely powerful and capable of anything they put their hearts and minds to. As a woman, I am in awe of their drive. As a student, I am humbled to be allowed into their home to learn and serve. As a future healthcare professional, I am grateful to know there are organizations like Sheffield place working to connect individuals to basic needs that are absolutely essential to our ability to thrive and achieve stability.

Blog Post #2

From this past week of working with Sheffield Place, I have learned so much that I can carry with me into my future personal and professional life. This post is dedicated to sharing the five things that I admire most about Sheffield Place. First, they focus on serving homeless mothers with the highest needs and highest barriers. Very few organizations are willing to dedicate the time and resources necessary to make this possible. It is the perfect niche for Sheffield Place. Second, Sheffield Place is constantly reevaluating the ways in which they can expand their resources and meet the growing need in the surrounding community. Recently, they bought a building that will be renovated into 7 new apartments! The third thing I admire about Sheffield Place is that they commit to providing ongoing services to their clients until they decide they are ready to discontinue. This continued support and long-lasting relationship will undoubtedly make the transition to permanent housing much smoother for these mothers. Next, I am in awe at the amount of services that are even available at Sheffield Place - and in the main residential building, nonetheless. This is not only convenient for these busy mothers, but also necessary for their healing and recovery. Finally, I admire Sheffield Place for the atmosphere of love, hope, and family that they create for all of their clients. When you walk into the main building, you are welcomed, respected, and valued.

Blog Post #3

Sheffield Place has taught me so much about homelessness in regards to barriers women and their children face. Speaking to families about their stories and how they ended up arriving here has moved me in my personal life and career. Being given a new understanding like this one is something that I believe every future healthcare provider should experience. These are some of the most hardworking women I have ever met; from morning until night they are working in classes, at a job, doing chores, or taking care of their children and that is on top of personal stressors, trauma, and other barriers. This facility is phenomenal.

Blog Post #4

The week I visited Sheffield Place, so many emotions were felt, so many different perspectives were gained, but so many people were helped. At first I felt anxious because I didn’t know what to expect. When I arrived at Sheffield Place (SP), I noticed gates, a clean yard, and a sign with a profound statement: “Safe today, Strong tomorrow”. I was curious as to what was inside. When we walked in, well wait. First we got to the door and realized we had to buzz in to get inside. I guess that’s a part of their “double barrier”. David greets us on in with a smile and I see inside all of these colorful posters, beautiful dark wooden furniture and architectural details, but most of all, staff with warm and friendly smiles. I think what Sheffield Place does really well is that they act more like a family and less like a charitable business. Here, people are treated like people, not cases, who need a home with a welcoming family environment. SP takes strong moms without judgement, without victimization and with more empathy and less sympathy. SP actively tries to understand and accept their residents as they seek structure and self-sufficiency, done thru teachings on empowerment. Though SP does a lot for these women. I’d like to say that the women living in SP are already very strong due to the adversity in life they’ve faced, ranging from each unique individual to the next. Nothing made me happier than seeing new women come into the house with their children, with pure excitement of a new chapter. It seemed like there’s always another one coming in needing a little lending hand, left and right someone had boxes to be moved. Sometimes that’s all someone needs. SP inspires me and whoever is reading this hopefully, to extend this gratitude toward others, and to remember that all it takes sometimes is one saving grace. I hope to be there for someone just one time, to change their life completely; the whole trajectory… Just as SP has done for so many, and continues to do more of every year. I guess blood is thicker than water in KC, and everyone just needs to find a family to lean on.

More empathy, less sympathy

More constructive help, less fabricated help

More family, less business profit

More consideration, less assumption

More hope, less dwelling

Future, not the past

Focusing on more of the access, and less of the barriers.

Hope over dreams, which eventually become reality.

Blog Post #5

My experience at Sheffield Place

Being at Sheffield Place this week has taught me a lot to be grateful for. A roof over my head, an amazing support system, and food on the table are some to list. Sheffield Place gives these women the tools for success and self-sufficiency to thrive in the world. They give these women a support system so they do not have to feel discouraged or broken. Sheffield Place is a place for education, growth, and revamping on life. The world could use more centers like this one to give more women in the world stepping stones to a sustainable life. Women are the ones who bring new life into the world thus, women deserve a little more help and guidance along the way in their life if they need it. I will carry this experience throughout my healthcare profession and remaining adult life.

Blog Post #6

I wasn’t sure what the tenants of Sheffield Place would be like before meeting them. I thought maybe they would be timid and closed off and generally ignore volunteers such as myself. After one week of working with the individuals of Sheffield Place, I’ve found the tenants to be very kind and friendly and with a demeanor that displays strength and gratitude. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet the women and children of Sheffield Place and the chance to hear some of the valuable life advice/wisdom these women have.

Blog Post #7

Sheffield Place provides so many resources for women and their children that I was unaware of until I came to volunteer here. We helped clean houses, apartments in Sheffield Place, and moved clients. I enjoyed seeing these women transfer out of Sheffield Place and into their “forever homes”. The classes and structure that Sheffield Place provides, inspires a road to recovery and healing for these families. Sheffield Place is slowly expanding and will be able to serve even more women in the future. They are breaking down barriers to homelessness in their community.

Blog Post #8

This week at Sheffield Place has been the most rewarding experience volunteering I have ever had. These mothers have gone through so much and still keep going. They inspire me to keep going in hard times and made me realize how fortunate I am for the things I have. Before coming to Sheffield Place, I assumed all the women would have substance abuse issues but when I got here, I realized that many of the women are normal people that had multiple barriers that caused them to be homeless. This experience has opened my eyes to all the different barriers and challenges with homelessness.