How 'bout them Cowboys?

You can probably guess where most people will be this Sunday at noon... in front of their televisions watching the Dallas Cowboys take on Tampa Bay. Nothing rivals football season in the fall. Especially the Cowboys. But what about those loyal fans who don't have a tv or a place to watch the game? They miss out on something they really enjoy and an opportunity to hang out with fellow fans.

The Stewpot opened its doors for the Cowboys' season opener a couple of weeks ago. Over 100 people attended. They enjoyed the first victory of the season, good food, and camaraderie. This is something we'd really like to keep going for a couple of reasons: 1) It gives the people we serve an opportunity to hang out and have some fun. 2) It provides another volunteer opportunity on the weekends.

We'll open up for game day watch parties on Sundays (only for 12PM or 3PM games). The 7PM games cause an issue with curfews and getting beds at shelters. So this is where the opportunity comes in for you! We would love to have volunteer groups come in and provide snacks, pass out drinks, pop some popcorn for everyone to enjoy, and hang out and get to know our clients.

If you have a group of friends, church group, work group, etc. interested in sponsoring and volunteering one of the games, contact Stephanie McKee (stephaniem@thestewpot.org). We'd love to have you as early as the game this week! This week the Cowboys play Tampa Bay at home at 12PM. If you're a fan, this is an incredible opportunity for you!

Demo Day

"Demo Day" is this Sunday, April 22

On most Sundays, the corner of Young and Park witnesses the arrival and departure of those attending First Presbyterian Church. Sometimes, street feeders swoop in to the southside of Young, pulling up in front of The Stewpot’s main door, to hand out sausage sandwiches and a few words of evangelism to homeless individuals.

But this Sunday, something entirely different will occur at the corner of Young and Park—a building will be dismantled to pave the way for an outdoor amphitheater. What you will be able to see swooping in this Sunday will be a demolition claw knocking down the walls of 1900 Young.

Sometimes, something must be torn down for something new to be built up. In good theological fashion, that is the current situation for 1900 Young. That building will come down so that something new can come forth.

Demo Day marks the beginning of a major expansion of The Stewpot’s ministry. The Stewpot will reach across Park Avenue to save a historic building and create a resource center, with something for everyone. In this, it continues its innovative approach to emerging community needs.

Last year when The Stewpot purchased the three properties across from it, they had been empty and neglected for twenty years.

The Stewpot recognized that they provided a unique opportunity to grow its programs. For the core clientele of The Stewpot, programs we have been involved in will be able to be expanded by the addition of the space across the Street.

The Open Art Studio will move to 508 Park, and a pottery workshop and framing shop will be added.  The concerts for homeless individuals which have been ongoing for more than fifteen years will perhaps be staged in the amphitheater in future years.

A recording studio will be created, so that groups can record in the historic space where people like blues legends Robert Johnson and Eric Clapton recorded in the past. Homeless individuals will be provided opportunities to record.

Educational opportunities for children and youth will include receiving music lessons from our music partners. They will also have the opportunity to learn how to do a music recording in the recording studio.

          Many exhibits of art from the Open Art Studio are hosted throughout the year at various local galleries, as well as at the annual exhibit each December at the Dallas Public Library. At 508 Park, a permanent gallery space will be created for displaying and selling the artists’ creations. Like music, art is a medium that unites people. As more and more people experience art created by homeless and at-risk individuals, we expect that some of the barriers of prejudice about homelessness may be broken down. Since, with each sale, The Stewpot artists earn money, a permanent Art Gallery provides more opportunities for self-sufficiency.

          Also included in 508 Park will be a small coffee bar, a green room for performers at the amphitheater, office space on the second floor for music partner organizations, an event place (including a roof deck) for meetings and celebrations, and a Museum of Street Culture that provides a social context for the music that was recorded at 508 in the 1930s and for the social locations of the Depression of the 1930s and of homelessness today. The flat lot on the south side of 508 will become a community garden space.

         508 Park will be a place where music will continue to be made. We especially are envisioning programs that will work with children and youth to insure that music is a part of their lives. 508 Park is moving music and artistic outreach into the future in a way that is inclusive of all varieties of people and welcoming of all.

          Demo Day begins at noon. A small ceremony will occur and then the demolition claw will do its job. Bruce Buchanan suggests “if that doesn’t work, then everyone will be given a hammer.” The General Contractor is J. P. Barry and the architects are Good Fulton and Farrell.

          Twenty years in the making, Demo Day will continue The Stewpot’s work of making new things possible. Join us as we begin transforming the corner of Young and Park.

For further information see 508park.org 

Pilot Food Distribution Program

Saturday, March 31^st was an exciting day at The Stewpot for staff, volunteers, and 13 families who participate in our ESL classes.  The Stewpot is now serving as a Multi-Family Food Program distribution site for Crossroads Community Services—and Saturday was the pilot distribution!

On Friday, staff members received a huge palette of bulk food items from CCS—including frozen chicken quarters, eggs, jalapeno peppers, corn, and much more. Volunteers arrived at 10:30 Saturday morning prepared to have fun and work hard—which they did! They began by spreading the 1,761 lbs of food out on tables by food category. Once that was done, they began building each family’s individual food order. Each family received a week’s worth of groceries—and because of the incredible system Crossroads has in place, each member of every family received their correct caloric amount of food based on age, gender, and activity level.

The families joined the group at noon and everyone enjoyed a brief nutrition lesson (be sure to make half your plate fruits and vegetables!) and Ants on a Log (or celery with cream cheese and raisins…) before the groceries were loaded up into each family’s vehicle. It was a warm and rewarding day of hard work and fun. We are now eagerly looking forward to our next food distribution on Saturday, June 23^rd! If you are interested in volunteering please contact our Director of Volunteers, Jean Jones, at jean.jones@thestewpot.org.

Art Show

The Stewpot Artists will be showing their work at Lovers Lane Methodist Church’s new gallery called ArtReach Gallery during the month of April.  The opening reception will be April 1^st from 12:15 to 1:30.  The name of the show is Thorns and Light and many of the paintings are inspired by the Easter season.  


The church is located at 9200 Inwood Road at the corner of Northwest Hwy.  The gallery is in Watson hall right by the sanctuary (enter on the Northwest Hwy. side). 


Come see what our artists have been working on!

Volunteer with 100K Homes

Volunteer Opportunities for the

100,000 Homes – Dallas Campaign

Downtown Dallas Registry Week

There are several ways to be part of the Dallas Registry Week.  The project will take place over a six-day period from Sunday, March 25^th through Friday, March 30^th, 2012. 

During that week, we anticipate needing upwards of 70 volunteers, most of which will be needed to conduct the surveys with homeless individuals on the streets downtown.  However, there are other vital roles to support the efforts of the survey volunteers and to conduct the data entry.

Important:  Food and drink will be provided to you at the volunteer training and during every volunteer shift!

Contacts: Daneille Tooker (214.926.9544) dtooker@citysq.org
               Ashley Farha (214.741.5100 ext. 6) ashley@hamiltonproperties.com

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

1. SURVEY VOLUNTEERS:  We need approximately 60 volunteers to work in teams of four to interview homeless individuals for the Registry.  This is a four-day commitment and, due to the manner in which the outreach is conducted, the same team of four must survey their designated geographical area all three days.  To be part of a survey team, you will need to participate in a half-day training session related to interviewing homeless people and completing the survey forms. 

 §  Sunday, March 25^th – Overview and Volunteer Training, 2-5 p.m.§  Monday, March 26^th – Meet with Team/Survey, 3:30 a.m.-6:30 a.m.§  Tuesday, March 27^th – Meet with Team/Survey, 3:30 a.m.-6:30 a.m.§  Wednesday, March 28^th – Meet with Team/Survey, 3:30 a.m.-6:30 a.m.

Volunteer Headquarters location is TBD. 

      

2. DATA ENTRY:  We need volunteers to fill 5 shifts per day (a total of 15 shifts for Registry Week).  Volunteers will enter the data collected after each survey day.  This can be a one-shift or one-day commitment or multiple days and times.  The hours needed are:

§  Monday, March 26^th – 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

§  Monday, March 26^th – 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

§  Tuesday, March 27^th – 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

§  Tuesday, March 27^th – 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

§  Wednesday, March 28^th – 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

§  Wednesday, March 28^th – 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m                  

*The data entry lab is located at CitySquare at 511 N. Akard Street, Dallas, TX 75201 on the 3^rd floor.

  

3. HEADQUARTERS VOLUNTEERS:  We need 10 volunteers during the week to staff Volunteer Headquarters.  Headquarters volunteers will help set up for the initial volunteer training on Sunday, March 25^th and/or assist at volunteer headquarters each survey morning (food/supplies setup, cleanup and help with survey volunteer questions).  We also need help breaking down the headquarters on Thursday, March 29^th.  It would be good to have a few volunteers who are willing to supervise or who have experience supervising volunteers to be in charge of overall management each morning to help get survey volunteers out the door and download photos/collect surveys when they return.

§  Sunday, March 25^th – training event setup, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

§  Monday, March 26^th – 3:00-5:30 a.m. – food/supplies setup; volunteer assistance

§  Monday, March 26^th – 6:00-8:00 a.m. – cleanup, help download photos/collect surveys

§  Tuesday, March 27^th – 3:00-5:30 a.m. – food/supplies setup; volunteer assistance

§  Tuesday, March 27^th – 6:00-8:00 a.m. – cleanup, help download photos/collect surveys

§  Wednesday, March 28^th – 3:00-5:30 a.m. – food/supplies setup; volunteer assistance

§  Wednesday, March 28^th – 6:00-8:00 a.m. – cleanup, help download photos/collect surveys

§  Thursday, March 29^th – volunteer headquarters tear-down, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

4. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTRIBUTE:  If you are an individual, business or corporation that would like to sponsor or provide any of the following, please contact Daneille Tooker with CitySquare at 214-926-9544 to obtain our specific sponsorship materials.  Sponsorship opportunities include:

§  Sponsor the volunteer training session dinner on Sunday

§  Sponsor the food coupons that are provided to the homeless individuals as a “thank you” for participating in the survey (we are waking people up to talk with us each morning!)

§  Sponsor breakfast and coffee for the survey volunteers any of the three survey mornings (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

§  Sponsor snacks and drinks for the data entry volunteers

§  Sponsor bright-colored T-shirts for the volunteers to wear (for identification and safety purposes as well as event participation souvenirs)

§  Cases of water

§  Sponsor office supplies (clipboards, pencils, etc.)

§  Sponsor printing of survey forms

***

For volunteers and sponsors who would like to be updated on the final results of Dallas Registry Week:

§  Friday, March 30^th – Community Brief-Back on Survey Results for the Registry Week, time and location TBD.

www.facebook.com/100kdallas 

To register or volunteer: http://100kdallas.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3x5/

2011 Stats

Overview of 2011 services and outcomes tracked by The Stewpot include: 

· 5,167 contacts for ID documents, an important step for those seeking jobs and housing;

· 12,105 meals served to 470 children;

· 195 participants in our Community Court program, clearing Class C Misdemeanors;

·  5,312 visits for Rep Payee clients; this program enables physically and mentally challenged    people to support their housing and basic living costs;

· 979 subscribers to Community Voice Mail with 101 individuals successfully finding work;

· 406 individual sessions for 58 participants in STEP (Stewpot Transitional Employment Program); 

· 177 homeless vendors sold 72,000 issues of Street Zine.  This monthly newspaper on homeless issues provides income for individuals seeking to earn their way out of poverty; 

· 2,588 individuals received 40,349 dental procedures provided; 395 individuals received 1,976 medical and substance abuse counseling sessions;

· 3,899 participant sessions in Art Classes that offer creative experiences, build self esteem, and often provide an income stream when Stewpot clients are able to sell their work.  Daily art classes offer self esteem building, and individual income possibilities.  Other initiatives valued by clients include Community Concerts and The Stewpot’s Annual Talent Show - offering unique cultural opportunities. 

· 470 children and youth participants each year in four levels of age appropriate programs.  Currently The Stewpot is providing college scholarship assistance to 45 former program participants.

·  4,500 individuals volunteered in Stewpot programs, resulting in the agency being one of the largest single volunteer sites in Dallas.

Additionally, The Stewpot successfully completed its fourth year operating Second Chance Café at The Bridge where we served 564,216 meals, and successfully trained 18 formerly homeless individuals in food handling so that they now comprise more than half of our kitchen staff.  As our partner agencies like The Bridge refocus their efforts to assist the chronically homeless over the age of 18, The Stewpot is increasingly focusing its efforts on the underserved segment of the homeless population and on at-risk families living in poverty. 

Saturday School

On a typical Saturday morning you will find Byrd Hall and the 3rd floor children’s area alive with activity. 110 children from City Park Elementary and other surrounding areas come to FPC to eat breakfast and lunch and to participate in a variety of educational and fun activities. The children enthusiastically participate in learning musical genres, making a volcano in science class, learning how to play chess, and reading a new story in library. The children describe Saturday School as “Fun!” and “Cool!” while volunteer groups from around the city have called the program “Engaging, organized” as well as commenting on the “interactive and loving environment” that has been created for the children. The student’s delightful and well mannered behavior has even garnered sponsorship offers from a few local bowling leagues!


Leading the group of staff and volunteers on Saturdays is the new Assistant Director of Children and Youth, Lilli Curtis. Lilli has worked with Saturday School for 6 years on a part time basis. Four of the staff are current community ministries scholarship recipients and are now able to be great role models to the younger children. Many of the volunteers are participants in the Venturing Crew on Wednesday nights and are giving their time back to the programs.

For more information on volunteering with Saturday School contact Lilli Curtis at 214-746-2785 x326 or lillic@thestewpot.org.

Birthday Fun

I love birthdays! I love my own, and I love celebrating the birthdays of my friends and family. I get so excited about presents for my husband that I can never keep the gift a secret. Birthdays are so fun!

A lot of people have a birthday tradition they love. It may be a meal at a certain restaurant, or a special breakfast each year. Our staff here at The Stewpot is like a family, and we've started this tradition of funny homemade birthday cards. The cards usually include a funny picture of staff members. We went all out for our executive director's birthday in December. Staff, volunteers, and clients made a book of custom cards for Bruce that will be a great gift to keep and look back at. 

We were thinking about starting a new tradition. Why not include our clients and do a giveaway? So, this morning we started with Suzanne, our Children & Youth program director. Suzanne wanted to hand out warm winter hats to everyone. Everyone was grateful for the gift and Suzanne received a lot of birthday wishes!

We'd like to open this up to volunteers also. If you're interested in celebrating your birthday the same way, you can! Contact me (stephaniem@thestewpot.org) a week or so before your birthday. You can choose what you'd like to hand out. You can bring something (we usually plan on 175 people) or hand out something we have here. It can be a seasonal item (hats, gloves, water bottles, baseball caps, etc.) or food. Any food item must be pre-packaged. Hopefully we can start a new birthday tradition!

Stephanie 

Feline Newsmakers

Any visit to the Stewpot needs to include saying "Hello" to Precious, our 2nd floor feline resident. She's a "Working Cat" and keeps other four legged visitors and some two-legged ones as well in check. She's a great companion and is very well informed about the Fine Arts (a la the Stewpot's Open Art Studio) and knows the ins and outs of Food Pantry management. About three weeks ago Precious came face to face with another of her species in a surprise encounter.

On a Sunday morning the mournful sounds of a cat were heard on the Stewpot first floor. A search to locate the Meow-er found Precious safe and sound and suspicions that another cat was nearby. Two days later without benefit of séance several people were enveloped by the calling of a cat from "beyond".

As best we can figure a cat wandered into the 15feet of space above the suspended ceiling of the 1st floor and the floor-boards of the 2nd. Most of us thought only the likes of John Malcomvitch inhabited these inter-floor zones. "Cat" was spotted, fed and wooed. She was captured in a stunning "Have-a-Heart" adventure. With the hopes she would be a suitable companion for Precious.

"Cat", an 8 month true calico, was taken to a vet where she spayed and determined she was feral. We were advised the most humane thing was to release her back downtown. She was given a casework referral letter, several bus passes and the number of Judy's special hot-line.

Over the years the Stewpot has rescued many animals. "At risk" dogs, cats, birds and rabbits have gotten 2nd chances along with people. Food, water and respite have long been de facto Stewpot service. Many of us have taken home "just temporarily" an animal that became a long-time companion. Oh well, we also have a shelter for unwanted 8-track tapes.

Bruce

Precious the Cat

A Day of Celebration!

Last Thursday was truly a special day here at The Stewpot. We had our 24th Annual Stewpot Talent Show and a special lunch honoring Dr. and Mrs. Elgin Ware.

Dr. and Mrs. Elgin Ware were instrumental in bringing medical services here to The Stewpot in 1999. For 12 years, Elgin and Karen served our clients each Friday with the help of several volunteers. In June, Dr. Ware retired, and we were finally able to honor him! We invited past medical clinic volunteers and donors to a lunch. We enjoyed a great meal, great conversation, and a video of client/staff testimonies about the impact Dr. Ware and the medical clinic have had. The lunch ended with a special presentation to the Wares.

Parkland Hospital received a grant to expand our medical clinic. We are so excited about this new season. Construction should begin shortly. When it is complete the "Karen and Elgin Ware Stewpot Medical Clinic" will be open five days a week to serve our clients!

Following the lunch, we had our annual talent show. Clients are able to compete in five categories: performance, poetry, essay, art, and costume. There are cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The theme this year was "Stewpot Hospital: Reflections on Healing". We are always so impressed with the creativity and talent of our participants.

We had a great day celebrating the gifts of so many people here - the gift of writing, the gift of singing, and the gift of healing.

Holiday Project

Can you believe October is almost over? Thanksgiving is just 4 weeks away! Each holiday season we are blown away by the generosity of so many people in our community. Our holiday meal services are already full, however, we have a great opportunity for you and your families (or co-workers, church groups, book clubs, etc.) to serve our homeless friends. Every year we ask for people to donate a "Holiday Box for the Homeless". We collect thousands of these to hand out around the holidays. They make an incredible impact.

How to make a holiday box:

 

1. Use an empty shoe box (standard size). Please only use boxes that have a separate bottom and lid. Please wrap the lid and the box separately. The box should not be wrapped shut when finished.
2. Fill the box with a variety of small, inexpensive gifts. Use the gift ideas listed at the bottom of the page. Please fill boxes with ADULT, UNISEX items only.
3. Once filled, place a rubber band around each box.
4. In a separate envelope you may enclose a holiday card or note from you/your family or group. (Please do not include addresses or phone numbers.) Place your note inside the box.

Delivery:

Boxes may be delivered between Thursday, December 1 – Wednesday, December 14, 2011. Drop off at The Stewpot, 1822 Young Street, Dallas, 75201, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

 

PLEASE DO NOT DELIVER HOLIDAY BOXES TO THE BRIDGE

 

Gift Ideas

• knit hat
• small flashlight w/batteries
• pens, pencils
• knit gloves
• disposable stick razors
• stationary or cards w/stamps
• tube socks
• small umbrella
• phone calling cards
• plastic poncho
• fast food gift card ($5 or less)
• hard candy or gum
• chapstick
• small hand sanitizer
• travel size Kleenex
• small Bible or book of inspiration

DO NOT INCLUDE:

• used or damaged items
• knives or weapons
• chocolate or food
• liquids
• medications or vitamins
• breakable items or glass containers
• aerosol cans
• money

We've already had a great start to the holiday boxes! 160 associates from the Frito Lay Controller's team in Plano donated holiday box items this week!
Questions? Call 214-746-2785, ext. 320: Jean Jones, Stewpot Volunteer Director

The Value of Volunteers

It's no secret that the staff of The Stewpot is unable to accomplish everything we do on our own. Our volunteers play a vital role in all of our programs. Did you know we have 42 volunteers each day just for meal services?

On top of that volunteers help us:

• sign people up for services
• hand out toiletries
• sort mail
• teach computer classes
• manage budgets for Representative Payee clients
• teach art
• sort donations
• give eye exams
• teach Bible study
• tutor students
• teach ESL and so much more!

We really couldn't do it without you all! According to http://www.independentsector.org/ the estimated dollar value for volunteer time is $21.36/hour. According to that number, the estimated value of our meal service volunteers only for one month is over $54,000!

Thank you for helping us serve second chances each day here at The Stewpot!

phoneless. not hopeless.

Today we want to share some encouraging feedback from one of our Community Voice Mail clients. He receives a free voicemail number through our program.

“Good afternoon, this is Richard Sams.  Listen, I just can’t thank you enough to First Presbyterian Church and Community Voice Mail for providing me this number – it has helped me get into a veterans rehabilitation program, it’s also working right now as I’m on my journey for permanent employment for employers to contact me, and it’s also been a number for my family, by my family being out of town, to contact me and leave me a message if there is an emergency or if somebody gets sick such as my mother since she is in a nursing home now.  So I just want to thank you and I just pray that you continue this service – it helps get homeless people off the street and get employment.  It’s just been a blessing to me – it’s just been all positive.  I just thank you…”

It's hard to imagine that someone might not have access to a phone. So many of us are constantly connected to hundreds (maybe even thousands) of people through our phones - phone calls, texts, Facebook, e-mails. We forget what life was like before the never-ending stream of status updates and mass text messages. Thanks to programs like Community Voice Mail, people are able to stay in touch with family, employers, and health care!

Open House Art Show

These cooler temperatures have been great, haven't they? Fall is just around the corner which means the holiday season isn't too far off. Why not get a jump start on shopping this Saturday, September 24th?

The Stewpot 2nd Floor Art Gallery will be open from 3-7PM for all who want to enjoy several styles of art in one place.  Our "Open Art Studio" is open 5 days a week to artists to come and create works of art. Artists can choose to sell their work. They keep 90% of the profit. The other 10% goes straight back into the program for supplies.

Several artists have been commissioned to paint. One piece even had a home in the White House for a little bit. Each year the art program has several shows throughout the community. The Goodrich Gallery and The Dallas Public Library (downtown) have shows annually.

So come out this Saturday to take a stroll through our gallery. You might just find a painting you can't live without!

The Stewpot is located at 1822 Young Street, Dallas 75201. Free parking is available.

The show was on the Art and Seek blog: http://www.artandseek.org/event.php?id=31950

A little taste of what you'll find here. This painting, by Leon Pollard, has been sold, but lots more available!

Jobs!

It's been a great couple of weeks here at The Stewpot! One of our programs, STEP, focuses on job readiness - resumes, job searches, conflict resolution skills, etc. STEP last 3 months and is coordinated by our casework services team. Our most recent class started in August. Five participants were enrolled and in less than a month 3 have full time jobs and one more has a call back! We are ecstatic for those who are back to work. Employement (specifically for those with criminal backgrounds) is a tough part of the journey out of homelessness, but these success stories show that it's not impossible. With the hardwork of the participants and encouragement from their caseworker, Cindy Bailey, things are looking up! And we couldn't be happier for them.

You can help play a role in stories like this by donating to The Stewpot! Tomorrow (Thursday, September 15) is North Texas Giving Day. Between 7AM-7PM log on to our profile and make your donation. Make your donation go further by giving $25 or more. Donations of at least $25 are matched!

Are you an early bird? Make a donation by noon tomorrow and tag us in a picture on Facebook or Twitter of your "Best Pajama Get-Up". We'll send the picture to Donor Bridge and Energy Future Holdings will pick a winner. The prize is $2,500!

Volunteers Needed

Fall is just around the corner and the Children and Youth Programs are already busy planning for the school year programs. We have several volunteer opportunities that we are looking to fill!

Venturing Crew and Junior Crew - Tutors are needed to help middle and high school students with homework. The Venturing Crew (high school age) will have tutoring the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Wednesdays from 6:30-7:00 for students that need additional help in one or more subjects. Junior Crew (middle school age) will also be doing tutoring on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesdays. Volunteers can commit to one, two or three Wednesdays a month. Math (Algebra, Calculus, Geometry), English, and Science expertise is especially needed. Volunteers can join the group for the entire evening from 6:30-8:30 where the programs have speakers and workshops, recreation and team building activities and community service projects or volunteers can just stay for the tutoring time from 6:30-7:00.

The programs are also looking for speakers that can talk about their career, college preparation, life skills, or another topic that would be beneficial for teens.

Saturday School - Volunteers are needed to help with the elementary program. Volunteers would help from 8:30-1:00 on Saturday mornings during the school year by helping serve breakfast and lunch and also acting as a shepherd to lead a group of students as they rotate through classes such as computers, art, recreation, movement and music, Bible stories, science, and library. Volunteers can be individuals or small groups.

English as a Second Language (ESL) - Volunteers do practice conversations with students about daily activities and help teachers in working one on one with students on their assignments.

For the children and youth program a background check is required for all volunteers over age 18.

For more information contact Suzanne Dwight at 214-746-2785 ext. 2378 or suzanned@thestewpot.org

A Volunteer Giving Back

Our representative payee program has grown a lot in the last year! Both our caseworkers and an incredible group of volunteers have worked really hard to successfully advocate for clients in the program.

One representative payee volunteer in particular has been recognized by her employer. Linda Jones was selected from 500 Wells Fargo employee applicants to receive the 2011 Volunteer Service Award. As part of this honor, Linda received $10,000 to give to us!

We are so grateful for Linda's faithful service each Tuesday and for her generous donation to our organization. To celebrate we will have a reception next Tuesday for Linda, her co-workers, Stewpot staff, and clients!

The Stewpot has been blessed with so many great volunteers and donors. Thank you guys for all you do to help us accomplish our mission.

Donor Bridge - September 15th

Get ready! The 2011 “Get Up & Give” North Texas Giving Day is quickly approaching. And we need your help! On Thursday, September 15th from 7AM-7PM you can make a donation through Donor Bridge to benefit The Stewpot. All donations over $25 will be matched, which means your donation goes even further.

Help us spread the word and plan to make your donation that day. More information can be found here.

Children and Youth Program Scholarships

This past spring, 100% of the senior graduates of The Stewpot’s Venturing Crew program made plans to go to college. This is fabulous news, bucking the trend that 70% of Hispanic youth in DISD drop out of high school. A total of 45 former Stewpot youth participants are enrolled in college this fall with CM scholarships funding 2011-2012.

Congratulations to: Erika Ayala at UT Arlington; Sergio Ayala at University of North Texas; Edith Barrera at El Centro; Robert Campos at Del Mar College; Francisco Chavez at UT Austin; Brenda Delgado at University of North Texas; Natalie Gaona at Mountain View; Janie Garcia at Mountain View; Nallely Garcia at Eastfield; Hugo Gonzalez at East Texas Baptist University; Adiel Guillen at Eastfield; Asael Guillen at El Centro; Yaritza Guillen at Richland; Luis Ibarra at Eastfield; Edgar Lucero at UT Austin; Liliana Manzano at El Centro; Christopher Martinez at Eastfield; Leonel Mendez at University of North Texas; Gaby Mendez at El Centro; Maria Mendez at El Centro; Ariana Najera at UT Dallas; Arlene Najera at Eastfield; Eileen Najera at Richland; Daniel Ortiz at Mountain View; Gabriel Ortiz at Eastfield; Sergio Patino at UT Austin; Norman Puga at DeVry; Danielle Rivas at Our Lady of the Lake; Diane Rivas at UT Austin; Diana Rodriguez at Anthem College; Isamar Rojo at Mountain View; Betsy Romero at Richland; Francisco Rosales at Mountain View; Joey Rosales at McPherson College, Kansas; Mayra Rosales at UT Arlington; Kevin Ruiz at El Centro; Ismael Salazar at Eastfield; Elizabeth Ibarra Soto at Mountain View; Rolando Sustaita at Tarrant County College; Roxann Sustaita at University of North Texas; Luis Vargas at Texas A&M; Alisia Vasquez at Texas Woman’s University; and Natalia Vasquez at Midwestern University. Additionally, Juan Faticati at Eastfield and Michael Martinez at Austin Community College have deferred scholarships.

Special congratulations to CM scholars who recently completed their degrees in fall 2010 and spring/summer 2011—Gerardo Altamirano in pschology at UT Arlington; Jennifer Figueroa in engineering technology at Texas A&M; Fanny Guillen in pre-dental at UT Pan American; Jeanette Hernandez in family studies at Texas Woman’s University; Vanessa Leyva in ethnic studies at UT Austin; Steven Medina in electrical engineering at UT Arlington; Angelica Salazar in bilingual education at UT Arlington; and Ilse Zumaya in business management at Texas A&M Commerce.

Happy 65th!

Last week was a very special week at The Stewpot. Our very own, Judy Pfenniger, celebrated her 65th birthday! Judy is our intake coordinator and has been working at The Stewpot for over 20 years. She is a special part of this place and it just wouldn't be the same without her. Our clients love Judy. And she loves them. Once you meet her, you'll never forget her!

We started off the week with a surprise cupcake reception. Monday evening some staff members stayed late to decorate the old dining area. When she walked in Tuesday morning she was blown away! At 10AM we all sang to her and enjoyed some cupcakes. Our art program director, Cynthia Brannum, even made a special crown. Volunteers and former employees showed up to share the day with her. Thursday we had a potluck lunch. Bruce brought out some old memories including photos and jokes that really helped make the day special.

We had a great week celebrating Judy! She is so special to all of us.

The Banner

Judy handing out cupcakes to all of our clients