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 

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. 

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 

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!

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!

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.

Summertime with the Children & Youth Program

The Stewpot’s Children and Youth Program are off to a great start since we kicked off on June 13! Summer Crew has been doing some exciting activities. They took a field trip to Half Price Books to pick out a book to read for the summer and they will be doing activities based on their book. They are also doing an architect project led by Oscar, one of the Summer Crew staff that has an architect degree. The Summer Crew is doing a computer class each Wednesday where they are doing various projects including designing their own website. They have been on field trips to Nickelrama, the movies and roller-skating.

The program that has been traditionally called Summer Day Camp has changed names to Summer Kid’s Club. They are studying different continents in their “World Tour 2011”. They have already toured North America and South America and will be going to the other continents throughout the summer. They also participated in the Shake-It-Up Café VCS curriculum by incorporating the theme into their normal day camp activities. They are rotating through classes such as reading, computers, art, recreation, small games, music, drama, and library time. The camp has also been on field trips to roller skating, bowling, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum.

Our first Summer Visiting Youth group was from Lake Jackson, Texas. They visited English Language Ministry (ELM), Vogel Alcove, Grace Presbyterian Village, acted as Junior Counselors for the day camp, led a Bible study at The Stewpot and served dinner at The Bridge. It was a full but great week.

The second week some of the Summer Crew members served as the volunteer group for the day camp. Many of them have been part of the program for many years and are now able to give back. We had a great time at the pool party sharing about their experiences in the children and youth programs.
We have been enjoying the new computers which include 15 desktops and 30 laptops and a projector that were donated by an anonymous donor for the children and youth programs. They have opened up new opportunities for us to incorporate technology into the children and youth programs and expand the number of students that are able to use computers at one time. All of the children and youth love them and they have already been used a lot!

A fun day out at the skating rink.

Working hard on the computers recently donated.