EASTHAM HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES 10-25-2011
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Meeting called to order by Mary Sedlock, Chair, at 7:03PM.
Present: Mary Sedlock, Judi Izikewicz, Sue Canavari, Margaret Phillips, Carl Lipton.
Absent: Gordon Major, Elaine Lipton.
Minutes of 10-18-11 approved as read.
Irene Rabinowitz, Exec. Dir and Maureen Dooley Lawrence, Board member of “HELPING OUR WOMEN” were in attendance to give us an overview as to what has happened at “H.O.W”in the past year.
· HOW’s mission is to provide services for women
· Financial assistance for low income women
· HOW recieves no state or federal assistance
· HOW’s monies come from towns, Swim for Life, PAC, the Ruth Heibert Foundation, and other donations
· All payments for services are paid to the payee, not the client
· Programs offered: transportation,(dr.dentist,hospital,grocery shopping),all volunteer drives are given a training program
· Cape Air has donated $120,000 in tickets over the last 15 years
· Weekly support groups are provided form women with chronic illnesses, and cancer support groups
· Referrals come from the local COA’s, Outer Cape Health, doctors, dentists,LCOC, and word of mouth
· All client must have an intake done, and proof of diagnosis
· “Open door” policy to all who need assistance with the SSD paperwork, men and women
· Financial criteria, 10% above poverty level, proof on income on an annual basis, and proof of diagnosis at intake
· HOW has had several programs in Local Access cable.
· Eastham clients has incresed from 20-26 clients last year
Larry Masland Exec. Dir. Of LOWER CAPE OUTREACH COUNCIL,INC. appeared before us to give us a brief overview of what they have done in the past year, and what they hope to do going forward.
· LCOC started in 1980 in Eastham at the United Methodist church as a food pantry
· LCOC now has 8 food pantries, offer free clothing, emergency financial assistance(over ½ million dollars last year) and pay 50% of child care assistance to working households
· Gifts of Hope campaign proceeds were used to provide food to 1409 households
· Total outlay for food last year was $135,000.00
· Community gardens have been planted in Orleans and Harwich this past summer to provide fresh vegtables to clients, and Shaw’s provide frozen meats
· Output has doubled since 2007
· Hope to end fiscal year even, or maybe a little up
· “come in today,in need today, get help today”
· 20-30% recurring clients for the past several years
Board member Margaret Phillips did and onsite visit to MASS APPEAL
· Was impressed on how many volunteers were working, and how many clients were taking advantage of the offerings
· Gift cards are available for food at Stop and Shop
· Overall Margaret came away with a very positive feeling
Next week speakers Homeless Prevention and Independace House. Hopefully have all presenters and onsite visits done by Nov. 8th
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Izikewicz,Clerk
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