Friends to the Finish

From the Family and Senior Homeless Initiative's May 2007 Newsletter.
(Pictured from left to right: Patricia Dean, Gene Tucker, Carol Palazzotto and Tracy Kiass)

Last year, Tammy and Howard Jones moved to Denver from California, with their 14-year-old son Dillon, looking for a fresh start. They relocated in hopes of moving forward, leaving negative influences and reminders of old patterns, which hindered them from succeeding. But when the home of the friend they were staying with became unsafe, they were left homeless.

Happily, the Jones' found shelter at The Crossing, the Mission's transitional housing facility. They stayed at The Crossing for six months, where Tammy participated in life skills workshops and Dillon, who suffers from ADHD and a mood disorder, was able to bond with the kids and the leader of his youth group there. During their stay, Tammy and Howard also secured full-time employment.

Now, ready to take charge of their own lives, they also received welcome support from Family & Senior Homeless Initiative, who paired them with Christ Church United Methodist Church's (CCUMC) faith mentor team, led by Carol Palazzotto, along with Patricia Dean, Gene Tucker, and Tracy Kiass.

Family & Senior Homeless Initiative faith mentor teams work to help families obtain funds for a security deposit and first month's rent on a home. To make this a reality, the CCUMC congregation creatively hosted what Carol jokingly refers to as an "un-talent show, called the 'Inner Beauty Pageant,'" where folks, young and old, performed together with the single goal of helping the Jones' and another mentored family further along the road to self-sufficiency.

The Jones family moved into their new apartment, which was furnished and decorated mainly with items donated from the Denver Rescue Mission. Then, the family and their faith mentors began digging into the issues at hand. One issue was working together to discover options which would meet Dillon's special needs and behavior issues, and his parent's concerns with raising him. Just talking with her mentors helped Tammy get Dillon involved in a school program that addresses his special needs.

Another issue the Jones' mentor team handled was to help motivate Tammy to begin her GED program, so she could prepare to enroll in college. Right now, she works 40-50 hours a week managing a photo studio, facing a definite time challenge as she begins pursuing more education.

The Jones' also took advantage of some other beneficial local aid programs to ease their burden. Mentor Carol notes that she's been grateful that CCUMC's mentor group has been able to meet the family's emotional and basic needs in ways that many aid programs aren't designed for. "We're not paid to be there for them. We don't have office hours. We've chosen to befriend this family as equals, and we can be called on in the future as friends," says Carol.

At the celebration which completed their mentoring commitment, CCUMC mentors gathered together at a local arcade with the Jones family for a fun and relaxed time in each other's company. "Although our official commitment has ended, we plan to stay in touch with this family, and we wish them every success as they forge ahead with their goals and dreams for their new life," says Carol.

Tammy echoes this sentiment: "We really enjoyed the camaraderie of our mentor team - they've been wonderful! It's been a great thing not being and feeling all alone as we've begun our new life."

Thank you Christ Church United Methodist Church faith mentors for extending true friendship to the Jones' in their brave transition!