Actions Log 12/24/10

Moved West Akron Family into temporary new residence.
Set up cooked meals to be dropped off daily as we continue to strive to improve living conditions of family.

ALSO:
Gathered approximately 450 teddy bears and delivered them with 75 volunteers throughout Silver Meadows(Kent) and Renaissance Place(Ravenna).

Actions Log 12/23/10

3 furniture deliveries are made for former MH clients before noon.

We separated our volunteer help into two groups to be able to make deliveries and to be able to respond to West Akron family in crisis. They had been in the house for 4 months in survival mode. Mom thought she was "overdue" with baby.

Assessed conditions of family in West Akron:

• House had no appliances other than a refrigerator that had been recently(in December) obtained through a "rent-a-center" type business which are some of the biggest predators on the poor-$80 a month)
• Running water only in two sinks
• No functioning bath tub/shower
• No waste removal
• Toilet backflows unexpectedly(witnessed this twice)
• Infested with cockroaches
• Family was relocated and running from DV situation that had occurred in another state

Throughout the course of the day 2 primary goals became our objective:

1. Find an alternative livable space
2. Get mom to the hospital

Through the help of ARM involved groups(churches, businesses and acquaintances) we were able to have access, through a generous property owner, to a 3 bedroom house just a few miles away. A donation made from Fishcreek Elementary School that day provided goods for the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen set ups(such as:Shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, broom/mop, bedding, cleaning supplies, dishes, pots and pans, etc) ARM crews delivered 2 full truck loads of furniture, bedding, clothes, groceries, microwave, stove, and refrigerator by 4pm that day.

By 7:30pm we had mom in triage at Summa Hospital. Outcome was that mom was not overdue and her water had not broken as she had assumed. This is imperative information because it allows us to understand that mom is making decisions daily out of panic, fear and crisis mode.

We began day one at 7:30am and finished with both objectives being met by 11pm that evening.

Interesting note: Address of new relief household was 911.

Actions Log 12/22/10

Gathered approximately 300 more teddy bear donations for Bear-ry Christmas outreach. Tagged and prepped for Christmas Eve delivery.

Actions Log 12/21/10

Contacted West Akron mom/family in housing crisis. Scheduled an assessment of current circumstances for Thursday, December 23, 8am.

Scheduled 3 deliveries to be made to 2 families and single person that have exited MH to be carried out on December 23.

Actions Log 12/21/10

Picked up donations of 3 beds and dining room set.

Received a crisis call to help a single expecting mom with 5 children living in homeless conditions in West Akron. "Client" was referred by a strong reference as it is abnormal for ARM to respond outside of our parameters of Freedom House, Miller House, Safer Futures & Coleman Center.

Actions Log 12/20/10

Received $300.00 cash donation to be given specifically to 3 families(clients of ARM) to aid in Christmas needs.

Dispensed as follows:
$100.00 to Veteran at FH to spend on his 3 daughters.
$150.00 for single mom of 4.
$50.00 for expecting mom.

Actions Log 12/17/10

**Every Friday from 11am to 12:30pm we give out bags of meat(beef, pork, poultry) with bread and pastries at The ARM House in downtown Kent. We receive around 300 pounds of donated meats from Giant Eagle and ACME on Tuesday mornings and then make around 40-50 bags. We have had a line at the door of about 40 people every Friday morning.**

TODAY:
Picked up approximately 60 donated teddy bears from the Kent State University Childhood Development Center for our annual Bear-ry Christmas Outreach which occurs in Christmas Eve.

Actions Log 12/16/10

Moved client that was scheduled for today through HESS involvement(see 12/14/10 entry).

Actions Log 12/15/10

Made Akron Food Bank run for the Miller Community House Shelter.

Picked up 5 separate donations of furniture.

Picked up 535 pounds of donated produce for The ARM House food relief pantry.

Confirmed to move ARM client Thursday morning at 9am.

Actions Log 12/14/10

Organized Donations to be picked up 12/15

Made contact with homeless single woman with four kids living in a hotel. She has been set up with an apartment through HESS and we will move her on 12/16 into new apartment. Her belongings will be moved out of storage and into her residence.

Actions Log 12/10/10

Received 2 new clients to begin working on:
We are in need of 4 twin beds and one Queen/Full bed.

Working on a follow up with a Safer Futures client.
TV
Twin Size Bedding
Pillows

The ARM House - 12/10/10

Provided 31 bags of meat(chicken, beef, poultry)
Fed approximately 15 people with Vegetarian Chili and grilled cheese

[Began at 9:30am and worked until 12:45pm]

Actions Log 12/9/10

Donations Pick Ups completed for the day:

• 5 Televisions
• Sectional Couch unit
• Freezer
• Rocking Chair
• Bedding
• Bathroom throw rugs
• Misc household goods

Held an ARM Board Meeting to begin Food Relief by January 1, 2011
Made appointment to look into donated warehouse space.

Actions Log 12/2/10

• Working on Christmas Eve outreach to children living in impoverished neighborhoods(Bear-ry Christmas).
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• Reorganized storage.
• Delivered donated clothing and household goods to County Clothing Center.
• Made trash run of damaged couches and furniture to Waste Management Landfill.