a model that equips people
better to provide for themselves over time. My work
with Our House so far has
made me have a greater
awareness of the difficulties
others face and the fact that
oftentimes people are faced
with extremely difficult
circumstances as a result of
situations that are out of
their control.”
Along with bringing financial
literacy to our clients, these
sessions serve to give all of
those involved an enriched
perspective on the role
finances plays in determining
the stability of a family and
the fickle nature of human
experience.
Thomas Knight of the FPA
has been providing financial
advising for Our House clients
for nearly a year. As our first
FPA member to become
involved as a financial literacy
volunteer, he has identified
what keeps him coming back
to serve our clients time after
time. “If the finances are
under stress, the family is
under stress. I get joy in
helping create a game plan to
get the family out of financial
stress, and I really enjoy
seeing the plan coming to
fruition! I love the ‘aha’
moments.”
Most people ask this question pretty
often. Does it fit right? Do the colors
look good together? Would my boss
be ok with this style? Is it ok for Friday
but not for the rest of the week? The
what-to-wear problem can frustrate
anyone. When you depend on donated
clothes, always in low availability, it
gets even more difficult.
Learning Center clients can make it
through this puzzle at professionaldress classes and with professional
clothes from our donors. One stereotype about homelessness is that
homeless people work in jobs where
they wear uniforms or construction
gear. The truth is that homeless
people have jobs in all areas and at
all levels. Many of our clients have
professional jobs and need work
clothes that are suitable for an office
or other professional environment.
Our House generally gets plenty of
clothing donations for our clients and
for our partner, My Favorite Thrift
Store. However, we tend to be in low
supply of clothes of all women’s and
men’s sizes that don’t require dry
cleaning and that can be worn in a
professional work environment or to
job interviews or job fairs.