Project Homeless Connect

I had the pleasure of traveling to Akron with Jerry Lee, one of our enrollment specialists from Columbus. My normal travel partner was skipping out to see the Red Sox game in Cleveland so Jerry agreed to accompany me. On Monday, Jerry and I attended the Governor's Recovery Act Information Session and were able to generate some excitement for organizations to become benefit bank sites (Twenty-three individuals). The Ohio Benefit Bank will be hosting a one hour webinar session for this purpose.



If you are interested in signing up for our webinar you can call our toll free number at 1-800-648-1176.



We were then off to Project Homeless Connect the next day hosted at The Chapel near the University of Akron. This was one of the most organized events I have been to in a long while. Over 500 volunteers engaged with the homeless community to offer services. Individuals could come for a shower and a hair cut, sign up for supportive services, get food from a local pantry, receive lunch, and of course sign up for benefits with us.

Each client was offered doughnuts and coffee, participated in an "intake" and was assigned a chaperon to guide them to different booths/rooms for services. The chaperon was very helpful in navigating the maze of rooms, keeping track of paperwork and providing reminders for follow up. The main beauty of the chaperon system was the forming of relationships-- one on one with the clients-walking and talking together.

Michelle Long and Jerry Lee are pictured above next to the van. Michelle is a VISTA volunteer. She provides training to local Benefit Bank volunteers and was very helpful through out the day.

This was the first time we extended the awning for an event. It protected us from the rain and of course made our van look very chic. It only took us an hour of mopping up the rain in the van entry way to think--"We should extend the awning!" Good news is that we can be taught and lessons learned stick with us.

Minority Health Fair in Mansfield

Last Saturday, I woke up bright dark and early to make the trip to Mansfield for the Minority Health Fair sponsored by the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department. The M/O/R Health Department must be thanked. Not only did they host an event that offered health services and free food to their community, they're also an active Benefit Bank site. That meant that we could immediately refer anyone who appeared eligible for benefits to their booth and they would set up an appointment.

The event also featured my first ever radio interview. Mansfield's own Mix 106.1 (WVNO-FM) was there to inform their listeners of the event. I did a one minute spot on the Benefit Bank and tried to convince people that their Saturday was better spent seeing if they were eligible for benefits rather than being outside and enjoying the gorgeous weather. It was an uphill battle but we did have a few curious attendees stop by to see if they may be eligible for prescription assistance or food stamps.

As always, it was an enlightening experience to go to a new town to speak to people who need assistance. Mansfield's unemployment rate is above the Ohio average, so there were many people there who needed help. Hopefully we pointed them in the right direction.

Little Round Town

On Tuesday, April 21, we took the van down to Circleville, Ohio, the county seat of Pickaway County. Our goal was to help people enroll for benefits like food stamps and utility assistance. We were honored to have media, both local and national, in tow.

The event was hosted by Pickaway Manor, an assisted-living facility. We were blown away by the efforts of Terri Tyree (a social worker from the Manor) who put in much effort to tell people that we'd be there. Mothers went to the van saying their children brought Benefit Bank fliers home from school. The event was also advertised on the front page of the local paper. Word is that they even put our fliers on pizza boxes!

The event was serviced by the two Mobile Enrollment Specialists - Erin and myself - as well as two counselors from our Columbus office: Jerry Lee and Zach Reat. Over the course of four hours, we helped over a dozen people from Pickaway County apply for benefits. One client was so happy that she asked us to provide her with Governor Strickland's office address so she could write a letter of thanks.

I'd like to extend my hearty thanks to all of the people who made this event such a success.

UAW Event in Youngstown

On April 15, The United Auto Workers hosted a lifeline event for the unemployed in Youngstown's Chevy Centre.

There certainly wasn't a shortage of people who needed help. With an unemployment rate approaching 15%, the UAW event saw thousands of attendees looking for work or, failing that, looking to keep their heads above water. That's where we come in.

Erin and I spoke to dozens of people, most of whom appeared to be eligible for state and federal benefits. However, we ran into a problem that we hadn't encountered in other parts of the state. Youngstown has a shortage of Benefit Bank sites. There were only seven in the immediate area. Only three were open to the public.

We were happy to work with one of the Benefit Bank sites in the area: Catholic Charities of Trumbull and Mahoning County. They made appointments right on site ensuring that people received the support they needed.

At the end of the day, I found myself wishing that we could do more. There are over 850 Benefit Bank sites in Ohio. But the need for more, especially in places like Youngstown, remains.

Working With Lutheran Social Services in Ironton

On Thursday, April 9, Erin and I drove the Express down to Ironton, the county seat of Lawrence County. Lutheran Social Services (LSS) hosted an event with their own charitable transportation: The Mobile Food Pantry. With the help of this truck, Lutheran Social Services was able to deliver a massive amount of food to this economically depressed area. One hundred were waiting in line for an opportunity to receive cereal, pasta, and fresh sweet potatoes. The OBB Mobile Express was there to help people estimate folks' eligibility for benefits such as food stamps and utility assistance.

It can't be overstated how happy and thankful we were to work with an organization like LSS in helping people receive the food they need to survive and the benefits they need to live. Many people at the mobile pantry were fortunate enough to be receiving benefits yet still needed the extra assistance that the Mobile Food Pantry provided.

Star Volunteer at the Asian Health Fair

On April 11, 2009 Erin and I attended an Asian Health Fair at the Columbus's Public Health Department. This event focused on a large group of people that couldn't afford to seek medical help for their ailments. Since health fairs offer blood sugar and blood pressure readings, many were using this fair as an opportunity to make sure they were still reasonably healthy.

Many of the people we spoke to were over 65 and had not considered applying for Medicare or other benefits. Language, cultural differences and not knowing about benefits available to them were barriers to them signing up.

Many of the attendees at the fair were much more comfortable with their native Chinese than with English. Thankfully, we had Theresa Lee, a recently trained Benefit Bank counselor on our side. Ms. Lee was able to serve as a translator at the event and her work has led to several appointments. With Theresa's help, a group of people may soon be able to see a doctor instead of depending on a booth at a festival for their medical needs. I can't imagine a more successful trip.

1st Gig Out of Town

Erin Sprouse, Lisa Pfeifer, L. Russell Allen, and Jeff Wing
Southern Ohio Trade Show- Waverly, Ohio
Russell and Erin teamed up with the Community Action Committee of Pike County to participate in the local trade show in Waverly, Ohio this past Saturday. We were greeted by Jeff Wing early in the morning to help us set up and get oriented. Jeff is a Benefit Bank counselor on site at the Community Action Committee. He and Lisa were both a great help to those visiting the table-- providing information about local resources and touting Benefit Bank advantages.
As a team, we took turns sharing relevant information about each of our prospective organizations. The Community Action Committee of Pike County provides many services that help residents manage during difficult times including: energy programs, employment and training, health centers, transit system, senior services and much more.
We talked with 40 + individuals throughout the day, quite a few who seemed genuinely interested and in need of our services.
One gentleman was so glad to hear about our services. He approached the table expressing exasperation at not finding workable solutions to his medical issues- especially his need for insurance. Having had a near death experience recently, in the hospital, he was overwhelmed just trying to get healed. He was not aware of the benefits available to him. Fortunately, we were able to steer him to his local Benefit Bank site and give him guidance regarding eligibility.

All in all, it was a successful event and a beautiful day for traveling.
~Erin

The Ohio Benefit Bank Mobile Express Has Launched!

The Ohio Benefit Bank is an Internet-based, counselor-assisted program that helps low and moderate income individuals and families file for state and federal tax credits and other work support programs. The Benefit Bank is at over 850 sites across Ohio, helping us link Ohioans to over $100 million in benefits and federal tax supports. But even with more than 850 sites and over 3,500 trained counselors the need to reach Ohioans where they live, work, play, and pray is increasing.

Thanks to the generosity of the Columbus Foundation, the Ohio Benefit Bank was able to set up their first ever mobile enrollment unit. This Sprinter van - which features two offices and a fully functional satellite dish for Internet access - will be able to reach Ohioans who may not be aware or are unable to reach local Benefit Bank sites. With this mobile enrollment unit at our disposal, we will help thousands of Ohioans file their taxes, register to vote, and painlessly apply for programs that can help them put food on the table, keep their home warm, their health care affordable, and stabilize their household budgets.

It will be the pleasure of the Mobile Enrollment Specialists, Erin Sprouse and L. Russell Allen, to keep readers up to date on the work we're accomplishing. We hope to document where we're going, who we're helping, and what we're planning for the future.

Thanks for your time and we hope to see you on the road!

~L. Russell Allen