Health Champion Changes Lives After Changing His Own

May 22, 2014 | Posted in Health | Keywords: ,

Keith Hines surveyed his life and decided to make a drastic change. After more than twenty years of drug and alcohol abuse, the U.S. Army veteran found himself homeless with no ties to his family. Keith lived in his car for nine months and received several citations from the city before he visited the Downtown Austin Community Court and sought help.

A case manager at the court helped Keith by giving him access to treatment and then facilitated his move into permanent supportive housing with Foundation Communities through a partnership with Caritas. Over the past two years, Keith has found real stability at Spring Terrace.

“Spring Terrace gave me a chance to get my life back on track,” Keith said. “It was one of the best things to ever happen to me.”

Since moving in, Keith has stayed clean and sober. He knew that having his own apartment presented him with the chance to live his life differently. “I knew that I had to do positive things,” Keith said. “I had to make better choices.”

The Georgia native is not only making better choices for himself, he is also encouraging others in his community to do the same by serving as the resident health champion at Spring Terrace. In this role, Keith oversees walking groups, helps coordinate healthy living classes, such as cooking and yoga, and plans fun outdoor activities, like trips to Barton Springs.

Keith also shares useful health tips with his friends and neighbors through weekly flyers. “Being the health champion allows me to do another positive thing,” Keith said. “I’m helping other people.”

Foundation Communities began recruiting health champions last year as a way to provide residents with meaningful leadership opportunities through our increasingly robust healthy living program. Keith explained that he knocks on his neighbors’ doors before classes, inviting them to attend, and is actively trying to get more residents involved in the many health activities available on site.

It was the U.S. Army that brought Keith to Texas decades ago. He married and had children, but his life unraveled once he began abusing drugs and alcohol in the early 1990s. Keith was in and out of treatment for years, but it wasn’t until his move to Spring Terrace that he really committed to changing his life.

“I feel good about what I’m doing today,” Keith said. “I’m giving back to the community, I have a relationship with my kids, and I’m responsible. People can count on me today.”


For more information about our Healthy Living Initiatives, click here

Environmental Commitment Via Eco-Friendly Locksmiths

May 13, 2014 | Posted in Financial Stability |

One of our main points of focus refers to making important investments in green building initiatives. Why?  To cut operating costs as well as our carbon footprint in the environment, while bringing positive changes on our residents’ monthly utility bills. How? By using construction materials and resources more efficiently throughout the entire life cycle of a building. Also, though a more efficient use of energy, water, protecting occupant health and enhancing the productivity of employees, while reducing waste and pollution.

Every Small Detail Matters

If you are interested in becoming one of our residents or donating money r materials for cause, know our main concern will be to lower the harmful effects of building a new construction from scratch through every mean possible. This includes everything from recycling materials to contracting green locksmiths to install the locks on all the doors inside our buildings. The green handyman movement is a relatively new one, stimulated by the necessity of better protecting the environment against artificial pollutants. Since lockout services imply the use of heavy metal tools and disposable parts that can pollute the nature, working together with technicians genuinely concerned about these apparently insignificant matters is a great idea.  

How Can Eco-friendly Locksmiths Be Found? 

Not that easy at the moment, since there are not as many of them to begin with. Hopefully, in time, more companies and independent handymen will decide to join the green movement and use recycling and responsible disposal of broken parts more often than not. while you can easily get in touch with a Locksmith in Los Angeles whenever you need to rekey a broken lock, install a new security system around the house, or unlock an accidentally blocked door, it’ less likely to discover an expert who will drive an electric car to your location, or recycle the metallic deadbolts and screws or handles you will no longer need. The majority of locksmiths are used to either leaving these items behind into the hand of customers who are forced to get rid of them usually the wrong way- throwing them right to the trash– but a handful of green locksmiths will make sure to pick them up and take them to specialized metal disposal containers.

Organic lubricants are also used as a trademark of eco-friendly locksmiths when they need to fix door broken locks or unlock hammed doors. If you alike in the L.A. area and you are currently in need of a locksmith for a residential service, you can call the 24/7 Los Angeles Locksmiths and fellows and ask the customer support operator if they can use organic product – in case you’re your kids or pets need extra protection against harmful substances – or you are an eco-friendly kind of person! Their rates are some of the lowest there and they also offer nonstop emergency lockout help for home, car, and office within 20 minutes of placing a call. As the resident of one of our apartments, you can bookmark an emergency locksmith number you can use whenever in lockout distress that requires immediate attention.

Quick Household Fixes For Our Residents

April 27, 2014 | Posted in Financial Stability |

We are currently catering to the needs of over 2,800 families and the numbers also include 228 children who were formerly homeless. We offer single adults 600 efficiency apartments to choose from and our work does not stop here. We also provide our households’ residents with a wide array of educational, financial, and health-related opportunities so they can make a better life for themselves. You can find us in Austin and North Texas if you are interested in one of our rentals – or if you wish to volunteer for us in any way. And because we like to throw all the focus on our residents, here are some quick repair tips for fixing things around the house when you are on a budget.

 

How To Rapidly Fix Annoying Home Ailments – By Yourself

Kitchen sink is so clogged you feel only a plumber can save you out of this one? try a solution made from half a cup vinegar and half a cup baking soda and pour hot, boiled water in and let it sit over the night. If this doesn’t do it, use a solution made of half a cup of salt and half a cup of baking soda and hot water. If this doesn’t work either, you might need to call a plumber to have the pipes detached from the sink and get the dirt clogging them out.  

If your locks are a little loose or you notice the door knob not working properly, before you perform a quick online emergency locksmith near me search on your laptop using the locksmiths-search database with 10,000 technicians in it, use some lubricant or a simple screwdriver and try to put the knob back in place. If this is not a matter of a loose screw, and your lock might need rekeying or some more advanced repair, it is best to contact a professional locksmith to avoid any unfortunate occurrences such as having to spend the night in an unlocked apartment. You are talking about your safety here, so you may want to pick the best solution possible, even if it means having to spend some money in the process.    

 

If you are confronting with the problem of annoying chairs ruining your beautiful flooring, use hammer in tacks you can attach felt pads to for your dining chairs and use rubber pads for your sofa and beds that usually stay in just one place around the house.

 

The Benefits of Creating a Budget Plan

April 27, 2014 | Posted in Financial Stability |

The unemployment rates in America may have dropped in the last few months, but there are still those who are struggling to manage to make it from day to day.

Not many of these people keep themselves to a spending plan for their monthly expenditures and we’re here to let you know why you should be keeping yourself and your family to a tight budget plan.

There are a number of different benefits to keeping yourself on a financial budget plan and the most important of which is that it lets you keep on top of all the cash going in and out of your account.

There’s an old saying that goes ‘Control your money, don’t let your money control you’ and having complete control over your finances can make your life considerably easier as it reduces stress and lets you figure out a monthly spending plan.

Having a budget plan also lets you get your monthly costs in perspective. So rather than feeling like you’re constantly paying bills, you will be able to figure out how much has to be set aside each month and if you have any sources of expendable income to use.

Budget planning will also let you come up with financial goals for yourself. For example, if you were aiming to buy a new car, planning out your costs would let you figure out how much you would have to set aside each month.

But it’s not just financial goals you can set up because you will also be able to create a nest egg for a rainy day or to cover any unforeseen costs. After all, we know how expensive medical bills can become, especially if you can’t afford the insurance to cover your costs.

By creating a planned budget, you can also figure out if there are other ways to get more from your money through savings accounts, bonds or investments in the financial market. Although you may want to extensively research this to make sure you’re making the right decision and getting the most from your money.

It’s like how you would spend some time researching a casino or bingo sites bingo bonuses to make sure they were giving you the best offer on your investments before you put any of your money in.

An interesting thing about creating a budget plan is that it also lets you look at potential debt loads. Of course, debt is always seen as a bad thing by many as it can often cause more harm than good, but there are times when it can realistically be covered and work to your benefit.  Although, this only happens if you have a good enough plan you could easily pay back any loans you take out, but it is possible.

There are numerous financial problems that can be solved by creating a budget plan. So if you ever find yourself struggling to cope with your monthly costs, try building up a plan because it will help out a lot!

Resident Recycling Advocate Makes Daffodil Shine

March 7, 2014 | Posted in Get Involved | Keywords: ,

Driving up to our Daffodil Apartments in southeast Austin, you immediately notice the array of plants growing on Irene Vera’s front porch. Irene, a Daffodil resident for more than six years, spends her days gardening, caring for her dogs and helping her friends and neighbors keep the place where they live looking its best.

“I get along with everybody,” Irene said of her fellow Daffodil residents. “Everybody knows me well.”

It was Irene’s friendly and outgoing spirit that moved her to take charge of the community’s recycling initiative last fall. She explained that after her two grandchildren participated in a recycling program at Smith Elementary, they encouraged her to recycle too.

Last fall Foundation Communities staff visited Daffodil to demonstrate recycling protocol, but did not reach everybody at their doorstep. That’s where Irene stepped in. She reached out to her neighbors to explain the importance of recycling and offer her assistance.

Two months after these outreach efforts, our green initiatives team discovered that Daffodil residents had more than doubled their recycling rate. As a result, we plan on expanding our recycling education to more Foundation Communities properties.

Becoming the recycling champion at Daffodil provided Irene with the opportunity to stay engaged with her neighbors and take care of the home she loves.

“It keeps my mind busy and keeps me from going into the depression I get into from time to time,” Irene said.

After a severe back injury and other health problems forced Irene to leave her job at a shipping and receiving warehouse nearly 10 years ago, Irene said that there have been times when she has shut herself off from the world.

But being part of the Daffodil community – where people know and care for her and the kids playing outside wave hello – has been a source of strength.

“My neighbors look out for me, like I look out for them,” Irene said.

Going forward, Irene will remain a recycling advocate with the hopes that more friends and neighbors get on board.

“Recycling is part of the pride in having a clean space to live,” Irene added. “I’m trying to get everybody to help and do their part as well.”

Resident education, community gardens and green buildings are all ways that we demonstrate our commitment to sustainability. Our green initiatives help residents, like Irene Vera, enjoy healthier lives, contribute in meaningful ways and lessen our impact on the environment.


Resident Cooks Up Plan for Success

February 4, 2014 | Posted in Financial Stability |

When Leslie Goodson and her three sons moved into an Austin homeless shelter, she felt like her world was crumbling. Leslie had overcome a lot already – her first son’s extended hospital stays due to a rare heart condition and the sudden death of her husband. At the time, Leslie’s estranged relationship with her father left her with nowhere else to turn.

“I was devastated,” she said.

Leslie learned about Foundation Communities while at the shelter. With our support, she gradually managed to get back on her feet and provide her family with a safe, affordable place to call home.

After moving into her new apartment, Leslie decided that she wanted to change her life for good and build a better future for herself and her sons. She utilized our onsite support services and took advantage of our financial stability programs.

Leslie has participated in Foundation Communities’ money management classes and one-on-one financial coaching. She also had her taxes prepared for free at our Community Tax Centers and, in August, she joined a brand-new savings program that encourages families to set aside money each month for emergencies.

The 42-year-old single mom said she now knows how to manage her budget, improve her credit score, and save for the future. With the help of her financial coach, Leslie is also actively pursuing her goal of opening a soul food restaurant in Austin.

“I love food and I love the feeling that I get when I feed people and they’re happy,” she said.

In addition to her full-time job as a medical assistant at a local clinic, Leslie spends her time researching other restaurants, coming up with menu ideas, and figuring out pricing. Recently, she catered a few small parties and she is considering the possibility of owning and operating her own food truck.

“With the steps I’m taking, slowly, but surely, I know [my restaurant] is going to be successful,” she said. Leslie said she will continue to work towards her goal, with the hope of one day passing her business on to her sons. In the meantime, the budding entrepreneur says she knows her sons are proud of all the progress she has made financially – and in life.


For more information about our Financial Stability programs, click here