January 2013

Jon Mason Director

Inside this issue:

Project Homeless

Connect

2

Random Acts of

Kindness Week

3

Commissioner Hi-Light

4

Serve Alabama

Staff Hi-Light

6

GERF Report 7

Calendar of Events 8

DCMP 4th

Quarter Training

9

DCMP Success

Stories

10

Stay Connected

Through Social

Media

11

THE STATE OF ALABAMA’S FEMA DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN

EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER 2013 In December 2011, FEMA awarded the state of Alabama a $12.9 million

dollar disaster case management program as a part of the state's recov-

ery from the April 2011 Alabama tornadoes. For the past twelve months,

Alabama's DCMP program has served over 4,100 tornado survivors, and

currently serves over 2,300 survivors in the recovery process. The

program was scheduled to close in April 2013. Thanks to the no-cost

extension granted by FEMA, the three primary provider level agencies,

Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless, Community Action Parnter-

ship of North Alabama and Community Services Program of West

Alabama, along with other partner groups, and Serve Alabama's DCMP

team are now able to continue working with families and individuals on

the road to recovery. It is our goal to help as many survivors as possible

develop and implement a recovery/rebuild plan and secure any available

funding for their needs.

FEMA Region 4 Director Phil May praised the Alabama DCM project in

his grant extension letter. I would like to echo his praise and thank all

members of Serve Alabama's DCM team and the leadership of the three

provider level agencies working with the project for your hard work and

dedication. I would also like to say a special thank you to the case man-

agers working side by side with individuals and families during the

recovery process. You're the reason this program exists, to help meet the

needs of storm survivors. Thank you for all you do!

Finally, based on our team's projections, the FEMA DCM program’s

social return on investment (SROI) is $2.45 for every $1.00 spent on the

project, illustrating true benefit to the survivors and time/money well

invested in Alabama.

Page 2

January 2013

AmeriCorps Members Serve Project Homeless Connect—Birmingham

On March 9, 2013 One Roof will host Project Homeless Connect (PHC), their annual

event that will serve nearly 1,000 homeless people in Birmingham. PHC is a one day

event that brings together community members, homeless service providers and local

businesses and organizations in an effort to eliminate homelessness in the Birmingham

area. PHC is coordinated by one of One Roof’s AmeriCorps members.

This year, AmeriCorps members at the YWCA will serve at PHC as a kick off to Ameri-

Corps Week. Last year, AmeriCorps members from several AmeriCorps programs served

at this event, and all the members spoke of what a positive experience it was.

In hopes to remove the barriers associated with homelessness, PHC has established the

motto: One day. One place. One goal. Last year, 800 volunteers, aptly known as Smiling

Faces, addressed the needs of each guest by providing various services. Such services

included issuing Social Security cards and state identification cards, dental screenings,

eye exams and check-ups.

Of the guests served at last year’s event, over 25 were children and over half were

disabled or veterans. Some guests spoke of not having the resources to maintain a home

on their own, and as a result stay in either homeless shelters or on the streets.

This event is free to the public and includes resources on housing and employment, in

addition to a hot meal.

For more information or to register as a volunteer, Visit:

http://www.handsonbirmingham.org/HOC__Volunteer_Registration_Page

AmeriCorps members in action

at an event related to Project

Homeless Connect.

Page 3

January 2013

February 11 -17, 2013

“Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and

resolution” (Kahlil Gibran). A Random Act of Kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or

people desiring to either assist or cheer up a person or people. During the week of February 11-17,

2013, many people around the world celebrated Random Acts of Kindness (RAoK) week! The RAoK

week, founded by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, encourages people to spread kindness

during this time and year round.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is the heart of the kindness movement who aims to help

everyone create a better world by spreading awareness and increasing engagement in kind actions.

The RAoK website, http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ , is used as a platform for media, educa-

tion, resources, networking, and stories. It provides people with the means to connect to a community

of people and ideas in order to learn, grow and communicate kindness in traditional and unique ways.

Great Kindness Ideas from the Random Acts of Kindness Week, included cleaning up graffiti in neigh-

borhoods, donating used books, care packages for the homeless, mentoring, spending time in nursing

homes, assisting someone whose car has broken down, helping with yard/house work, letting some-

one in line go in front of you, eat lunch with a new person at work, make blankets for the homeless,

pay the tab for someone behind you, read to a child or thank a police officer, fire fighter or veteran/

military personnel for their service.

Simple Random Acts of Kindness we can pass on every day: Say “hello”, open a door for someone,

share a snack, lend a hand, encourage a friend, do a favor, offer your seat, cheer up a friend, pick up

litter, give a compliment, respect others, forgive mistakes, smile at someone, be tolerant, or offer a

hug!

Source: http://

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Page 4

January 2013

COMMISSIONER HI-LIGHT HOLLY SHEPHERD LOLLAR

Holly Shepherd Lollar, APR, is the President of The

Lollar Group. She was Public Relations Account

Director at o2ideas for three years. Prior to joining

o2ideas, she was Vice President of Public Relations

and Marketing for Kid One Transport, a state-wide

nonprofit organization for three and a half years.

In 2002, Holly was Press Secretary for an Alabama

statewide political campaign. Her prior experience

in the non-profit sector includes her position as

Community Relations Manager for the Alabama

Policy Institute. Lollar graduated with a degree in

Public Relations and Speech Communication from the University of Alabama, where she

received the 2001 Eddy Fulk’s Award in Recognition of Outstanding Community Service.

Lollar has also worked for Senator Richard Shelby’s Press Department; Concerned

Women for America’s Media Department and has served as an assistant to Vice President,

Ray Cole of Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc., all in Washington, D.C.

Lollar has been a member of The Junior League of Birmingham for eight years and served

on the American Advertising Federation- Birmingham's Board for six years. She is Past-

President of the Junior Board of Glenwood, Inc. She is a former board member of the

Public Relations Society of America, Alabama Chapter and also served on the Public

Relations Council of Alabama-Birmingham's Board.

Lollar also previously served on the Junior Board of Magic Moments, the Southeastern

Diabetes Education Services' Board and the Young Professionals of Birmingham’s

Board. She currently serves on the Young Supporters Board of UAB's Comprehensive

Cancer Center.

Page 5

January 2013

Lollar was appointed by Governor Bob Riley to the Alabama Women's Commission as

a Representative of the State At Large in 2003 as well as to the Black Belt Action

Commission, Health Committee by Governor Riley and Congressman Artur Davis in

November of 2004. Former Governor Riley and Governor Bentley both appointed

Lollar to the Alabama State Service Commission where she will serve until 2016.

She frequently speaks to faculty, alumni and students at the University of Alabama

(Tuscaloosa), Samford University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham on

trends in the fields of public relations and corporate communications. Lollar is a past

recipient of both the PEAK Award for Ad Woman of the Year and Public Relations

Director of the Year given by the American Advertising Federation- Birmingham.

In 2009, Lollar won the PEAK Award for Newcomer of the Year in recognition of her

new company, given by the American Advertising Federation- Birmingham.

Lollar received the distinguished honor of being named as one of the Birmingham

Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” in March of 2011. She is a member of the 2011

-2012 class of Leadership Vestavia Hills and is a graduate of the Junior League of Bir-

mingham’s Leadership Institute.

She has been married to her husband, Chris Lollar for 10 years, a CPA with Ernst &

Young and they are the proud parents of two daughters, Caroline, 3 and Lily, 1.

*APR is a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who demonstrate

their commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice, and who are selected

based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective, and sound professional judgment.

Page 6

January 2013

SERVE ALABAMA STAFF HI-LIGHT STEPHEN CARR

DCMP PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Stephen Carr is the Program Director for the FEMA

funded disaster case management program within the

State of Alabama. His work in the area of disaster case

management includes having served as a staff member

for the UMCOR-Katrina Aid Today project, serving as

program director for the Mississippi Case Manage-

ment Consortium (MCMC), and as a subject matter

expert for Abt Associates and the Department of

Health and Human Services. Stephen is a graduate of

the University of Mobile with a Master of Arts degree

in Marriage and Family Therapy and Villanova

University with a certificate in Project Management.

OUR VISION Serve Alabama, The Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer

Service works to increase an ethic of service and volunteerism in the State of Alabama, strengthen the capacity of Alabama’s faith and

community-based organizations, and promote collaboration among individuals and organizations striving to meeting some of the greatest

needs in our state.

Page 7

January 2013

Page 8

January 2013

M A R C H 2 0 1 3

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1

Formula

Applications

Due

2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

AmeriCorps

Week March

9th —17th

10

11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28

OUR MISSION

To expand the capacity and partnerships of those who serve and

transform Alabama’s communities.

Page 9

January 2013

DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HOLDS 4TH QUARTER TRAINING

Case Managers, Supervisors and Program Directors from all three Provider Level Agen-

cies involved in the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP) with Serve Alabama

gathered in Montgomery on February 20th for training. Agencies were energized by the

fact they the program was extended by FEMA until October 2013. In his letter to

ServeAlabama FEMA Regional Administrator Major P. May stated, “We have been high-

ly impressed with the quality of work provided through this program in Alabama.” The

extension will allow agencies to continue to serve the more than 2,500 open cases in Al-

abama.

During the general session Stephen Carr, Program Director, explained that Construction

Cost Analyst had estimated more the $9.1M of damage. This didn’t include estimates

completed by outside estimators. He stressed “that there is still work to be done” in our

communities. He applauded the programs for their diligence in helping clients complete

applications for CDBG and other funding. Participants then attended breakout sessions

on Compassion Fatigue, Recognizing Deferred Maintenance, the Evaluation Project

with Jacksonville State University, and how to begin closing out the project.

Page 10

January 2013

DCMP SUCCESS STORIES

Closed Case in Texas

While conducting a Client Satisfaction/Exit Interview, it was determined that an ARCH DCMP Closed Case Client has re-located to Texas, and is currently homeless. As a result, a referral was given to two different local Austin, Texas service providers of the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).

Hackleburg

On April 27th 2011 Jamie and Timothy Gann were living in Hackleburg, AL. They were at home with their two small children, Jayla and Mylayia when the tornado came. When the alarms went off for the tornado, they pulled the piano away from the wall and got behind it. A tree fell on to the house caused so much damage that the home was considered uninhabitable and they were left homeless.

The Gann’s lived with family for a short time but eventually found a place to rent in Hackleburg. While they were struggling to pay rent, the home also needed a lot of work done to it. The floors were weak in places and they felt this was an unsafe envi-ronment for their family so they had to move out. They then had to move into a small camper that was given to them. The Gann’s were referred to Community Action Part-nership of North Alabama and were assigned to case manager Vickie Humber. Ms. Humber worked closely with the family to aide in their recovery from this disaster.

Their case was taken before the Long Term Recovery Committee where they were ap-proved for funding for a 3 bedroom mobile home. When this mobile home arrived Jayla, who is 7, walked into the living room and exclaimed, “Mom, It’s beautiful!” The joy in this child’s voice was unprecedented. The renewed hope for this family was an answered prayer and they are now living in their new home with a bright future ahead for them.

West Alabama

Several cases were presented to the Long Term Recovery of West Alabama’s Un-Met Needs Committee By Community Service Programs of West Alabama for funding for repairs. The committee reviewed and approved nineteen (19) cases for repairs totaling $ 94, 366.74.

Alabama State Service Commissioners

Mr. Roderic Steakley—Chairman Mr. Caleb Lundy

Ms. Betty Ruth—Vice Chair Mr. Danny Patterson

Ms. Pam Dorr Rep. Bill Poole

Mr. Eddie Johnson Ms. Sue Johnson

Ms. Candi Williams Ms. Elizabeth Wilson

Mr. Eric Jones Mr. Frank Woodson

Mr. Matthew Little

Ms. Holly Shepherd Lollar

Ex-Officio Members

Commissioner Nancy Buckner, Alabama Department of Human Resources

Represented by Fannie Ashley

Ms. Jackie Bishop, Corporation for National and Community Service

Dr. Thomas R. Bice, Alabama State Department of Education

Represented by Sallye Longshore

Ms. Kelley Parris-Barnes, Alabama Department of Child Abuse Prevention

Commissioner Jim Reddoch, Alabama Department of Mental Health

Represented by Kathy House

Page 11

January 2013

Stay Connected to Serve Alabama Through Social Media

Serve Alabama continues to grow on social media. For updates on news and

opportunities for Alabama’s faith-based and NGO community, join us on Twitter

and Facebook today!

Check us out on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Serve-Alabama/168607919865877 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alabama-Americorps-State/417021808369615 Or Twitter

@ www.twitter.com/servealabama

@ www.twitter.com/ALAmeriCorps