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June 2002
A penny can make a big difference! Students at Joppa View had a penny drive as part
of the Baltimore County Schools Have a Heart for the Homeless Month. On June 4th,
representatives from the Joppa View Elementary Student Council presented INNterim
with a check for $1,078.00. We are grateful to Mary Ann Nietubicz, who coordinated
the effort, and to the students and families of Joppa View. INNterim sent flyers to
the schools promoting “Do Something Sweet for INNterim as part of the homeless month
effort.
Summer is a fun time for children at INNterim. Some will attend area camps, and others
attend daycare centers that have special summer activities.
Our annual summer trip to an amusement park will be to Six Flags America. Mothers and
children look forward to the wave pool and the rides, particularly the roller coasters.
As usual there will be an instructor from Recreation and Parks visiting INNterim twice
each week to lead children in games and sports. They offer a trip to an area attraction.
In the past the group has visited the Raven’s Camp, Oregon Ridge Pool and the Zoo.
It won’t be long before 21 homeless mothers and their children will be able to move
into their own apartment at INNterim’s second site – on the Rosewood Campus on Owings
Mills, Maryland. Repairs began on June 3rd at 10203 and 10204 Jensen Lane. In
addition to all the services currently offered to residents at INNterim House,
INNterim Apartments residents will have access to an on-site daycare center.
Our renovations at INNterim House will begin on June 10th. This is the final phase of
renovations that began in 2001. Last year, bathrooms were upgraded, bedrooms and halls
carpeted, kitchen & dining room tiled, and exterior trim covered. This year, the MAHT
grant will replace deteriorated sidewalks, air-condition bedrooms and paint the interior.
INNterim was recognized as a MAHT 2002 Award Winner “for its determination to assist
homeless women and their children by providing a secure and supportive living environment
in Baltimore County. Residents of this transitional housing benefit from a comprehensive
program of peer support, counseling, education, case management, vocational training, and
life skills, INNterim defined MAHT’s role by repairing and upgrading their aging building
and increasing support staff and services to improve the quality of life for families. “
Tired of low paying jobs, three of our Moms have enrolled in GED classes to get high
school diplomas. They’ve taken that first big step to earn a living wage and lift
their families out of poverty. Our other six moms are working. Two of them are
working full-time and are saving to move into independent housing.
We enjoy hearing from our former residents. Elizabeth G. called the other day to let
us know that she had finished her second year in college, passing all her courses.
After nine months at INNterim, Elizabeth and her three children have been living
independently for 1-1/2 years. We’re glad they’re doing so well!
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