Housing Journey
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‘Begin at the Beginning,’
the King said gravely, ‘and go on till you come to the end: then stop.’ – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Mid-life crisis People mock a mid-life crisis. Yet, even our wise King Solomon stopped to contemplate his life. It appears he did so many times over. His advice to the young is “…remember that you…
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And You Get A Car!
First car donation received We had our first car donation this summer. The timing was so perfect that it could only be God. A 2007 Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer w/ 213,000 miles Thank you so much, Megan. IVY sold the car for a minimal amount to House Manager, Darryl, who also performs maintence for every…
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Numerous Firsts
I’ve experienced an overwhelming number of firsts in Kansas in my first two years of housing people in recovery from trauma. What follows is my attempt to catalog these. The 1st Time I Ever: Rented 4 homes in middle class / upper class neighborhoods in Wichita Outfit homes like an AirBNB Bought a pack of…
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Profile of a Resident
Returning to Society after 40 Years I checked George (alias) into the house today. He’s beyond excited to join us after 40 years of incarceration. Read that. 40 years. I wasn’t born yet when he entered prison. Yesterday – prison. Today – hello world. George got a battery of do’s and don’ts, places he must…
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Wichita’s 1st Nationally Accredited Recovery Homes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IVY Home Foundation (IVY) received accreditation at two male recovery homes (also known as sober homes) and one female recovery home. These are the first accredited male recovery homes in Kansas and the first accredited recovery homes in the greater Wichita area. Accreditation creates a standard for:• living conditions• safety• operation accountability•…
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Secrets: Returning Citizens
My reality for the past year. I get at least 2 requests a month to house a man who has been imprisoned past his parole date. Typically, he’s been incarcerated for 6 mths to a year beyond his parole date. Why would someone still be in prison past their parole date? Yes. I take people…
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Secrets: Sex Trafficking in ICT
No one is waiting to help you. Whisk you away. Save you. Almost everything I thought I knew about domestic violence (DV) and sex trafficking was wrong. You’ve seen those stickers on the back of bathroom stalls like look like the above image. Call or text for help. It seems so simple. Call that number,…
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Secrets
a few hard things I haven’t told people these things because I have been extra cautious not to “do [my] good deeds publicy to be admired by others, for [I] will lose the reward from [my] Father in heaven.” Matt 6:1 Despite my loud personality and the dramatic clothes I wear, I don’t want others…
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IVY Home Foundation 501(c)3 Status Granted!
It’s done. IVY Home Foundation is officially exempt for specific tax purposes in the eyes of the IRS. 501 (c) 3 Status Granted This was a mountain to climb. The IRS is backlogged with a 9-12mth wait to review non-profit applicants. IVY Home can now receive food directly from the Kansas Food Bank. We can…
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Shared Housing Hall of Fame
Frank and Sherri Candelerio surprised me in Seattle at their 1000 Dreams Come True conference with an induction into their Housing Provider Hall of Fame. This happened in September 2023. A housing provider is always working. Hall of Fame Video This was my second time at this conference, and I was both humbled and encouraged…