East Metro Women's Council

East Metro Women’s Council (EMWC) vision is for every family to have a safe and affordable place to call home, where parents and children are engaged in school, work and their community and are able to realize their goals and dreams.

Upcoming Events
Graduation Ceremony and Dinner
East Metro Women’s Council helps support parents by providing an innovative therapy program to develop new skills needed in providing a better future for their families. This Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a skills-based training program. It helps parents overcome trauma, improve relationships and advocate for what they want in an effective way, so they can be successful in school and work, at home and in the community. The children experience the benefits of their parents’ successes through this therapy program and are able to see the rewards of hard work, persistence and patience.

Help graduating parents celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends. Join others from Incarnation to welcome, set-up, prepare and/or serve dinner. Contact Diane Betterley via email or 651-483-4916 for more information.
When: Tuesday, February 26

Shift Times
3:00-5:00pm - Prepare food
3:30-5:00pm - Decorate and set-up
5:30-7:30pm - Serve dinner and clean-up

Housing
EMWC offers transitional housing and self-sufficiency programs for homeless and low-income families in suburban Ramsey and Washington Counties. East Metro Place, located near Century College in White Bear Lake, provides a supportive learning and living environment for 35 families, including nearly 100 children from infants through young adults. Their family friendly housing facility has common areas used for support services, tutoring, childcare and gatherings; as well as an outdoor children’s playground.

The extensive support services for both parents and children have been the distinguishing factor in the success of their families.

Support for Parents
Advocates work with EMWC’s families to help them meet their basic needs and achieve their long-term goals of economic stability and self-reliance. Adults participate in Employment and Education Services, and are expected to engage in a combination of work, education and volunteer service.

Residents attend skill-building workshops for tenant training, budgeting and effective parenting. Parents also participate in Dialectical Behavior Therapy to overcome trauma, improve relationships and advocate for what they want in an effective way.

Support for Children
More than two-thirds of residents at EMWC are children. Programs serving children and youth are critical to helping them overcome the negative effects of housing instability. EMWC train volunteers to provide after school tutoring and develop positive, caring relationships with their children. Summer camp, Boys and Girls Club, early learning and mentoring opportunities are also offered.

EMWC has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of excellence in leadership and innovation. Their families demonstrate significant accomplishments during their stay at EMWC.

• 80% percent of adults and children exiting from EMWC secure permanent housing
• 77% of adults enrolled in an education or job training program complete or actively make progress in that program
• 87% of adults achieve parenting goals
• 96% of school-age children have regular school attendance
• 100% of residents access resources or are involved in their community


Volunteer Opportunities at East Metro Women’s Council

EMWC offers unique and varied service opportunities that fit in well with the passions, talents and schedules of those in the Incarnation faith community. Whether interested in working as an individual or part of a group, building relationships with adults or children, working behind the scenes, at Incarnation or in your home, there is an opportunity for everyone. Both on-going and one-time options are available. The following is just a sampling of some of the volunteer opportunities.

Boys Club - Participate in a Boys Club activity with others from Incarnation. Be a positive role
model for boys ages 8-13 while playing basketball, jumping at a trampoline park, sliding, flying kites, playing video games…all while sharing and building relationships. Select one of the activities offered throughout the year.

Graduation Ceremony and Dinner – Help the parent graduates celebrate their accomplishments with their family and friends. Join others from Incarnation to welcome, entertain, set-up, prepare or serve dinner one weeknight in May or June.

Connect with the Children – Spend quality time with infants and children through 8 years old in a group setting while their parents attend support classes. Rock babies, read, build relationships, and play games with children. Group activities are led by EMWC staff. Participate once or whenever it fits. Families and group welcome. Connecting Times: Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursdays 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Big Brother Big Sister Program – Make a positive difference in a child’s life--be a friend and mentor. Spend a few hours together once a month doing activities you both enjoy.

A 10-year old boy living with his family at East Metro Place is looking for a mentor and a friend. This is a once-a-month opportunity to make a difference in a child's life. 81% of former Little Brothers surveyed agree that their Big Brother gave them hope and changed their perspective of what they thought possible. The Big Brother Big Sister organization provedes support and training. This opportunity is open to males 18 years and older. Call Cheryl Schindler at 773-8401 ext. 116 if you would like to learn more.

 
After School Tutors – Provide one-on-one tutoring for a child. No teaching experience necessary. Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursday 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. during academic year. Summer tutoring, 7 weeks, Tuesdays or Thursdays 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Select a time, share a position or become a substitute.

Adult Mentors and Tutors – Variety of opportunities working with parents. Help with GED or college-level courses, job skills, etc.

Drivers and Furniture Pick-Up – Drive families to food shelf, grocery store, or medical appointments. Day or Evening. Flexible hours. Participate when it fits. Help pick-up furniture and deliver to families at EMWC. Trailer or truck helpful.

Landscaping – Trim bushes, plant or tend gardens. Flexible hours. One time or on a regular basis.

Share Talents/Painting/Photography/Musical Abilities/Exercise/Dance
Medical/Technical/Plan an Activity or Party - Many options for individuals, families, small groups and youth groups. EMWC will help with planning.

Holiday Party – Help families celebrate the holidays. Join other Incarnation members set-up, serve dinner, provide entertainment, and help with crafts and games. 100+ volunteers needed.

Donation Opportunities at East Metro Women’s Council

Household Items Needed for Families at East Metro Women’s Council
East Metro Women’s Council needs your gently-used household goods. There is a great need for dishes, silverware, kitchen items, towels, blankets, sheets, cleaning supplies, alarm clocks, fans, storage containers, furniture, etc. Bring items to the Incarnation Office or contact Diane Betterley via email or 651-483-4916.

The families at East Metro Place are currently in need of bed pillows (new), oven mitts with hooks, towels, queen-size sheets and blankets, radios, alarm clocks, toasters and DVD players. All new or gently-used items are greatly appreciated.

Bedroom (New or Gently-used) Alarms clocks Blankets, sheets (all sizes, laundered in good shape) Towels Pillows (NEW ONLY) Fans Mattress Covers (waterproof) Dressers Beds all sizes (really good shape) Kitchen (New or Gently-used) Dishes Pots & pans Silverware Microwaves (newer/smaller, toasters) Cleaning supplies Mops, Brooms Vacuums (extra bags) Ironing board/iron Storage Bins Jobs Club Flash drives Portfolios Tablets & Pens

Gift Cards Target Walmart Cub Foods Festival Foods Super America or Freedom (gas cards) Cab Vouchers (Green & White Suburban Taxi) Support Donations Tutoring sessions for a child Dialectical Behavior Therapy sessions for a parent Summer camp fees for a child Major Gifts Automobiles (to donate $500) Carpet (hallways) Computers (Pentium IV minimum) Paint (hallways) Money for Rent Assistance Fund Back to School Supplies Coats, Mittens, Scarves, and Boots Drive in the fall

Smaller donations can be brought to Incarnation Office.  Please call EMWC at 651-773-8401 x134 for larger donations

Tour East Metro Women’s Council
Visit EMWC and learn more about how they are working to end homelessness at one of their monthly Home At Last tours. All tours are at East Metro Place on the 2nd Tuesdays of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Visit EMWC website at www.emwc.org for more information.

To learn more about service or donation opportunities and how to become involved in this life-changing mission, contact: Diane Betterley via email or at 651.483.4916.  Cheryl Schindler, Volunteer Program Manager, EMWC via email or at 651.773.8401, ext. 116.

Check out Incarnation's other mission partners:
Mkwawa Lutheran Church: Iringa, Tanzania
LifeHaven/Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota: St. Paul, MN
East Metro Women's Council
Feed My Starving Children
Hunger Ministry