CHURCHES UNITED IN MINISTRY

CHURCHES UNITED IN MINISTRY
A US registered nonprofit

Duluth, MN

Prior to gaining employment, Velvet used CHUM’s Emergency Food Shelf several times, where over 2000 households were served in 2009.

My name is Velvet, I lived in an abusive relationship for 15 years. Every now and again, the abuse would be so bad that I would escape to a shelter for battered women. Each time I left the shelter I would go back to my abuser. I had children and no job and nowhere to live. I know it sounds crazy but when you don't see your alternatives there isn't any hope.

Then one day I finally said to myself, "I am so tired, just so tired." When I called the women's shelter that day the counselor asked me if I was tired enough to NOT return? I decided then I was not going back. My kids and I stayed in the shelter while I tried to figure out what to do. Finally, I realized that I could not continue to live in the same neighborhood as my abuser. I had to go somewhere I would not fall into the same old routine.

I found myself with my children on a bus heading for Duluth. All I had was faith that I could really do it this time. Upon arrival we found the CHUM Emergency Shelter.

We were thankful to have a roof over our heads and no one abusing us, yet it was difficult to keep my family together. Staying in an emergency shelter is not an ideal situation. CHUM staff did provide us with a room where we could all stay together. However, getting up and getting out of the room by 8 AM each morning with nowhere to go meant I had to be extra vigilant to keep my family together. At breakfast and lunch, the staff allowed us to go first so I could get a plate for each of the kids. We had our ‘own' family table.

I met with Mary Lu, the Family Housing Advocate at CHUM everyday. She helped me identify the steps I needed to take to provide a good, stable home for my children; Velvet 15 and the twins, Marquis and Martae 14.

Mary Lu helped me enroll my kids in school. Velvet is at Central where she is the manager for the girls' basketball team and an office cadet. She will be starting a job soon in an after school childcare program. Marquis and Martae attend Woodland Middle School where they both play football. The boys beam when they talk about being on the City Championship team last fall. All three kids attend Neighborhood Youth Services programs after school so I don't have to worry where they are while I am at work.

After a week at the Emergency Shelter, Mary Lu got us into Safe Haven Shelter. Mary Lu continued to help us find permanent housing and that is when we started using the CHUM Food Shelf. Having a place to go to get basic food supplies as we set up our home was great. The people at the food shelf made me feel welcome. They helped me pick nutritious meal items that my kids would eat. Because I have a job now I no longer need to use the food shelf, but I know it is there if I ever need it again.

Mary Lu sent me to an Employment Advocate who helped me get a job, which I have had now for nearly a year. It feels so good to make my own money. I have already bought some furniture for our apartment and my next goal is to buy a car. For the first time in my life, I have money in the bank. Now I really believe I can help myself and my children have a better life.

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Donors' Wall

marla banks Thank you for always being there for my daughter
John Graham CHUM has a reputation for directing the large part of any gift to those who need the help. Low overhead=Bang for the buck.
Marcia Avner Community builders in Duluth!
Virginia May Thanks for all you do and all you support

Nonprofit Information:

102 W 2ND St
Duluth, MN 55802
218-720-6521
chum@chumduluth.org
http://www.chumduluth.org

EIN: 411227969

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Projects by CHURCHES UNITED IN MINISTRY

CHUM Emergency Food Shelf

	$15 1 case of chicken noodle soup
	$30 30 dozen eggs
	$50 15 cases of Cheerios
	$100 80 loaves of bread
	$250 14 cases of Spagettios
	$500 30 cases of tuna
	$1,000 Heat the Food Shelf for 6 months
	$5,000 5 months worth of food purchases
	$ Other