EDITOR’S NOTE: For 22 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
Today, we feature another in a series of articles on how the fund operates and who benefits from our readers’ generosity.
More information about the Home Fund will appear Wednesday.
PORT TOWNSEND — It took only a few months.
April Jenson went from a job, a marriage and a safe home to overwhelming debts . . . and living with her five young children, including an infant with heart problems, on the streets and in her car.
“It was the scariest time of my life,” she said.
She had been good about paying her bills on time and conscientious about having a nice, clean home for her children to live in.
“I’m a planner — I plan everything,” Jenson said.
“But there was no planning for this. I never, ever thought we’d end up living in my car.”
It was the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Home Fund and OlyCAP that finally helped the frantic, anxious mother.
“I scoured the Yellow Pages and tried contacting every shelter and service I could for help,” said Jenson, who at the time lived in Kitsap County.
“No shelter had room for us, but we were given a pass to stay at the Kitsap Fairgrounds.”
She made another round of calls, only to hear the same response.
Through sheer doggedness and tenacity, she eventually connected with the OlyCAP office in Port Townsend.
OlyCAP is nonprofit Olympic Community Action Programs, the No. 1 emergency-care agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
It also screens the applicants for the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund and distributes the funds.
The Home Fund helped with the rental deposit to get the family into a Port Townsend apartment.
“I explained I needed to get my kids off the street and in a home right away,” said Jenson.
“I think they heard the desperation in my voice because they stepped right in to help,
saving us, really saving us.”
A little more than a year ago, April Jenson felt on top of the world.
She was married, living in a five-bedroom home with her four children — Joseph, now 9, Zachary, 6, Nathan, 4, and Amity, 3 — and was happy at her job as a specialty photo technician at a large retail store in Kitsap County.
Jenson said she had always been the family provider — proud of herself for being able to pay the bills — and her husband was content to be a stay-at-home dad.
She had always dreamed of having a big family and was thrilled to be expecting a fifth child.
But the new baby was born with heart problems.
Problems quickly mounted . . . along with the bills.
Without warning, the baby’s heart would stop, leaving her constantly fearful and on edge.
A frantic call to the paramedics proved lifesaving several times over for her infant.
The ensuing hours, sometimes days, at the hospital with the infant she named Baby James caused her to lose her job.
Several months later, the family was evicted from their rental home.
Jobless, loaded with debt, they couldn’t find another place to live.
At first, they bounced around from her husband’s family to her mother’s and even to some of their friends’.
“I begged everyone I could to let us stay with them,” said Jenson.
Her mother tried very hard to help, but the situation proved too taxing on her already-compromised health.
“At first, my husband was with us,” she said.
“He kept assuring me he would find a job, but he never did.”
Their joblessness and gaggle of active kids proved too intrusive to others — and they soon ended up living in their car.
It wasn’t long before her husband left the family, she said.
The couple are now in the middle of divorce proceedings.
The once-strong woman now felt helpless and lived in constant fear.
Fear of being unable to feed her children, of criminals attacking them while they slept, of freezing weather, of Child Protective Services taking her kids away from her.
“I looked for work every single day, hour and minute they were in child care,” she recalled.
“When I fell into financial ruin, many friends and family were very critical, saying, ‘How could you have so many kids?’
“But I always thought if I just worked hard, everything would keep falling into place.”
Within a week of getting the apartment, she found a job at a market.
But the terror wasn’t over yet.
It was during their first week in the apartment that the baby’s heart stopped again, and he ended up being airlifted to a hospital in Tacoma in the middle of the night.
Life continues to be a struggle.
But it’s with great conviction that she says that when caught up on bills, she’s going to open a savings account and start saving money because “I never want to be homeless again.”
“I’m so grateful to the Peninsula Home Fund and OlyCAP,” she said.
“Once I get going really well, I’m going to donate money to help others in that position.”
She offered this advice to anyone else who might be close to being evicted from their home:
“If you need help, ask for it right away. Otherwise, things just get worse.
“Pride is foolish. When you have children, you’ve got to put pride aside.”
And for those living on the streets, “don’t give up,” she added.
“Keep working hard every day to do what it takes to get off the streets and into a home.”
Home Fund campaign
The PDN’s Peninsula Home Fund — a safety net for local residents when there is nowhere else to turn — is seeking contributions for its annual holiday season fundraising campaign that runs from Thanksgiving through Dec. 31.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to Sequim and LaPush, the Home Fund is a “hand up, not a handout” for children, teens, families and the elderly to get through an emergency situation.
Money from the Home Fund goes for hot meals for seniors, meeting rent, energy and transportation needs, warm winter coats for kids, home repairs for the low-income, needed eyeglasses and prescription drugs, dental work, safe and drug-free temporary housing . . .
The list goes on and on.
Begun in 1989, the Home Fund is supported by Jefferson and Clallam residents.
Individuals, couples, families, businesses, churches, service organizations and school groups set a record for contributions in 2010 — $248,367.35.
With heavy demand this year, the carefully rationed fund is being rapidly depleted.
Since Jan. 1, the Home Fund has helped more than 2,160 households — almost 4,750 individuals on the North Olympic Peninsula like April Jenson and her children.
As we move into winter, the toughest period of the year, all of the money collected in 2010 is expected to be exhausted by
Dec. 31.
■ The Peninsula Home Fund is a unique nonprofit program.
No money is deducted by the Peninsula Daily News.
Every penny goes to OlyCAP to help the most vulnerable members of our community, from infants to families to seniors.
Because of the extraordinary demand experienced by OlyCAP in 2011 — and plummeting cutbacks in grants and government support — for the first time in the 22-year history of the Home Fund, OlyCAP will use a portion of the fund in 2012 to pay for the helping hands who see clients.
The amount will be limited to 10 cents of every dollar donated.
The fund is not set up to hand out money passively.
OlyCAP can no longer absorb the costs of managing all the facets of the Home Fund — screening applicants, providing counseling and carefully disbursing the funds — without financial assistance.
It must tap a small portion of the fund this year as tough times compound the challenges it faces to help those in need.
■ The Home Fund is not a welfare program.
Assistance, which usually averages less than $100, is also limited to one time in a 12-month period.
The average amount of help this year was about $95 per family.
As needed, Peninsula Home Fund donations are also used in conjunction with money from churches, service clubs and other donors, enabling OlyCAP to stretch the value of the contribution.
The Home Fund staff’s most important goal is to get the individual or family through a crisis and back on the path of self-sufficiency.
Whenever possible, case managers work with each individual or family to develop a plan to become financially stable — and avoid a recurrence of the emergency that prompted aid from the fund.
The goal again: “a hand up, not a handout.”
■ All contributions are fully IRS tax-deductible for the year in which a check is written.
(See accompanying story.)
■ Your personal information is kept confidential.
The PDN does not rent, sell, give or otherwise share your address or other information with anyone or make any other use of it.
Applying for a grant
To apply for a Peninsula Home Fund grant, phone OlyCAP at 360-452-4726 (Clallam County) or 360-385-2571 (Jefferson County).
■ OlyCAP’s Port Angeles office is at 228 W. First St., Suite J (Armory Square Mall); 360-452-4726.
■ Its Port Townsend office is at 803 W. Park Ave.; 360-385-2571.
■ The Forks/West End office is at 421 Fifth Ave.; 360-374-6193.
OlyCAP’s website: www.olycap.org; email: action@olycap.org.
If you have any questions about the fund, phone John Brewer, Peninsula Daily News editor and publisher, at 360-417-3500.
Or email him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
The Peninsula Daily News publishes the donation coupon and information about the fund every Sunday and Wednesday during the fundraising campaign.
Contributions so far
While most of the money is raised between Thanksgiving and Dec. 31, the fund itself never closes.
Donations of any amount are always welcome.
Below is a list of donors whose contributions were processed between Dec. 1 and 8 (some credit card donors during that period will be processed this week).
Thank you very much for making a difference in the lives — and futures — of your neighbors like April Jenson and her children:
■ Phil and Debi Saxton, Port Townsend — $250. In loving memory of Don and Eileen Garling.
■ Bob and Joni Kennedy, Port Angeles — $200. In memory of Laura Kennedy.
■ Eleanor Sitowitz, Bronx, N.Y. — $75. In memory of Vincent Avallone.
■ Don Mason, Sequim — $50. In honor of Patricia Mason.
■ Barbara Brittingham, Port Angeles — $100. In memory of beloved sister Joan Favre.
■ Tom and Carol Sinton, Port Angeles — $250.
■ Thomas C. Santos, Sequim — $75. In honor of Ruth Godfrey.
■ Dennis and Dianne Isaac, Sequim — $25.
■ Bonnie Robb, Lake Oswego, Ore. — $100. In memory of Bud McCall. Mr. Bud — you were one of a kind! Love and miss you!
■ Walter and Edith Rowell, Centennial, Colo. — $100. In honor of Ben and Donna Pacheco.
■ Carol and Wayne Hanson, Minnesota City, Minn. — $40. In memory of Aunt Betsy A. Jacobs.
■ William and Nancy Irvine, Sequim and Santa Barbara, Calif. — $125.
■ Sharon and Alton Mattioli, Port Townsend — $100. In honor of Dixie Romatka.
■ George and Heather Irwin, Port Angeles — $500. In memory of Christin Stock.
■ T. Heien, Sequim — $202. In honor of Irene and Rita.
■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown, Nordland — $100.
■ Margaret S. Savory, Port Angeles — $50.
■ Don Case and Joanne Peterson, Port Townsend — $1,000.
■ Hamilton Elementary School staff, Port Angeles — $310.
■ Tom and Joyce LaMure, Sequim — $100.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested that the amount of their donation be kept private):
■ Carol Philpott, Port Angeles. In memory of Bob Philpott.
■ Dick and Judy Owen, Port Angeles. To honor Jim and his giving and his loving heart —— miss you. Love, Dick and Judy.
■ Penny Brewer, Sequim. In memory of my beloved David.
■ Carolyn Muller, Port Angeles. In memory of Will Muller.
■ Dana and Sally Dolloff, Jacksonville, Fla.
■ Sara Lee O’Connor, Port Angeles. In memory of Michael O’Connor, beloved son.
■ Wesley Ringius, Port Angeles. In memory of Emily Ringius.
■ Dan and Patricia Nellis, Sequim. In memory of Martha Lohr.
■ Mary Robinson, Port Angeles. In memory of Robbie Robinson. Miss you.
■ Marcia Schnaubelt, Sequim. In honor of fundamental human kindness.
■ Lee and Irene Wyman, Port Angeles. In memory of Beverly Hamilton.
■ Larry and Darla Kalsbeek, Sequim. In memory of Kim Kalsbeek.
■ Robbin and Patricia Hammel, Port Angeles. In memory of John Norton.
■ Margie Faires, Port Angeles. In memory of Helen Taylor.
■ Heather Peters, Chimacum. In memory of Ellsworth “Pete” Peters: For Grandpa, whose life we remember and honor and whose presence we miss. May you rest in God’s peace.
■ Heather Peters, Chimacum. In memory of Jack Phillips: Grampy, you’re remembered in the tattoo on my brother’s chest, in the baby great-grandchild who bears your name and in all our hearts. Like elephants, we’ll never forget.
■ Mount Pleasant Homemakers, Port Angeles.
■ Ed and Phyllis Hopfner, Port Angeles.
■ Don and Gwen Schreiner, Sequim.
■ Phil Edin, Port Angeles.
■ Dolores and Henry Victorian, Port Angeles.
■ Bob and Sue Erzen, Sequim.
■ Olympic Springs Inc., Carlsborg.
■ Ray and Polly Gilkeson, Sequim.
■ David and Marcia Chance, Port Angeles.
■ Richard B. Gritman, Sequim.
■ AMS Audio Enterprises, Sequim.
■ Edith Christie, Port Angeles. In honor of Bill — severely challenged by life, he spends his days cleaning our streets of trash left by the socially and environmentally challenged.
n Joan Gloor, Port Angeles.
■ Robert and Janice Crist, Sequim. In memory of Rosaline Thompson.
■ Brownfield family, Sequim.
■ Dan and Eve Farrell, Port Angeles.
■ Pat Vautier, Port Angeles. In memory of Dan Vautier.
■ Dale and LaRue Robirts, Sequim.
■ Steve and Linda Bailey, Carlsborg.
■ Diana Childs, Sequim.
■ Agnes Bell, Sequim.
■ Jeanne and John Skow, Port Angeles.
■ Nancy and Brad Anseth, Sequim.
■ Ray and Betty Daignault, Sequim. In memory of Maureen D. Emery.
■ Donald and Barbara Reidel, Port Angeles. In memory of Eloise Pudas.
■ Donald and Barbara Reidel, Port Angeles. In memory of Kenny Bourm.
■ Donald and Barbara Reidel, Port Angeles. In memory of our parents: Max and Sylvia Reidel, Arthur and Armada Dixon.
■ Donald and Barbara Reidel, Port Angeles. In memory of Brother Roger.
■ Rudy and Marygrace Albrecht, Port Angeles. In memory of Rocky.
■ Nick and Sandy Larson, Port Angeles. In memory of Fred and Bob Michalscheck.
■ Kerry and Marilyn Perkins, Port Angeles. In memory of Eva Wilson.
■ Al and Lori Althoff, Sequim. In honor of Jean Placek and Jo Breitbach.
■ Clavell and Kathleen Wycherly, Port Angeles. In honor of Helen Malvey.
■ Rosemary Kane, Port Angeles. In honor of a very special group of people, my fellow caregivers.
■ Merle Williver, Sequim.
■ Susan Molin, Sequim.
■ Sol and Vivian Raymond, Port Townsend.
■ Donald and Andrea Taylor, Sequim.
■ Marti McAllister Wolf, Sequim.
■ Ron Spring, Sequim.
■ Alice B. Watkins, Port Angeles.
n Rene and Diane Croteau, Port Angeles.
■ Tom and Sandi Shields, Sequim.
■ Jack and Jan Tatom, Sequim.
■ L. Clair and Marge Paschal, Port Hadlock.
■ Larry and Darlene McCaffrey, Sequim.
■ Joe and Cheryl Winney, Port Angeles.
■ Nik and Judy Dolmatoff, Port Angeles.
■ Midge Bader, Port Angeles.
■ Gary and Lynn Anderson, Sequim.
■ Ellen and Barry Lerich, Nordland.
■ Bob and Kathi Pressley, Port Angeles. In honor of Florence Swanson.
■ Dena Henry, Port Angeles.
■ Viki Kocha, Sequim. In honor of all those with the will to improve their lives.
■ Nancy Zimmel Wilcox, Port Angeles. In memory of Uncle John Farrington and Aunt Elsie Farrington. I was blessed to have you both in my life. You have left me with so many good memories, and I will cherish them always. You are missed by not only me, but everyone whose lives you touched. We were so lucky to have you for the time we did.
■ Jim and Cyndy Upshaw, Port Townsend.
■ Larry and Sandra Davidson, Sequim.
■ Marvin and Carolyn Morillo, Port Angeles.
■ Ann R. Thomas, Port Angeles.
n DeeAnn Nelson, Port Ludlow.
■ Joe and Karen Holtrop, Sequim.
■ Henry and Judith Bernard, Chimacum. In memory of Richard and Emma Allen.
■ Carol Simon, Port Townsend.
■ Helga McGhee, Sequim.
■ Patty Faverty, Sequim.
■ Russ and Janet Holt, Sequim.
■ Scott Younkin and Gail Hebrank, Port Angeles.
■ Rick and Margaret Yates, Port Angeles.
■ Enza McCormick and Ann Waldron, Sequim.
■ Grace Wanrow, Sequim. In memory of my love, Michael Wanrow.
■ Bruce and Gerri Ferguson, Port Angeles. In memory of Sally Hemmings.
■ Bruce and Gerri Ferguson, Port Angeles. In memory of Jackie McCormick.
■ Jeff and Barbara Dixon, Port Angeles. In memory of family and friends.
■ Ray and Carol Martell, Port Angeles. In memory of Ric Prael.
■ Dorothy C. Melly, Port Angeles. In honor of East and West Coast families. A very big “thank you” — couldn’t have done it without you!
■ Bill and Jean Folden, Port Angeles. In honor of Pastor Dick Grinstad.
■ Dorothy Lee, Port Angeles.
■ Marie Botnen, Sequim. In memory of Nadene Botnen.
■ Bill and Pennie Dickin, Sequim. In memory of Mother Phyllis Berwen.
■ Dona Cloud, Port Angeles. In honor of Jim Cloud.
■ Douglas Cudd, Port Angeles. In memory of Carole Cudd.
■ Lamont and Gerry Crouch, Carlsborg. In memory of parents George and Louise Simonson.
■ Michael and Shirley Berg, Sequim. In memory of Lillian Kuehl Berg.
■ Reba and Estill Cornett, Port Angeles. In memory of our parents.
■ James and Mary Jane Moore, Sequim. In honor of our brothers and sisters, in lieu of Christmas gifts.
■ Sharon and Paul Martin, Port Angeles. In memory of Judi Nahmens.
■ Lois McGuire, Sequim. In memory of Chuck McGuire.
■ Brian Roe and Linda Abbott-Roe, Port Townsend. In honor of Occupy Port Townsend.
■ Stockton and Janice Forrest, Port Townsend.
■ David A. Storm, Seattle.
■ Peggy Conley, Port Angeles.
n Employees of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, Port Angeles.
■ Frank and Ruth Welch, Port Angeles.
■ E. Joe Dieu, Sequim.
■ Dan and Vicki Pierson, Port Angeles.
■ Al and Beth McGuffin, Sequim.
■ Gary and Lony Huff, Sequim.
■ Mr. and Mrs. Terrence McMahon, Sequim.
■ Jim and Eleanor Forsyth, Sequim.
■ Glenn and Betty Armstrong, Sequim.
■ Hank and Barbara Offermann, Port Angeles.
■ Richard and Ruth Hazelton, Sequim.
■ Don and Barbara Smith, Port Townsend.
■ Jerry and Judy Mann, Sequim.
■ Candace and Mike Shale, Sequim.
n Mrs. Merle Broderick, Port Angeles.
■ Kenneth (Mike) and Patti Brandt, Sequim.
■ Jim and Laurine Drennan, Port Angeles.
■ Everett L. and Jean Tozier, Port Angeles.
■ Mary K. Otto, Port Angeles.
■ Lucille M. Peet, Port Angeles.
■ Joe Twogood, Port Angeles.
■ Barbara Sepersky, Port Townsend.
■ David and Loretta Bryant, Sequim.
■ Carmelinda Wiley, Port Angeles.
■ Bob and Verna Edwards, Port Angeles.
■ Mary Howell, Forks.
■ Tom and Jan Kummet, Sequim.
■ Bob and Jackie Partridge, Port Angeles.
n Jerry Kochanek, Port Angeles. In memory of John A. Kochanek.
■ N. Hafner, Port Townsend. In memory of Kenneth.
■ Linda Beasler, Port Angeles. In memory of Jim (Papa) Beasler, Ellen (Nana) Ranta and Grandma Bess Jacobs — from Linda and Darcy Beasler and Kathy, Travis and Joshua McFarland.
To honor my daughters, Darcy Beasley and Kathy McFarland. Love, Mom Linda Beasler.
To honor Bette Kerrigan, from the Beaslers, McFarlands and Margaret Rose.
To honor my grandsons, Travis and Joshua McFarland. Love, Linda Beasler.
To honor Margaret Weed and Joe Parker, from the Beaslers and McFarlands.
To honor Joe McFarland, from Linda Beasler.
Many thanks also to these donors (who requested anonymity):
■ Port Angeles — $1,000.
■ Sequim — $1,400.
■ Sequim — $50. In honor of our servicemen and servicewomen.
■ Port Angeles — $25.
■ Carlsborg — $75.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Sequim — $25.
■ Port Townsend — $150.
■ Carlsborg — $502.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Sequim — $35. In memory of Boris the Brave Dog.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Sequim — $25.
■ Port Angeles — $20.
■ Sequim — $25.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Port Angeles — $150.
■ Nordland — $25.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $1,000.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Sequim — $80.
■ Sequim — $150.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Port Townsend — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Townsend — $75. In memory of all our deceased loved ones who shared so much with others.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Townsend — $50.
■ Sequim — $50.
■ Carlsborg — $50.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $75.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $200.
■ Sequim — $40. In memory of Lee Pfannenstein.
■ Sequim — $200. In memory of a beloved sister.
■ Port Angeles — $500.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $20.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Sequim — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $25.
■ Sequim — $20.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Port Angeles — $50.
■ Port Angeles — $200.
■ Port Angeles — $100.
■ Sequim — $20.
■ Sequim — $25.
_________
HANDWRITING CAN BE hard to decipher at times.
Please report any errors in this list to John Brewer, 360-417-3500 (there’s voice mail if he’s away) or email him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
We’ll rerun the listing correctly.
Our sincerest appreciation again to our donors.
