John Tumino

We met our friend Steve in June of 2017 we call it first contact. From there the journey of building a relationship starts were we Hope that Trust can be established. Over the last 30 month we experience ups and downs like any relationship that is starting to be established. We visited Steve under bridges in tents that were in the woods, we even connected him to Dr, Lehmann who does house calls for the homeless to take care of some health concerns. Steve was able to work on our Hire Ground work crew were he was shown dignity for the day while working instead of Holding a Cardboard sign. During this time we were able to do all housing paper work and refered him to a housing list were he was matched with a provider that could house him. Well we are excited to say that Steve was housed in early December, we were able to suppliment some items for his apartment like this flat screen TV that was donated by a wonderful Sous Chef (supporter) of IMFK. We were able to provide him a weeks worth of groceries that were donated by Abundant Life Christian Centers Food Pantry. The awesomeness of not just getting Steve indoors but seeing everyone step up to support our Mission goes beyond words. Through the process we were able to meet Steves Dad when he first got in and his Mom (pictured here) when we dropped of the TV. Over 200 friends indoors since 2011 and it could not happen with out your support and all the collaboration that is done through our Homeless Coalition, thank you

John and Leigh Ann

Wow what a year end surprise for us at IMFK. Community Partnership is a big key to the success we have at IMFK. We love it when the private sector steps up to assist us in serving the homeless of CNY. 75% of our funding source comes via private donation, whether its a community resident or a Company Like Coca-Cola. These partnerships allow us to continue to do the out of the box approaches that we use to assist our friends outdoors. This generous year end Donation from Coca-Cola will go a long way for us in purchasing the items we need to continue our work in serving those who feel Invisible on the streets of our community. Thank you Coca-Cola and team for this blessing by seeing us and our work you are saying you see our homeless friends outdoors. On behalf of the Homeless we say Bravo.

John and Leighh Ann

Its Been a long Journey with many winding turns but there is light now shinning at the end of this tunnel. We met Ken (K-Dog) back in March of 2015 standing on a Corner by Destiny USA. Our relationship started with a lunch, clothing and a kind word. Over the last 5 years we have encouraged K-Dog to pursue better choices regarding his addiction and his homelessness. Two years ago we were able to assist him with a plane ticket to Florida to see his father who was sick and hospitalized. We wanted to show K-Dog that we truly cared about him and that we were willing to do whatever it took to have him see that he could trust us. Last year we were able to have him participate on our Hire Ground Van to show him dignity through work. While working on the Van our care managers continually encouraged him to make some better choices and that we would be with him through any process. Last year while working on the van we new that it was his birthday so we surprised him with a cake and a happy birthday song, he was so moved and excited that we remembered. Well Four weeks ago he approached our team to say that he was ready for change we stepped into action made the calls and got hime connected to Helio Health. He completed a 28 day program and is now living at a half way house working the outpatient program. K-Dog stopped by yesterday to say heloo and to thank us for all we have done for him. The process is in motion and we are so pround of the foot work that K-Dog has put in for his continued success. We hugged hima nd let him know that we are continually there for him till the very end. This is what its all about, Relationships minimize Risk. Together Sous Chefs we are Building Hope and Changing Lives. We do not know anyones surrender moment all we want to do is be there when they say IM READY!

Today we were able to check on a new friend via a 211 call as well as a referal from SPD. Kat, JD and myself packed up a goody bag for him and went on the search. We arrived on the scene approached our friend, intoduced myself to hime an explained what we were all about. Our friend was not very open to discussion, I left the goody bag and let him know he was not Invisible and that I would see him again. First contact is important and now the hard work of Building a Relationship begins. This process takes time, sometimes it happens quickly and other times it a long journey. Believe with us that this will be a speedy process and that our friend will accept the hand of help that is being extended to him. Together with your support we are Building Hope and Changing Lives.

What a Great experience we always have when working with the Girl Scouts. Troop 10494 has adopted IMFK again for 2020 and they have been hard at work though out the Summer, Fall and now Winter. First off they have been baking cookies for us through out the Seasons to drop off to our friends outdoors as a dessert to accompany the lunches we make week after week. This week they met up with us to present a flyer and a Brochure that the created to bring awarenes to our community. These items will be dropped off to locations in the area to give guidance to the general public of the do’s and dont’s when it comes to serving the Homeless. They also created PPE (Masks) for us to hand out to our friends to make sure they stay safe. Troop 10494 also surprised us with a cash donaton that is always a blessing to us at IMFK but the real Blessing for us is to see these young women coming together on behalf of those who feel Invisible. We are so encouraged by the next generation of young people, looking around our world today you can see loots of Darkness but Troop 10494 is showing that there is always a light shinning and leading away out. Thank you Troop 10494 for being True examples of what servanthood is all about!

John and Leigh Ann