Clients in the LifeWorks Transitional Living Program have been partaking in some unique activities thanks to volunteers at the National Council of Jewish Women in Austin.

Transition to Success is the council’s newest community service program in which NCJW volunteers serve as mentors to our clients currently aging out of foster care. Volunteers meet regularly with these clients and coordinate activities that will encourage their future success.

Created to address a specific need in the Austin community, Transition to Success is a project two years in the making that has quickly grown in scope since volunteers started meeting with clients. So far, eight individuals in the TLP have participated in the program that provides further assistance in the transition from foster care to self-sufficiency. In addition to enrichment activities like problem solving workshops and cooking classes, the program has expanded to include birthday celebrations and a clothing swap to provide additional necessities for the clients.

We are very happy to be partnering with The NCJW in this effort to strengthen our TLP community. Through this program, our clients are appreciating a truly unique experience that will leave a lasting impression on their lives and will motivate them in their professional endeavors.

To learn more about NCJW and its effort to support our TLP clients, visit the official NCJW website or “Like”  the organization’s Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all of their events and activities.

Photo courtesy of  The National Council of Jewish Women website.

The holiday season is upon us, friends. Soon we’ll all be hitting the malls and braving the crowds to shop for the perfect gifts. With the exchange of these gifts comes the opportunity to spend time with the people who mean who mean the most to us. At LifeWorks, we like to share these same traditions with our clients. Project Holiday Help (PHH) allows us to do just that.

Project Holiday Help is an annual sponsorship drive aimed at meeting the needs of LifeWorks’ clients during the holidays. Sponsors are matched with a youth or family and are given a wishlist of suggested gifts to shop for. Donors can also host parties where they have the opportunity to connect with clients and share the experience of a traditional holiday celebration. LifeWorks’ Street Outreach Program conducts a backpack and sleeping bag drive for homeless youth. Those who don’t have time to shop can purchase a gift card or make a donation.

December 09, 10 and 11 are this year’s designated drop-off days for Project Holiday Help. More than 400 families have requested assistance this holiday season and it is our goal at LifeWorks to meet the needs of each and every one. We greatly appreciate every contribution toward helping us realize this goal even as some of our supporters face hardships of their own this time of year. To all of our donors and sponsors – thank you for your compassion.

Visit the PHH information page to get all the details on this year’s sponsorship drive. If you have any questions, e-mail holidayhelp@lifeworksaustin.org or contact Maureen Engle at 512-735-2475.

Here is a video from last year’s Project Holiday Help gift drive.

The recent wave of cold weather in the Austin area has created an urgent need for winter clothing and hearty canned goods for the LifeWorks Street Outreach services. Will Hancock, Street Outreach Director, says their clients do not have adequate clothing to keep them warm on the streets at night. The Street Outreach food pantry is also in dire need of meat canned goods.

The team is currently looking to round up the following items:

• 50 blankets
• 50 dark colored hoodies (any size)
• 50 wool hats
• Meat product canned goods (Spam, beef stew, meat ravioli, any other hearty canned product)

Donated items can be dropped off at our South Location (3700 South 1st Street) on Saturday from 9am – 12pm or during the week M-Th 8:30-8 pm & Fri 8:30-5pm.

Monetary donations toward this need can be made here: https://www.kintera.org/AutoGen/Simple/Donor.asp?ievent=136343. Please use the “Help support our Street Outreach Team” option from the “Donor Designations” drop down menu.

As always, we greatly appreciate your support in helping LifeWorks meet the needs of the city’s homeless youth.

It took volunteers just eight hours to transform the homes of several LifeWorks families. Check out the LifeWorks Flickr site to see how they pulled off this amazing feat at the Seventh Annual LifeWorks Home Improvement Challenge. Thanks to the designers, sponsors and volunteers who made it all possible.

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifeworksaustin/sets/72157627808085241/

The chips were stacked and the dice were rolled at the W Hotel Austin on Friday, October 14 as some of LifeWorks’ generous supporters enjoyed LEAP’s Second Annual Casino Royale. The event featured an array of sponsored casino tables, open bars, and delectable appetizers for everyone to enjoy. Attendees played for the chance to win some great raffle prizes provided by generous donors and area businesses. Ticket purchases for Casino Royale went to support LifeWorks Austin.

The night was one of pure style. Grey Goose Vodka kept the martinis and cocktails flowing while Thirsty Planet Brewing Company poured their signature beers for everyone on the veranda. Thanks to the W Hotel catering crew, there was no shortage of delicious hors d’oeuvres. Folks walking by the hotel got the chance to stop and admire the beautiful Aston Martins parked out front. It was a nice touch that really helped set the tone of the evening. A brilliant display of works done by Austin artist Bill Stidham lined the hall outside the ballroom. Stidham provided one of his paintings as a raffle prize and also donated 20 percent of his sales from the evening to LifeWorks.

The casino provided loads of fun for all the supporters. Whether it was at the blackjack, roulette or craps tables, the ballroom was buzzing with excitement as guests bet their chips in hopes of earning raffle prize entries. Among the prizes were a one-night stay at the W Hotel, various spa treatments, jewelry and a fitness package. All the prizes amounted to more than $7,000 worth of donated goodies. She-n-He photography were on hand to take some stylish portraits of all the guests while Jonathan Garza worked the floor and captured some fantastic shots of the night’s activities.

Organizers worked very hard to create a memorable experience. The W Hotel staff really outdid themselves as every guest was well taken care of throughout the evening. LEAP has created something special in Casino Royale and we will all be looking forward to their next big event. Thanks to everyone who chose to spend the evening with us and help further the work of LifeWorks Austin.

The LifeWorks family would like to express its deepest and most sincere gratitude to the following:

Our fabulous Lounge & Table Sponsors: Microsoft, Tony Pacheco, Accountability Resources, Darren & Cat Aschaffenburg, Duggan Endodontics, Pinnacle Sports Performance & Rehabilitation, Lauri & Kurt Hoff, EXIT Global Realty, Strüb Residential, KeyStaff Inc., Moossy General & Cosmetic Dentistry, DSRE Consulting,Delfo Trombetta, CLS Partners, Realty Austin,Efficient Exercise, Walt Reep & Associates, Skye Salon & Boutique, III Forks Prime Steakhouse, 512 Realty, Fred & Lisa Smith

Our generous Raffle Prize Donors: Kendra Scott Jewelry, Away Spa, Skin Studio, Modesty Salon & Blue Dahlia, Bill Stedham, Rex Heron & Sean Casey, Michael Hancock, Fabulous Affairs Catering, Body by Frame, Beleza Med Spa, Demian & Alex Design, Austin Skin Spa Lounge

Plus: Grey Goose Vodka, Thirsty Planet, John Eagle, W Hotel, Austin LifeStyle, ILIOS Lighting & Tribeza.

You can view all of Jonathan Garza’s photographs here. Portraits taken by She-n-He Photography can be found on their Facebook page.

The homes of several Austin families underwent amazing transformations last Friday with the completion of the Seventh Annual LifeWorks Home Improvement Challenge(HIC.) Volunteers worked vigorously throughout the day to repaint, refurnish, and revitalize the homes of seven families in the LifeWorks Supportive Housing Program. Local corporate sponsors and interior designers combined their talents and resources to help teams of volunteers usher in a new chapter in the clients’ lives.

The LifeWorks crew arrived extra early at the Sierra Vista apartments on South Congress to setup the HIC hub. Everyone was treated to a delicious taquito breakfast provided by Whataburger before beginning the eight hour undertaking. Each team started working on their units right away as everyone was aware of just how much had to be done. With every newly painted wall and every assembled piece of furniture, there was an enthusiastic energy that kept everyone working strong.

Prior to the official challenge, designers met with LifeWorks clients to develop designs that would be very personalized. Rachel Guest of Red Earth Designs worked meticulously to make sure everything in her team’s unit reflected the client’s tastes.

“Everything we’ve picked, it’s something they can take with them and carry on and it can be a part of them,” Guest said, “They are customized pieces. We even hand painted on top of a head board, ‘make dreams reality,’ and that’s part of a quote that came from a song she likes. ”

Which Wich provided am amazing lunch. Volunteers enjoyed their sandwiches while taking stock of everyone’s hard work. Many were so ‘in the zone,’ they continued that work right through lunch.

For Angie Tyler, LifeWorks employee and first time HIC participant, watching the units come together made for a memorable day. The Home Improvement Challenge allowed Tyler to appreciate another side of the LifeWorks community.

“I work with the emergency shelter so seeing other programs within LifeWorks and seeing how they operate is a fantastic experience,” Tyler said.

Colleen Craig of C2 Interiors was also a first time participant in this year’s Home Improvement Challenge.

“I have a lot of respect of for what HIC is doing for these youths that have never really had anything or anyone to guide them through life,” Craig said. “That’s why I wanted to be a part of it.”

Volunteers spent the last hour of preparation putting the finishing touches on their units. Picture frames were adjusted and pillows were fluffed one last time to ensure that everything was perfect for the arrival of the judges, photographers and LifeWorks clients. Though each team worked to create the best unit and earn the coveted title of “Challenge Champion,” acts of encouragement and camaraderie were shown throughout the day. Teams lent tools to other teams and there was an outpouring of praise from one unit to the next as, one by one, rooms were completed. In the end, it was the Lifeworks clients who received the greatest prize. Thanks to the selfless contributions of everyone involved, each family was able to take one giant step closer toward a successful and secure future. Outstanding job, everybody! We’ll see you all next year.

Home Improvement Challenge Winners

Challenge Champion – CLS Partners & Austin Asset Management with Red Earth Design

Design On A Dime Award – CSIdentity with November Design Group

Keeping it Green Award – Dell with Christen Ales Interiors

Ninth Leg of Bike AcrossAmericaTour Will Raise Funds for LifeWorks

AUSTIN, TX (August 11, 2011) – On August 11^th, Adecco Group North America employees and local companies will come together to bike more than 50 miles inAustin,TX to raise funds for LifeWorks.Austin is the ninth leg of the Bike Across America Tour, which spans across 40 cities betweenVancouver,BC andJacksonville,FL.

 Based on the number of participants and miles biked that day,Adeccowill make a matching donation to local charity, LifeWorks. LifeWorks is a non-profit organization to provide a continuum of services to youth and families, addressing critical needs to achieve lasting, positive change.

 “Our colleagues and clients have trained for this event, and we are thrilled the day has finally arrived,” said Alyson Blake-Wilson, regional vice president,AdeccoStaffingUS. “The Bike Across America tour gives us a great opportunity to get together, get active and support a local youth-based organization, while being part of a bigger global initiative.”

 Bike Across America is part ofAdeccoGroup’s global Win4Youth initiative, an annual project that empowers employees to take part in an athletic event and raise money to help underprivileged youths receive the opportunities they deserve. To date, more than 400 Adecco Group clients and employees in theU.S.andCanadafrom over 175 branch locations are slated to participate in the cross-continental tour, which kicked off on July 27, 2011 inVancouver,BCand will conclude inJacksonville,FLon September 26, 2011.

 AdeccoGroup North America is a United States Olympic Committee sponsor.

About Adecco Group North America

Adecco Group North America is part of the world’s largest staffing firm and the leading provider of recruitment and workforce solutions. Every day, Adecco Group companies provide jobs for over 700,000 workers and help organizations find the talent they need to solve critical business challenges. Adecco Group companies include

• Accounting Principals (finance/accounting recruitment)
• AdeccoStaffingUS(temporary staffing for all skills and industries)
• AdeccoSolutions (MSP and RPO services)
• Ajilon Professional Staffing (office, HR & marketing staffing)
• Beeline (workforce management solutions)
• Idea (IT solutions)
• Lee Hecht Harrison (outplacement & leadership development)
• Modis (IT staffing)
• Soliant (healthcare recruiting)
• Special Counsel (legal staffing & services)

To learn more, please visit www.adeccogroupna.com.

For those who may not be familiar, HIC is an event taking place Friday, September 23rd at the LifeWorks Supportive Housing Program (SHP) where teams, consisting of corporate sponsors and local interior designers, donate their, time, energy, resources, money, heart and souls for a one day challenge that quite literally changes the lives of 8 of our SHP clients currently in the program. Think Extreme Home Make-Over, except the teams only have from 8am – 4pm to take the designs they have spent the previous six weeks planning for and translate them into reality.  

Absolutely the BEST day of the year for anyone who has ever been able to witness one of the reveals.  Seriously, bring your tissues and get ready to be overwhelmed by the whole experience.

We are so excited to be working with all of our teams this year.  We still have room for 3 more teams and several more designers. If you’re interested, email heather.newby@lifeworksaustin.org for more details.