MIFA History II continued Cases for Emergencies Other programs have begun as separate projects and later become part of MIFA. CSSF (Churches and Social Services Fund), a coordinated system for providing food, clothing and emergency assistance to people in crisis, originally depended on loaned personnel from the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) and MIFA. When such staffing was no longer available, CSSF changed its name to Churches and Synagogues Serving Families (still CSSF) to become a MIFA program for congregations, groups and individuals to pool their resources to fund the emergency needs, such as pharmacy or burial expenses, of those in crisis. Careful screening by MIFA in coordination with other service agencies prevents duplication while assisting those with urgent needs with dignity. CSSF has nurtured and provided the support for the Christmas Store. First organized in 1975 by Vicki Bolton, a case-worker with DHS, the store was created to provide parents the dignity of “shopping” for new toys for their children. In 1997 8,000 children were served with the store now helping the families to “buy” the toys for the first year and helping the families to plan ahead for handling the situation themselves. As with many MIFA programs, volunteers and individual contributions make such success possible. In 1988, the same CSSF was changed to CASES, Churches and Synagogues Emergency Services. Its role was expanded to include all of MIFA's emergency services. Under the able direction of Caprice Snyder, Family Support is challenged to deal with more than 1,000 requests for emergency services each month. With resources becoming even more limited, MIFA's focus is on helping those who are working to help themselves. Family Support now includes the Memphis Emergency Assistance Program, the safety net provided by City of Memphis funds. In 1997 it assisted 2,381 families with rent, mortgage and/or utility payment. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funds enabled MIFA to assist 143 additional families last year. Plus 1, begun in the early 1980's oil crisis which pushed utility prices beyond the ability of the poor to pay, remains a joint program of MIFA and the Memphis Light Gas and Water Division. Some 18,000 Memphians directly support this program with contributions of $1 or more added each month to their utility bill. Plus 1 advertising coupons, included with the monthly bills, add to both awareness and funds. Other Family Support programs include the successful Coats for Kids which last year supplied 1300 children with clean, gently-worn coats and the Philip K. Raiford Memorial Shoe Fund which provides shoe vouchers to children in need. Family Favors, designed to connect people in crisis (illness, job loss, household or minor automobile repairs, etc) with volunteers who can help them evolved into the current Handyman program. Another CASES service was the MIFA Clothes Closet. Originally located at First United Methodist Church in a store-like setting, CASES enabled needy clients to select two complete outfits for each family member from usable clothes donated by the community and area merchants. Inspired by an idea from clients, and since 1994 conveniently located at MIFA, the MIFA Thrift Store features clothes, furniture and other household items at truly bargain prices. “People feel really good about being able to pay for what they need,” Senior Program Executive Sybil Tucker points out. “It gives them dignity.” The Career Closet, a collaborative of MIFA and Idlewild Presbyterian Church, opened in December 1997. It provides poverty-level women who are training to enter the workforce with two free professional outfits. Next: Feeding the Hungry Moves MIFA