(Madison County, NY – Dec. 2014) A young mom with two children has lost her employment. A middle aged couple finds that the husband has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. A couple with small children has recently separated and they cannot make ends meet. What do all of these people have in common? They are all facing homelessness or are at risk of losing their homes; apartments, trailers or home ownership. They all need the services of Sandi Bain, housing coordinator at Community Action Partnership for Madison County.
Bain has been working at CAP, as an office caseworker and housing counselor for the past six years. She is a creative thinker, helping to solve housing problems by partnering with the families she works with for the best solution for them.
Prior to working at CAP Bain worked at the Salvation Army as a Resident Manager, the YMCA as a Residential Coordinator and Elmcrest.
While employed full-time, Bain graduated from Onondaga Community College with an associate’s degree in criminal justice, and from Cazenovia College with a bachelor’s degree in human services.
Bain has been raising money and products for homeless families who always need personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies, groceries, small furniture items, clothes, bedding and baby articles by holding fundraisers and organizing community-wide donations.
Funded by the state Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance, the Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP) has been awarded to CAP for the past three years.
Bain enjoys meeting families, working through their crisis, chaos and confusion, which frequently occurs after being evicted and/or homeless. She enjoys their successes and accomplishments as they find employment and permanent housing.
“Making a difference to families is what it’s all about….being part of that is very fulfilling,” Bain said.
Established in 1983, CAP is the only not-for-profit, non-governmental agency in Madison County with a mission to serve the low-income community. CAP serves individuals, families, and the community through a variety of programs. For more information about CAP programs visit www.capmadco.org or call 315-684-3144.