C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation
2011 FAMILY OF DISTINCTION
The Tomaz and Deanna deSa´ Family
The deSa´ Family are the recipients of the
2011 Family of Distinction Award
Pictures Left to Right
Front Row: Kaio deSa´, Mitchell Chaffee, Gabriella deSa´, Christian deSa´
Back Row: Caleb deSa´, Deanna deSa´, and Tomaz deSa´
As a part of the 2011 National Community Action Month, C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recently honored a very distinct family for their personal achievements. The Tomaz and Deanna deSa family of Flora was recognized at the May C.E.F.S. Board of Directors meeting for exemplifying the spirit of hope and success that C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation offers to all families. The deSa´ family was nominated for the award by the C.E.F.S. Clay County Outreach Office staff for the significant strides the family made in their pursuit of self-sufficiency since first seeking help from the agency in May of 2008. The deSa family was recognized and honored along with other families from across the state on May 15, 2011 by the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies in Springfield as one of the outstanding Illinois families for their personal achievements to improve their lives.
In May of 2008, Tomaz and Deanna deSa´ were experiencing extreme financial problems due to the high cost of rent, escalating utility bills, and overall not enough income to meet their basic needs. The deSa´s became homeless and were staying with family. Due to the unpaid utility bills on their previous rental house, the deSa´s could not obtain affordable housing on their own. As the family came into the C.E.F.S. Clay County Outreach Office, Tomaz and Deanna were screened and referred to the agency's Transitional Housing Program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The deSa´s were ideal candidates for the Transitional Housing Program in that they were cooperative, attentive, and motivated to achieve the program goals. The deSa´s understood the program benefits if they participated fully and if progress was made towards achieving their goals.
According to C.E.F.S. Clay County Coordinator, Sharon Byrd, "The deSa´ family was very goal oriented. They were easy to work with. Everything they needed to do, they did".
Tomaz and Deanna met and achieved all of their self-sufficiency goals. The family attended the South Central Illinois Continuum of Care homeless meeting in November 2009. Tomaz served on a panel of clients to explain to local service agencies the family situation and to answer questions on how his family was trying to overcome their personal housing issues. The deSa´s were able to successfully complete the two year Transitional Housing Program and were able to purchase their own home in June of 2010. The deSa´s have a really nice home for their family, are gainfully employed, and are successfully living the American dream. Tomaz deSa´ said that "It is very important what this organization is doing; helping people one case at a time. You have helped us and our lives changed for the best. We feel very blessed and truly grateful for this program".
Tomaz deSa´ has a bachelor's degree in sociology with an emphasis on criminal justice and Spanish and is currently employed at the IGA grocery store in Flora. His wife Deanna has completed three years of continuing education towards her degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently employed at Buckeroo Early Education Center in Flora.
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation is a not for profit, community action agency providing comprehensive human service programs for the people in Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Shelby, Moultrie, Christian, and Montgomery counties. The agency mission is to provide opportunities for people through education and support to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation has been providing effective social services for over 46 years for people within the seven county service area. C.E.F.S. is a comprehensive human service provider providing direct services, referrals, and linkages to address the issues facing limited-income residents and providing local community solutions to meet those needs.