Caroline Shook, Chief Executive Officer of Housing Opportunities, is a Valpo Life in the Spotlight because she cares about helping people, especially the homeless. Shook said of her job, “I am passionate about any family with any housing need. There are people out there saying, ‘Where am I going to sleep tonight?”
Housing Opportunities, which began in 2008, is a subsidiary of Opportunity Enterprises (OE). Shook began to head up the organization in January of 2009. The mission of Housing Opportunities is “Northwest Indiana’s premier provider of housing hope. We help break the cycle of homelessness by providing preventative crisis services, from foreclosure prevention to providing housing for the homeless.”
Shook said, “We want to help people get homes or housing or stay in their homes. I learn something new everyday. What I learn most from our clients is their inner strength.” She continued, “I feel very strongly about our foreclosure prevention because of the people who have lost [their homes] due to things that are beyond their control, like an illness or loss of a job. They are willing to do absolutely anything to keep their home.”
The Spring Valley Shelter is one of the temporary housing facilities located here in Valparaiso. There, a family may stay for up to 60 days, and in that time they will meet with a case manager, be provided with individual or group counseling, and attend vocational classes such as ‘How to Write a Resume’ and ‘How to Dress and Act on an Interview’. They will also learn how to budget and receive financial counseling. “They become self sustaining,” says Shook.
Shook explained, “We also want to make sure they are connected with all available resources too, such as HealthLinc, Family & Youth Services Bureau, and Porter-Starke Services.”
Shook was asked what she found to be the most rewarding thing working at Housing Opportunities and she said, “The kids!” There are currently 418 kids in the programs with Housing Opportunities. Shook explained that they work closely with the Valparaiso Community School System and the Portage Community School System. If they see a child struggling, Housing Opportunities can help get the students the proper resources.
Also hope is provided through Housing Opportunities, with local churches offering Bible studies. Frontline Drug Prevention is also taught, with the motto “Too Good For Drugs!” Shook said, “They are teaching children about their bodies and how things that are put in the body affect it.”
Cathy Thompson, Property Manager for Housing Opportunities said, “I admire Caroline so much to take the initiative to start a program such as this, to put herself out there, to start this organization by grants and not be sure about the community support. You have to be brave, but you not only need to be brave and compassionate, you need to be business smart. So there is a great balance there.” Thompson explained that, because of the community support that has been given, the organization has doubled in size.
Caren Furdeck, Office Manager and Event Coordinator, spoke of Caroline, “She is a strong leader and has strong convictions and is easy to follow. She makes it easy to go above and beyond, because she goes above and beyond. It is rare to see a business run so professionally but with so much compassion.”
Kathleen McClure, Fund Developer commented of Shook, “Her knowledge and her passion for anything under the housing umbrella draws people in. She understands the broad picture and what is going on.”
Caroline Shook said, “Everyday I learn something new. You have to learn to laugh. Remember a hug goes a long way and encouraging words can make a person blossom.”
Caring about people and looking at the bigger picture when it comes to housing is why Caroline Shook is a Valpo Life in the Spotlight.
Do you know a Valpo Life in the Spotlight? Email us at share@valpolife.com!