Community Action Newsletter AUGUST 2019 EDITION

Our mission:

To provide services, with dignity and respect, that help people become self-sufficient

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE:

A big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who helped with the information booth at the

Orleans County 4H Fair, especially those of you who volunteered to staff the booth,

Annette and Mike for setting up and tearing down the booth, and to Melinda for

organizing everything.

CONGRATULATIONS to Community Action! We have received the report from our

on-site review by NYS Department of State that was conducted in early April. I’m thrilled

to report that met 58 of 58 of the National Organizational Standards, and met 207 of 208

applicable indicators of excellence! This is as close to a perfect report card as possible

without getting a perfect score. Congratulations to us!! The only indicator not met was

related to timing of bank reconciliations. Our policy says they are done within 30 days;

in practice they are sometimes delayed. This will be an easy fix! We are thinking that

we’ll tweak the wording of the policy to read within 30 days of receipt of the statement.

Our plans for the use of $48K in CSBG discretionary funding has been approved. As a

result, we will be upgrading our networks and phone systems in Albion and Batavia, and

our network server in Albion. This will be a very quick timeframe to go through procure-

ment and get all the work completed by the end of September. We anticipate that most

of the work will be done in late August and early September. A huge Thank You goes out

to Carly for all the time and effort put into this project!

Thank you to Cheryl and Jackie for all the effort that have gone into planning a significant

upgrade to our kitchen equipment in the Batavia site while trying to minimize down time

for preparing meals for the EHS program.

Our website, www.caoginc.org, has various links that are useful to employees under “Staff Resources” including: Links to ADP, the agency newsletter, training

resources, employee handbook, direct deposit form, mileage forms and tax forms (Federal and NYS ), as well as other beneficial information.

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE:

FRI, AUGUST 23RD

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS TO:

newsletter@caoginc.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Employee news

page 2

Community Action at the fair

pages 3

News from Bonnie

page 4

ACT Adventure 2019

page 5

News from Annette

Salvation Army Camp

page 6

Cooking Matters @ EOCC

page 7

News from Carly

pages 8-9

News from Donna

page 10

EOCC events

page 10

Batavia Children’s Carnival info

page 11

Main Street Store sales info

page 12

Those who completed our annual Customer Satisfaction survey (results from the survey

were posted in the July newsletter) were entered for a chance to win one of three $25

Walmart gift cards. Thank you to all who filled out a survey and congratulations to the

following winners:

Patricia Binder

Jessica Demmer

Amber Richardson

PERFECT ATTENDANCE (June) ANNIVERSARIES (August) Kenneth Pritt 8/1/2005

Cathy Brien 8/8/1995

Judy Martino 8/9/2004

Christy Robertson 8/11/2008

AnnMarie Smith 8/12/2013

Amy Lester 8/14/2002

Karyn Papponetti 8/22/2018

Terri Taylor 8/23/2011

Carissa Helsdon 8/23/2018

Margie Davies 8/24/1998

Tami Slingerland 8/24/2015

Theresa Brien 8/27/2001

Jeffrey Bater 8/27/2007

Katrina Chaffee 8/28/2013

Debbie Renner 8/28/2017

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E m p l o y e e n e w s . . .

*Note-Inclusion of having your

birthday listed is OPTIONAL. If

you do NOT want your birthdate

to be included in the newsletter,

send an email to:

alester@caoginc.org by the dead-

line of the newsletter (listed on

the front page) noting this.

Sherry McMillan August 9th

Jennifer Colton August 10th

David Laraby August 10th

Maria Rowcliffe August 13th

James Fiegel August 16th

Teri Lester August 17th

Rachael Kiefer August 18th

Terri Taylor August 22nd

Jessica Wilson August 22nd

Tammy Moore August 24th

Jan Albanese August 29th

Erin Mattison August 29th

Congratulations 2019 Graduate

Kassie Cotter, (daughter of Melinda Cotter) and James White were mar-ried on July 13, 2019 at White Birch in Lyndonville. The couple reside in Medina where they purchased their first home back in the fall.

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Christina Barnes Nancy Eastlack Sherry McMillan Freddie Stewart

Ann Bartel Gary Elich Barb Miller Terri Taylor

Lisa Boyle Janet Foppes Kim Miller Pam Wadhams

Theresa Brien William Francis Tammy Moore Evelyn Warren

Virgie Brooks Michele George Carrie Moreland James Willis

Kelly Cassady Dawn Gray Tayrn Moyle James Willis, Jr.

Katrina Chaffee Stacie Gronski Karyn Papponetti Donna Wojdat

Lisa Church Mary Guzik Kari Powers Stephanie Wolfe

Sheila Colf Carissa Helsdon David Reis Donna Woodworth

Melinda Cotter Mike Jessmer Christy Robertson Sharon Wright

Elissa Davies Cassandra Kinne Mary Robinson Heidi Wyant

Margie Davies David Laraby Debbie Rothmund Danielle Wyder

Jackie DeMarco Teri Lester Edna Schramm Mary Yockel

Ann Dhanda Bonnie Malakie Christine Schuster Joann Zajaczkowski

Kaitlyn Dodge Linda Malaniak Danielle Smith

Willie Drisdom Judy Martino James Soccio

Brittany Francis, daughter of Bill Francis, graduated from Elmira College on June 2nd with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with Cum Laude honors and Beta Beta Beta honors (Biology Honor Society). She will be starting her Masters pro-gram in September for Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Buffalo. After her two years at UB, she plans to get her PhD/MD in either Microbiology or Immunology.

Best wishes

Mr. & Mrs. White!

Orleans County 4H Fair

Kari Powers

Board members Roni Barhite and Mary Ann Salisbury

Melinda Cotter

Michelle Figueroa

Christy Robertson

Jen Wolfe Shelcy Plueckhahn

Those who stopped at the

Community Action table

and filled out a survey

were eligible to win this fun

filled wagon. The winner

was drawn from completed

surveys at the conclusion

of the fair. Congratulations

Austin Klein!

Community Action

was a presence at

the county fair again

this year. Agency

employees and

board members were

there to provide

program information

and answer

questions to those

who stopped at our

table.

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THE

DIRECTORS'

CORNER

Annette Finch, Director of Community Services

Bonnie Malakie, Director of Children and Youth Services

Carly Ward, Director of Planning and Operations

Donna Wojdat, Director of Finance and Administration

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Laura (Snell) Grose has been offered and accepted the position of Orleans Site Coor-dinator! Laura worked with us from 1999-2011 in Medina. She began as a Family Health Worker and then in 2001 became a Fami-ly Advocate until she left to operate her own business “The Can Stand” in Middleport. The business is now running smoothly and she is looking forward to being back at Head Start! She will begin August 5 and initially train with Christy. By the time staff return for pre-service, she will be “ready to go”! Please welcome back Laura when you see her!

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HEAD START VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR NEEDED

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee Head Start Program is

seeking a volunteer to coordinate other volunteers for Head Start in

Orleans and Genesee counties. Duties include recruiting volunteers

and matching them with specific needs, collecting information and

providing necessary reports; preparing and distributing related ma-

terials, facilitating special projects with volunteers.

Qualified applicants should have at least a high school diploma, gen-

eral knowledge of coordinating and managing people, good oral and

writing skills, basic grasp of Microsoft Word and reliable transporta-

tion.

Some work may be performed from home as well as at Community

Action sites in Albion, Medina and Batavia. Mileage reimbursement

will be provided for some travel. The duties will include working 15

to 20 hours a week, with flexible hours. Training will be provided.

For the complete posting, go to www.caoginc.org. Please respond

with cover letter and resume by August 26th to

mcotter@caoginc.org.

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Recommending our program(s) to a family member, friend, neighbor, acquaintance, etc. may be the best thing that happens for that particular child! Word of mouth and a personal nudge is often what ends up convincing someone to make the call. Please note, the Office of Head Start is expecting all of our programs to be fully enrolled at the start of the year and all of the time! We are still looking for children and families in all locations to begin in September. Please think about how you can help us fill the openings. The year round EHS (toddler classrooms and home-based) as well as Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Program (birth-3 years in day care partner sites) operate all year and need ongoing referrals to replace children as they leave. Our programs provide quality, comprehensive services to children and families! In addition, we have dedicated, caring staff and are able to provide so much more than the school districts and traditional day care. For Head Start call numbers on the ad below. For EHSCCP call 589-5321. If you have questions or are unsure about what to say to someone call me or any Leadership Team member!

Attention Parents of children 18mths-5yrs.

Give your child a Head Start in School!

Now Accepting Applications for the

2019-20 school year!

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee

Head Start is an 18 month to 5-year program

We offer a variety of services including:

● Health and Nutrition ● School Readiness

● Parent Engagement ● and much more!

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE

2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR

Limited Transportation available

Medina 798-2261 ext. 101 or 103

Albion & Kendall 589-7097 ext. 123

Batavia 343-5917 ext. 117 or 125

ATTENTION ALL AGENCY STAFF! HELP US FILL OUR HEAD START VACANCIES

News from Bonnie:

Thanks to all of you for all you do and for helping to support our full enrollment! Enjoy the rest of the summer!

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News from Annette:

Monday July 22nd was our annual Community Action Golf Challenge with Niagara Community Action lots of fun had by all but unfortunately we did not win. Thank you to Mary Guzik who had a four-some in the challenge as well as myself. We gave it a good try.

On Wednesday July 24th Community Action sent 23 children to Salvation Army Camp the children were very excited and the parents were as well. The CATS bus took all the children along with two chaperones to Long Point Camp near Penn Yan and picked them up on July 29th.

...and the return home

Off to camp...

arts & crafts

swimming

boating

games

and more!

to Andrew Szatkowski for volunteering his time and effort so that families could send their children to camp this

year. He also secured the nurses for pre-camp clearances as well as served as a chaperone for the ride to and

from camp (along with his wife Sara). We appreciate the time and energy he gave to this!

Cooking Matters Class at our Community Center in Holley is going very well the first two classes we had 28 people attend. All participants receive goodies along with the food to prepare the meal that was taught, the next classes are August 1st, 8th, and 15th. Classes begin at 12:30 -for more info call Debbie at 638-6395.

I went to the Eastern Orleans Community Center on Thursday July 25th. To take part in the Cooking Matters class and was so surprised and pleased to see so many participants, the instructor Cory was wonderful and very friendly, the participants loved him and he in return told me how his experience in Holley has been one of the best classes he has presented.

Great job Deb Rothmund, Rachael Escobar and all volunteers.

The class were shown many knife skills and they prepared breakfast sandwiches with spinach and egg whites and also a fresh fruit salad. All participants were given ingredients to take home. Cory, the instructor, praised the Center for their volunteers and their service to the community.

Cory from Foodlink Gabrielle from Foodlink

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Cooking Matters

class at EOCC

News from Carly:

5 SUSTAINABLE HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS FOR ECO-FRIENDLY ROI

Looking to add to your home's value, but want to keep things green? Look no further than this guide. These sustainable home improvement ideas bring in the ROI.

You're looking to add value to your home. You're also conscious of the environment and want to be as green as possible. Can you do both and see a return on your investment? Let us show you how to make sustainable home improvements.

Start saving money, energy and improve your home's value.

Before you begin

Improving your home can be a great investment. Sustainable home improvements are even better, for you and the environment. But you need to make sure you have all the information you need before you begin. Start with a home energy audit.

You can learn things like:

If your home leaks air, where the leaks are and the best ways to stop them

If you have the right level and/or type of insulation

Proper weatherization is the best first step before moving on to the rest of your home.

Sustainable home improvement ideas for your whole house

Here's a list of ideas to get you started on your home improvement project. Not all improvements are created equal.

Inside your home

1. Tankless water heaters

You're probably at least a little familiar with your water heater. It sits in the corner of the garage or basement, and gives you hot water when you want it. But did you know that it's constantly using energy?

To maintain the temperature you've set, the water heater will cycle on and off. If you happen to have an electric one, that can be a costly process over time. You might consider a tankless or on-demand water heater. These high-efficiency heaters don't heat the water until you ask for it. There are a few things to consider before switching to tankless, though.

Consumer Reports has a complete guide to choosing an efficient water heater that's right for your needs.

2. Non-toxic carpet

You might not think of carpet as an energy efficiency measure. But it has another bonus in addition to making your toes comfy and reducing noise. Carpet can also help maintain air temp: warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer.

If you're considering new flooring, check into non-toxic carpet. Like that new car smell, new carpet can give off fumes that aren't good for you. VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) come from the latex that binds the carpet fibers to the backing. It can take weeks for the fumes to go away, weeks that you and your family are breathing them in. If carpet's on your sustainable home im-provement list, your lungs will thank you for going eco-friendly!

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3. Energy Star appliances

If you've been in a home improvement or appliance retailer, you likely recognize the Energy Star logo. But do you know what it means? In order for a manufacturer to receive an Energy Star rating, they must meet certain guidelines. These guidelines are de-signed to save you energy and money. For instance, a fridge that's over 10 years old can use up to twice the energy a new one does. Over time, that can add up to significant energy costs. And, if you've got an extra one in your garage, chances are it's older yet. Considering getting rid of it to save even more energy. Contact your local utility, they may have a free appliance recycling pro-gram. Better yet, they may even have a rebate for your new appliance.

Check out Energy Star's calculator that shows you how much you can save.

4. Energy efficient exterior doors

While door jamb draft stoppers are cute, they probably aren't doing enough. Your conditioned air may be finding its way out along all the edges of your exterior doors. That means the heat is escaping in the winter (who wants that?). And, your AC might be work-ing overtime in the summer. There are a variety of styles to choose from that are energy efficient.

New doors have features like:

Multi-paned glass

Fit tighter to the frame

Made from improved materials

Today's efficient options also include patio doors. The Department of Energy has all the info you need to pick the right door for your home.

5. Solar panels

Solar panels have come a long way since their invention more than fifty years ago. Even Elon Musk is trying his hand at making attractive, solar roofing materials. If you're interested in solar panels, they are a great investment and a sustainable home im-provement. They're also listed last on this list for a reason. You should always complete an energy audit, and other efficiency im-provements first. That way, your system will be the right size for your home's needs. A system too large can be a waste of money, and that's the last thing you want to do. You're trying to save it, after all. You can also get a federal tax credit of up to 30% of your total cost! It's a win-win: reduced energy costs and a tax credit. What are you waiting for?

Bonus tips

Lighting: lighting can be up to 20% of your energy bill. Replace bulbs with high-efficiency LEDs or CFLs.

Showerhead: low-flow showerheads save both water and energy. If you have a teenager at home, consider using a water-proof timer in the shower, too.

HVAC maintenance: Central AC and heat systems aren't cheap to replace. Keep yours in top shape with annual maintenance.

Compost bins: if you have flower beds or a garden, make your own fertilizer. Put a small compost bin outside to collect kitchen scraps that your flowers will love.

Final thoughts

You likely won't be making these improvements on your own. Finding a contractor you can trust is important (and make sure they're tech-savvy). One great resource is your real estate agent. They likely have someone they've worked with and can recom-mend.

Source: www.designblendz.com/blog/5-sustainable-home-improvement-ideas-for-eco-friendly-roi

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Where:

Eastern Orleans Community Center 75 Public Square Holley, NY 14470

When:

August 13, 2019 11am-12:00pm (Senior Citizens) 12pm-2:00pm (General Public)

NO I.D. REQUIRED

EVERYONE IS WELCOME 100% FREE

VOLUNTEERS ON HAND

COOKING MATTERS®

A six-week hands-on cooking and nutrition course.

Want to put a healthy twist on your favorite recipes? Want to buy healthy foods to feed your family? If you said yes, come join us for this FREE Cooking Matters course! Practice skills like:

Chopping, dicing, and mincing like a chef Using MyPlate to create healthy meals Reading and comparing food labels Identifying whole grains Shopping on a budget

Each week, you will receive a free bag of groceries to practice the recipe from class at home! If you come to at least 4 out of 6 classes, you will receive:

Cooking Matters book, filled with nutrition information

and delicious recipes

Graduation certificate

Cooking tools, like a chopping board, measuring cups,

or a vegetable peeler

Reusable grocery bag

SIGN UP TODAY FOR A FREE COURSE!

Dates: Thursdays

August 1st August 8th August 15th

Time: 12:30 pm- 2:30 pm

Location:

Eastern Orleans Community Center 75 Public Square Holley NY

RSVP: See Deb Rothmund

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News from Donna:

Hoag Library (Albion)

(585) 589-4246

Fridays in August

10a-12:30p

1 on 1 Technical Assistance

Richmond Memorial Library (Batavia)

( 585) 343-9550

Wed, August 14th

10a-12p

Email Start to Finish

1pm-3 pm

Gaga for Google: Cut, Copy, and Paste

FREE computer

classes/assistance

are held at the local

libraries.

Lee-Whedon Library (Medina)

( 585) 798-3430

Tue, Wed, Thu in August @ 1p

Tech Tutor

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