SEICAA Community Action News

SEICAA’s Weatherization Program received increased funding for 2009. The increase in funding will result in significant increases in the number of homes that will be made more energy efficient in 2009. During 2008, Weatherization was able to provide services to 150 homes, while the homes to be completed this year will be between 400-500; approximately a 200% increase.

SEICAA’s Weatherization staff are currently accepting applications for services. Once an application is determined eligible, SEICAA staff schedule a time to complete an energy audit to identify areas of energy loss. Weatherization assesses problematic areas and then schedule a time to complete determined services. The goal of the Weatherization Program is to make homes more energy efficient through a variety of measures (as determined by SEICAA Weatherization staff), including providing windows, refrigerator

replacements, doors, attic and wall insulation, furnace repairs or replacements, water heater repairs or replacements, floor insulation,

infiltration measures, duct work, venting, and health and safety measures.

SEICAA Weatherization services are available throughout southeast Idaho and are available whether you rent or own your home. Call SEICAA at 208-232-1114 for more information.

♦ Executive Director: Debra R. Hemmert

♦ Chairman of the Board: Elmer Martinez

“SEICAA is dedicated to providing opportunity and

for individuals and communities to thrive and reach

their fullest potential, promoting self-sufficiency and

greater economic independence through services,

education, affordable housing, and training.”

Inside this issue:

Insight from the Executive Director 2

Inkom Mutual Self-Help Housing 2

Energy Assistance Wrap-Up & Oneida County Bike-A-Thon

2

Volunteer Opportunities 3

Check Presentation Bank of America & Local Woman Makes a Difference

3

SEICAA Services Contacts 4

Homebuyer Essentials Training Dates & Donation Information

5

Spring 2009

Family Gross Monthly Gross Annual

1 $1,805 $21,660

2 $2,428 $29,140

3 $3,052 $36,620

4 $3,675 $44,100

5 $4,298 $51,580

6 $4,922 $59,060

7 $5,545 $66,540

8 $6,168 $74,020

Ea. Add’l

Member

$623 $7,476

2009 Income Limits

Debra R. Hemmert,

SEICAA Executive Director

Weatherization of homes requires specialized skills, performed by carefully trained workers, and has been done extremely well for decades by Community Action professionals. Can Community Action Agencies take on the additional work provided by the additional funding now coming in the system? Of course we can!!

What is frustrating to Community Action Agencies doing Weatherization is that they were ready months ago with additional staff and equipment to take on more housing units, but the ARRA funds have not been released yet. It is impossible to prove increased performance capability without the increase in funding. CAAs are already totally accountable for every dollar that is spent to improve peoples’ lives and return on the investment of these dollars is enormous.

What is clear is that it is time to release the funding, do the work, register the outcomes- jobs, energy savings, and shifts in the usage of the money people save- and everyone will know their communities are better places to live because this work was done.

Executive Director Insight

Inkom Mutual Self-Help Housing Group Finish Homes Loan Bank of Des Moines’ Affordable Housing Program, Community Frameworks, and Idaho Housing and Finance Association. Participants are required to complete Homebuyer and Post-Purchase Education Courses supported through grants from Bank of America and Key Foundation.

SEICAA is currently recruiting for two additional units in Inkom (limited sweat-equity build), five additional households in Preston, a second phase of homes in Montpelier., and Soda Springs. If you, or someone you know may be interested, please contact Ramona Raymond at (208)232-1114 x 157 or visit www.seicaa.org.

Five homes in Inkom, Idaho were finished in April 2009. SEICAA MSHH participants received Certificates of Occupancy in May 2009 and have moved into their new energy efficient homes. The homes are located on Haystack Loop and Snowflake Blvd in the Rocky Mountain Subdivision.

The Inkom MSHH participants started construction on the units in May 2008 and completed the five units in 12 months.

SEICAA’s MSHH Program is supported through funding from the United States Department of Agriculture- Rural Development, Federal Home

Page 2 SEICAA Community Action News

Community Action Agencies across the nation, including SEICAA are being asked to perform at higher levels with the additional funding coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. (ARRA) Thank Goodness! We have been saying, to anybody who would listen over the last decade, that more and more people are in need of support to get out of (or stay out of) poverty. Over those same years, resources had been extremely limited.

It has been interesting to watch how many organizations and individuals believe they should be the recipients of these funds instead of Community Action! Apparently they believe Community Action Agencies can’t handle the work to be done. This is total nonsense. While these additional funds do offer unique challenges, Community Action professionals have done decades of vital support services to ensure families and individuals are successful in their quest for self sufficiency. Community Action Agencies employ Family Development Specialists (case managers) that empower participants to take control of their own lives and make positive choices about their future. Weatherization specialists have created miracles in improving the living conditions for thousands of families, while creating jobs and saving energy.

Exterior of Inkom Home, Model 1266

May 9, 2009 marked the day of SEICAA’s Oneida County fundraiser. The 12th Annual Bike-A-Thon welcomed 91 participating children who raised $2400 in pledge money for riding 1496 laps around the Malad City Park Greenbelt, the equivalent of 748 miles. This year’s event brought in the 2nd highest amount of funds in its history. Officer Patsy Sherman registered bikes and 11 National Honor Society members counted laps. In addition to pledge money, 46 businesses donated $2,012. All funds raised will stay in Oneida County to help area families with a variety of needs.

SEICAA’s Community Services Program had a record breaking year for Energy Assistance.

- LIHEAP: Processed 5,441 applications and provided $2,482,408 in payment assistance. - LIHEAP Crisis: 126 households received assistance; total payments $31,552.41. - Project Warmth: $5,345.76 in assistance; 26 households. - Lend-A-Hand: 41 households; $8,767.23 in total assistance provided. - Stone Soup: $2,556.33 in assistance provided to 26 households.

Kitchen in Inkom Home, Model 1501

OOONEIDANEIDANEIDA C C COUNTYOUNTYOUNTY C C CELEBRATESELEBRATESELEBRATES

121212THTHTH A A ANNUALNNUALNNUAL B B BIKEIKEIKE---AAA---TTTHONHONHON

Page 3 SEICAA Community Action News

“How far you go in

life depends on

your being tender

with the young,

compassionate with

the aged,

sympathetic with

the striving and

tolerant of the weak

and strong.

Because someday

in life you will have

been all of these.”

George Washington Carver

Monica Keller wanted to make a difference in the lives of those in the community. Ms. Keller started an emergency food project for clients of SEICAA’s Meals on Wheels Program. She gathered food items and put together 80 emergency food bags for Meals on Wheels participants. Monica was able to gather enough food that each of the 80 bags contained a bottle of water,

can of soup, crackers, raisins, and a can of Carnation Nutritional Mix. The bags are to be used by Meals on Wheels clients in case of a power loss, or in in the event that a Meals on Wheels driver is unable to deliver m e a l s d u e t o u n f o r e s e e n circumstances.

Ongoing: ♦ Youth Mentoring: - Looking for individuals to give one hour a week to mentor a school-aged child. - Minimum one year commitment required. - Criminal Background check will be conducted (paid by SEICAA). ♦ Tax Preparation: - Volunteers needed to prepare basic tax returns for low-income individuals. - Training provided. - Flexible hours. ♦ Senior Services: - Volunteers over 55 years. - Placement will be in various non-profit Settings, ranging from helping children

read to providing information to tourists/visitors to Pocatello and southeast Idaho. - Hours vary depending on placement. ♦ Contact Helen Mayberry at 208-232-1114

x 139. ♦ Housing: - Volunteers needed for painting, clean-up, planting flowers, and other miscellaneous tasks. ♦ Acquisition/Infill Housing: - Volunteers needed in SEICAA’s Acquisition Housing Program. Tasks may include painting, finishing works, and other light construction tasks. ♦ Contact Shalynn Peirsol at 208-232-1114 x

108.

SEICAA’s Homebuyer Essentials Program received continued support from the Bank of America Foundation to provide Money Management, Homebuyer Education, and Post-Purchase Education to interested participants. SEICAA will utilize the $5000 toward costs associated with teaching the courses. SEICAA is committed to preparing potential homeowners for the responsibilities and obligations associated with homeownership. Thank you, Bank of America, for helping SEICAA create prepared homeowners!

SEICAA offers numerous financial literacy courses, including one-on-one credit counseling at no charge to the public. If you are interested, please contact Merriann Forrest at 208-232-1114 x 109 or visit www.seicaa.org for a complete schedule of courses.

SEICAA’s Homebuyer Essentials Program Receives $5,000 grant from Bank of America Foundation

Monica Keller and child

Jeff Smith, Vice President/Manager Pocatello Bank of America with SEICAA

Executive Director, Debra Hemmert

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation incorporated in 1969 to combat poverty in southeastern Idaho. SEICAA provides a network of integrated services where no eligible person is turned away. SEICAA provides and advocates for resources that empower Southeastern Idaho residents to have the skills and resources necessary to improve their quality of life and become self-sufficient. Services are provided for over 158,627 individuals throughout seven counties of southeastern Idaho.

Administration: (208) 232-1114

Ext 101

Community Services: (208) 233– 7348

Affordable Housing Program:

(208) 232-1114

Ext 108

Community Development (Construction):

(208) 232-1114

Ext 111

Senior Services: (208) 233-2878

Weatherization: (208) 237-0991

Veteran Services: (208) 234-2466

Financial Literacy: (208) 232-1114 x 109

Outreach Offices:

Bannock County: (208) 232-1114

Bingham County: (208) 785-1583

Bear Lake County: (208) 847-1462

Caribou County: (208) 547-4257

Franklin County: (208) 852-1515

Oneida County: (208) 766-2737

Power County: (208) 226-7330

SEICAA “ Agency in Action” televised show informs Pocatello community!!

Stay informed: Watch Channel 12 Wednesdays and Saturdays.

SEICAA Community Action News Page 4

Introducing the “soul” of

SEICAA..

Employee Appreciation

Letter from the Officers of the St. Anthony Place Tenant Association:

We sincerely appreciate and respect the maintenance crew and office staff for all that they do. They always respect us and offer to help us.

We hope all tenants show respect to you as we do. We appreciate and honor you all and give you our heartfelt thanks for all you do for us. (Especially when we lock ourselves out).

Page 5 SEICAA Community Action News

Help Us Make It Happen... The overwhelming number of people in crisis can be assisted with your help. Your generous tax deductible donation is greatly appreciated. All contributions directly benefit those needing assistance in the SEICAA seven county service area.

Name

Address

State

Telephone

Enclosed is my gift of

“Success is the American Dream we can keep dreaming because most people in

most places, including thirty million of ourselves, live wide awake in the terrible

reality of poverty.”

Ursula K. Le Guin

SEICAA Homebuyer  Essentials: All classes held  in SEICAA’s Main Conference  room located at 825 E. Bridger, unless otherwise  indicated. Reservations  recommended. Call Merriann at 232‐1114 x 109. 

Money Management Schedule: 

Bannock County:

June 22 & 23: 6-9PM

July 20: 12-5PM

Bear Lake County: SEICAA Office 680 N. 4th Ave., Suite 3 Montpelier, Idaho

June 24th: 9AM-3PM

Homebuyer Education:

Bannock County:

August 5th : 8AM– 5PM

(1 hour lunch break)

Post-Purchase Education Schedule:

**please note locations** 

Malad– SEICAA Office 30 N. 100 W.

August 12— 12:30-3:30PM

December 2— 12:30-3:30PM

Montpelier– SEICAA Office

680 N. 4th, Ste. 3

July 29— 12:30-3:30PM

December 9— 12:30-3:30PM

Pocatello– 825 E. Bridger

July 22– 12:30-3:30PM

October 14– 12:30-3:30PM

January 13, 2010– 12:30-3:30PM

Visit www.seicaa.org for complete schedule.

Community Action Partnership of Southeastern Idaho: America’s  Poverty Fighting Network 

Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency Inc. Board of

Directors

Elmer Martinez, Chair

Private Sector

Cory Phelps, Vice Chair

Private Sector

Suzanna Nelson, Treasurer

Private Sector

Paula Miller, Secretary

Low-Income Sector Representative

Ron Frasure

Public Sector

Dave Maguire

Private Sector

Marianne Donnelly

Public Sector

Shawna Rodriguez

Low-Income Sector Representative

Judy McClanahan

Low-Income Sector Representative

Mary Watkins

Low-Income Sector Representative

Janice Lawes

Public Sector

Stephanie Foreman

Low-Income Sector Representative

Beverly Raymond-Ferro

Private Sector

Larry Ghan

Public Sector

Community Action News is a publication of the Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency

Executive Director Insight: Debra R. Hemmert

Articles by: Lynette Sampson Photos by: Lynette Sampson,

Andrea DeMartinis Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Please address comments to: Marketing and Public Relations

641 N. 8th Avenue Pocatello, Idaho 83201

Or lsampson@seicaa.org, 232-1114 Ext 113

641 N. 8th Avenue Pocatello, ID 83201

SEICAA

Visit us on the web at: www.seicaa.org