a Bright Spot at the Coastal Carvers Show

CSC Head Start of Lincoln City displayed childrens’ art work featuring the sea at the Coastal Carvers of Lincoln City Annual Carving Show.

Head Start was thrilled to receive a photo of their display, a letter thanking them for “one of the bright spots of the show” and a check for $1000. Head Start was chosen as a local organization to share in the income from their show.

Thank You, Coastal Carvers

AmeriCorps VISTA members Assist with the Benton County Homeless Connect

The Benton County Homeless Connect is yearly event that helps to give homeless and low-income individuals and families an opportunity to access needed resources and assistance.

This year’s Homeless Connect, hosted by Benton County Board of Commissioners , was held March 9th at Corvallis’s First United Methodist Church’s Community Center. Jessica Stallings, AmeriCorps VISTA member of CSC’s ‘Building Bridges’ VISTA Programs, organized the event. Her AmeriCorps*VISTA team mates traveled from across Linn, Lincoln and Benton counties to volunteer their services at the Connect.

Including the ‘Building Bridges’ VISTA team, 55 community members volunteered, and 27 different service agencies provided links to housing, medical and dental care, mental health services and much more to the 68 guests seeking services. Organizations providing free services during the event included Community Outreach Inc., Medical Teams International Dental Van, as well as local agencies that were available to answer housing and legal issue questions. A free hot meal was provided by Stone Soup.

Over $2,100 was raised in in-kind donations, some of which came in the form of donated clothing, socks, toiletries, and food.

HEAD START of Lincoln County still accepting applications for this school year

Applications Can Be Submitted For Fall of 2012 Beginning March 1st

The CSC Head Start program is open to Lincoln County children ages three and four, based on family income eligibility, needs assessment and space availability. It is important to make application for the current school year because children may be accepted into classrooms throughout the year.

If your child will be eligible in September of 2012, then you may submit applications for the coming year beginning MARCH 1st.

It is never too early to plan for your child’s education needs.
Call Us For More Information:

• Lincoln City (541) 996-3028
• Toledo (541) 336-5113
• Newport (541) 574 -7690

South African Youth Visit Food Share Warehouse

Linn Benton Food share Warehouse had volunteers from South Africa. Eight youth and two chaperons took part in the Oregon State University Extension 4-H International Program Youth Leadership Program. The program was designed to increase leadership capacity, civic engagement, multicultural communication and community service.

While the group was in the Corvallis area they toured the Food Share warehouse, learned how Linn Benton Food Share solicits and distributes nearly 5 million pounds of food each year. They also got a hands-on experience by repackaging bulk cereal. They spent several hours putting the cereal into family sized packages which will go into emergency food boxes.

OSU Extension 4-H provided a two week structured program for the visitors. It was supported by a grant from the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Get Your Taxes Done For FREE / Access EITC

File your taxes for FREE and access the Earned Income Tax Credit – a refundable federal income tax credit for eligible low-income working individuals and families.

If you worked during 2011, and your household earned income was less than $49,078 you may be eligible to claim and receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) of up to $5,751*

How Do I Qualify for EITC? Be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident; Have a valid Social security number; Earned income during 2011; Earned less than $49,078 (total household) in 2011; EITC refund amounts can range from $1 to $5,751

What Should I Bring With Me? People should bring their Social Security Card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for each family member, W-2 forms for all jobs worked in 2011, all 1099 forms for other income, all 1098 E & T forms for education expenditures, childcare provider information, picture identification and a copy of their 2010 income tax return.
For more information: Call (541) 602-5829

To access free, on-line tax filing services, and access the Earned Income Tax Credit, please go to: www.communityservices.us/aarp_tax_aide.htm

To see list of free tax aid places to visit, please go to http://www.communityservices.us/documents/CompassSpring2012.pdf

Make sure your child has continuous health coverage

Let us help you apply for the Healthy Kids program, Oregon’s healthcare coverage for residents up to age 19.

We can also find the renewal date for your Healthy Kids plan.

Call today: Linn and Benton Counties: Jeannie Ramsey 541-270-4445
Lincoln County: Cristina Simpson 541-921-8158

CSC Helps Partner Agency With Solar Array

Community Services Consortium (CSC) is helping its partner agency, Community Outreach (COI) get a portion of its electricity from the sun. The design and installation of a solar photovoltaic electric system on COI’s rooftop was possible through CSC’s Sustainable Resources for Consumers Program (SERC).

The SERC program, an extension of the CSC’s Weatherization Department, provides renewable energy measures to reduce electricity expenses to agencies serving people who are at 200% or below the poverty threshold.

“We estimate that the solar array will supply over 25% of community Outreach’s annual electricity needs,” said Benjamin Baggett, CSC’s SERC Program Manager.

The US Department of Energy funds the Sustainable Resources for Consumers (SERC) program. They, along with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $90 million nationwide for SERC projects. Based on an outstanding record of service, CSC was one of just five agencies to receive funds from Oregon Housing and Community Services who awarded the $7 million received by the state to provide SERC services. Advanced Energy Systems designed and installed the system.