2012 Resource Jam of Linn County

The third annual Resource Jam of Linn County was held on October 10, 2012 at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center. Sponsored by Community Services Consortium (CSC), this annual event brings together social service providers from all over the county to hear about programs each organization has to offer low-income residents of Linn County.

Presentations were made by 16 different agencies and organizations, including speakers representing different CSC departments. The aim is to let providers know what other services are being offered in the county so that they can direct their clients to the right resources. Tables were set up for each organization to provide brochures, posters, business cards and other printed materials for attendees to pick up and share with co-workers. A total of 66 people were in attendance, representing 29 local agencies and organizations. The event was very well received and will continue as an annual event. 

If your organization would like to participate in next year’s Resource Jam, contact Dina Eldridge at CSC: 541-928-6335, ext. 324 or deldridge@communityservices.us.

Ed Dee to perform for We Care

Second Saturdays Benefit Concert Series for a better world
presents guitarist, singer/songwriter Ed Dee in a benefit concert for We Care,
Corvallis-Benton County Council of Religious Organizations
financial assistance to Benton County residents in need

Saturday, April 14th, 6-8pm
Sunnyside Up Cafe
116 NW 3rd St., Corvallis
We suggest a $5 donation at the door

Ed Dee is an acclaimed performing artist, singer/songwriter, guitar man in Corvallis, Oregon and in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ed Dee has produced over 60 original songs and 3 professionally-produced CDs. His CDs feature some of the best musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a teenager, Ed was already recognized as an up-and-coming songwriter and musician by SF Chronicle entertainment critic, John Wasserman, and performers such as Country Joe McDonald, who performed one of Ed's songs on tour. For an evening of fine, local music for an excellent cause, please join us on Saturday, April 14th.

We Care provides one time assistance to Benton County residence who find themselves in urgent financial need, with more than 60% of available funds provided for children, our most vulnerable citizens. Although the greater percentage of assistance goes for housing needs, We Care also assists with medical costs, utilities, transportation, and other necessities. Requests are brought to the We Care staff from Community Services Consortium (CSC). 98% of funds go directly to those in need. We care is a non-profit agency with 503-(c) (3) tas status.

Second Saturdays Benefit Concert Series is sponsored by: Veterans for Peace, Linus Pauling Chapter 132, (vfpcorvallis.org) and Corvallis Alternatives to War

Learn to be good tenant and get a second chance

Second Chance CSC's Renter Rehabilitation is a program for people who have low incomes and who are unable to obtain housing, due to poor credit and/or a poor rental history.

The Second Chance Program is designed to help people gain the skills, strategies, and self-confidence they need to obtain and maintain housing. The next session offered will be at CSC’s Corvallis office at 545 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the following days

Workshop Schedule:
March 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 20th& 22nd
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
CSC’s Corvallis Office545 SW 2nd St., Suite A
Must attend all six workshops to receive
certificate!

For more information, please contact
Cindy Pratt at Community Services Consortium (541) 758-2798

Runners & Walkers: Save the Date July 14, 2012

The second annual Barrel to Keg Relay will be July 14th, 2012. Starting at the Harris Bridge Vineyard in Philomath, Oregon, teams of 2,4, and 6 runners will split the 110K distance over 12 legs. Walking teams will go half the distance: six legs.

This is a scenic relay through the beautiful back country of the Oregon Coast Range, starting from Philomath wine country, over the majestic Yaquina Bay Bridge to the famous Rogue Ales Brewery at Newport’s South Beach Marina.

Open House for Volunteers at the Food Share Warehouse

Susan James, CSC Gleaning and Volunteer Coordinator at Linn Benton Food Share program holds Open House for volunteers on the last Thursday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the the Linn Benton Food Share warehouse in Tangent. The next open house will be February 23rd, 6pm - 8pm. The warehouse is located at 33747 Looney Lane, Tangent 97389.

“Everyone is welcome,” said Susan “It is a good chance to see if you like volunteering. We usually repackage bulk food such as rice or cereal. Sometimes we sort and box canned food.
People from all over the community work together for a couple of hours. We couldn’t do our job of providing food to people who need it without the help of hundreds of volunteers and thousands of volunteer hours.

Some of the reasons people volunteer are:
I want to teach my daughter about community service.
I think community service is important. I have time and so I thought this is how I should be spending it. Food Share is an essential program.
I find it disturbing how easy it is for a family to fall into poverty and I want to help.

Fifth Annual Newport Project Homeless Connect

This year’s Fifth Annual Newport Project Homeless Connect was hosted by the Church of the Nazarene on October 6th, 2011. The successful community events lead organizer was Elise Jordan, CSC's ‘Building Bridges’ AmeriCorps VISTA member, with the Lincoln Commission on Children and Families.

Over 100 volunteers and 45 community agency partners pooled together their valuable time, energy and resources to provide 185 homeless individuals in Lincoln County many needed services. Incoming people seeking assistance were greeted with a friendly face and escorted to the intake table where volunteers helped them map out a plan for their afternoon. Event hosts escorted the service seekers throughout the event and joined them for a warm community meal, which had accompanying tunes from local musicians.

Homeless individuals who attended the Homeless Connect received services from Bike Newport who repaired bicycles and wheelchairs, volunteer dentists with their dental teams that provided over $20,000 worth of extractions and emergency dental care, and the hair cut team which provided 51 haircuts. Other services available included: free flu shots to all, resources and referrals for legal services, assistance in processing birth certificates for obtaining identification, housing and job support, onsite medical and vision screenings, as well as numerous other agencies that provided clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, veterinary services for pets and much more.

2011 Resource Jam of Linn County

The Resource Jam of Linn County was held on September 13, 2011 at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center. Sponsored by Community Services Consortium, (CSC) this was the second annual event that brought social service providers from all over the county together to hear about the programs each organization has to offer low income residents of Linn County.

Presentations were made by 11 agencies and organizations, plus four speakers representing different departments of CSC. Their aim was to let providers know what other services were being offered in the county in order to steer their clients to the right resources. Tables were set up for each organization to provide brochures, posters, business cards and other printed materials for attendees to pick up and share with co-workers.

There was plenty of time for questions and networking during the event. A total of 67 people were in attendance, and the event was very well received. Plans are to continue to make this an annual event, and to expand the concept to Benton County in the near future.

If your organization would like to participate in next year’s Resource Jam, contact Dina Eldridge @ CSC: 541-928-6335, x. 324 or deldridge@communityservices.us.

Comcast offers discounted internet service to families with low incomes

Comcast is launching a new program to offer discounted Internet service and computers to low-income families.

The Internet Essentials program will provide low-cost access to the Internet and affordable computers as well as digital literacy training to families with children who are eligible to receive free lunches under the National School Lunch Program.

Internet service provided through Internet costs $9.95 per month (plus tax) and is available for families that:
Are located where Comcast offers Internet service (currently in 39 states) Have at least one child receiving free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program Have not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days Do not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment

Upon enrollment, new customers have the opportunity to buy a laptop computer for $149.99 (plus tax). It supports wired and Wi-Fi Internet connectivity and includes the Windows 7 Starter operating system and Internet browser software.

Comcast has launched websites in English and Spanish to promote the offering.

Money Matters Class Rescheduled to Albany CSC Office

On September 14th, 21st and 28th Community Housing Services, a program of Community Services Consortium, will be hosting a Money Matters Class from 1:30 to 4:00 pm, at the CSC Albany Office. The class was previously scheduled for the Corvallis CSC office.

Money Matters is perfect for anyone working on large goals like education, buying a home, or building better credit--and for those who are trying to move past living on an “emergency plan”. We’ll take a look at basic budgeting, spending leaks and how to be strategic about money use--as well as talk about preparing for emergencies so that they don’t throw you off track.

For further information or to enroll, call Beth Larsen at (541) 928-6335 ext. 311 or email at blarsen@communityservices.us).

Medicare Workshops Scheduled in Lincoln, Linn and Benton Counties

Lincoln City:Lincoln County Medicare beneficiaries will have an opportunity to ask questions about Medicare at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 23 at the Lincoln City Community Center at 2150 NE Oar Place. Lincoln City, Oregon.

Andrew Tartella, a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) representative, will be available to answer questions about changes to Medicare enrollment periods and benefits. Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers are encouraged to attend.

Newport:The Newport Church of the Nazarene at 227 Northwest 12th Street, Newport, OR will host an informational meeting on Medicare at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25. (541) 265-6684

Richard Reynolds, a Newport resident and local volunteer with the Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program, a senior advocacy group for Medicare, will explain the different parts of Medicare. The purpose of the workshop is to provide seniors with a better understanding of Medicare and allow them to make an informed decision as to their own needs.

Linn & Benton Counties
Albany: Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance – SHIBA – is holding a “New to Medicare” class on Thursday, August 27 from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Albany CSC offices at 250 Broadalbin SW in Albany. The class will be offered on the second floor in the Large Conference Room.

The class is open to anyone who will be eligible for Medicare within a few months or is new to Medicare. We will cover the basics of Medicare A, B, C and D. Beneficiaries will better understand their Medicare benefits and learn how to choose a supplemental insurance plan that best meets their individual needs.

Corvallis: The same class will be offered in Benton County on Wednesday, September 14, from 3 - 4:50 pm at LBCC Benton Center Room 204, 757 Northwest Polk Avenue, Corvallis.
Reservations are required in Linn and Benton county workshops. To reserve a seat please call the CSC RSVP office at 541-812-0849
SHIBA is sponsored in Linn and Benton counties by Linn-Benton RSVP, a program of Community Services Consortium.

Spend Food Stamps at Farmers Markets and Receive an Extra $6

If you buy at least $6 worth of produce or food-producing plants at a farmers market in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, you will get an extra $6 to spend at the market.

The organizers, Ten Rivers Food Web call the program SNAP Incentive” they are introducing it at the Corvallis, Albany, Brownsville, Sweet Home and Newport farmers markets. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Customers can spend their SNAP benefits at farmers markets by swiping their cards at market credit card machines to receive wooden market tokens to spend at any vendor selling fresh food or food-producing plants.

When a customer swipes and deducts at least $6 from their SNAP card at the market, they will receive an extra $6 in “That’s My Farmer SNAP Incentive” tokens.

Free Money Matters Class

Starting July 13th Beth Larson will host a Free Money Matters Class at the Albany Community Services Consortium (CSC) office at 250 SW Broadalbin. The class will take place on July 13, 20 and 27 from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm in the large conference room.

Money Matters is perfect for anyone working on large goals like education, buying a home and building better credit--and for those who are trying to move past living on an “emergency plan”. We’ll take a look at basic budgeting, spending leaks and how to be strategic about money use--as well as talk about preparing for emergencies so that they don’t throw anyone off track.

Sign up up by calling Beth at 541-758-2759

Beth Larsen, Housing Resources Coordinator
Community Housing Services
545 SW 2nd St., Ste. A
Corvallis OR 97333
Ph: 541-758-2759
Cell: 541-231-6019
Toll Free Ph: 866-245-1780
Email: blarsen@communityservices.us

CSC Receives High Marks

CSC's evaluation in part from Oregon Housing and Community Services:

To: Martha Lyon, Executive Director of Community Services Consortium

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) recently conducted a review evaluation and desk audit of the first units initiated for the Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers(SERC) program with CSC on June 9th, 2011.

The purpose of the evaluation is to identify an agencys strengths and innovations, formulate practical and constructive recommendations for improvements and to provide on site training and technical assistance.

OHCS reviewed and assessed your agency’s ability to maintain its eligibility to receive federal and state funds, as well as your ability to operate according to terms of applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations, policies and guidelines.

Priorities of SERC (From EISA Section 411(b))
1) Cost-effectiveness to low- and moderate-income families
2) Potential for replication of successful results
3) Impact on health and safety and energy costs
4) Extent of partnerships, including financial partnerships

Evaluation Results
Findings:1.There are no findings that require a written response.
Concerns1. There are no concerns that require a written response.

Your staff should be commended on their commitment and great attitude in providing a valued service to your community that saves energy, increases comfort and quality of living.

We find that the staff is well organized, informed and knowledgeable.
We found no existing issues that would prohibit the CSC SERC program from being able to effectively meet the program priorities and provide information for the evaluation.

Ben Baggett is to be commended for his efforts in compiling an effective Request For Proposal(RFP.) This RFP boilerplate was used by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and US Department of Energy (USDOE) as the sample boilerplate that other states could use for their Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) PV projects.

The visit was very encouraging and we look forward to seeing the applications and also speaking with contractors at the next monitoring.

Please thank your staff for their professionalism and assistance we received. Their response time was exemplary in meeting our requests for data. If there are any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Dan Elliott, Sustainability Manager
Oregon Housing and Community Services

Barrel To Keg Relay Race

There is lots of interest in the First Annual Barrel To Keg Relay Race taking place July 23rd . The race takes runners from the Harris Bridge Vineyard in Philomath to the coast through wonderful vistas of forests, rivers and coastal marshes to end at Rogue Ales Brewery in Newport’s south beach.

Check out CSC’s race video made by CSC: www.youtube.com/cscaction.

There is time to get your team together to join in the relay, for information and to register go to the www.communityservices.us and click on Barrel to Keg. You will be in great company, joining teams already signed such as the Beer ded Ladies, Five O’Clock Somewhere, Just Hoping to Finish, Roy G. Biv’s, Running Junkies, Philomath Phans of the Phartlek, and many more.

Second Mural Donated to CSC Head Start

Mural artists, Rory Lehrman and Evan Peterson donated their time and artistry to paint a second mural at the CSC Head Start site in Newport.

The talented artists from Newport were filmed while painting the mural in Lincoln City by Devin Robinson . You can see the mural unfold at" http://youtu.be/wC_NA8bIte4

CSC Information Technology Department Upgrades the Server Room

Community Services Consortium's IT Department has an ideal combination of spirit, they work hard and they love fun! This combination worked for them one Saturday in late March when they spent 12 hours to upgrade, spiff up and organize the server room with donated equipment and expertise.

Under the supervision of Elaine Lahey, Director of the CSC IT department, Larry Larios and Randy McKay, CSC employees , worked with JJ Maclean and Rob Rotert of Catalyst Technology Group who donated their time as consultants on the server room project.

Fred Long, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee in Eugene and customer of Catalyst, donated the server rack enclosure, which has been key to the upgrade, as you will see by following this link to a video by Elaine Lahey called The Server Rack Project.

Run & Play-a-Thon

Crazy Eight 5K/10K Run & Play-A-Thon

At the Benton County Fairgrounds
Saturday, February 26th, 2011
Run & Play

Crazy Eight Family 5K/10K: 10:00 a.m.
Play-a-Thon 9:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Stroller Friendly 5k-loop it for 10K
Register for the race and get into our Play-a-Thon for free
Call PEP for further information: (541) 766-6713

Fundraiser to benefit the Children of Parent Enhancement Program

Online Retirement Estimator Available in Spanish

By Alan Edwards, Social Security Public Affairs in Oregon

Social Security, which has a wealth of information in Spanish at www.segurosocial.gov, has launched its first interactive online service in Spanish: the Retirement Estimator. To publicize the website and the new Spanish-language service, Social Security has enlisted the help of the widely popular and well-respected host of Sábado Gigante, Don Francisco.
“I ask my many friends to go to www.segurosocial.gov, not only for themselves but also to help their loved ones,” said Don Francisco. “There is a lot of great information there. Estimating your benefits and learning about Social Security online in Spanish is so easy.” (Watch a short video with Don Francisco at www.segurosocial.gov/calculador.)
To learn more about the Retirement Estimator in Spanish, read our publication online at www.socialsecurity.gov/espanol/10516.html.
“The Spanish-language Retirement Estimator and the other information available on www.segurosocial.gov will help us provide a broader audience with important information they need to plan for a secure retirement,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security

Getting Your Social Security Income Verification is Easy

By Alan Edwards
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Oregon

For many reasons, you may need written verification of your Social Security benefit amount – for an energy assistance program or for subsidized housing. Perhaps a major purchase and you need a bank loan. Or maybe you’re applying for state benefits or moving into a new apartment or home.

If you need verification of your income from Social Security, obtaining it is easy and convenient. Please go to www.socialsecurity.gov. Then look in the left column under “Top Services,” open the “Services for people currently receiving benefits” section, and select “Request a Proof of Income letter” to get a letter that verifies your Social Security benefit information.
You can use this letter for any reason that someone requires proof of your income. It is also an official document that verifies your Medicare coverage, retirement or disability status, and age.

It takes about 10 days for you to receive the proof of income letter in the mail. If you need one sooner, you’ll want to call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office.

Get your benefit verification by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/beve.

Free Class to Help You Prepare for Homeownership

Homebuyer Workshop
A Free Homebuyer Workshop, will be taught by Beth Larsen, a certified housing counselor from Community Services Consortium (CSC), to help prospective homebuyers learn how to successfully navigate the home buying process.
You will learn how to search for and evaluate homes, work with housing industry professionals and gain knowledge and confidence with the home purchase process. At the end of class, you will receive a certificate that may help to qualify for a number of assistance and loan programs, including Valley Individual Savings Accounts, a program to help you save for buying your first home.
Sign up by contacting Beth Larsen at blarsen@communityservices.us or call (541) 758-2759.

January
Newport: Saturday, January 22nd from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm at the Oceanspray Family Center 1039 NW Nye Street, Newport, OR
March
Lincoln City: Saturday, March 12th from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Beacon Crest Apartments: Oceanspray Center, 2897 NE 47th Street, Lincoln City, OR
May
Newport: Thursdays, May 19th and 26th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Oceanspray Family Center, 1039 NW Nye Street, Newport, OR
July
Newport: Saturday, July 9th from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm at the Oceanspray Family Center 1039 NW Nye Street, Newport, OR
September
Newport: Saturday, September 10th from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm at the Oceanspray Family Center, 1039 NW Nye Street, Newport, OR
November
Lincoln City: Tuesdays, November 1st and 8th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Beacon Crest Apartments: Oceanspray Center, 2897 NE 47th Street, Lincoln City, OR