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).

Celebrating Service

CSC's RSVP program is celebrating its founding 40 years ago, and will honor its volunteers during Senior Corps Week. These honorees were recognized in the past for their community service.

National Senior Corps Week is September 19-23. For the past four decades, the three Senior Corps programs - Foster Grandparents, RSVP and Senior Companions - have engaged age 55-plus volunteers in service to meet critical community needs. Last year in America, nearly 500,000 Senior Corps volunteers provided 98 million hours of service estimated to be worth more than $2 billion.

The Foster Grandparent Program connects volunteers age 55 and over with children and young people with exceptional needs. Working with schools, libraries, Head Start, and Boys and Girls Clubs, volunteers help children reach life-changing goals.

RSVP offers "one stop shopping" for all volunteers 55 and over who want to find challenging, rewarding, and significant service opportunities in their local communities.
The Senior Companion Program brings together volunteers age 55 and over with adults in their community who have difficulty with the simple tasks of day-to-day living. They serve frail older adults, adults with disabilities, and offer respite for caregivers.

In 2010, 8,982 Oregon Senior Corps volunteers in 29 projects across the state contributed 1.7 million hours of service at an estimated value of over $61 million.

Locally, Community Services Consortium sponsors Linn-Benton RSVP. Signature programs include Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance, Senior Peer Counseling, AARP Tax-Aide and HandsOn Linn-Benton.

RSVP is celebrating its founding 40 years ago, and honoring its volunteers during Senior Corps Week with two separate Recognition Awards Luncheons in Lebanon on September 21, and Corvallis on September 22.

New On-The-Job program may help employers with new employee training costs

Community Services Consortium partnering with the Workforce Investment Board of Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties are offering a new program that may help local businesses with new employee training costs.

This On-the-Job Training program puts dislocated (laid off) workers, Veterans and other job seekers back to work earning a wage while receiving training. Businesses participating in the On-the-Job Training (OJT) program can receive a cash reimbursement (not a tax credit) up to $5,000 to help offset the costs associated with training a new, permanent employee.

Highlights:
Receive a cash reimbursement for up to 50% of employee wages during training period
OJT representatives will offer support throughout the On-The-Job training process
The program will screen qualified candidates to your specifications at NO COST-you decide who to hire.
You will help reinvest in your business and community

To Apply or for more information contact Sharee Cooper at 541-758-2633 or scooper@communityservices.us

New coordinator to address housing and homelessness in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties

Lauren Berentes, CSC Building Bridges' Regional Planning Coordinator

The CSC ‘Building Bridges’ program welcomes Lauren Berentes as a new participant in the AmeriCorps*VISTA program. She will be working with community leaders to coordinate a new Regional Task Force to develop a
10-Year Plan to address housing and homelessness in Linn, Benton, and
Lincoln counties.

The Regional 10-Year Plan will collaborate efforts of 'Building Bridges’ AmeriCorps*VISTAs Michael Spinello (Linn County), Jessica Stallings (Benton County), and Elise Jordan (Lincoln County) alongside regional community members to complete the project. The completed working document will identify service gaps, determine appropriate strategies to address housing and homelessness, provide timelines for implementation, and establish methods for evaluating progress throughout the region.

Berentes was formerly Grants Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for Horizon House, a homeless center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

For more information contact Lauren Berentes at 541-928-6335 ext. 328 or lberentes@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.

CSC Lincoln County Head Start Enrolling Now

Community Services Consortium (CSC) Head Start is a no-cost preschool serving Lincoln County.
We are now enrolling for the 2011-2012 program year at Head Start sites in Lincoln City, Toledo, and Newport. Children must be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2011.

Applications with enrollment information are
available at each site or by calling 541-996-3028.

• Lincoln City, 2130 SE Lee Street Lincoln City
• Newport, 253 NE 1st Street Newport
• Toledo, 845 NW A Street, Toledo

Community Services Consortium Makes Changes

Helping People. changing Lives.

Community Services Consortium is making changes to save resources and to keep as many of our programs as possible available to people in our communities who need them.
We have offices open in Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties as usual, but we are moving several programs locations. Don't hesitate to call for information.

Moving From Corvallis to Albany CSC Office
Foreclosure Counseling Program
First Time Homebuyer program
Healthy Kids Insurance Program
AmeriCorps*VISTA Program
CSC Administrative services
Call (541) 928-6335

Moving From Lebanon to Albany CSC Office
Low Income Energy Assistance
Rental Assistance
Transitional Housing
Call (541) 928-6335

Changed Albany Location
Mortgage Payment Assistance program: Moved from 1st to2nd floor of Albany CSC office. Call (541) 928-6335
Workforce & Education Adult Program: moved to Oregon
Employment Department at 139 4th Ave., SE, Albany, call (541) 812-8646

Moving From Albany to Lebanon CSC Office Workforce & Education Youth Programs in Linn County: Available
at Lebanon CSC Office. Call (541) 451-1071

CSC offices and phone numbers:Corvallis, 545 SW 2nd St., Ste A, Corvallis, OR 97333 541-752-1010
Albany, 250 SW Broadalbin, Ste 2A, Albany, OR 97321 541-928-6335
Lebanon, 380 Market St., Lebanon, OR 97355 541-451-1071
Lincoln City Career Tech High School, 801 SW Hwy. 101, Ste 404, Lincoln City, OR 97367 541351-8551
Newport, 120 NE Avery St., Newport, OR 97365 541-265-8505

Recruiting for YouthBuild Training Program

YouthBuild Training Program
Learn the construction trade while obtaining your GED

Earn Money
Receive on-the-job training and become employment and/or college ready

Who can apply? Low income MEN and WOMEN between the ages of 16 and 24 who have dropped out of school.

How long is the program and where is it located?
Nine month program beginning in September at Community Services Consortium in Lebanon

APPLY NOW!
Call Community Services
Consortium in
Lebanon for more
Information.
(541) 451-1071 x215, x217, or x208

Pick up applications at Community Services Consortium
380 Market Street, Lebanon

Help Yourself Stand Out

With the National Career Readiness Certificate

Set yourself apart, it’s a free program through Community Services Consortium’s Workforce & Education Department.

What is the NCRC?The National Career Readiness Certificate is part of a national credentialing program that measures real world job skills. It helps employers identify qualified candidates for specific jobs. It also helps job
seekers demonstrate essential skills to employers who are hiring.

Who is it for? Anyone applying for a job in the state of Oregon. Whether you’re looking for a new job, considering a career change or about to graduate, the Oregon NCRC gives you a competitive edge.

How can I benefit? The NCRC can create an advantage if you’re applying for your first job, looking to change careers or re-entering the job
market. With the Oregon NCRC, you’ll have a tangible way to prove your skills to potential employers. An Oregon NCRC credential is preferred by a growing number of companies in Oregon.

Job seekers must take three ACT*WorkKeys assessments: The NCRC documents your skill level in these three areas, which are critical to success in a majority of jobs in the workplace.

Applied Mathematics
Reading for information
Locating information

How do I get started?
Call Daren at (541) 758-2751 or
E-mail drichards@communityservices.us

Barrel to Keg Relay Race a Success

A team member of the “Beer-ded Ladies” team takes off from the 8th leg of the relay. The ladies all ran in tu-tus and were a team of 4, which means they each ran three legs of the race.

The Barrel to Keg Relay Race held July 23rd was a great success. Forty-six teams finished the 69 mile-race from Harris Bridge Winery near Philomath to Rogue Ale brewery in Newport

The relay race raised funds for Community Services Consortium, the Community Action Agency for Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties.

Martha Lyon, Executive Director of Community Services Consortium was on hand at the finish of the race to congratulate the teams on completing the race. “You are finishing a race here today,” she said, “but you are also helping us finish a race to end poverty and homelessness in our communities.”

Clay Martin, Director of CSC Workforce & Education and his staff put together the relay race to raise money to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. He congratulated all the teams and CSC’s own running team who finished 7th overall. “I especially want to thank the many volunteers from local communities and across the state who helped all along the route, with a special thank you to Mark Barrett, race event director, Dee Teem and Danielle Bryant, CSC staff who put our plans into action.”

This is how the teams finished: Besides the eight team divisions represented at this year's event, two individuals ran the entire distance solo.

Top teams in each category, with total finish time and average per-mile pace:

Open 6-person
1. We Got the Runs, 7:21:30, 6:24
Open 4-person
1. Coast Hills Bootleggers, 8:47:43, 7:39
Open 2-person
1. Go Baby, 9:38:58, 8:24
Women's open 6-person
1. RunOregon Blog, 10:22:14, 9:02
Women's masters 6-person
1. Lunachicks, 13:53:01, 12:05
Women's masters 4-person
1. Down the Other, 12:15:56, 10:40
Men's masters 6-person
1. The Final Leg, 10:13:53, 8:54
Coed master's 6-person
1. Rebecca's Mighty Muffins, 10:49:47, 9:26
And the solo runners:
1. Moe Codino of Portland, 11:59:23, 10:26
2. John Liebeskind of Corvallis, 13:21:24, 11:37

Experience Culinary Delights at the Bite of Benton

Come celebrate Benton County’s culinary delights at the 2011 Bite of Benton!

August 27th,2011

location:
Central Park
6th & Monroe & 8th & Madison
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
541-757-1505

time: 4:00 pm
features: A fundraiser for Community Services Consortium's Linn Benton Food Share program! price: $10 parking: Street Parking great attraction for: Families

Local restaurants, wineries, breweries, and food producers will be showcased in this premiere event that will be a gourmet’s delight. In addition to exploring the multitude of booths offering “bites and tastes” of locally created delicacies, attendees will enjoy local entertainment.

Don’t miss your opportunity to savor the tantalizing flavors of the Willamette Valley and enjoy delicious foods, regional wines and beers, music, demonstrations and more. Tickets are now available.

Kids Day for Conservation

It’s time for the ninth annual Kids Day for Conservation (KDC) which will be held on Saturday, October 1st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Benton County Fairgrounds Arena building.

Kids Day for Conservation is put on by over 40 organizations, agencies, and businesses that offer a variety of hands-on natural resource activities suitable for children of all ages. The event is free and open to the public. KDC has been designed to educate and encourage youth to take action for conservation in their community.

Participants will have the opportunity to hold a snake, join the animal parade, learn about recycling, and build a bird house. They can also create recycled art, hear fish tales, and discover the wonders of wetlands. Families can explore energy sources including wind turbines and solar panels and learn how to conserve energy and water. Visit CSC's booth and learn about Energy Education!
Last year over 1800 youth and adults participated in KDC. Attendees said, “It was a great event for kids and adults!” and “It was hard to get my kids to leave, we will definitely come back next year.”

This event will be held rain or shine and there is sure to be exciting and interesting activities for you and your family! A variety of food and drink will be available for purchase.

For more information about Kids Day, call the OSU Extension Office at 541-766-6750.