Smiling Faces Lights Up Head Start Volunteer's Day

This is a reprint of an article that first appeared in the April 12, 2013 edition of the Newport News-Times, authored by Dennis Anstine with photos by Dennis Anstine.

For Clyde Smith, it was an easy decision to donate his time to repair and maintain the building and grounds of the Head Start school site in Newport. It began with his marriage four years ago to Melissa Smith, who is a classroom teacher for the school. And it didn't hurt that he's retired and has an extensive background in horticulture and landscaping.

So when the Newport school moved into a building on the corner of Northeast Benton and First streets that desperately needed maintenance and upkeep, Smith figured two years ago that he had a long-term project that was perfect for a man with time on his hands.

"Head Start is federally funded for education only and there's no money for building or grounds maintenance," he said. "So, I pitched in."

The large school building was in decent shape, though landscaping was a problem.

"Around the sidewalks, the county had filled in holes in the chip rock and pavement with soil and planted clover all over the place," he said. "It just took off and there were bees everywhere, which isn't good for the kids in the playground. It took me eight hours to cut the grass the first time, and I still need to work on it regularly."

He's planted trees and shrubs around the building in an effort to beautify the landscape and eventually provide some protection to an area that is often besieged by the wind that regularly barrels out of the southwest.

Community donations to the landscape project have come from local families and several businesses, including tires donated by Les Schwab in Newport that Smith has crafted into a play structure.

On tap for this summer is a project to paint the building. Smith bought the paint and is having a friend apply it, charging only the labor cost.

One of the most difficult projects has been Smith's attempts to stabilize the chain-link fence that surrounds much of the large corner lot.

"About 140 feet of the fence was blown down flat," he said. "I've done some things to make it more stable, but short of putting some trees along it for protection it'll probably happen again. There's quite a wind coming through here during the winter."

Smith's landscaping work has been important since the Community Services Consortium, which runs the county's Child Development Services/ Head Start program, depends on volunteer work and donations even more these days than in previous years.

"Clyde is a very dedicated person and his in-kind help has been invaluable," said Suzanne Miller, director of the county program. "It wouldn't have gotten done without him and others."

There are about 160 children and families involved in the county Head Start program, including 60 in two classrooms in Newport. Lincoln City and Toledo also have schools.

The program's mission has gotten even more difficult to finance in recent months because of federal cuts.

"We're five months into our budget (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30) and in late February we found out that $46,454 would be cut out of our federal allocation because of the sequester," Miller said. "That's about 5 percent of our total budget of $950,000 (including state funds). That's six students and families that we can't serve, though we have found a way to weather the storm."

The program will shave three days off the school year, an action the federal government will allow. And some staff members will be put on call, cutting the normal full and part-time staff from 32 to 23, Miller said.

Head Start, she added, is used to getting by with the help of others and the new cuts are just another challenge. Clyde Smith said he'll do whatever he can to help because of the need. Plus, he enjoys it.

"It's great to see the happy faces and enthusiasm of those kids every day," he said. "The school needs help so the kids can have a neat place to go. That's my payoff for helping out."

Energy Program Brings Decades of Savings to Linn County

Did you know that some Linn County residents save an average of $437 per year on energy for homes weatherized under Community Services Consortium’s (CSC) Weatherization Assistance Program? Started in 1979, Weatherization Services in Linn County continue today with the Community Services Consortium, the Mid-Willamette Valley’s Community Action Agency.

“The demand for weatherization services has not changed, crews continue to work to keep up and the applications keep coming in,” says Steve Jole, CSC Weatherization Supervisor.

But changes in technology over the years have improved services. Today, like taking a modern car into the shop, Weatherization crews use testing equipment to get a complete picture of a home’s energy performance before beginning work, identifying areas of the greatest savings and priority concerns such as safety and health. When compared to test results after the work is complete, weatherization crews know the impact of the measures installed.
While there are a number of utility programs that encourage most Oregonians to save energy, CSC offers energy-saving tools to those who need it most. Many homeowners and renters begin by enrolling in CSC's Energy Assistance Program and Energy Education Programs to learn about how to use their homes most efficiently, while at the same time getting into the Weatherization Assistance Program for energy-efficiency work. The partnership among these programs makes for a straightforward, one-stop shop for those seeking improvement of their living conditions and reducing their utility bills.

While watching their utility bills drop, homeowners also see comfortable temperatures in the winter, and may see their appliances work properly again or in some cases, replaced. For one resident, this meant having ice cream instead of goo - a big bonus. In some cases it’s much more urgent, such as in the case of having no heat at all. Energy-efficient measures and improvements can range from insulation, weather stripping, installation of mechanical ventilation and carbon monoxide detectors, to the replacement of inefficient refrigerators.
The Weatherization Assistance Program has also taken part in renewable energy efforts in the 1980’s and again in 2010 to install solar greenhouses with more than 250 kilowatts of combined solar panels, including sites for FISH of Albany, Albany Helping Hands and Shangri La homes for the Disabled.

While renewable energy is important, energy conservation must come first. Says a US Department of Energy consultant, "We can’t have our renewable energy dessert without having our conservation vegetables first."

The CSC Weatherization program also offers experience to crew members who take jobs in the fields of renewable and energy conservation sector.

The program also embarks on large projects in partnership with area shelters, multifamily housing facilities and more. In 2013, the Weatherization Program is offering Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services of Corvallis assistance for measures on each of the 51 units being rehabbed at the Lancaster Bridge apartments near Conifer Boulevard in Corvallis. The assistance provides support for measures to be included that meet the program's health and safety guidelines.

Measures include under-floor installation tightly fastened to the joists meeting the subfloor, low energy using bathroom exhaust fans, and the installation of efficient windows that exceed building code. Other pending projects include the replacement of an outdated boiler furnace and controls with a new state-of-the-art, high-efficiency boiler and modern controls for the Corvallis-based social service agency, Community Outreach Inc.

All together over these 33 years, nationwide, 6.4 million families have been served in the Weatherization Program, and the need continues as strongly today as before. These projects are run in addition to services provided to individuals throughout Linn County and CSC's larger service area.

Applications for Weatherization services are available at CSC. Completed applications are reviewed to determine if a family or individual qualifies for the program. CSC welcomes income requirements inquiries by phone, and they can also be found online at communityservices.us/housing/weatherization-income-guidelines/. If you are interested in receiving Weatherization services, please call CSC at 541-758-2627.

CSC Youth Garden Featured in the Corvallis Advocate

Photo by Bridget Egan
 
The CSC Youth Garden has been featured in the May 30, 2013 issue of the Corvallis Advocate. Reporter Bridget Egan talked with CSC's Sharee Cooper, Armand Schoppy, and Sean Larsen, as well as youth workers Kayla and Austin.

The article highlights the youth workers' skill in the garden and at the Farmer's Market, as what they have been accomplishing with their educations.

The article also mentions the Youth Garden's partnership with the Trillium Children’s Farm Home in Corvallis, which will allow the Youth Garden to farm a half acre on the Farm Home's 50-acre campus. Some of the food will go to the Farm Home, some of it will go to the Linn-Benton Food Share, and the rest will be sold at market.

Many thanks to the Corvallis Advocate for highlighting our wonderful CSC Youth Garden and all of the people that keep this successful program going!

To read the story, click here. 

CSC Helps to Keep People in Their Homes

For most individuals and families, the biggest investment they will ever make is in their homes. Holding on to and maintaining that investment can be a challenge at any time, but in recent years, this investment has come under attack, as people have been laid off and remained unemployed in record numbers.

Unable to pay their mortgages, families have used up their savings and in the end have faced foreclosures. Jon Polansky’s mission is to explain the foreclosure process and possible alternatives to foreclosure.

As CSC’s Mortgage Counselor, Jon has helped countless families with the daunting task of negotiating and fighting to stay in their homes. “Solutions to problems are often buried in paperwork, unable to be interpreted by the homeowner, and missed by the lender,” said Polansky.

CSC Mortgage
Counselor John Polansky

In Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties, CSC has assisted 405 families with mortgage payments to keep their homes. In one case, a 58-year old Linn county man had depleted his 401k and was afraid to contact his mortgage loan servicer of ten years. Polansky encouraged him to come into the office and together, they contacted the loan servicer. 

The collection department had no solution since he had no income. They called customer service, asked some probing questions, and found the man had paid his loan twice a month for ten years. It pushed the paid-through date to the summer of the following year.

Polansky also recalled the example of an elderly woman that was three months behind in paying her mortgage. She had no savings, but qualified for a reverse equity mortgage, which would allow her to stay in the home she has lived in for 32 years.

However, a credit card judgment appeared after the loan closing papers were prepared. The law firm representing the credit card company wanted to be paid before the loan closed. The loan would have provided the elderly woman with the money she lacked to pay the judgment.

The law firm refused her request to wait until the loan closed. After looking for help, she was referred to CSC’s mortgage counseling program and contacted Polansky. Polansky called one of the firm’s partners on her behalf and the issue was resolved in her favor within three business days. With CSC’s help, the woman was able to satisfy the judgment and remain in her home.

If you are struggling to stay in your home, CSC’s Housing Services may be able to help. Contact us at 866-245-1780.

Garden Gnome Run a Success with Nearly 150 Participants

Photos by Paul Deatherage

The first annual Garden Gnome Run was a smashing success, drawing 142 participants running and walking to raise money for the CSC Youth Garden.

After the hard work was over, garden-grown goodies were available and participants even got to take home a tomato plant.

Race results can be viewed here.

The Youth Garden employs four to ten youth who are enrolled in our federal workforce program. They are responsible for caring for 40 raised beds without the use of herbicides or pesticides. The Youth Garden’s mission is to encourage learning, entrepreneurship and work readiness in Benton County youth and to grow and locally-distribute responsibly-raised produce.

Funds raised from the run will go towards much-needed improvements to the garden including re-covering a greenhouse, installing a water catchment system, and a new hoop house.

CSC and the Youth Garden would like to thank all of the participants and spectators, as well as the generous sponsors that made the event possible.

Citizens Bank

No Dinx, Inc. 

Eco Home Comfort 

John’s Automotive Repair

CSC Natural Resource Crews Featured in Newport News-Times Article

The Newport News-Times has featured the CSC Natural Resource Crews and their collaboration with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and other organizations in an article published on May 1, 2013.

You can view the story by clicking here or on the Newport News-Times website by clicking here.

CSC Career Tech Charter High School to Expand to Newport

To see the News Lincoln County feature on this story, please click here. 

Career Tech Charter High School is excited to announce that the Lincoln County School District Board has unanimously approved renewal of its charter with Community Services Consortium, along with approval of a new satellite campus in Newport. The charter includes a 20-student increase to Career Tech, bringing its enrollment capacity from 60 to 80 students in three locations.

Career Tech is a public charter school that provides an educational alternative for youth who have had difficulty finding success in the traditional school environment or who are seeking an alternative approach. The school provides individualized instruction in small classes and the opportunity to develop positive relationships with teachers and adults in the community through hands-on work.

“We started exploring the possibility of opening a campus in Newport last year, because we felt that we could fill a need for educational alternatives in central Lincoln County,” says Sean Larsen, Career Tech principal and manager of youth programs for CSC’s Workforce and Education Department.

Career Tech serves 40 students at its original location in Lincoln City (in Lincoln Square on the 4th floor of the City Hall building); partners with Angell Job Corps in Yachats to serve another 20 students; and will now serve 20 students at the new satellite campus in development in Newport this fall.

The Newport satellite campus will utilize existing Career Tech curricula and will offer apprenticeship-like opportunities to students through CSC’s Natural Resource Crews, which will become a program of the school, and a construction program modeled after YouthBuild, a nation-wide job training and leadership development program. CSC has successfully operated a YouthBuild program in Linn County for 13 years.

 “Through these programs, students will have the opportunity to access job readiness and occupational skills training alongside their academic preparation, “says Larsen.

For more information about Career Tech Charter High School or Community Services Consortium, visit our websites at www.careertech.us or at www.communityservices.us. More CSC news may be found at our News Blog at http://communityservicesblog.blogspot.com or follow us on Facebook.

HEART to Heart Resource Fair on May 16

The Albany Homeless Enrichment and Rehabilitation Team (HEART) and Community Services Consortium will host the eighth annual HEART to Heart Resource Fair Thursday, May 16, 2013, for individuals and families in Linn County who are homeless or living in poverty. The event is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Boys & Girls’ Club of Albany, 1215 Hill Street SE.

Representatives of more than two dozen organizations will provide information and help with disability or Social Security benefits; identification; finding a job; health care; housing; help with rent or utility bills; alcohol and drug treatment; and special housing, medical, and employment programs for veterans.

Individuals who need dental care can see a dentist at the Club’s dental clinic for extractions and examinations, first-come, first-served, from 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Stylists from SuperCuts will give free haircuts, volunteers from SafeHaven Humane Society will have some pet supplies to give away, and a bicycle mechanic will be on hand to do quick tune-ups.

A limited number of reading glasses, sunglasses, daily living kits, shoes, new socks, items for children, and first-aid kits will be available. Love INC will provide lunch.

The Resource Fair began in June 2006 when the City of Albany cleared out a long-established homeless camp in Simpson Park. The HEART Board of Directors includes representatives of local health and human service agencies, homeless shelters and advocates, the City of Albany, faith-based organizations, and Albany businesses.

For more information about the event, contact Marilyn Smith, 541-917-7507 or marilyn.smith@cityofalbany.net.

Letter Carriers to Collect Food Donations

The annual National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will be Saturday, May 11. Linn Benton Food Share barrels will be placed in the Heritage Mall and Ray’s Food Place to collect food donations.

Letter carriers will deliver postcards and bags to Albany residents the week of May 11. Customers in turn are asked to fill the bags with non-perishable food and place them next to their mailboxes by the morning on May 11.

For more information, click here.

Community Services Consortium Puts Volunteers in Motion

On any given Wednesday at CSC’s Linn Benton Food Share warehouse in Tangent, you will arrive to a packed parking lot. Road-worn pickups overloaded with farm-fresh produce, boxed food and canned food creak through the gravel, squeezing into one of the few available parking spots. The trucks are greeted by gleaners with pallet movers, who shuttle the food into the warehouse.

Gleaners are volunteers who drive thousands of miles each year collecting food from farms and supermarkets that would otherwise be thrown away (they even collect pet food). In addition to the thousands of miles they put on their vehicles, they also put in thousands of hours of time repacking and distributing  food to the hungry.

Inside the warehouse, operations run like a well-oiled machine. Gleaners huddle and buzz around the various food processing stations. On this particular day, thousands of pounds of cauliflower are being repacked into family-sized portions.

In one area, the cauliflower is broken down into florets. In another area, it is scooped and bagged. In another area, the bags are sealed. The assembly line moves at a dizzying pace. Gleaners dart in and out of the work area, taking a quick break and saying hello to friends.

For Paul Swanson, this is old hat. Paul is a staple at the Wednesday repacks, not having missed one in nearly six years. He also volunteers on Mondays.

“I just like to help people and stay busy,” said the former timber worker, who has lived in Oregon for almost 80 years. 

A number of volunteer groups help with warehouse operations throughout the year. This week, children from Hoover Elementary School in Corvallis helped to repack vegetables. Members of Oregon State’s Greek community also stopped by to lend a hand as part of a day of service in conjunction with Iron Brawl, an annual Greek philanthropy event. They unloaded and cleaned out trucks, boxed food, and even mowed the lawn.

“We all just want to give back to families in the community, and enjoy working to fight against hunger,” said Roan McQuillen, a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.

According to Independent Sector, a nonprofit leadership and advocacy organization, that work has a value. An Oregon volunteer’s time is worth $19.33 per hour. For the 3,159 volunteers that invested 14,232 hours at LBFS last year, that equates to $275,104, the equivalent of  4.1 million pounds of food on the tables of Linn and Benton county families in need. And that’s not even counting the work of the gleaners.

“It’s great to see families volunteer together. We have volunteers who started coming out to the warehouse as children, and now they are bringing their own families. Regardless of the task, our volunteers dive in with enthusiasm. Food Share volunteers are very committed - we have volunteers who have never missed a Monthly Community Open House and we have volunteers who have worked with us every year during the Annual Postal Carriers’ Food Drive. Even though we have a very small staff, we can order bulk food with confidence because we know that an army of volunteers will be on hand to repackage it into family-sized portions,” said Susan James, CSC Gleaning and Volunteer Programs Coordinator. 

Just down the road in Corvallis, three CSC youth crews are putting in a day of service at the Corvallis Environmental Center’s Starker Arts Garden for Education. The  CSC YouthBuild, Natural Resource Youth Conservation, and Youth Garden crews came from Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties to put the jobs skills they have learned to use at the one-acre community garden.

The crews built additional shed space, constructed a roof for a chicken coop, harvested winter kale, mulched multiple beds, turned some imposing compost piles, dug up and replanted perennials, assembled and varnished garden plot signs, and mowed and weedwhacked the during a five-hour work party. 

Corvallis Environmental Center Garden Manager Deanna Lloyd stated “it would have taken us weeks to accomplish what the youth crews did in one day. SAGE and our community really benefited from all the hard work that the youth crews put in.”

Volunteers have also enabled CSC to host large fundraising events, such as the annual Barrel to Keg Relay. The race spans from Philomath to Newport, and last year 115 volunteers, including the Lincoln County Emergency Radio Operators and  Newport Police Volunteers, helped to keep things in motion, doing everything from acting as course marshals to setting up and breaking down the course to keeping the relay and traffic exchanges safe and clear for runners.

In the spirit of National Volunteer Week, we give these dedicated volunteers a hearty and much-deserved thank you for everything that they do to help us fight poverty and change lives in our community!

Linn Benton Food Share hosts a Community Monthly Open House on the last Thursday of each month that is open to walk-in volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering with CSC, or have a group that is interested in volunteering at the Open House or at any other time, please contact Susan James at sjames@communityservices.us.

Youth Natural Resource Crews Featured in Newport News-Times Article

CSC's Youth Natural Resource Crews were featured in a March 27 article published by the Newport News-Times. The article outlined some of the crew's community service projects, where they learn both about both conservation science as well as practical job skills while continuing their educations.

The article can be accessed here: http://communityservices.us/files/Youth_Natural_Resource_Crews.pdf

Garden Gnome Run Less Than Two Weeks Away!

In just a couple of short weeks, Garden Gnome Run participants will be pounding the pavement to benefit the CSC Youth House Gardens!

The 1K Run/Walk, 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run is coming up on Sunday, May 5. The flat, paved course starts at the corner of SW 2nd St. and SW Western Blvd., and follows the bike path in Southwest Corvallis through Avery and Starker Arts parks.

All ages are welcome. Registration fees for the 1K Run/Walk are $20.00, and the 5k Run/Walk and 10k Run are $30.00. Use promotion code ggr2013 to receive $5 off online registration.

All entrants receive a tomato plant for their garden and a short-sleeve shirt (tech shirt for adult sizes and cotton t-shirt for youth sizes).

All proceeds go towards the CSC Youth House Gardens program. Every season, four to ten youth who are enrolled in our federal workforce program are responsible for caring for 40 raised beds, without the use of herbicides or pesticides. Our mission is to encourage learning, entrepreneurship and work readiness in Benton County youth and to grow and locally-distribute responsibly-raised produce.For registration, sponsorship, and other information about the Garden Gnome Run, visit http://www.gardengnomerun.com.

For more information about the CSC Youth Garden, visit http://communityservices.us/education/youth-garden/ or check out our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CSCYouthGarden.