CSC Saves Low-Income Residents Money While Supporting the Local Economy

Thanks to Community Services Consortium (CSC), both low-income residents and local businesses are benefitting from green technology installations in Corvallis, Albany, and Newport. The design and installation of 282 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays were made possible through CSC’s Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers Program (SERC).



Solar PV panels at Community Outreach, Inc. in Corvallis

Between July 2011 and March 2012, solar PV panels were installed in 10 single-family residences and three multi-family buildings. The multi-family buildings include Samaritan Village, an 82-unit senior living facility located in Corvallis; Pelican Place, a 12-unit building housing domestic abuse victims and the homeless in Newport; and Albany Helping Hands, a homeless shelter in Albany.

The solar PV systems are grid-connected, non-battery systems, which is the least expensive option to install. The system is connected to the electric provider, so any excess energy can be sold back to the provider in the form of credits or sent to Oregon HEAT, a local energy assistance program.

All labor for the projects was sourced in Oregon. Five separate Oregon solar companies were employed, and twice that many in electrical and mechanical subcontractors.



Workers install solar PV panels at Albany Helping Hands

All solar modules, inverters, and balance of systems were either made in America or Oregon. Some Oregon manufacturers used include SolarWorld and Sharp for solar modules, and Advanced Energy for inverters. More than $1 million was spent on labor and materials for the projects, which has provided a great boost for Oregon businesses. 

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.

CSC’s Weatherization Assistance Program accompanies SERC by providing energy audits and applied energy saving measures to improve local energy savings. Energy conservation and efficiency measures ensure that the solar electric renewable energy measure yields maximum energy savings.

The US Department of Energy funds the SERC program. They, along with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided $90 million nationwide ($7 million to Oregon) for SERC projects. CSC was one of just five agencies to receive funds from Oregon Housing and Community Services based on our outstanding record of service.

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

Current Job Openings

* Eligibility Clerk - opens August 11
* Maintenance worker ( Head Start ) - Position open until filled
* Project Instructor 1 ( Lincoln City ) - Position open until filled
* Project Instructor 1 – ( Youth House Garden ) - Position open until filled

To apply for a job at CSC you must submit a CSC application.

CSC is Hiring!

Healthy Kids Coordinator ( Benton County ) - closes July 16

Director of Development & Community Relations - closes July 26

Project Instructor 1 – Youth House Garden - Position open until filled

CSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All Employment Applications must be sent to the Corvallis office address, 545 SW 2nd St, Suite A,Corvallis, OR 97333. If you have questions about the job application process, please call (541) 752-1010 or email the human resources department at hr@communityservices.us.

Please check out the Jobs website for job descriptions and application materials (in Word and .pdf formats).

CSC’s Building Bridges Program Now Recruiting

Do you know a college-level student interested in working in community service this summer?

The CSC Building Bridges program is now recruiting a select few AmeriCorps*VISTA members for six summer positions to perform volunteer service across Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties from June 21 to August 20, 2010.

• Summer Associate will work with Benton County Commissioners and other members of the “Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness”. Agency & Location: Benton County, Corvallis OR

• Summer Associate will work with Resource Development officer to implement agency-wide community-based development plan. Agency & Location: CSC, Corvallis, OR

• Summer Associate will support summer work experience and training activities for low-income youth in east Linn County. Agency & Location: CSC's At Risk Youth Program, Lebanon, OR
• Summer Associate will assist with developing a Youth Summit and other community awareness projects. Agency & Location: CSC Workforce and Education program, Newport, OR

• Summer Associate will assist the Homeless Education Literacy Project (HELPS) program coordinator to raise community support for the program. Agency & Location: Lincoln Commission on Children and Families/HELPS, Newport, OR

• Linn County “Gets Ready” Project Coordinator will continue to develop a public relations campaign and other projects. Agency & Location: Linn County Sheriff’s Department, Albany, OR

Benefits will include an $858 monthly living allowance and a $1,132 education award for completion of service.

For more details, contact Jeannie Ramsey at 541-758-2778 or email jramsey@communityservices.us

CSC Uses Stimulus Funds For Accelerated Training Course for Dislocated Workers

Community Services Consortium (CSC) is using stimulus money for an accelerated course in fabrication/welding designed by CSC staff to train dislocated workers in 20 weeks instead of the year and half normal course time. The goal is to get the 12 adult dislocated workers enrolled back in the workforce as soon as possible to resume their normal lives.

CSC’s Workforce and Education program designed the 20-week course by consulting the local community employers “We did a lot of research before we designed this class,” said Sue Mcguire-Thompson, Operations Manager for the CSC Workforce and Education Program. “By consulting local employers, we found the field that needed workers and we found what qualifications the workers needed to get jobs."

The dislocated workers, now half-way through the course, are learning to read blue prints, design work to specifications as well as other fabrication skills in addition to welding. “It is my dream come true,” said one participant. “This is just the training I need. And after being laid off from work, I realize an often heard saying is true – ‘When one door closes, another door opens’.”