December 2013

Helping People. Changing Lives.

Community Action

450 Syndicate Street N Saint Paul, MN 55104

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties

STRAIGHT TALK
A quarterly update to close friends of Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties

Dear Friends,

to report The new year is upon us and Im happyof Ramsey & ship tner Par that Community Action . Inside ever n tha nger Washington Counties is stro nd. arou you will find good news all

stellar Youll read that we continue to have a well as as e, serv we se Board that includes tho inue cont We . bers private and government mem s ram prog ous vari of to highlight the benefits ny imo test ugh thro ies, through participant stor with hips ners part our ugh to legislators, and thro lling enro ully essf succ e Wer bus inesses in the area. all ing help and , ram people in the MNsure prog obtain health insurance. ants in We celebrate the successes of our particip with them ring sha And . becoming self-sufficient w kno to like d you If t. you is one way to do tha free feel se plea g, doin e more about all that wer at to contact me at 651-603-5951 or via email chightower@caprw.org. With good wishes,

Clarence Hightower Executive Director

STRAIGHT TALK
December 2013

IMPACTFUL DECISIONS
People with low incomes, particularly those in poverty, face signicant challenges in maintaining their health. They are more likely than those with higher incomes to become ill, to die at a younger age, and to live in poor environmental situations. Thats why Community Action is proud to be part of an outreach grant that will help get low-income people healthcare through MNsure. The grant was written by our state organization, Minnesota Community Action, and 15 agencies will reach vulnerable people throughout the state. In addition, 29 staff members have completed training to help participants complete MNsure applications for health insurance.

PARTICIPANT STORIES
Our volunteers are amazing and a tremendous help serving our participants. This year, our Information Technology department benetted from Rhondas work. Rhonda came to us after completing computer training at American Indian OIC. She needed an internship and we needed extra hands in IT. Working closely with our staff, she helped trouble-shoot small issues, and helped with other system work. All in all, she volunteered 100 hours of her time to help us. When a program is very successful, sometimes its hard to keep up with all the people requesting help. Lucille, a volunteer from Experience Works, provided critical help to our Food Support program. She volunteered 20 hours a week in Community Engagement, returning phone calls to people interested in applying for Food Support, screening applications, all while providing a welcoming smile at the front desk.

BOARD OF DIRECTOR NEWS

Welcome new Board member: Latavia Osgood, Head Start Policy Council

PROGRAM NEWS
U.S. Senator Al Franken and Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman paid a visit to one of Community Actions Energy Assistance participants, Betty from Vadnais Heights. Betty welcomed Senator Franken and Commissioner Rothman into her home on Saturday, November 9, to help publicize and discuss how the Energy Assistance Program helps Minnesotans. Betty is involved with her local church and is an active member of her community. She applied for the Energy Assistance Program after her husband, Bud, died in 2004. Betty said that without the help she probably wouldnt be able to stay in the home where she and Bud raised four children and lived for the past 60 years. Head Start received 120 gift certicates to take our children to Payless ShoeSource. Each gift certicate is for $20 or one pair of childrens shoes. Early Head Start partnered with Free Bikes 4 Kidz and received 221 childrens bikes for children enrolled in our program and their siblings. Staff and volunteers picked up the bikes and delivered them to families the rst week of December. Free Bikes 4 Kidz partners with Allina Health to get bike helmets. A representative from Allina Health will be meeting with Early Head Start staff to discuss proper tting of helmets and to donate a helmet for each of the children who received a bike. We are looking forward to partnering again next year!

Hamline Universitys LEAP into St. Paul is an annual orientation program which introduces rst-year students to opportunities for community engagement with the neighborhoods and communities that surround them. Fifty-six students attended an all agency orientation and then canvassed our neighborhood, distributing informational door hangers on Community Action programs.

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties 450 Syndicate Street N, Saint Paul, MN 55104 651-645-6445 caprw.org This document can be made available in alternative formats, such as large print, Braille or audio tape, by calling 651-603-5923 (voice) or via TTY through the Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-627-3529.