Kyla on NTV's Good Life!

Kyla Martin, our Development Director, was a guest on NTV's Good Life segment Monday, July 25th - to see her segment where she discusses Beads in a Box, Something For Everyone Jewelry and the Walk to End Alzheimer's, please click on this link

http://www.nebraska.tv/categor​y/106636/ntvs-good-life

Someone Really Does Care

We met a young man in our office that had been in a serious motorcycle accident. Fortunately he is now on the mend and has a sister who took him in during the healing process. 

Before coming to our office they had applied for assistance and had been turned down by a couple of agencies. 

They stated it was hard for them to enter our door, especially after working on hours of paperwork for other services and being rejected. He said he has never asked for help before and his goal is to go back to his same job, live in the same rental house and do the best he can keeping his bills paid with what income he had from his last paycheck. 

Knowing that he is not going to be able to return to work for awhile, we started by visiting with him and giving him encouragement. We looked over his papers and are continuing to look into services he is eligible for. When he looked up from signing papers he stated there is hope and someone really does care. 

Sometimes all they need is someone to listen when they speak, which makes us realize it takes so little to make a difference in someone’s life.  

"Helping People, Changing Lives" 

Family Development Programs

For the Lack of a $10 Prescription

Several times throughout the year, Social Workers from the local hospital will refer patients who may need assistance with a prescription due to lack of insurance and/or funds to pay for their medication. Several patients have been helped with prescription assistance thru Salvation Army funding. 

One particular patient, "Henry", had been admitted to the ER for not being able to afford a $10.00 prescription. 

Henry was referred to Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska's Community Services program, and with assistance thru Salvation Army funds, he was able to get his prescription. 

Two weeks later while doing the Salvation Army Bell ringing campaign outside Casey’s General Store, Henry walked by and gave a $30.00 donation in gratitude for the help he had received when he needed it most. According to this gentleman the $10.00 blood pressure medication helped him so much to the point that he now has a full-time job with insurance and is able to afford his medication. 

Community Services Program

"Helping People, Changing Lives  "

Community Services touch many lives

Recently, we helped a family with 6 children who moved to North Platte. The children are all below the age of 8. 

He is a disabled vet and with a limited income. She is working with Arbor program and also with me on job search. 

They are trying to get on the housing list to stay in their current location because it has 5 bedrooms. It is very difficult to find even a 4 bedroom rental in North Platte. 

As we start to work on her resume, it seems that her spirit has picked up and she is smiling and having more confidence. 

That’s all for now, but I want to encourage each of you, because what we are doing and saying does make a difference. 

"Helping People, Changing Lives  "

Helping Yourself Through Helping Others

A retired couple came into the office needing assistance with their rent. They were on social security and did a paper route to supplement their income. After reviewing their income and bills it was obvious that there wasn’t room to trim the budget. When asking about their ability to purchase food, they indicated that they do run short by the end of the month, and only qualify for $13 dollars a month in food stamps. I asked if they would like to assist with the Food Rescue Program where they could help others one day a week and have access to additional food. They liked the idea of helping out plus getting the benefit of more food security. 

While talking to the husband he spoke of the assistance he already provided to a home bound gentleman. As I listened I thought of an additional source available to him. I referred him to the Senior Companion Program, where he could increase his income by assisting a senior to remain in his home. The client could increase his income through a stipend that would not endanger his benefits. With these two Mid services that are supported in part by Community Service Block Grant, the couple felt they would be able to make it through the month on their fixed income without having to go without any of their basic needs.

Community Services Program

"Helping People, Changing Lives  "

Helping After The Diagnosis

Annie and John, an elderly couple both retired and on a fixed income, had spent the last month in a hospital in Omaha due to Annie’s recent diagnosis with cancer and Chemotherapy treatment.  While at the hospital, John had to spend some of what little money they had on lodging, fuel and food; running them low on funds designated for their monthly utility and housing costs. They could not return to a home with no heat and John found himself trying stretch the little money they had left. 

     Finally he contacted Community Action to see about getting some assistance.  John and Annie both stopped in with hospital discharge papers and Doctors orders on hand to prove their need.  The elderly couple lives in a mobile home which uses propane as the main heat source.  With our help and a combination of what little money the couple had left and Salvation Army funds, this couple was able to afford their heating bill for the month helping to make their living situation a bit more comfortable. 

"Helping People, Changing Lives"
   Community Services Program 

          Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska

Homeless to Happiness

“Bill and Kari”, a young couple who had a preschooler plus a baby on the way, moved back to Nebraska last fall after things didn’t work out in California. Two moves and they were broke, so they put their belongings into storage and moved into the homeless shelter. With their optimism it was clear that they would get back on their feet quickly.
When Bill found part-time work as an apprentice they were eligible to enroll into the Homeless Prevention & Rapid-Rehousing Program. HPRP assisted with their moving costs to a rental. The amount of rent was lowered as Bill’s income increased.

They have now exited from the HPRP program because Bill has obtained his Journeyman’s license and is now completely providing for his family. Susie is nearly finished with an on-line course and will be ready to return to the workforce after their baby is born. Without this assistance they would have needed to stay longer at the homeless shelter to save enough to move out. Since they’ve moved out other families have been assisted through the same process.

By helping with first month’s rent and security deposits, HPRP has increased the capacity of the homeless shelter to help more people who are striving to change their lives.

"Helping People, Changing Lives" 

Community Services Help Many Needs

We first met ‘Susie’ and ‘Jeff’ for case management a few years ago. They were anxious to change their lives around for their four children and themselves.

They are a blended family which brings challenges to the family members. At the time they lived in a two bedroom house and mom and dad were sleeping in the living room. The children had some mental health issues that needed to be addressed and referrals were made to WIC, Head Start, and Region III Behavioral Health.

Today, the family is buying a four bedroom house and they have found a mental health home for themselves. Things are looking up for this family. 

Helping people, changing lives one family at a time.

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)

But for this assistance they would be homeless … and they can sustain their housing once they exit the program.  HPRP in southwest Nebraska is not only assisting “prevention” families currently enrolled in the program, but is now targeting those who are literally homeless. Already we’re seeing successes.

“Joe”, is a Veteran with a history of homelessness that is termed “chronic”, however this past year something clicked for him. After he found the support he needed at the homeless shelter to get his life back on track Joe decided that he has something to contribute and wants to help others. He’s worked hard to overcome alcohol addiction. He’s now studying to become a counselor. With assistance from HPRP Joe moved out of the homeless shelter into a small apartment which made room for someone else.
By helping with first month’s rent and security deposits, HPRP has increased the capacity of the homeless shelter to help more people who are striving to change their lives.

by Linda Martin

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) Coordinator

WIC Celebrates Nutrition Month!

WIC is excited about March being here... because March is National Nutrition Month! The American Dietetic Association (AD) created the nutrition education and information campaign in 1973 as a week-long celebration with the purpose of: “Promoting the nutrition profession as well as serving as a vehicle for delivering nutrition education messages to the public.” In the 1980’s it became a month long celebration. The campaign has continued to focus on making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

This year the theme is “Eat Right with Color”. The main goal is to emphasize the importance of eating a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables. Currently, WIC participants who are older than 1 year, post-partum, pregnant, or breastfeeding receive a fruit and vegetable check. It is solely up to the participants as to what items they select. Our goal is that by encouraging and providing new recipes and helpful tips to our participants, they would try some new fruits and vegetables they wouldn’t usually purchase with their WIC checks. WIC also provides foods such as whole wheat breads, fortified breakfast cereals, tortillas, cheese, milk, dried beans, brown rice, peanut butter, eggs, etc. By providing a variety of foods, they are enriching their diet with tons of wonderful things like fiber, folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, potassium, and phytochemicals. 

Ø  Dietary fiber from fruit, vegetables and whole grains, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. Fiber is important for proper bowel function. It helps reduce constipation and diverticulosis. Fiber-containing foods such as whole fruits and vegetables help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories. Additional WIC foods such as whole grain breads, tortillas, beans, and brown rice are also good sources of fiber. Whole or cut-up fruits are sources of dietary fiber; fruit juices contain little or no fiber. 

Ø  Folate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant and those in the first trimester of pregnancy should consume adequate folate, including folic acid from fortified foods or supplements. This reduces the risk of neural tube defects, spina bifida, and anencephaly during fetal development. WIC foods such as the whole wheat products, fortified breakfast cereal, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, asparagus and strawberries are good sources of Folate.

Ø  Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections. WIC foods that are yellow-orange or green color such as sweet potatoes, peaches, apricots, broccoli and spinach. In addition; fortified milk, cheese and eggs are good sources of vitamin A.

Ø  Vitamin E helps protect vitamin A and essential fatty acids from cell oxidation. WIC foods such as peanut butter, dried beans, fortified breakfast cereals, green leafy vegetables, and asparagus, are good sources of vitamin E.

Ø  Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps teeth and gums healthy. Vitamin C aids in iron absorption. Broccoli, oranges, bell peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe and WIC juices are also good sources of vitamin C.

Ø  Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Fruits and vegetable sources of potassium include bananas, peaches, apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, sweet potatoes, white beans, soybeans, lima beans, winter squash, spinach, lentils, kidney beans, and split peas. Other WIC foods that provide potassium would be: milk, cheese, and whole grains.

Celebrate National Nutrition Month with us and Eat Right with COLOR!!!