A Holiday Thank You

The following letter of thanks was delivered to the Housing Department with a festive plate of homemade Holiday goodies:

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Boss and all the guys who worked on my old house … who done just a good job on it and made it so much better and nicer for me.  You guys did a wonderful job and it’s so warm now and to think this summer I can open my windows and doors which I’ve never been able to do.  Thanks again guys and hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Your great admirer,  … …”

This elderly homeowner has three part-time jobs to pay the utility bills for the home she has lived in her entire life.  Through the Weatherization Assistance Program her home received attic and sidewall insulation, a new furnace and new windows and doors.  She shared with the crew that she has never had anything new in her life, as the addition to the home was built with used materials.

Hopefully, the weatherization measures will not only make her home more comfortable, but allow her to eliminate one of the part-time jobs!

Jackie Harpst - Housing

In the Spotlight - January Edition

In the SPOTLIGHT this month

RSVP DIRECTOR – Cheri Theesen

VOLUNTEER SERVICES

Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska’s Volunteer Services include the following programs:  The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Compassionate Connections, and the Senior Companion Program (SCVP).

RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for people age 55 and over.  Join RSVP and you join nearly 500,000 volunteers across the country who are tackling tough issues in their communities.  RSVP offers a full range of volunteer opportunities with thousands of local and national organizations.  There are several places in Buffalo and Kearney Counties that RSVP volunteers can serve to meet the needs of the communities.  Volunteers are given the flexibility to serve as much or as little as they want, according to their schedules and lifestyles.  Volunteers can learn new skills or use the ones they have already acquired.  The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program came to the Buffalo and Kearney County area in 1998 when Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska received a grant to fund the program from the Corporation for National and Community Service.  There are currently 165 volunteers who served approximately 20,000 hours last year.

Compassionate Connections is a program that provides services to individuals so they are able to remain independent in their homes.  When a referral is made an initial assessment is completed.  If appropriate, a volunteer is placed to assist the individual.  Services provided include friendly visitation, light housekeeping during recovery, errands and transportation needs for shut-ins.  There is currently a need for more volunteers in Compassionate Connections as the request for assistance has surpassed the ability of our current volunteers.  New volunteers are needed!!

A new outreach of RSVP and Compassionate Connections is the Independent Living Support Class.  RSVP received a permanent increase in funding to incorporate this opportunity into the program.  This class teaches volunteers the skills needed to be an effective support to individuals in their homes.  This class will be taught in Kearney, Ravenna, Minden, and Wilcox twice a year.  The class currently being taught is in Kearney at the Peterson Senior Center.

The Senior Companion Volunteer Program is funded by Health and Human Services.  It is a program designed for the limited income senior who is 55 plus years old.  A small tax free stipend, mileage reimbursement and other benefits are offered.  The mission of the SCVP is to recruit and train volunteers to assist individuals in maintaining their independence.  Whether it is someone lonely and isolated, physically or mentally disabled, or living with Alzheimer’s disease, Senior Companions help people in ways true friends help one another.  Senior Companions can be placed in private homes or independent living facilities.  Currently there are 49 senior adults being served by 4 Senior Companions.  We are currently looking for new Senior Companions to serve in this capacity.  If you know of someone, please contact Mary Jane McLaughlin at 865-1354.

The Love Dare

Happy New Year everyone!  

     January is the time when so many of us set resolutions for the upcoming year.  We see the New Year as a time for new beginnings - a fresh start.  The problem is we often set out to do a complete 180 degree turn and when we fail, we abandon the resolution completely. 

     Why does this happen?  Often we identify the goal or outcome we want to reach, but we don’t determine what steps we will take to reach that goal.  I often have parents tell me that they want to be a better parent or spouse.  They are usually able to tell me what it would look like if they attained that goal, but are unable to tell me what changes they plan to make to get there. 

     There is a recently published book called, ‘The Love Dare’ by Alex & Stephen Kendrick.  If you saw the movie Fireproof, the book was the blueprint Kaleb (main character) used to make changes in his marriage.  It is a 40 day challenge to make changes. 

     For example, day one calls for the reader to make no negative comments toward his spouse.  Day two also challenges that no negative comments are made and in addition, one nice gesture be made.  The gesture could be as little as pouring a cup of coffee for a spouse, or warming up a vehicle. 

     Each of the forty days has a specific step toward the ultimate goal of improving the marriage relationship.  Each step is something that can be accomplished in one day.  If you have the opportunity to take a look at ‘The Love Dare’, it is a great example of how a life change can take place one day at a time, one step at a time.  We often tell people that changes must be made in their life, but fail to help them map out how to make those changes.  I’ve failed to make changes in my own life because I didn’t have a plan.  Good intentions were quickly replaced by frustration.  I love the quote, “a failure to plan is a plan to fail”. 

     So if you have a goal for 2010, or are working with families to bring about change, increase the odds of success by decreasing the odds of failure.  Break it down into tasks, get an accountability partner for support, and stay the course. 

     Helping people, changing lives…one step at a time.

    by Lisa Follmer

Helping people, changing lives, and making communities a better place to live – one house at a time…

WEATHERIZATION WORKS!

“I am really enjoying my new home!!!! I just can’t believe that this is the same house”, stated a homeowner in Perkins County who benefited from the collaboration of the Making Homes Accessible (MHA) Program, USDA-Rural Development (USDA-RD) Housing Rehabilitation, Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation (SWNCBC) Owner-occupied Housing Rehabilitation, and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WX).  By working together these agencies were able to provide the following improvements to his home:

• New roof and gutters (SWNCBC)
• Vinyl siding (SWNCBC)
• New windows and doors (SWNCBC)
• Electrical upgrades (USDA-RD)
• Plumbing upgrades (MHA)
• New furnace (WX) with central air conditioning (USDA-RD)
• Water heater replacement (USDA-RD)
• Kitchen cabinets with under counter storage, and a sink and faucet (SWNCBC)
• New flooring in the kitchen, living room and one bedroom (MHA)
• Replacement of the bathtub with a handicap accessible shower unit (MHA)
• Attic and sidewall insulation (WX)
• Ramp to the front door for accessibility (MHA)

This elderly gentleman who will now be able to remain in his home safely and comfortably was very grateful for all of the assistance he received.  In a Thank You note, he stated, “This would never have been possible without all of you.  I just want you to know how much I appreciate all of the time, effort and financial assistance.  Thank you very, very much.”   

Jackie Harpst - Housing

Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska