ANNUAL REPORT. Working in partnership with the community to empower residents to improve their physical, social and economic well-being.

Transcription

1 2016 ANNUAL REPORT Working in partnership with the community to empower residents to improve their physical, social and economic well-being.

2 Dear Friends and supporters of WCCA, Thank you for helping to make 2016 such a remarkable year for WCCA! As I review the year, I am humbled and thrilled by all that we've been able to accomplish, and I can't wait to see how we grow in the years to come. We began the year by launching a 5-year strategic plan, and from that planning process stemmed a new mission statement: "Working in partnership with the community to empower residents to improve their physical, social and economic well-being." This mission has always been a core part of our agency practices, but this year we wanted to bring it to the forefront of our hearts, minds, and messaging as we work to enact change in Wright County. The WCCA staff continually demonstrates a level of innovation and passion that exceeds anything I could ever hope for, and that commitment manifests in unique ways for each of our 13 programs. The WIC program strengthened its recruiting efforts through a new initiative that supplies vital resources such as gas cards and diaper vouchers to the families they serve. The tax preparation program achieved VITA certification, which afforded us the software and training we needed to reach the next level of quality service. Our food shelf in Waverly saw a 71% increase in the number of households served and launched three mobile food programs that revolutionized the way we target hunger. Within the office itself, we've launched a new website, improved our data collection capacity through new tracking software, and upgraded some of our most essential technology. We have also greatly enhanced our human resources, planning, and volunteer coordination efforts. This is just a shortlist of the accomplishments we've seen throughout the course of 2016, and it's due entirely to the men and women of the WCCA staff who've dedicated their lives to serving this community. It's not over yet. We aren't finished innovating. We never tire of looking for new ways to fight economic disadvantage, and we never stop being thankful that we get the chance to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. The support of our volunteers and the community is also an irreplaceable part of our ability to serve. We can never thank you enough for your support and your compassion for those in need. Thank you for caring about Wright County. Jay Weatherford EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Households served by Program Community Snapshot Ethnicity Of our community

3 WRIGHT COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s Daniel Dawson CHAIRPERSON Stacie Zachman VICE CHAIRPERSON Stacy Anderson SECRETARY Brian Matzke TREASURER Bruce Anderson SPECIAL PROJECTS Mark Daleiden SPECIAL PROJECTS W. Paul Arnold PLANNING Dwayne Diers PLANNING Charles Borrell SPECIAL PROJECTS Tiffany Farrier PLANNING Terri Harris Pamela Lindberg HEAD START POLICY COUNCIL Luke McClain Patrick Segler PLANNING Marlene Stumpf-Johnson PLANNING AGE of our community Family size in our community Education of our community

4 W R I G H T C O U N T Y F O O D S H E L F WCCA's food shelf is the only food shelf in Wright County that serves all county residents, regardless of what community they call home. It's a client choice food shelf that offers a variety of nutritious foods for families in need. In addition to addressing the immediate need for food, we ensure the families have the resources to meet basic needs in the future by connecting them with other services that promote asset building and self-sufficiency. The WCCA food shelf underwent a massive overhaul this year. We've renovated the exterior and interior, expanded our service hours, and massively increased the number of families we are able to serve. In 2016, we served 71% more households than We recently received a Hunger Solutions grant and purchased a van that we'll use to implement a food delivery program for those who can't make it to the food shelf because of age or disability. We've also implemented two new, innovative food programs that allow us to hit hunger where it hurts the most: in schools and homes in crisis. Emergency Food Box Network, est. May 2016: Through this program, we distribute 30-pound emergency food boxes to Network partners throughout the county. This allows for extended hours of access and smaller distances between people and food shelf resources. It also provides a venue for WCCA to connect with those fighting poverty and refer them to a local food shelf for food shelf use, whether it's our county-wide food shelf or one in their own community. Our wright Connections tool is working to connect Wright County residents to the services and organizations that are available in our area. Originally printed on card stock to post on your fridge, this useful tool is now also available online. When a neighbor, friend or relative is looking for help, we hope that this tool makes it easier. Our goal is to get this tool in the hands of all Wright County residents. One side of the card has a list of services. Each service is next to a colored box. Flip the card over and match the color to the organization that provides the service you're looking for. Backpack Program: est. October The Backpack Program works with our Head Start Centers to fight hunger among children in Wright County. In some households, the meals that kids eat in school are some of the only meals they eat. While our pilot program has only been in effect one year, it has already provided 5,880 parcels to children in our community. Flip

5 Amy Kortisses Full-Time VISTA We have been thrilled with the accomplishments, work ethic, and creativity of our AmeriCorps VISTAs. Each of these women completed a different set of projects and complete her tasks with drive and distinction. Their ingenuity provided us with new takes on problem solving, and their enthusiasm brought inspiration and energy to our entire office. Each one went above and beyond the call of duty and made an impact that will continue to grow and develop for years to come. Amy has been an invaluable part of the WCCA family since November. During her year of service, she's worked to increase community outreach; to expand and develop systems for our food security services, including our new mobile food programs; and to grow our food shelf donor base. She's written numerous grants in support of several agency programs, helped with our 5-year strategic planning process, and created marketing materials that promoted programs and helped to establish the WCCA brand. We are immensely grateful for the work that she's done and the momentum she brought to our entire agency. She's truly changed the face of WCCA food security. Our Food Security Summer VSAs, Taylor Andrews and Taylor Newman, helped us launch our new mobile food programs: The Mobile Food Shelf, BackpackFood Program, and Emergency Food Box Network. They developed tracking systems, organized supplies, and created program and volunteer training materials while also supporting day-to-day food shelf activities. Taylor Andrews Taylor Newman VISTA Summer Associate VISTA Summer Associate Our Head Start Summer VSA, Bridgette Hulse, created a massive database in support of a community outreach initiative that will raise funds for food shelf programs and a planned Early Head Start expansion. She also wrote several grant applications in support of Head Start and Early Head Start programming such as Raising A Reader, and completed numerous small projects. Bridgette Hulse VISTA Summer Associate ty r e ov P t h ion s Fig s a P h Wit Our final summer VSA, Concepsheon Hall, developed and launched a brand-new agency website that is functional, informative, and engaging for clients, volunteers, staff, and donors. We are confident that this website will give us a platform for service we can utilize for years to come. Concepsheon Hall VISTA Summer Associate

6 thrift store WCCA's thrift shop, adjacent to our food shelf in Waverly, offers a wide selection of gently used merchandise, including child and adult clothing & shoes, household items, toys, and books, all of which can be purchased at $5 per bag. While our goal is to provide affordable clothing options to lowincome individuals, our shop is not restricted to income eligible households or Wright County residents. The thrift shop is available to anyone! We sort, screen, and place donations on the showroom floor daily, so there will be new items to choose from every time you shop. We accept donations of new and used items in good condition from all individuals, businesses, and organizations. WCCA has a drop box within the building, allowing us to accept donations even when the store is not open. Area churches often donate handmade quilts which we provide to households in need, such as fire victims or households with heating emergencies. The center is largely operated by volunteers who donate the time and other resources we need to operate the program. Without volunteer support, the center could not continue to meet the needs of area residents. WCCA has a trained and certified MNsure Navigator who guides families and individuals through the process of applying for and enrolling into health plans through Minnesota's health insurance exchange, MNsure. MNsure is an online marketplace that brings together public and private insurance programs with payment assistance and tax credits to make them all more affordable. It is the only place individuals and families can apply for public health coverage or financial assistance to lower the cost of their monthly insurance premium. MNsure brings private insurance plans and public programs together in one convenient place to give consumers access to the financial assistance they need for insurance coverage, regardless of any pre-existing conditions. There is no charge for this face-to-face application and enrollment help. Please call our Maple Lake office to schedule an appointment. MNsure Navigator FAMILY BUDGETING WCCA's Family Budgeting program helps clients create financial action plans personalized for each individual or family's specific financial needs. The goal of this program is financial stability and independence for individuals and families. We offer this service to income eligible participants individually and as a part of other WCCA services.

7 The Head Start program supports the development of children ages 3-5 that come from economically disadvantaged families, providing a variety of learning experiences to help children develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Head Start services promote school readiness and parent engagement, while also helping families connect to a larger community network. Students and families enrolled in Head Start also receive health, dental, and nutrition services; transportation; and community resources and referrals. This year, Head Start launched several exciting new programs and services. We implemented Raising a Reader, an early childhood literacy program that provides a rotating library of books for children to take home every week and read with their families. Additionally, 11 of our teachers underwent a Family Service Credential training designed to better prepare educators to also serve as advocates for children and their families. Finally, Head Start launched a Backpack Food Program in partnership with the WCCA Food Shelf to ensure all of our children have access to food over the weekend. The Early Head Start program offers services to 30 pregnant women, infants, and toddlers in Wright County and Western Hennepin County. Families receive weekly 90-minute home visits to support and strengthen parent-child relationships and develop school readiness skills. Home visitors also target parent engagement; health, dental and nutrition services; and community resources and referrals. Early Head Start encourages the role of the parent as their child's first and most important teachers, providing strategies that help parents prepare children for school and promote their academic success. EHS also recognizes the need for social development outside of the home. Socializations are offered twice a month to allow parents and children the opportunity to build relationships with other families in the program. Tax Preparation Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, is a free tax preparation program provided by IRS Certified volunteers. We prepare State and Federal income taxes, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Working Family Credit (WFC). We also prepare property tax rebates for both renters and homeowners. EITC and WFC credits are intended for families who work but do not earn enough income to reduce the tax burden. A tax refund can be up to 30% of a household's annual budget, which is a huge amount of money for economically disadvantaged families. A tax refund can pay for childcare, medical expenses, transportation, etc., as a family works to become economically self-sufficient. Many low-income clients often do not have the capacity or financial resources to pay a tax preparer. This service gives Wright County residents access to free tax preparation, which frees up mental energy and economic resources for the climb into independence. Often, as the VITA preparer completes a client's taxes, the VITA preparer can also identify other ways the agency can help the client improve economic stability.

8 WIC Women, Infants & Children The WIC Program provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education to women who are pregnant, postpartum, and breast-feeding, and to infants and children up to the age of 5. The WIC program serves families who have a demonstrated nutritional need and meet federal income eligibility standards. We offer services to thousands of Wright County residents each year by promoting breastfeeding and nutrition, providing food and formula vouchers, and offering referrals to health care and other county resources. WIC food vouchers are extremely valuable to our county economy, bringing in an estimated value of $1,224,404 to local retailers in We also conduct monthly WIC clinics in the communities of Buffalo, Howard Lake, and Monticello. Nutrition education and healthy food supplements prevent health problems from developing, while also lifting a massive financial burden from families who otherwise might not be able to afford nutritious food options. We currently provide this life changing service to an average of 1,818 people every month. This year, we are thrilled to be one of three counties to receive a Hunger Impact Grant, which we are using to offer diaper vouchers and gas cards to clients at their appointments. We hope that this service will increase appointment accountability and provide another valuable resource to the families we serve. WCCA supports Child & Teen Checkup Outreach (C&TC), in partnership with Wright County Public Health, to WIC program participants in an effort to connect them with services available through Medical Assistance and Minnesota Care. C&TC Outreach promotes optimal health for eligible children by encouraging the regular use of preventative medical and dental care, early diagnosis, and treatment. Children and teenagers who participate in C&TC Outreach are eligible to receive physical exams, immunizations, hearing and vision checkups, lab tests, and growth and development checkups. C&TC Outreach also provides information about accessing transportation to check-ups and arranging interpreters. Additionally, we offer referrals to affordable health and dental care options and various other resources in Wright County.

9 ENERGY ASSISTANCE WCCA administers the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) in Wright County. This program provides financial assistance for winter heating costs to income eligible households. Heat and energy bills can devastate tight budgets, forcing families to sacrifice basic needs in order to maintain their heat and electric service. We relieve a portion of this burden, allowing clients to focus their resources on meeting other vital needs. Energy Assistance is available to both homeowners and renters, and payments are made directly to the energy supplier. Additionally, qualified households may receive help with utility disconnections, necessary fuel deliveries, and heating system repairs or replacements. WCCA also works with families in EAP to help them plan for heating expenses and resolve heating and utility shut-offs as they work to attain self-sufficiency. The amount of the energy supplement families receive through EAP is determined based on household income, household size, and actual cost of heating for a period of twelve months The program requires clients to provide verification of the last three months of household income when they apply. W E A T H E R I Z A T I O N WCCA's Weatherization program helps income eligible residents of Wright County conserve energy, lower fuel costs, and provide safer, more habitable dwellings for their families. We employ qualified contractors to complete conservation measures that reduce families' overall energy burden, improve their physical environment, and promote healthier lifestyles. By making these much needed repairs, we target high energy bills at their source and help to create safer, healthier homes for the families we serve. When weatherizing a home, WCCA uses a proven testing procedure. We perform an energy audit, provide energy education, and install conservation measures tailored to each individual structure. The conservation measure we install are as efficient as they are vital. Each one meets a required savings to investment ratio. WCCA provides this service to both renters and homeowners. We specifically focus on assisting economically disadvantaged clients, primarily the elderly, persons with disabilities and families with children. In an effort to unify our services, Energy Assistance participants who request Weatherization are automatically referred for Weatherization services through WCCA.

10 HOME BUYER TRAINING & SERVICES WCCA offers monthly Home Stretch classes for potential homebuyers. WCCA's certified educator, in collaboration with area realtors, lenders, home insurance agents, title companies, home inspectors, and financial analysts, provides relevant financial and housing information to potential homebuyers. Educators teach potential homebuyers about each step of the home buying process and about life after purchase. The purpose of this service is to ensure that Wright County residents have access to education and information that will help them obtain or maintain permanent, safe, affordable housing. Home Stretch classes are offered in a classroom setting and often include presentations by professionals. At the conclusion of the 8-hour session, participants receive a certificate of completion. These certificates are a requirement for some down payment assistance programs. Classes are held weekdays, evenings, and weekends, with a variety of one day and two-day sessions. HOME REPAIR LOANS Major Home Repair programs provide loans that help clients maintain low cost housing in a condition that is safe, healthy, energy efficient, and accessible. They allow low income homeowners to make reasonable, essential improvements so they can remain in their homes. These improvements also help to maintain the quality of housing stock in local communities. WCCA arranges several types of major home repair loans, some of which are community based, while others operate throughout Wright County. FORECLOSURE PREVENTION Our Foreclosure Prevention Counseling program assists homeowners who find themselves near, or in foreclosure. We analyze each client's situation and offer one-on-one counseling to help them understand their current mortgage, review their budget, and assist the homeowner with options designed to prevent foreclosure. Counselors frequently assist homeowners in applying for and submitting loan modification programs. A loan modification alters the term of a mortgage to make it affordable for the homeowner under their current economic conditions. Our counselors help homeowners prepare the modification request and actively participate in lender negotiation and communication. WCCA's Transitional Housing Program provides scattered site supportive housing to homeless families. Through this program, we work to move economically disadvantaged families toward self-sufficiency by identifying and removing barriers, integrating services, and developing plans for financial stability. Participants enter into a lease and pay a pro-rata amount of their income for housing. WCCA provides a limited rent cost share and/or supportive services for up to 18 months. Transitional HOUSING

11 FINANCIAL SUMMARY October September 2016 Expenditures Revenue Federal Grants... $2,714, State of MN Grants... $657, Local Grants... $78, Refunds & Reimbursements... $48, Wages & Fringe Benefits... $2,297, Consultants and Contractors... $274, Travel and Transporation... $226, Head Start Parental Activity... $8, Supplies... $249, Client Assistance... $38, Space Cost... $127, Other Direct Costs... $121, Training & Technical Assistance...$32, Snacks, Lunches & Commodities... $43, Depreciation... $31, Total... $3,499, Total... $3,451, Donations We are so grateful for the partners that work along side of us. These partnerships are invaluable to us. The In-Kind contributions in 2016 total $176, These donations include food drives, school supply drives, and other professional services. Cash contributions total $18, this year, allowing our Food Security program to use our improved buying power and stretch that money farther than imagined. Finally, our Volunteer Partners make a tremendous sacrifice to work along side of our programs. Once calculated, their efforts totaled $338,

12 We envision a Wright County where residents feel happy, healthy, secure, and connected. 130 West Division Street PO Box 787 Maple Lake, MN wcca@wccaweb.com get i n VOLv e d unteer #BeCommunityAction Interested in getting involved? Phone: (320) Fax: (320) volunteers@wccaweb.com (320) ext. 241