Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness. It took a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina to bring the issue of poverty and homelessness to the forefront. Poverty is NOT a new issue facing millions of Americans, but it has now been thrust onto a national stage. Poverty and homelessness now have a face, the face of millions of Americans affected in the Gulf Coast Region.

This tragedy touched the nation and reached millions through the enormous media attention it received. It moved and inspired people to respond with extraordinary kindness. Why is it important for our young people to know and care about equality and social justice issues? In the case of Hurricane Katrina it didn't matter what race you were or how much money you had, it affected everyone involved, especially the low income.

On June 22, Clifford Wert, US Bank Regional President, and Susan Lee, US Bank Personal Banker, attended the Section 8 Choice Voucher briefing. A short program was presented concerning the benefits of utilizing a bank for the management of money. Topics discussed included checking and savings account management, Internet banking and bill paying options available to customers.

Ten housing clients as well as numerous ESC staff members attended the program. Mr. Wert and Mrs. Lee will provide short programs concerning other banking related topics at future briefing sessions. All ESC staff members and clients are welcome to attend these programs. For further information contact John Crawford at 417.781.0352 ext.267.

ESC's Community Development Assistant Director, Carol Thomas, recently earned the distinctive credential of Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) from the Community Action Partnership.

CCAP is a peer recognition certification for senior- level Community Action Agency staff members who help low-income people change their lives. It honors CAA managers who have fostered innovative ways to help their program participants, created more opportunities for their CAAs and earned respect for their Community Action accomplishments.

Congratulations Carol!

Community Development outreach workers are still busy seeing clients who have shut-off notices or terminated service on their electric bills. The recent hot weather will guarantee high bills and the need for assistance for many through the remaining warm weather months.

Clients are met in the waiting room every morning at 8am and appointment times to return are given to them. Clients are required to provide documentation of income for the month prior to application, Social Security cards for everyone in the household and their electric shutoff notice.

The requirements for assistance are income eligibility and a shutoff notice from the electric provider. The maximum benefit is $300 per household for the summer months, June through September 30th, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.

Program funds can also be used towards the purchase of a room sized air conditioner for those households with either a member age 65 or older or one with a documented medical condition that requires air conditioning to prevent illness or loss of life. Forms to document medical need are available at ESC's receptionist desk. This service is limited to the numbers of units available.

For more information, please contact any member of the Community Development staff, or Caren Boshaw at 417.781.0352 ext. 241.

Gitana McAllister, a substitute at Webb City Head Start recently received her Associate's Degree and was named Outstanding Graduate of Crowder College's Webb City campus. She does a great job working for us while going to school. Congratulations Gitana!

Is there anything interesting going on in your department that you would like to share with our staff, board members and supporters? To have your information included in an upcoming issue of News from ESC, please contact Andrea Osiek at aosiek@escswa.org.