ESC hosted their final Gardasil vaccination clinic with MSSU on November 17th and 18th. 184 females received vaccinations at the event which was held at the Student Health Center on the MSSU campus. At the clinic, vaccinations were provided to any local female between the ages of 18 and 26 who did not have insurance, whose insurance does not cover the vaccine called Gardasil, or who could not otherwise afford the vaccine. All the women who attended the clinic and began their 3-shot series in 2008 are guaranteed to get the two remaining vaccinations for free in 2009.
The National theme for Gardasil is "One Less." We want young women to be "one less" cancer statistic. Gardasil is a 3-shot vaccination series that prevents some forms of HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer and other infections.
Did you know?
Cervical Cancer was once the LEADING cause of cancer death in women in the United States. By age 50, 80% of women will get the virus that causes cervical cancer.
ESC will continue offering Gardasil to females in Jasper, Newton, Barton and McDonald counties through the end of 2008. For more information, please call 417-781-4788.
Support Transitional Housing... Purchase a Handmade Pin!
Linda Yates, a self-taught jewelry designer, was homeless for several years in the early 1980's. After getting back onto her feet, she began to make House PinsŪ and sold them to boutiques to raise money for the shelter that helped her during her struggles. She began her own business, Designs by Lucinda, in order to help non-profits create awareness and raise funds for homeless programs.
ESC sells these pins to raise additional funding for our Transitional Housing program. The funds raised through sales are used to provide resources to the clients that are otherwise unavailable to them. This includes paying for copies of birth certificates, transportation costs and purchasing supplies for the apartments.
These pins are available all year, but they make great Christmas gifts too! They are available for $12 each or 2 for $20... and no two are alike! If you would like to purchase one for yourself or as a gift for someone you love, please contact Carol Thomas or Tammie Walker (Community Development) at 781-0352.
Congratulations! Ramona Brandon, Robyn Walker and John Joines were voted winners of ESC's annual staff chili cookoff. We had a great time judging all of the entries and look forward to having the contest again next year!
Recycle your printer cartridges!
ESC would like to encourage our staff to recycle their used printer ink cartridges in our efforts to support a healthy environment. There is now a basket available for their collection in Debbie Markman's office (Room 129 in the Central Office) for their disposal.
If you already recycle your cartridges, you may continue disposing them as you have in the past.
If you have questions, please contact Debbie Markman at 417-781-0352 ext. 222.
Life Skills Classes Available...
ESC's Life Skills Training continues to be successful and the Community Development division is excited to offer several more opportunities to join the class this month.
These classes help clients with skills such as budgeting, conserving energy and finding employment. Anyone can attend the trainings, but those wishing to attend must enroll in advance by contacting one of the following staff members: Joanna Watson, 417-781-0352 Sally McAffrey, 417-781-0352 Marcia Denny, 417-845-6011 Sharon Havens, 417-451-2206.
December 1st-
CARTHAGE: Budgeting from 6:00-9:00pm
December 5th-
CARTHAGE: Budgeting from 9:00-1:00
December 10th-
NEOSHO: Budgeting from 8:30-12:30
December 11th-
ANDERSON: Food and Energy Savings from 9:00-1:00
December 16th-
JOPLIN: Budgeting from 1:00-5:00pm
December 18th-
ANDERSON: Budgeting from 9:00-1:00
Project Generosity...
Christ Church of Oronogo recently provided 36 low income families with Thanksgiving food through their program called Project Generosity. The church contacted ESC for support with the project and the Community Development Department worked together with them to identify local families in need. The church's youth group then collected food items and the kids decorated the bags which were delivered to the families.
This project was a wonderful example of how ESC is able to partner with local organizations in order to make a significant impact in the lives of families in our communities. We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and look forward to making similar contributions to more families in the future.
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.
Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area (ESC) is a private non-profit Community Action Agency, which was created in October 1965 to serve the needs of low-income individuals and families. The mission of the agency is "to help families currently caught in poverty to find a way out, and to work in our communities to prevent the conditions of poverty from affecting future generations."
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Linda Yates, a self-taught jewelry designer, was homeless for several years in the early 1980's. After getting back onto her feet, she began to make House PinsŪ and sold them to boutiques to raise money for the shelter that helped her during her struggles. She began her own business, Designs by Lucinda, in order to help non-profits create awareness and raise funds for homeless programs.
