On June 23rd, ten graduates from Step Up to Leadership stood and gave passionate speeches before receiving their certification for completion of the twelve week program. It is always sad when the class ends because the students generally feel like family by the third session of class.
During the program, students learned the value of grassroots participation, diversity in teambuilding, self-awareness and empowerment.
A mini-grant opportunity is made available for participants in the class and this year it was awarded to Sara Bennett. She will be using the funds for her project Kids First. The goal of the program will be to provide an after school tutoring program for children in the Webb City School District. Tutoring will be offered free of charge and will be performed by volunteers.
Some of the topics covered in the Step Up To Leadership class are Collaborative Leadership, Building relationships in an inclusive community, how non-profits work, how to be an effective board member, public speaking, grant writing and how to use conflict as opportunity.
The Step Up to Leadership program is offered once a year at the Neosho Economic Security Corporation office. The next class will begin on April 6th, 2010 and will be held each Tuesday night from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with a meal provided at the beginning of class.
Contact Suzanne Becker at 417-451-2206 ext. 101 to get on the waiting list for the next class.
Joplin Back to School Fair!
The third annual Tools For School Back to School Fair will be held on Thursday, July 23rd from 10am-3pm at Memorial Hall in Joplin (8th and Wall Avenue).
The agency hopes to provide information and services to at least 250 students this year. ESC is still accepting donations for the event. Those wishing to make a contribution should contact Robin Smith at 781.0352 ext. 238.
ESC is currently accepting pre-registration forms for students Kindergarten through 8th grade for Joplin and other area schools. The forms are available at ESC's Central office in Joplin.
Families who want to attend the school fair will need to have an intake and assessment completed prior to the day of the school fair. In order to obtain free school supplies, the children and their parents must attend the fair together.
Several booths at the fair will provide haircuts and essential health screenings. Other booths will be providing information about services and businesses in our community. Information about ESC and our various program opportunities will also be available.
For more information about the fair or ESC's programs, please contact a Community Development staff member at 417.781.0352.
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 at 417-781-0352, Sally McAffrey at 417-451-2206, Marcia Denny at 417-845-6011 or Sharon Havens at 417-451-2206.
July 7th-
JOPLIN: Budgeting from 1-5pm
July 8th-
NEOSHO: Budgeting from 8:30-12:30
July 9th-
ANDERSON: Budgeting from 8:30-12:30
July 14th-
SWC: Budgeting from 1-4pm
July 16th-
ANDERSON: Energy and Food Savings from 8:30-12:30
July 23rd-
ANDERSON: Budgeting from 1-5pm
July 27th-
NEOSHO: Budgeting from 8:30-12:30
July 30th-
ANDERSON: Energy and Food Savings from 1-5pm
Lamar Car Show Well Supported!
ESC hosted a car show in Lamar last month to raise funding for their second annual back to school fair. Though the event fell short of expectations, it was well supported by those in attendance. The event was up against several major car show events (including Boomtown Days, Good Ole' Days in Fort Scott and a Car Show for Our Troops) which affected attendence.
Despite the low turnout, participants were very enthusiastic and suggested the planning of a monthly car event. $85.50 was ultimately raised for school supplies from the registered participants and raffle ticket sales.
Lamar Back to School Fair Planned
Community Development staff members are excited about all of the support they have been receiving for the second annual Back to School Fair in Lamar. The event will feature 25 booths, an increase from last year. The registered student count is also up from last year.
The event will be held July 31st from 10-2pm at the First Baptist Church in Lamar. Donations and vendors are still being accepted. Please contact a Community Development staff member in Lamar at 417.682.5591 for more information.
Back to School Fair in Neosho!
ESC is teaming up with We Care Fair, a community sponsored event hosted by Abundant Life Church in Neosho. The fair is to be held on August 1, 2009 from 1-5pm. The children will receive free health and dental screenings, haircuts, fire and personal safety information, school supplies and so much more.
Abundant Life and the community are also collecting donations of coats, jeans and shoes for those children in need of them. Salvation Army in Neosho will be furnishing a backpack to all children who pre-register through ESC.
The event will also include fun attractions for the kids including pony rides a bouncy house and more. It should be a great time for all the kids and parents who attend. Pre-registration is not required, but encouraged, through ESC in Neosho. There are no age limits, students K-12th grade are welcomed, and no school district boundaries.
For more information, contact the Newton County outreach office at 417.451.2206.
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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