May 2007 News

She continued her story by telling how she enrolled in a life-skills program at her local community action agency and began to transform her life, piece by piece. She told the group about her struggles before earning her doctorate degree and becoming the dynamic public speaker, discussion leader, trainer and author that she is today. Through her own remarkable story and insights, she inspired many in the audience toward action in helping people climb out of poverty. She may also have inspired many with a sense of hope for their own future.

Economic Security Corporation is proud to have been a part of this inspirational event. We would like to thank all of the contributors who made the conference possible. A special thanks to the Missouri Association for Community Action for their involvement in bringing Donna to Joplin. Our hope is that her message has inspired action for change within our and many other communities.

"Take me out to the ballgame..."

In May, ESC hosted it's first annual softball tournament! All proceeds from the event, held Saturday, May 12th, at Bassman Field in Joplin, benefited our local community partners.

Many staff members, their family and friends attended the tournament for food, fun and games - all while supporting our agency mission! Admission to the game was one canned good or one school supply item. Through these donations, we were able to donate over 30 flats of food to local organizational partners of ESC. We also raised $572 for our upcoming Back to School Fair through the raffle and donations from Leggett and Platt.

Competing teams included an ESC team, the Joplin Fire Department, the Joplin Police Department, and Able Body! Able Body's team was the tournament winner. It was a great day of family fun for everyone who attended!

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for fun, food, prizes and games as we shared our mission with the community that day!

ESC Hosts Several Open Houses!

To celebrate Community Action Month in May, ESC hosted open houses at several locations this month. During the events, we were able to share information with the community about our programs and the mission of Community Action! Dates and locations included:

May 4th at Drake Hotel Apartments in Carthage
(406 Howard Street)

May 11 at ESC's Central Office (302 S Joplin St.)

May 25 at the Frisco Station Apartments (601 S Main St.)

Refreshments and information packets were provided to everyone who attended the events, and staff were available to answer questions regarding our services.

Duplexes Coming Soon!

ESC's Housing Assistance Department is hoping to be able to break ground soon on a duplex at 204-206 Sulphur Street in Noel, MO.

The duplexes will be approximately 1,295 square feet. They will be 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom units with dishwashers, ranges, stoves and microwaves. ESC is attempting to get what is referred to as an "energy star" rated duplex. This means the home will be very energy efficient and will save the tenant between 15% and 50% on their utility costs. We are very excited about the designs of this unit. Both units will be handicapped accessible units. The countertops will be lower and one bathroom will be accessible. Each unit will have a one-car garage.

Income guidelines for the program are 60% of the Average Median Gross Income (AMGI) in McDonald County. For a family of four that equates to $26,700 per year in net income. For a two person household that is $21,360 per year.

The Housing Assistance Department hopes to have the units completed by October 1, 2007. ESC plans to start accepting applications for the units as soon as we break ground. The units will rent for $450 per month. Tenants will be responsible for the electric, water, sewer and trash service.

ESC's construction team will be working on this project. The team includes: Curtis Scott, Assistant Housing and Development Director; Art Ryan, Carpenter; and Cecil Polk, Carpenter's Aide. Curtis and Art built the homes in Carl Junction and they are beautiful. Our construction team has over 30 years of experience in this area. Please stop by this summer at the site and see it grow into a home. We will try to have pictures in the newsletter as the homes are built.

For more information about this project: please contact Curtis or Debbie at ESC's Central Office. (417.781.0352)

Note: Would you like to see something like this happen in your county? You can help us locate suitable building sites and/or lots. If you work in the Barton County area, we are looking for a city lot to build on in Barton County. Please email one of us at dmarkman@escswa.org or cscott@escswa.org or call 417.781.0352 with any suggestions. Thanks!

Article Submitted by Debbie Markman

Utility Assistance Now Available ...

Starting Monday, June 4, 2007, ESC began offering summer cooling assistance to low-income households in Barton, Jasper, Newton and McDonald Counties.

Our outreach offices are now taking applications for households in need of summer electric utility assistance. Households must be experiencing a crisis that constitutes a shut-off notice or no service. The utility bill must be in the name of one of the household members, and the household must meet eligibility criteria.

Program funds can also be used towards the purchase of an air conditioner for those households with either a head of household or spouse age 65 or older. Households including a family member with a documented medical condition requiring air conditioning may also apply. The cost of the air conditioner will be deducted from the household's maximum benefit amount. Persons receiving an air conditioner will not be eligible for another air conditioner for a period of 2 years after it is provided.

People who believe they qualify for this program should call one of the ESC outreach centers for additional help and information. Funding for the Energy Assistance program is provided through the Missouri Department of Social Services, Energy Crisis Intervention Program.

Meetings Help Plan for Summer

During the month of May, all ESC's county offices held vendor meetings with electric utility providers and community partners. These meetings were arranged to discuss the upcoming summer utility assistance crisis program.

Marcia Denny, CDS in the Anderson office, delivered lunch to the office of New Mac Electric since they were unable to close their office to attend an off-site meeting. Marcia was very resourceful in providing a meal of Mexican dishes and a delightful dessert to enjoy while discussing the eligibility for the summer program.

In Joplin, representatives from local churches, Crosslines of Joplin and Carthage, Carthage Salvation Army, Empire District Electric Co., New Mac Electric, representatives from city utilities and electric cooperatives and some local state offices came together for a similar meeting. Many of the people attending had excellent questions about the summer program. A roundtable discussion regarding community resources available to low-income households in our communities closed out the meeting. Those attending the Central Office meeting also had the opportunity to receive a legislative update from John Joines, ESC's CEO.

As our guests departed, the consistent echo was "Can we do this again next year?" This and similar comments made us believe that Community Development has started an annual event that has proven to be beneficial to all who attended.

Article Submitted by Caren Boshaw

Need Weatherization?

ESC is now accepting applications for our Low-income Weatherization Assistance Program waiting list. The program enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Applicants must meet low-income guidelines to be eligible, and preference is given to elderly and disabled individuals.

By reducing the energy bills of low-income families instead of offering aid, weatherization reduces dependency and liberates these funds for spending on more pressing family issues. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, weatherization reduces heating bills by an average of 31% and overall energy bills by $358 per year at current prices. This spending, in turn, spurs low-income communities toward job growth and economic development.

Some of the measures that are utilized include replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting, adding insulation, weather stripping doors and windows, air sealing duct work and repairing electric furnaces.

The Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program is supported by local and federal funds from the Department of Energy (DOE), Missouri Gas Energy (MGE), Empire Electric Company and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) when funds are available.

To apply, clients should contact one of ESC's outreach offices. The client will be asked to complete the appropriate forms, including income documentation to verify eligibility.

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."