During the April 6, 2009 meeting of the Joplin City Council, Mayor Gary Shaw read a proclamation that declares April "Fair Housing Month" in Joplin. Members of the Community Housing Resource Board were in attendance during the designation.
Pictured in top photo (from left to right):
Richard Russell "(Commerce Bank), Joe Kelly (City of Joplin), Doris Carlin (Keller and Williams Real Estate), Matt Moran (City of Joplin's Housing Authority), Rev. Harry Givens, pastor and Major Gary Shaw reading the proclamation with other city council members looking on.
It's Picnic Time!
It is time once again for ESC's 5th Annual All-Staff Picnic! The event will be held Thursday, May 21st from 11-3 at Landreth Park in Joplin and will include fun, games, raffles and great food!
The picnic is a fun-filled day of recognition for our employees. It is mandatory for all staff to attend, so be sure to mark your calendar. Registration begins at 10:45 at Landreth Park's South Shelter. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket. And bring your money to enter some great raffles... all proceeds benefit ESC's Bereavement Committee Fund.
See you there!
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.
May 7th-
ANDERSON: Budgeting from 8:30-12:30
May 11th-
JOPLIN: Budgeting from 1:00-5:00
May 13th-
NEOSHO: Budgeting from 9:00-1:00
May 14th-
ANDERSON: Energy / Food Savings from 8:30-12:30
May 18th-
LAMAR: Budgeting - Time TBA
May 19th-
ANDERSON: Budgeting from 1:00-5:00
May 28th-
ANDERSON: Energy / Food Savings from 1:00-5:00
JOPLIN: Energy / Food Savings from 8:30-12:30
ESC Staff Receive Salary Increase!
This April, ESC's Board of Directors authorized a 3.1% Cost of Living increase for all employees on ESC's wage and salary scale. The increase took effect on April 1st and was reflected on the April 24th paychecks.
With the economy the way it is and with all the news about job losses and business closures in our area, we should be very happy that our Board recognizes all the work our staff does on a daily basis to provide help for those who are financially less fortunate.
HERO Program Accepts Applications
Mark Loncariach, newly hired Construction Auditor for the Housing Department looks forward to working with the staff at ESC. He shares the following information about the HOME Repair Program (HERO), which is in need of applicants from Barton and McDonald Counties.
Through the HERO program, selected eligible applicants will receive needed home repairs at no cost. These repairs could include, but are not limited to, roof repair or replacement, bathroom remodeling, window replacement and porch repair.
Applicants for the program must meet all eligibility criteria: Applicants must own and occupy the home as their primary residence, they must live in Barton or McDonald County, and they must meet income eligibility guidelines that are based on a sliding scale. Examples: A single person household in Barton County can have a gross income of no more than $25,650 annually. A three-person Barton county household can earn no more than $33,000. A single person household in McDonald county can have a gross income of no more than $24,900 annually. A three-person McDonald county household can earn no more than $32,050.
The home must be located on less than 10 acres of land. If the home is a mobile home, it must be on a permanent concrete foundation with the tongue and hitch removed to be eligible. Priority will be given to elderly (over 65) households.
For an application, please visit the Economic Security Corporation main office (302 S Joplin Ave.) in Joplin or one of the outreach offices in Barton County (807 Gulf Street in Lamar) or in McDonald County (712 S Hwy 59 in Anderson). For more information about the program, please contact Debbie Markman, Curtis Scott or Mark Loncarich at 781-0352.
The Home Repair Program (HERO) is sponsored by the Missouri Housing Development Commission.
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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