Two programs win Best Practices from state
SELF's  Individual Development Account (IDA) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Super Site both received Best Practice Awards from The Ohio State University John Glenn School of Public Affairs and the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) at OACAA's Winter Conference on January 20.
The awards were developed to honor innovative and effective Community Action Agency programs that measurably meet the needs of communities by helping low-income people become more self-sufficient. A panel of judges from the Glenn School evaluated each nomination.
The IDA program helped 20 participants purchase assets (a home, post-secondary education or capitalization of a small business) totaling more than $724,000. This financial education program was commended for its success in teaching low-income Butler County residents to make stronger fiscal decisions and the value of saving earned income toward a goal.
The EITC Super Site assisted more than 482 Butler County households prepare their taxes and helped low-income families receive $432,000 in tax credits in 2009. The Super Site is a collaboration with local agencies that include the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services, the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati and the Butler County United Way.
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2010 Group Workcamps Update
Since last month's e-news update Hamilton's Group Workcamps initiative received three more grants, putting it just over its final goal of $26,000! Thanks to a $1,000 grant from Duke Energy and $10,000 grants from both The Greater Cincinnati Foundation and The Hamilton Community Foundation. This money will be used to purchase materials directly related to the repairs for selected homes. SELF is pursuing other grants to help cover costs of Welcome Day on July 4.
The Colorado-based Group Workcamps Foundation has found camps planned for the July 4-10 week are behind in recruiting campers compared to other weekends this summer. Unfortunately, Hamilton is no exception. Based on this information, SELF and the local Group Workcamp committees are recruiting youth and service groups, construction experts and local clubs to volunteer their time and talents to repair additional homes or homes that the Group Workcamps campers are unable to complete.
Thanks to the outpouring of community enthusiasm and support, SELF and its Group Workcamps coalition partners expect to extend the scope of work to be done on each home.
Local churches also have the option of registering their youth groups participate with a Group Workcamps mission at www.groupworkcamps.com.
For more information, please contact Kim Weigel. |
Reserve your seat at SELF's 14th Annual Awards Dinner!
This year, you can register online and pay for your seat at SELF's "Night of a Thousand Stars" 14th Annual Reach for the Stars Awards Dinner & Auction!
Join us for a night of entertainment to honor this year's outstanding community volunteers on March 27 at the Courtyard by Marriott. This is an event you won't want to miss!
SELF's Janet Clemmons Community Service Nominees are:
- Barbara Condo of One Way Farm, Inc.
- Bill Fugate with SHALOM
- Cathy Howell of Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities
- Candice Keller of the Middletown Community Pregnancy Center
- Jodie Schrenker of Ross Township
- Darlene Deck and Aileen Geigle with Lifespan
For registration information, please visit SELF's registration page.
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