Tuesday, March 4, 2014

WIA Assists Young Mom with Career Goal

The Younger Youth Workforce Investment Act Program (WIA) is designed to assist students with long-term academic and occupational career goals. The program assists economically disadvantaged youth, between 16-21 years of age and enrolled in high school, in overcoming barriers to employment by providing them with the necessary skills to be successful in the workplace.

Mandy Lippert enrolled in the WIA In-school Youth program while she was attending the Beloit Fresh Start program at Community Action in 2011. Fresh Start was Mandy’s opportunity to reclaim her motivation and make the most of the opportunities in front of her to provide for herself and her young daughter. She dove right into the Fresh Start program, signed up for the WIA In-school youth program, and worked hard to complete her academics as early as she could. A presenter from the Youth Health Service Corps and the WIA Transition Coordinator held an interactive Medical Career Fair for the Fresh Start students to participate in. Mandy became intrigued with the medical field and wanted to learn more about it, so she signed up for the Youth Health Service Corps (YHSC). During her participation in YHSC she was able to explore medical careers through job shadows, hands-on experiences and a service learning project. This helped Mandy discover that being a Pharmacist was something she was very interested in. After graduation in 2012 from the Fresh Start Program she took some time off to stay with her daughter and search for work. In 2013 Mandy decided it was time to go back to school so she enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program at Blackhawk Technical College. In December she finished her first semester of schooling and is all set to begin her second semester at Blackhawk. Mandy says she will not stop with the technical degree; she plans to become a Pharmacist and is looking in to Universities and other Pharmacy programs offered through many franchise pharmacies. Motivated by her daughter and her desire to be a positive role model for her there is no doubt Mandy will achieve her goals. Currently Mandy is receiving follow-up services through WIA to support her in her efforts and be a resource for Mandy when needed.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Skills Enhancement Program Awarded Funds by Stateline Community Foundation


Community Action is honored to be awarded a Community Needs Grant by Stateline Community Foundation to support our Skills Enhancement Program in Beloit. Skills Enhancement is a program for participants in both Rock and Walworth Counties. Skills Enhancement is designed to increase the income and economic self-sufficiency of low-wage working households by helping adult members acquire the skills they need to obtain higher paying jobs with health insurance benefits in demand occupations. Participants receive assistance in developing individualized training plans, problem-solving, career assessment, accessing community resources and job search.

“Skill training is provided by institutions of higher learning, such as Blackhawk Technical College, and Stateline Community Foundations funds will support training related expenses, such as books, uniforms, transportation, and childcare,” said Lynn Jones, Director of Employment and Training.

“Community Action’s Skills Enhancement Program appreciates the $5,000 grant awarded from Stateline Community Foundation to benefit program participants. These resources will support demand occupational training for low-wage workers in our community that lead to increased earnings and a career pathway toward self-sufficiency,” said Jones.

Without the generosity of Stateline Community Foundation, the skill training offered to participants of this program, would not be possible.


Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Skills Enhancement Participant Wins National Contest, Speaks in Washington DC

Community Action, Inc. of Rock and Walworth Counties has been operating the Skills Enhancement Program supported by the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association since 2006. During this time, individuals have successfully entered and completed training programs moving them from an average starting wage of $8.31/hr. ($11,375 annual) to $11.93/hr. ($22,201 annual).  This $3.62/hr. ($10,826 annual) average earnings increase has made a significant improvement in the lives of those assisted through Skills Enhancement. In addition to the increase of hourly wage, individuals coming out of the program now have benefits and are working full time as opposed to part time. 

Amy Treptow, participant of West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency Skills Enhancement Program, was announced the winner of the 50th Anniversary of the War on Poverty Storyteller Contest, sponsored by the Half in Ten campaign and the Coalition on Human Needs. Amy met with her Congressman, Rep. Mark Pocan, when she won Our American Story's 50th Anniversary of the War on Poverty Contest and then traveled to DC for a day of advocacy.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Director of Community Programs awarded the 2014 UAW Local 95 Civil Rights Service Award

We are pleased to share that our very own, Director of Community Programs, Marc Perry, received the 2014 UAW Local 95 Civil Rights Service Award for his work on social justice and civil rights issues. On January 11, 2014, a Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration was held at Blackhawk Technical College where youth was the main focus. Young people entertained those gathered at the event with dramatic readings, music and a video presentation. Young people were honored as well for their essays prepared for the event. 

Also at the event, the 2014 UAW Local 95 Civil Rights Service Award was presented. The award recognizes local people who have worked to improve race relations and diversity. Marc Perry's nominators said, “He is so immersed in this work that it’s hard to separate his work life from his non work activities. It is fair to say that Marc walks his talk all of the time. Between working with youth, staff members, and other adults, Marc is helping to implement the Dream of Dr. King.”

Within Community Action, Marc Perry authored the organization’s Diversity and Inclusion statement. He also helped lead the staff of color in roundtable discussions, giving them the opportunity to express themselves and find their voice in their work environment. Perry has been a role model and mentor for staff and program participants.

Perry has also participated in the Diversity Action Team of Rock County’s Study Circles at the Janesville Gazette. Perry has facilitated workshops on diversity and inclusion for the Janesville Police Department. He also sits on that department’s African American Advisory Committee. He assists the Janesville and Beloit School Districts on diversity and inclusion issues and sits on the School District of Janesville’s Diversity Committee.

Lisa Furseth, Executive Director for Community Action says “This award is a tremendous honor. As an advocate for social justice and promoter of civil rights, we were thrilled to hear of Marc’s nomination and acceptance of this deserving award. At Community Action, we all congratulate Marc and wish him continued success in making the community a better place to live. Please join us in congratulating him.”

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Child’s questions stir thoughts about helping others in Rock, Walworth counties

As a board member of Community Action, Inc. of Rock and Walworth Counties in southeastern Wisconsin, I take pride in the dozens of programs we run which are aimed at creating pathways out of poverty. The ‘hand-up’ versus ‘handout’ approach is always something that has attracted me to volunteer with various organizations, including Community Action. Whether it’s transitional housing, job training or other programs, the staff works to illuminate options for individuals in various situations of need.

With beautiful resorts, vibrant communities, diverse businesses, dairy and crop farms in Walworth County, as well as a state university, many would view the area as a snapshot of middle class Americana. Rock County differs somewhat with two smaller urban centers in Janesville and Beloit, but also enjoys diverse employers, ample farming operations and unique higher education opportunities with Beloit and Blackhawk Technical colleges. Elkhorn in Walworth County also boasts a popular and growing Gateway Technical College.

Both counties have vibrant arts communities, small family businesses, medium and large employers, and public school districts striving to provide quality education as well as numerous private schools. Recreational opportunities abound. The lake communities in Walworth County bring tourists and visitors who infuse hundreds of millions of dollars into local economies and the Rock River, dissecting its namesake county is a destination for those seeking fun on the water or shoreline.

With all these assets and advantages, sometimes what most of us likely don’t see is what may need the most attention. By comparison, our residents have lower than average incomes and there is more poverty than the typical Wisconsin county. Food pantries are active and social services administered by the counties are busier than most would agree they should be. Yet, that is where we live.

We live in a place with more people in poverty than most of us likely realize. While I have many years of service as a Community Action board member, that truth was underscored for me personally during a recent experience. The church my family attends holds an annual gingerbread house event where families enjoy a chili and hot dog dinner, and build a gingerbread house with supplies provided by the church.

While sitting in an early December Sunday service and hearing the pastor promote the event, it occurred to me that Twin Oaks Homeless Shelter, a Community Action facility on the Rock and Walworth county line, would likely have some families with young children. My epiphany was to make it possible for those families to attend the event, adding some normalcy to what otherwise is a less than ideal holiday season when one finds themselves and their children homeless. It is unlikely if not unimaginable that anyone plans to be homeless or looks forward to applying for shelter housing.

Fast forward to the evening of gingerbread house building when I signed-out a church van to pick up three families from the shelter to attend the event. Parents and children climbed into the van, buckled up, and we departed. The van was filled with excited chatter from the kids about where we were going and what it would be like. Among all the shrieks of excitement, questions, and observations during the drive, one short string of statements is forever engraved on my memory. Less than a mile from the shelter, one of the youngest children repeatedly said what a ‘great’ car this was and what a ‘nice’ car this was. Keep in mind; we’re talking about a plain, white, church van with vinyl bench seats. Then, the child said, ‘Mom, can we live in this car?’ While everyone continued their conversations anticipating the evening’s activities, the voice of that young child, plaintively asking if she and her family could live in the van, were the most shattering words I’ve ever heard.

Where we live is among many who we probably think are mostly like us, and, some who are more fortunate, and some who are less fortunate. What we may not know, is where or how they live and what can make a difference in their lives, especially those experiencing extremely difficult times. That evening of warmth, smiles, laughter and fellowship are forever captured in my heart and mind. A young child’s plea to ‘live’ in the ‘nice car’ is unforgettable. Where we live, how we live, and how we see and help those around us is what can matter more than I ever realized before this experience.

Royce K. DeBow, Board President

Community Action, Inc. of Rock and Walworth Counties