Ogden-Weber Ogden-Weber Community Action Community Action Partnership, IncPartnership, Inc

OWCAP for short!OWCAP for short!

3159 Grant Avenue3159 Grant AvenueOgden, UtahOgden, Utah

OWCAP inspires those in OWCAP inspires those in poverty to become self-poverty to become self-

sufficient through innovative sufficient through innovative services and collaborative services and collaborative

efforts.efforts.Our mission “to assist those in Our mission “to assist those in need” has not changed since need” has not changed since

1965!1965!

Self-sufficiency in common terms Self-sufficiency in common terms equates to a family having the equates to a family having the personal resources to provide personal resources to provide stability to adequately sustain life. stability to adequately sustain life. This can be accomplished by This can be accomplished by providing various resources directly providing various resources directly or through referrals to local service or through referrals to local service agencies.agencies.

Who or What is OWCAP• OWCAP is still somewhat of a mystery to many OWCAP is still somewhat of a mystery to many

residents in Weber County despite being in the residents in Weber County despite being in the community for 45 years. Most people community for 45 years. Most people recognize the name “Head Start” but do not recognize the name “Head Start” but do not realize that OWCAP is the agency that holds realize that OWCAP is the agency that holds the grant for the program. the grant for the program.

• It’s the same for the Community Service Block It’s the same for the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG). Residents in the inner city know Grant (CSBG). Residents in the inner city know there is food available at OWCAP but do not there is food available at OWCAP but do not realize the other areas that CSBG can assist realize the other areas that CSBG can assist them with such as education, employment, and them with such as education, employment, and financial assistance. financial assistance.

• OWCAP also partners with other agencies in OWCAP also partners with other agencies in the county to direct clients to if the need is the county to direct clients to if the need is something CSBG cannot cover.something CSBG cannot cover.

Head Start Head Start (HS)(HS)

Community Community Service Service

Block Grant Block Grant (CSBG)(CSBG)

Graham Graham Court & Court &

Senior Villa Senior Villa ApartmentsApartments

Marshall Marshall White White Center Center (MWC)(MWC)

Accomplishments during the Accomplishments during the period of 1965 through 2010 period of 1965 through 2010

include, but are not limited to:include, but are not limited to:• The The Neighborhood Youth Corps ProgramNeighborhood Youth Corps Program was was

designeddesigned to help and encourage the disadvantaged to help and encourage the disadvantaged youth to engage in vocational training.youth to engage in vocational training.

• The The Upward Mobility ProgramUpward Mobility Program was was initiatedinitiated to help to help students follow through with their studies and to students follow through with their studies and to pursue a college education.pursue a college education. This is now the Upward This is now the Upward Bound Program offered by Weber State College and Bound Program offered by Weber State College and was taken over by the college in 1966.was taken over by the college in 1966.

• With funding received by the Office of Economic With funding received by the Office of Economic Opportunity, theOpportunity, the Vocational Improvement ProgramVocational Improvement Program providedprovided vocational education and training to poor vocational education and training to poor and disadvantaged residents.and disadvantaged residents. In 1969 it was In 1969 it was transferred to Weber State College under the name transferred to Weber State College under the name of Skills Center North. It now operates in North of Skills Center North. It now operates in North Ogden as the Applied Technology Center (formerly Ogden as the Applied Technology Center (formerly called the Area Vocational Center).called the Area Vocational Center).

• MobilizedMobilized resources with county health resources with county health departments to establish adepartments to establish a Well Baby Clinic. The The clinic now operates under the County Health clinic now operates under the County Health Department under the direction of the Weber Department under the direction of the Weber Morgan County Health Department.Morgan County Health Department.

• A A County-wide Information and County-wide Information and Referral ServiceReferral Service was was initiatedinitiated, which, which is is now a service provided by Weber now a service provided by Weber County.County.

• Established a Meals on Wheels ProgramMeals on Wheels Program for senior citizens. This program wasfor senior citizens. This program was given to Weber County in 1967 and is given to Weber County in 1967 and is operated under the Weber County operated under the Weber County Nutrition Program as "Senior Diners Nutrition Program as "Senior Diners Club.Club.

• Initiated and coordinatedInitiated and coordinated Project AidProject Aid,, a program designed to help a program designed to help community residents pass Civil Service community residents pass Civil Service Tests.Tests. The IRS now has direct The IRS now has direct administrative charge of this program.administrative charge of this program.

• Actively participatedActively participated in the in the establishment of theestablishment of the Ogden Housing Ogden Housing AuthorityAuthority, enabling Ogden City to , enabling Ogden City to qualify for Federal Housing qualify for Federal Housing Assistance.Assistance.

• StartedStarted the the Mental Health ProgramMental Health Program, which is, which is presently operated by Weber County.presently operated by Weber County.

• The The Family Planning ProgramFamily Planning Program was was initiatedinitiated and and isis presently being operated by the County presently being operated by the County Health Department.Health Department.

• A A tutoring programtutoring program was was coordinatedcoordinated with with volunteers from Weber State College.volunteers from Weber State College. This program This program was conducted in neighborhood centers for was conducted in neighborhood centers for youths to upgrade their educational status and youths to upgrade their educational status and school grades.school grades.

• The The Senior Citizens Outreach ProgramSenior Citizens Outreach Program was was startedstarted, which led to the creation of the Target , which led to the creation of the Target Area Senior Citizens, Inc., a non-profit Area Senior Citizens, Inc., a non-profit organization which helped senior citizens organization which helped senior citizens through referrals to other agencies for through referrals to other agencies for supportive action and services.supportive action and services. This led to the This led to the development of the Weber County on Aging development of the Weber County on Aging Division.Division.

• The The Energy Crisis Intervention ProgramEnergy Crisis Intervention Program was was sponsoredsponsored. The purpose of this program was to . The purpose of this program was to assist low income families with their utilities.assist low income families with their utilities. Currently, the program is called the Heat Program Currently, the program is called the Heat Program and is implemented by the Department of Family and is implemented by the Department of Family Services.Services.

• AdministeredAdministered the the Weatherization ProgramWeatherization Program and it isand it is still an ongoing program serviced by Davis County.still an ongoing program serviced by Davis County. The The program provides services to Weber, Morgan, and program provides services to Weber, Morgan, and Davis County.Davis County.

• SponsoredSponsored the the Summer Food ProgramSummer Food Program which which provided youths with a nutritional meal each day provided youths with a nutritional meal each day from USDA at no charge.from USDA at no charge.

• Received funding to Received funding to beginbegin the the Federal Emergency Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Emergency Food Management Agency (FEMA), Emergency Food ProgramProgram.. The purpose of this program is to The purpose of this program is to supplement basic staple food items to individuals supplement basic staple food items to individuals and families.and families.

• SponsoredSponsored the construction of the the construction of the Senior Villa Senior Villa ApartmentsApartments for low-income senior citizens and for low-income senior citizens and disabled individuals.disabled individuals.

• Continued to provideContinued to provide opportunities for adult opportunities for adult learning through itslearning through its ESL and GED ClassesESL and GED Classes..

• The The Head Start ProgramHead Start Program expanded to serveexpanded to serve 703 children.703 children.

• PartneredPartnered with with Weber State UniversityWeber State University for afor a Community Writing LabCommunity Writing Lab held within the held within the Agency.Agency.

• Through partnerships with Weber State Through partnerships with Weber State University and Utah State UniversityUniversity and Utah State University, received , received multiple grants to multiple grants to provideprovide healthy families healthy families programmingprogramming. Head Start families . Head Start families participated in step-family classes, marriage participated in step-family classes, marriage enrichment classes, and healthy relationship enrichment classes, and healthy relationship building classes for single parents.building classes for single parents.

• Another program to Another program to aidaid the community is the the community is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

• The The Neighborhood Career CenterNeighborhood Career Center was was initiated initiated to assistto assist the community in improving their job- the community in improving their job-readiness skills -helping them to become more readiness skills -helping them to become more employable; helping with on-line searches for employable; helping with on-line searches for employment opportunities within the local employment opportunities within the local community; helping build interviewing skills; community; helping build interviewing skills; and providing, on request, mock interviews.and providing, on request, mock interviews.

• SponsoredSponsored the construction of the the construction of the Graham Court Graham Court DisabilityDisability Housing Housing for low-income disabled for low-income disabled individuals.individuals.

• AssumedAssumed management of the management of the Marshall White Marshall White CenterCenter..

• Whew! That’s a lot of action in the Whew! That’s a lot of action in the community!!!community!!!

Who are Our Volunteers

Volunteers are members of our community who choose to volunteer or are referred to OWCAP by

another agency such as:

Court Ordered Community Service Department of Workforce Services

Easter Seals

Foster Grandparent Program

Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center (PARC)

RISE, Inc.

Students from local Junior/Senior High Schools, Job Corps, and Weber State University

Weber County Correctional Facility

Private Companies & Agencies, Youth Groups, & Eagle Scouts

Some volunteers bring skills Some volunteers bring skills with them, others learn skills with them, others learn skills to help them on their journey to help them on their journey

in life.in life.A majority of our volunteers are really interns!A majority of our volunteers are really interns!

Some come to brush up old Some come to brush up old skills and/or learn new skills.skills and/or learn new skills.

Some have never held a job.Some have never held a job.

Some have not completed their Some have not completed their education.education.

Some are in the process of an Some are in the process of an education.education.

Some struggle with obvious Some struggle with obvious and not so obvious disabilities.and not so obvious disabilities.

Some just need a place that Some just need a place that gives them a purpose.gives them a purpose.

You have the opportunity to be one You have the opportunity to be one of their life teachers through your of their life teachers through your example and experience.example and experience.

Volunteer Partnerships – Volunteer Partnerships – Weber State UniversityWeber State University

Community Involvement CenterCommunity Involvement CenterThis center works with OWCAP and This center works with OWCAP and WSU professors to place WSU WSU professors to place WSU students at OWCAP to do volunteer students at OWCAP to do volunteer work or internships.work or internships.Volunteer Improvement ProgramVolunteer Improvement ProgramThis is a group of WSU students that This is a group of WSU students that do special projects specifically for do special projects specifically for the Head Start program.the Head Start program.Example: Paid for a field trip to the Example: Paid for a field trip to the WSU planetarium.WSU planetarium.

Positions Volunteers are Placed In

CSBG - Clerical Assistant- Food Pantry Assistant

Head Start -Classroom Material Assistant- Clerical Assistant- Family Advocate Assistant- Kitchen Assistant- Librarian Assistant- Media Center Assistant- Teacher Assistant- Transportation Assistant

OWCAP - IT Tech Assistant- Maintenance Assistant- Reception Assistant- Staff Assistants

Placements that Students Placements that Students in the Class Might Considerin the Class Might Consider

• Teacher’s Assistant (Morning/Afternoon)– Work in the classroom settings along side three

teaching staff and 17 children; no classes on Wednesdays; assist in planning Parent Meetings, etc; must have Food Handler Permit.

• Healthy Marriage Assistant (Evenings)– Assist Healthy Marriage Coordinator with children’s

classes and/or child care while parents attend adult classes. Assignments and Activities to be determined.

• Family Advocate AssistantFamily Advocate Assistant– Assist Family Advocate in assisting families to help

themselves to break the cycle of poverty. Advocate on behalf of the children to facilitate medical, dental, physical, nutritional needs are met. Assist in planning Parent Meetings, etc.

Requirements to Requirements to VolunteerVolunteer

Call 801-399-9281 ext. 307 and ask the Receptionist Call 801-399-9281 ext. 307 and ask the Receptionist for an appointment for a Volunteer Orientation. for an appointment for a Volunteer Orientation. These are held on Wednesdays and take These are held on Wednesdays and take approximately 1.5 hours.approximately 1.5 hours.

If volunteering in a classroom, bring a copy of your If volunteering in a classroom, bring a copy of your Food Handler Permit.Food Handler Permit.

Fill out Application and other necessary paperwork.Fill out Application and other necessary paperwork.

Smile for the camera!Smile for the camera!

Prepare to start the following week which allows Prepare to start the following week which allows time for a Background Criminal Investigation to be time for a Background Criminal Investigation to be processed, be assigned a supervisor, and an processed, be assigned a supervisor, and an identification badge printed.identification badge printed.

Who Can Volunteer at OWCAP

Anyone over the age of 14 who has not commited any Anyone over the age of 14 who has not commited any of the following:of the following:

• Animal Abuse or NeglectAnimal Abuse or Neglect• AssaultAssault• BestialityBestiality• Child Abuse or NeglectChild Abuse or Neglect• Contributing to the Deliquency of a MinorContributing to the Deliquency of a Minor• Domestic ViolenceDomestic Violence• Elder Abuse or NeglectElder Abuse or Neglect• LewdnessLewdness• Pornographic/Harmful materials or performancesPornographic/Harmful materials or performances• ProstitutionProstitution• VoyeurismVoyeurism

In addition, the following In addition, the following criminal activity may exclude criminal activity may exclude someone from volunteering at someone from volunteering at

OWCAP.OWCAP.• Drug related charges, felonies, misdemeanors, and Drug related charges, felonies, misdemeanors, and

or convictionsor convictions

• TheftTheft

• Possession of Stolen PropertyPossession of Stolen Property

• VandalismVandalism

Volunteer ResponsibilitiesVolunteer Responsibilities

•Arrive on time, perform assigned tasks, and report absence to Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator.

•Adhere to program policies and regulations (breaks, in-kind, timesheets, etc)

•Dress appropriately – Not Casual! Not Business! Something in-between!!!

•Make constructive suggestions for improvement.

•Accept and advocate for program goals and aims, particularly for children.

Recording Service HoursRecording Service Hours

• WSU and OWCAP are partnering on a pilot WSU and OWCAP are partnering on a pilot program where students will use a VicTouch program where students will use a VicTouch Screen to sign in and out each day they Screen to sign in and out each day they volunteer. These will be located in the volunteer. These will be located in the Volunteer Center and at the Annex.Volunteer Center and at the Annex.

• Students will fill out an In-Kind Sheet daily.Students will fill out an In-Kind Sheet daily.

• In-Kind sheets must be completed, signed by In-Kind sheets must be completed, signed by both the volunteer and supervisor, then both the volunteer and supervisor, then turned in to the In-Kind Staff Assistant in the turned in to the In-Kind Staff Assistant in the Volunteer Center every Friday.Volunteer Center every Friday.

Additional Information about Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership, Inc. can be found on

our website at www.owcap.org

If you would like to get in touch with me personally, I can be reached at 801-399-9281 ext. 342 or at bmercier@owcap.org

All of you are doing something right now All of you are doing something right now that some people are afraid of doing that some people are afraid of doing for one reason or another – for one reason or another – going to college! going to college! When you become a part of the fabric When you become a part of the fabric of OWCAP you are showing others of OWCAP you are showing others that there is something “wonderful” to reach for that there is something “wonderful” to reach for and you become a visual advocate of what a and you become a visual advocate of what a person can do person can do when there is a desire to climb higher. when there is a desire to climb higher. I hope some of you will choose to climb your I hope some of you will choose to climb your mountains atmountains atOWCAP. After all, you never know who is OWCAP. After all, you never know who is watching and whosewatching and whoselife you might touch. life you might touch.

A Personal Thought!A Personal Thought!

Questions?