SEICAA Community Action News

January– June 2014

Executive Director: Debra R. Hemmert

Chairmen of the Board: Kathy Anderson

“SEICAA is dedicated to providing

opportunity and for individuals and

communities to thrive and reach their

fullest potential, promoting self-sufficiency

and greater economic independence

through services, education, affordable

housing, and training.”

2nd Annual Urban Invasion

Inside this issue:

From the Executive Director

Long time employee retires

Grants Update

Bike-a-Thon

Field of Heroes

Driving for Dough

IdahoGives * YES Camp

Program and Services Information

Upcoming Events

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3

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SEICAA, along with Old Town Pocatello, hosted the second annual Urban Invasion. The second annual event received a corporate spon-sorship from Muse Boutique. SEICAA welcomed 144 runners, over 40 volun-teers, 18 obstacle entrants, and over 30 sponsors including our corporate spon-sor, Muse. SEICAA was able to pull the event together through the dedication of many committee members.

Obstacle entries were designed, placed, and supervised by the participating spon-sors. Obstacles included individual chal-lenges, intense physical team challenges, a dog agility course for humans, and a mental challenge. Pocatello Police De-partment’s obstacle was voted “Best Ob-stacle.”

All the funds raised through the Urban Invasion will remain in Bannock County and will be used for the GED Program and other program initiatives for self-sufficiency. SEICAA greatly values the relationships with the spon-soring businesses and organizations, that recognize the impact SEICAA’s programs have on the community. SEICAA would like to extend a special thank you to the Pocatello Fire Depart-ment for additional support. The fol-lowing sponsors and obstacle entrants made this event possible: Old Town

Pocatello, Muse Boutique, Bannock Civitan, The Gate Crossfit, Bannock Bark Parks, First Na-tional Bar, Odyssey Bar, Pocatello/Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, KeyMed Inc., Fitness Inc., Pocatello Fire Department, Poca-tello Police Department, Gold’s Gym, KMGI Rock 102.5, Sho-shone Bannock Hotel and Event Center Booth Architecture, Star-bucks, McDonalds, Pocatello Magazine, Idaho State Journal, KZBQ/KORR 104, Westmark Credit Union, Portneuf Medical Center, Jamba Juice, The Strand Salon, Farm Bureau, First Ameri-can Title Company, Blackrock Dental, The Sand Trap, and Amerigo.

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People often are familiar with one or two

areas of SEICAA but never clear on

everything that SEICAA does to alleviate

the symptoms and reality of poverty.

SEICAA is a primary source of direct

support to the communities it serves.

The Agency is a locally governed agency

which allows the ability for it to rise to the needs of the

communities and be innovative in the programs and

services that are created. This is what sets SEICAA

apart from other social service agencies. The

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a federal

grant awarded to Community Action Agencies Nation-

wide. CSBG allows SEICAA to create programs and

services that are tailored specifically to meet the needs

of the direct communities being served based on

community needs assessments. An individual may

come to SEICAA for an emergency food box but it is the

other programs that help stabilize an individual that

truly sets the Agency apart. Through accessing pro-

grams such as; case management, GED, financial

literacy and asset development courses, rental and

permanent housing programs, participants learn to

become self reliant. SEICAA forms several partnerships

with businesses and organizations in each of the

counties it serves to really rein in on what programs

and services would be most beneficial to help people

help themselves achieve self-sufficiency and greater

economic independence. Fifty years after Community

Action Agencies were formed they are still standing on

the front lines of the War on Poverty and work

diligently everyday to move individuals and families

into self-sufficiency and out of poverty.

Debra R. Hemmert ,

SEICAA CEO

Long time employee John Danks retires from SEICAA

It was with delight and disheartenment, SEICAA said goodbye to long time staff member John Danks. John has been an invaluable part of the Weatherization team for over 30 years. He retired in May 2014 from the Agency. SEICAA wishes him the best in all of his future endeavors and will miss him deeply.

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Funded Programs SEICAA received support from local businesses for use in several programs. Key Bank granted $5000 for use in Self-sufficiency programs. US Bank granted $2500 for Financial Literacy education focused on homeownership. Washington Federal granted $2,500 for Asset Development Programs.

Oneida County Bike-a-Thon SEICAA’s Oneida County outreach office hosted the 17th annual Bike-a-Thon on May 10, 2014. Even though Mother Nature did-n’t cooperate for the Saturday event, there were still 99 children who rode 1,268 laps, the equivalent of 634 miles, while raising $2,200 for emergency needs. The 5th grade classes collected the most pledge money and received an ice-cream party for their hard work. For participating, the students each received a backpack filled with coupons, candy, and toys, donated from local businesses. SEICAA would like to thank everyone who participated and supported the event.

Donations

The communities of Southeastern Idaho are an essential piece to the success of the Agency. The donations that are put together to supply the Working Closet, Hygiene products, School Supplies, and Household items are a constant need within the communities SEICAA serves. Without the continued support of the great communities SEICAA would no be able to sufficiently meet the needs.

Celebrating 50 years of Community Action

Our nation came together to declare a War on Poverty in 1964 when President Lyndon B. Johnson created Head Start and other programs serving low-income families. Later in 1964, he signed the Economic Opportunity Act, which created

Community Action Agencies, Job Corps, VISTA, and other programs to fight poverty. We also saw broadly shared economic growth and the creation of vital programs

serving the most vulnerable, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the permanent food stamp program. Community Action Agencies stand apart from other non-profits in the ability to change programs to meet the needs of the communities. Additionally,

low-income populations are represented on the Boards and input from these populations influence program and agency changes.

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Field of Heroes

SEICAA’s Veteran’s program provides Veterans access to the resources they need to assimilate to a civilian life and even-tually achieve stabilization and secure permanent housing. In May several Veterans spent many hours helping place name markers at the Field of Heroes; this is the fourth year Veterans in SEICAA’s program have contributed to this effort.

YES Camp

SEICAA hosted the 2nd Annual Youth Empowered Summer (YES) Camp June 19, 2014 at the Pocatello Community Charter School. One hundred youth ages 7-14 participated in the one-day camp where they were presented with financial, energy, and nutrition, CPR, and exercise education. This annual event is made possible through planning partners and co-sponsors including Idaho Power, Intermountain Gas, Idaho Central Credit Union, University of Idaho Extension, and Portneuf Medical Center.

“Poverty is a very complicated issue, but feeding a child isn’t” ~Jeff Bridges~

SEICAA participated in the second statewide IdahoGives Campaign. Social media efforts and

in-person appearances helped SEICAA raise $476 from 14 donors. SEICAA would like to extend a thank you to all the donors, organizations, and supporters of this second annual event. SEICAA

anticipates participating in the planned third event in May 2015.

Driving for Dough

SEICAA Meals On Wheels held

its 8th Annual “Driving For

Dough” Golf Tournament on

June 21, 2014. SEICAA would

like to thank all our sponsors,

donors and 19 teams, many of

whom have played every year,

for a great day of golfing. All

monies raised in the

Tournament goes directly

towards helping provide meals

to homebound elderly and/or

disabled clients here in

Bannock County. SEICAA

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“Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency Inc.” on

or “SEICAA1”

www.seicaa.org

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”

~Napoleon Hill

Programs and Services Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency Inc. is a private,

non-profit corporation incorporated in 1969 to combat poverty in

southeastern Idaho. SEICAA provides a network of integrated services

where no eligible person is turned away. SEICAA provides and

advocates for resources that empower Southeastern Idaho residents

to have the skills and resources necessary to improve their quality of

life and become self-sufficient. Services are provided for over 158,627

individuals throughout seven counties of southeastern Idaho.

Administration: (208) 232-1114

Ext 101

Community Services: (208) 233– 7348

Affordable Housing Programs:

(208) 232-1114

Ext 157

Rental Housing: (208) 234-0966

Senior Services: (208) 233-9677

Weatherization: (208) 237-0991

Veteran Services: (208) 234-2466

Outreach Offices:

Bannock County: (208) 232-1114

Bingham County: (208) 785-1583

Bear Lake County: (208) 847-1462

Caribou County: (208) 547-4257

Franklin County: (208) 852-1515

Oneida County: (208) 766-2737

Power County: (208) 226-7330

SEICAA “ Agency in Action” televised show informs Pocatello community!!

Stay informed: Watch Channel 12 Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Community Action Partnership of Southeastern Idaho:

America’s Poverty Fighting Network

Southeastern Idaho Community

Action Agency Inc. Board of

Directors

Kathy Anderson, Chair

Private Sector

Dave Maguire, Vice Chair

Private Sector

Paula Miller, Secretary

Low-Income Sector Representative

Steve Brown

Public Sector

Elmer Martinez

Private Sector

Rick Betzer

Low-Income Sector Representative

Linda Shiflet

Low-Income Sector Representative

Janice Lawes

Public Sector

Suzanna Nelson

Private Sector

Howard Manwaring

Public Sector

Janie Gebhardt

Public Sector

Marianne Donnelly

Private Sector

Veda Mascarenas

Public Sector

Community Action News is a publication of the Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency

Articles by: Shantay Miner

Insight: Debra R. Hemmert

Photos by: SEICAA staff & public/professionals

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Please address comments to:

Community Development

641 N. 8th Avenue

Pocatello, Idaho 83201

Or sminer@seicaa.org, 232-1114 Ext 113

641 N. 8th Avenue Pocatello, ID 83201

SEICAA

Visit us on the web

at: www.seicaa.org

Upcoming Events

Golf Tournaments Project Warmth Golf Tournament– July 26, Soda Springs, Idaho

Golfing “Fore” Green– August 23 in Preston Idaho

Golfing Fore Families– September 13 in Montpelier, Idaho

11th Annual Bingham Stone Soup

Bingham County’s Stone Soup is scheduled for the first Tuesday or Wednesday of October 2014. Please check SEICAA’s Facebook and Website for updated information. The doors will open at 5:30pm. Come out and celebrate with your family– there will be a children’s carnival! Tickets purchased in advance are $7 for an individual and $25 for a family; prices increase at the door. Stop by SEICAA Bingham County at 206 S. Spruce or the Blackfoot Chamber of Commerce at 130 NW Main to get your tickets. If you would like more information , contact SEICAA at 208-785-1583.