Winter 2008
UNION–SNYDER
Bulletin
G P E O P L E . C H A N G I N G L I V E S .
Community Action Agency
H E L P I N
S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T :
G e t Yo u r Ta x e s D o n e f o r F r e e
CAA is in the midst of our 3rd year of providing free income tax help for families that qualify. Qualifying families are those who have made less then $40,000 in the year 2007 and do NOT itemize anything. VITAVolunteer Income Tax Assistance- is a program that involves volunteers from many walks of life helping taxpayers who work, but cannot afford professional tax assistance. Many taxpayers who work but don’t earn high incomes can, but currently do not, benefit from credits such as EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit). VITA is a program to help taxpayers complete, without cost, their income tax forms and get the credits they are eligible for. Last tax season went very well. We are looking to have another record year doing taxes for free. This year we have 3 volunteers (John Cooper, Ron Cowan, and Wendy Higgins). Last year we did 178 returns (with a 158.3% increase from the previous year) and the total man hours were 218. We brought $190,758.00 back into the community as well as doing 75 EITC (which gave an $88,953.00 credit to the community and a 46.41% increase from year 2005). If you would like more information or know of someone that we can help, please call 570-374-0181 and ask for Wendy to schedule an appointment.
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Free Tax Preparation for those who qualify! Call today. WANTED: Foster Grandparents And 4-H Members!
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I N S I D E TH I S I S S U E :
Completing My Perspective... Foster Grandparents Wanted 4-H Members Wanted ARC Blood Drive Schedule Snyder County CPR Courses Union and Snyder County Residents….
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This issue of the Bulletin is funded in part by a Community Services Block Grant from the PA DCED and Human Services Development Fund Grant from the PA Department of Public Welfare.
The Union-Snyder Community Action Agency is available to assist individuals with applying for Food Stamps. When someone qualifies for food stamps, they will receive a card that they can swipe at the grocery store to buy food for their family. If someone would like assistance or have questions in completing an application online or by paper; contact Union-Snyder Community Action Agency at 374-0181 (Snyder County residents) or 1-877-497-1257 (Union County residents) and ask for Janet.
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Completing My Perspective
By Stephany Gormley, AmeriCorps Member 2007-2008
A couple of months ago, I was sitting next to a 4th grade boy in an art class where I was asked by the teacher to regularly assist her as the school’s AmeriCorps volunteer/tutor. There are students in the class, like this boy, that need individual assistance while the teacher attends to her task of instructing and working with the rest of her class on their projects. The individual needs of the students I was asked to assist vary from minor behavior problems to the need to have some extra instruction in order to understand what they are being asked to do. I’d been trying all sorts of positive ways to establish a rapport with this particular student so that I could help him to be a bit less disruptive and to finish the projects assigned by the teacher. Until this day, I often felt that I was having very little success. On this particular day, before the class got into full swing, this boy reached into his pocket and pulled out some foreign coins. He said, “I brought these to show you.” As he handed me the coins, I asked, “Are you a coin collector?” He said, “Yes…these are old Israeli ones.” As he gave me short explanations for the symbols on some of them, I replied, “Wow, these are great…and you know so much about them. Thanks for teaching me so many new things about coins.” When the teacher called the class to order, I explained that we could talk about them more some other time. The boy looked at me and said, “I brought them because I didn’t want you to think that I act crazy all the time.” I said that I didn’t ever think that he acted “crazy” and that I always enjoyed working with him in the class. Needless to say, the fact that he cared about what I thought of him was incredibly touching and rewarding to me since his behavior often leaves the adults around him wondering if he cares about anything at all. When I worked as the member Coordinator for C.O.R.E. Susquehanna AmeriCorps a few years ago, I never envisioned myself as a member serving at one of the CORE’s member sites. Coming back to the office, after being employed by another no-profit organization, and serving at a school was, in a sense, like a kind of homecoming. I already knew the mission and purpose of AmeriCorps to place applicants with human services organizations and schools who are member sites in exchange for financial credits for education and that members received a living stipend during their service time. I enjoyed my employment as a Member Coordinator and felt that with work of helping to place and assist the volunteer members was rewarding. What I was to find as a working volunteer in that moment with that boy and many other moments like them completed my perspective about AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps volunteers really do make a difference, and together, in all of our small moments at all of the member sites I think we leave a collectively large positive impact and reap rewards far beyond our expectations.
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G r a n d p a r e n t s
Wa n t e d
Do you know someone who is 60 years of age or older and enjoys being with children? The Foster Grandparent Program of Central Pennsylvania is looking for dedicated, good natured people to join the Program. The goal of the FGP is to offer friendship to children, through TLC and one-on-one interaction. The Foster Grandparents are considered an extra pair of hands to the staff at the sites, and at no times are in charge of children. Helping with educational or social activities, reading with children, offering kindness, and building trust are all important parts of the Program. After an initial orientation class, Foster Grandparents are placed at sites in Union and Snyder Counties. (The Program serves in Northumberland County and Mifflin County as well.) These sites include Day Care Centers, Head Start Centers, school district classes, alternative education sites, and the Selinsgrove Center. Gladys Perkins from Selinsgrove joined the Program in September of 2006. She says that life for her has improved now that she is busy every day as a Foster Grandparent. Gladys thinks of herself as a home-body, with hobbies of reading and sewing. She says that raising her three sons was the best part of her life. She now shares that love for children with the second graders at Selinsgrove Elementary School. Her daily commitment sees her helping with math problems and re-correcting work with students one-on-one. She also coaches spelling and has students read to her. Part of her day includes eating lunch with the class. She says she is getting to know them as wonderful kids. June Rowe of Mifflinburg was in the same orientation class as "Gramma Gladys". She enjoys her time with the infants at Mifflinburg Child Care Center. The children range in age from 3 months to 2 years. Before becoming a Foster Grandparent, she had been laid off and was taking it easy. Another Foster Grandparent recruited her to join. She says of her position, "It keeps me going. I am doing something worthwhile". While offering TLC, helping at naptime or feeding a child, June has discovered some wonderful young friends. She drives herself to her site and receives mileage compensation from the Program. To join the Program, candidates complete an application, are interviewed and then receive a 25 hour orientation program. A person must be at least 60 years of age (there is no upper age limit) and be able to commit to volunteering 20 hours per week. Being a natural grandparent is not a requirement. Benefits of the Program include a non-taxable stipend, transportation assistance, a meal during service, and an annual physical examination. Participants annually attend a Health Fair, a Volunteer Recognition Dinner and on-going trainings. Other benefits include making new friends, building meaningful relationships with children and contributing to one’s community. For more information contact the Foster Grandparent Office at 374-9196 or toll free at (866) 374-9196.
4 - H
M e m b e r s
w a n t e d !
Do you know a boy or girl who is interested in learning about animals, outdoor sports, crafts, woodworking, cooking and many other things, then 4-H may be for them. 4-H is a club that is open to all boys and girls ages 5 through 18. Volunteer adults and teen leaders work with the members to teach them a number of different activities that help the youth develop life skills and creativity. Check out our website at http://snyder.extension.psu.edu/4H/4h.htm or contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office for more information.
American Red Cross Blood Drive for Snyder County
Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs and be in good general health. Donors musty bring personal identification. Snyder County Blood Drives: Feb 27 Wednesday Boscov’s Auditorium Feb 28 Thurs. Hope UM Church, Port Trevorton March 4 Tuesday Selinsgrove Moose March 21 Friday St Thomas Church, MPM
March 24 Mon
Union and Snyder County Residents
Want to give your input about local needs and concerns? Go to www.union-snydercaa.org
1:00-6:00 1:00-6:00 12-6:00 1:00-6:00
2008 Community Needs Survey
and Click on: “click here to take the survey”. For a paper copy, visit your local library, or our office. This survey is conducted by Union-Snyder Community Action Agency, 713 Bridge Street. Suite 10, Selinsgrove, PA. 17870. Thank you for your input!
New Hope Baptist Church, Middleburg 1:00-6:00
Snyder County American Red Cross CPR Course Schedule
CPR/First Aid Course Schedule March Tues 11 CPR Adult Tues 18 CPR Infant/Child Tues 25 First Aid
6-9 p.m. 6-9 p.m. 6-9 p.m.
These classes are held at the Chapter Office in Middleburg. To register, call 837-2150. Full and Partial Scholarships are available upon request. Recertification's and Challenges also available.
BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Selinsgrove, PA 17870
Permit No. 23
UNION–SNYDER
Community Action Agency 713 Bridge Street, Suite 10 Selinsgrove PA 17870 Phone: 570-374-0181 Fax: 570-374-2330 Email: webmaster@union-snydercaa.org