http://www.insccap.org/rss/newsXML.phpSCCAP Newshttp://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=15http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=15By Todd LareSCCAP Executive DirectorThis Act, the start of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, was signed into law 45 years ago on Aug. 20, 1964. It aimed to allow the most prosperous country in the world’s history to achieve its full economic and social potential by giving every individual the opportunity to contribute to the full extent of his or her potential. “For so long as man has lived on this earth, poverty has been his curse,” Johnson said upon passage of this law. “On every continent in every age, men have sought escape from poverty’s oppression. Today for the first time in all history of the human race, a great nation is able to make and is willing to make a commitment to eradicate poverty among its people.” The Act made it the country’s official policy “to eliminate poverty in the midst of plenty in this Nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training, the opportunity for work, and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity.” Bold and optimistic, the Economic Opportunity Act was never funded and implemented at a level necessary to achieve its ultimate goal of eliminating poverty. But it did create 11 new federal programs that have helped change the lives of countless numbers of people. These programs include some of the most important anti-poverty programs still operating today. For instance, because of this Act, more than 200 children in Monroe County attend preschool every year at the South Central Community Action Program’s Head Start centers. This helps these children develop the skills they’ll need to succeed in the critical early years of school and helps their parents to gain employment and education. Likewise, for more than 40 years, students from low-income families have received help in attending Indiana University and other colleges and universities through the Work Study program created by this Act. In addition, the Act created Adult Basic Education, offered locally by the Monroe County Community School Corp., which helps more than 800 adults per year to improve their reading skills, get their GED or learn English as a second language.And the Act created Community Action Programs that provide broad-based services to promote self-sufficiency among low-income individuals and families. The South Central Community Action Program serves more than 11,000 people per year in Brown, Monroe, Morgan and Owen counties.On Thursday, Aug. 20, the community is invited to attend a celebration to recognize the local contributions of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. This event will be held at 1 p.m. at Monroe County United Ministries, the site of the first of Johnson’s War on Poverty programs in Bloomington. Monroe County United Ministries, which will celebrate its 70th Birthday with an ice cream social and open house on Sept. 27, was called the Christian Center back in early 1965 when its board of directors and staff coordinated the community’s efforts to create Monroe County’s Community Action Program.The leaders of that effort will be recognized at the Aug. 20 event, including Christian Center board president Florence Nebergall, who still lives in Bloomington, and director Marvin Jones, who passed away this summer in his hometown of Lexington, Ky. after a life defined by his commitment to community service.Today, the War on Poverty isn’t over, but to the credit of all its soldiers over the past 45 years, we’re still standing and fighting for our communities. “We are fully aware that this program will not eliminate poverty in America in a few months or a few years,” Johnson said in 1964. “Poverty is deeply rooted and its causes are many. But this program will show the way to new opportunities for millions of our fellow citizens.”http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=14http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=14SCCAP will add households to the wait list in each county on a first-come, first-served basis. It will add 22 households in Brown County, 70 in Monroe County and 22 in Owen County. Staff will be taking pre-applications in the three counties at the following times and locations:Owen County ApplicationsSpencer Office145 N. Harrison St.September 17 from 8 am to noon and Friday, September 18 from 1 to 4 pmBrown County ApplicationsNashville Office168 Jefferson StreetSeptember 23 from 1 to 4 pm and September 24 from 8 am to noonMonroe County Applications Bloomington office1500 W. 15th St.,September 30 from 8 to noon and October 1 from 1 to 4 pmSCCAP will stop taking applications for the vouchers once the wait list is full. It will be the first time in more than five years that SCCAP has added households to its wait list in Monroe County. It has been three years in Owen County and two years in Brown County since households have been added to the wait list. Section 8 is a program in which approved low-income households are given a voucher to find housing on their own. They pay 30 percent of their adjusted gross income toward their rent and utilities, and the federal government pays the rest.“We are very pleased that for the first time in the recent past, we are able to add people to our list for this affordable housing program,” SCCAP Executive Director Todd Lare said. “With the economic recession we are in, this assistance is needed now more than ever.”To submit a complete application, each applicant must bring: picture ID, social security card, birth certificate, proof of income (i.e. paystubs, letters from employers, TANF/SSI/Social Security award letters), transcript for adult students, and checking and savings account information. All Section 8 applicants must meet income guidelines that are based on the size of the household. For questions, call 829-2279 in Owen County, 988-6636 in Brown County and 339-3447 in Monroe County. SCCAP is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence. Its programs include: Affordable Rental Housing, the Circles® Initiative, Energy Assistance, Family Development, Head Start, Individual Development Accounts, Section 8 Housing and Weatherization. http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=13http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=13SCCAP has depleted its waiting list of applications for weatherization in Monroe County after completing 169 homes with federal stimulus dollars. The organization also weatherizes homes in Brown, Morgan and Owen counties, but has hundreds of people on its waiting lists in those counties. The Weatherization Program reduces energy consumption in low-income households and insures that each client has a safe, operating heat source. Each client receives a furnace inspection and an energy audit. SCCAP uses private contractors to repair or replace heat sources, install insulation and seal the homes. Homeowners and renters are eligible. “We encourage families in Monroe County to apply right away,” SCCAP Executive Director Todd Lare said. “The Weatherization Program allows households to reduce their utility bills at no cost to them while being safer and more comfortable in their homes. On average, across the nation, it reduces energy costs by $437 per household each year.”To be eligible to have your owner-occupied or rental home weatherized, your household income must not exceed 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines. The income limits by family size are: 1 person in household – up to $21,6602 people – $29,1403 people – $36,6204 people – $44,1005 people – $51,5806 people – $59,0607 people – $66,5408 people – $74,020For apartment buildings to be weatherized, two-thirds of the occupants must be eligible for the program and all units in the building must be weatherized. To apply, call 812-339-3447, ext. 228 or 275. SCCAP was awarded $1,729,957 to make energy efficiency improvements to serve 275 homes in Brown, Monroe and Owen counties in Indiana’s second round of weatherization stimulus funding from June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011. That funding is part of $5 billion that has been invested in the Weatherization Program during the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act period.Nationally, it is expected that more than 650,000 homes will be weatherized during the ARRA period from 2009 through 2011. It is estimated, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, that weatherized homes will save $2.1 billion for low-income families and save 53 metric tons of CO2 emissions per house. SCCAP is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence. Its programs include: Affordable Rental Housing, the Circles® Initiative, Energy Assistance, Family Development, Head Start, Individual Development Accounts, Section 8 Housing and Weatherization. http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=12http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=12The three- to five-year old children will celebrate with family picnics at various Monroe County parks and schools. The celebrations will include a book distribution made possible through the Dream RIF Giveaway, which has provided funding for SCCAP to give books to children from low-income families three times per year. The reading theme at the end of school year picnics will be, “Fly Away with a Good Book.” The participating children made invitations themselves to encourage their parents to attend the events, which will feature free Frisbees, lots of bubbles, one free book per child and party supplies donated by the Oriental Trading Program. The free books and activities to encourage reading are part of the Dream RIF Giveaway, a program of Reading is Fundamental, a nonprofit literacy association founded in 1966. Most of the family picnics will be held on Thursday and Friday, May 20 and 21. Three of these that may have particularly good photo/story opportunities for media are one at Karst Farm Park from 10-2 on Thursday, another at Karst Farm Park from 10-2 Friday and one at Bryan Park from 1-3 Friday. SCCAP Head Start has 169 children whose school year will end in May. Another 98 children will continue in Head Start classes through the summer. The goal of SCCAP’s activities funded through the Dream RIF Giveway is to improve success of children from low-income families in school by having more books in their homes. This goal is accomplished through book giveaways and motivational activitieshttp://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=11http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=11Operation Back to School will provide $100 worth of back to school supplies to children in kindergarten through 12th grade in Brown, Monroe, Morgan and Owen counties. To be eligible to participate, children must be from families with income at 200 percent or below the federal poverty line. The income limits for eligible families at 200 percent or below the poverty line are based on size of the family unit:2 family members - $29,1403 family members - $36,6204  family members - $44,1005 family members - $51,5806 family members - $59,0607 family members - $66,5408 family members - $74,020Among the eligible children, those who receive the free supplies and clothing will be selected through a random drawing on July 26. The 3,000 children who will receive this assistance represent less than a third of those who are income-eligible in SCCAP’s four-county service area. “Parents from families who may be struggling economically want their children to have required supplies and appropriate clothes to go back to school, just like anyone else,” SCCAP Executive Director Todd Lare said. “In this difficult economy, we are pleased that we’ll be able to assist many of these families through Operation Back to School.”To register their children for the Operation Back to School drawing, families must fill out an application at one of SCCAP’s four county offices by 4:30 p.m. on July 23. No late applications will be accepted. Before submitting applications for their children, parents and guardians must document that their household income is at 200 percent or below the federal poverty line. If they did not already document their income through participating in SCCAP’s Energy Assistance Program this winter, they must present income documentation for the past 12 months, as well as social security cards, for all household members 18 and older.Families whose children are picked through the random drawing to participate in Operation Back to School will receive information about shopping dates and participating stores. The $300,000 that will be spent to help children and families through Operation Back to School will come from stimulus funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Monroe County1500 W 15th Street, Bloomington812-339-3447Morgan County133 W Washington, Martinsville812-342-1518Owen County145 N Harrison, Spencer812-829-2279Brown County168 Jefferson Street, Nashville812-988-6636SCCAP is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence. Its programs include: Affordable Rental Housing, the Circles® Initiative, Energy Assistance, Family Development, Head Start, Individual Development Accounts, Section 8 Housing and Weatherization. http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=10http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=10Help with summer electric bills is on the way for low-income households in Monroe, Brown, Owen and Morgan counties. The Summer Cool Program offered by the South Central Community Action Program will run from June 1 through Aug. 31. It will assist eligible low-income households by providing $50 toward their electric bill. For the winter program that just ended, SCCAP assisted 5,266 households. All households who received Energy Assistance from SCCAP during the past winter are eligible for the $50 electric credit in the Summer Cool program. All other households must complete an application and have their income verified.Once approved for the Summer Cool program, a member of each household can also watch a short presentation on how to conserve energy and receive at no cost a conservation kit that contains three compact fluorescent light bulbs and a furnace filter whistle that tells you when your filter is dirty and needs to be changed. The retail value of the energy conservation kit, which is provided once per year to approved households at no cost, is about $15. In addition, a household in which a family member has a life threatening medical condition may provide written verification from a medical doctor to receive a small window air conditioner. Households are ineligible if they have received an air conditioner within the last 5 years. Clients should call the SCCAP office for details about the required documentation to claim this benefit.SCCAP has provided energy benefits to low-income citizens for 28 years. Last year, 3,160 households received assistance through the Summer Cool Program. SCCAP is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence. Its programs include: Affordable Rental Housing, the Circles® Initiative, Energy Assistance, Family Development, Head Start, Individual Development Accounts, Section 8 Housing and Weatherization. Eligibility for the Summer Cool program is based on total household income:Household Size Max. Annual Income1 - $16,2452 - $21,8553 - $27,4654 - $33,0755 - $38,685For each additional household member, add $5,610.For appointments or additional information, the public should call:Monroe County1500 W 15th Street, Bloomington812-339-3447Morgan County133 W Washington, Martinsville812-342-1518Owen County145 N Harrison, Spencer812-829-2279Brown County168 Jefferson Street, Nashville812-988-6636http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=9http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=9The number of people requesting help from the South Central Community Action Program to heat their homes this winter has risen by 80 percent in Morgan County.SCCAP has provided energy assistance benefits to 2,667 households in Brown, Monroe, Morgan and Owen counties since Oct. 5. That’s an increase of 15.7 percent, or 361 households, over the 2,306 households SCCAP had served at the same point last yearThe fastest rate of change, by far, has come in Morgan County, where SCCAP has served 790 households in the Energy Assistance Program so far, compared to 535 at the same point last year. That’s an increase of 47.7 percent.“We recognize that in these difficult economic times, there is a greater need for help with basic services such as utilities,” SCCAP Executive Director Todd Lare said. “We had a 10 percent increase in the number of people receiving energy assistance last year and we expect another increase at least that large this winter.” For those in Morgan County who’d like more information about the Energy Assistance Program or to schedule an appointment to apply for assistance, call 342-1518. The SCCAP office is at 133 W. Washington St.In addition, SCCAP offers its energy education workshop for those who want to participate. Participants will receive an energy conservation kit, as well as information on staying warm while reducing utility costs.Each household applying for the Energy Assistance Program will need to provide income documentation for the past 12 months for all household members ages 18 and older, current heat and electric bills, social security cards and lease information for those who rent.Eligibility for the program is based on gross household income. For a family of one, the maximum annual income is $16,245. The maximum allowable income increases by family size: family of two - $21,855, three - $27,465, four - $33,075, five - $38,685, six – $44,295. Last winter, 5,209 households received assistance through SCCAP’s Energy Assistance Program. SCCAP is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence. Its programs in Morgan County include: Energy Assistance, Family Development, Individual Development Accounts, Section 8 Housing, Weatherization and Salvation Army Emergency Assistance Vouchers.http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=8http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=8The South Central Community Action Program is seeking employers and potential employees to participate in a new employment and training program. SCCAP, a nonprofit organization that serves Brown, Monroe, Morgan and Owen counties, is looking to partner with employers who will agree to hire and train workers who qualify for the program. SCCAP will subsidize wages and/or training for an agreed-upon amount of time and will tailor its program to meet employers’ individuals needs. SCCAP is also opening the new program for applications from unemployed people who are seeking work or employed people who want to learn new skills. In addition to placing participants with employers, SCCAP will also subsidize educational expenses to fill critical industry needs. This could include completion of GED, industry specific training certificates, or other training/education needed for employment or advancement. Childcare and transportation costs may also be subsidized. “We are hoping move the candidates into a career pathway that will lead to self sufficiency,” SCCAP Executive Director Todd Lare said. “Our hope is that we can help build sustainable employment for our participants as well as provide a local qualified workforce for our employers.”Participant requirements for the job training program are as follows:• The household income must fall at 200% of the federal poverty guideline• Program participants must reside in Brown, Monroe, Morgan or Owen counties. The program is currently funded only through Sept. 30, 2010, so employers and potential employees need to contact SCCAP right away in order to participate. For more information, contact SCCAP Employment and Training Coordinator Taine Watkins at 812-339-3447, ext. 235. The SCCAP job training program is funded through supplemental Community Services Block Grant funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act SCCAP is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence. Its programs include: Affordable Rental Housing, the Circles® Initiative, Energy Assistance, Family Development, Head Start, Individual Development Accounts, Section 8 Housing and Weatherization. http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=7http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=7Local families will soon have access to Monroe County’s first federally funded, low-cost program to provide child care and development services to children at the most critical time in their development -- from birth to three years old. The new Early Head Start program will begin in May 2010 thanks to a $578,160 grant to the South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) that Congressman Baron Hill’s office announced Tuesday. That grant is for the first 10 months of the program’s start-up and operation. The federal Office of Head Start has committed to fund another 12 months after that and the hope is that funding will be ongoing in future years. SCCAP will provide services for 24 infants and toddlers in a licensed child care center and an additional 33 families in their homes. The home-based option will include services to pregnant women and post-partum support. As children turn three years old and advance to the regular Head Start program for 3- to 5- year-olds, additional spots will open for 0-3 year olds in the Early Head Start program. “Families in this county have for decades experienced a shortage of low-cost, high-quality care for children under three years old,” SCCAP Head Start Director Shirley Stumpner said. “The Early Head Start program will provide comprehensive child development, health and social services at the age that’s most crucial for each child’s future success. “It will also provide parents with resources and information to help them in caring for the children themselves, and enable them to work or pursue further education while their children are attending the year-round Early Head Start program.” A location for the three new Early Head Start classrooms has not yet been identified. Families who are interested in further information about Early Head Start or Head Start can call 334-8350. The Early Head Start grant for Monroe County is one of 10 being made in Indiana through funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It will allow SCCAP to hire 15 new employees to fill the following positions: one education coordinator, three lead teachers, five teacher assistants, one assistant health services coordinator, one assistant parent involvement coordinator, one family advocate, and three home visitors.SCCAP’s Head Start program has served families in Bloomington for almost 45 years. It currently serves 235 3 to 5-year old children and that number will increase to 267 in January as a result of a $270,000 in stimulus funds it recently received. In all, SCCAP has been awarded more than $2.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to serve low-income families in Brown, Morgan, Monroe and Owen counties. These funds have allowed or will allow SCCAP to hire 30 new employees and to spend tens of thousands of dollars with area businesses.“We wish that low-income citizens and so many other people and businesses in our area and across the country weren’t experiencing such difficulties in this economy, but we’re proud to be part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to help those in need and revitalize the local and national economy,” SCCAP Executive Director Todd Lare said.SCCAP is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence. Its programs include: Affordable Rental Housing, the Circles® Initiative, Energy Assistance, Family Development, Head Start, Individual Development Accounts, Section 8 Housing and Weatherization. http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=6http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=6The Monroe County Circles® Initiative will hold an informational Dessert Night on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. as part of its effort to fill an urgent need for at least five additional Volunteer Community Allies. Circles® is a strategy to help low-income families build resources and transition out of poverty, to change systems and policies that perpetuate poverty and to build community across race and class lines.The Volunteer Community Allies are needed to befriend and support families as they work toward their goals. Three to four Allies are matched with each low-income family. Thorough training and ongoing staff support are provided. Background checks and an 18-month commitment of 4+ hours monthly are required. Allies must be available one to two Thursday evenings monthly.This is a unique and very personal opportunity to get involved. Currently, Circles® has 16 Volunteer Community Allies. Markus and Stephanie Dickinson, for instance, have been Volunteer Community Allies since April 2009. “My wife and I joined the Circles® program with the idea that poverty was bad, and we had no idea what to do about it,” Markus Dickinson said. “It’s a shame, we thought, that we really don’t know anyone poverty and we only know bits and pieces of the research on poverty.“So, we signed on to be Allies, partnering to move them out of poverty, despite barely knowing what that meant. What prevented us from joining sooner was the imposing 18-month commitment required of Allies. But that’s one thing we discovered: it’s not a commitment any more than a friendship is a commitment. It’d be weird to say that you have an 18-month friendship, and it’d also be missing the point.“We’ve been able to help someone and, at the same time, have them help us. Like friends do. In good times and bad times. It’s been eye-opening to see how hard some things are for people in poverty, like housing issues or car troubles, but wonderful to see how deeply the friendship can grow in the midst of those hardships. That’s why we signed up: for a deeper sense of community, here in Bloomington.”The Dessert Night will be held at the South Central Community Action Program office at 1500 W. 15th Street. For more information or to RSVP, contact Circles® Volunteer Coordinator Thomas Kenning at 339-3447, ext. 263, or thomas@sccap.monroe.in.us.http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=5http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=5State awards SCCAP an additional $1.7 million in weatherization fundsThe South Central Community Action Program will receive $1,729,957 in the second round of weatherization stimulus funding to serve Brown, Monroe and Owen counties.This funding, approved Thursday by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, will allow an expansion of the number of homes and counties that SCCAP weatherizes with these Recovery Act funds. During the first round of funding, SCCAP received $899,000 to make energy efficiency improvements to 145 homes in Monroe County. SCCAP had applied to serve Brown, Monroe, Morgan and Owen counties in the first round of funding, but was approved to serve only Monroe County.The $1.7 million in second-round funding will allow SCCAP to make energy efficiency improvements to 275 homes in Brown, Owen and Monroe counties. This will include 152 homes in Monroe County, 55 in Brown County and 68 in Owen County. “I want to commend our weatherization staff and contractors, who are nearing the completion of energy efficiency improvements to 150 homes during the first round of ARRA funding,” SCCAP Executive Director Todd Lare said. “Their productivity and ability to overcome several hurdles along the way put our organization in position to receive an increase in funding in Round 2.” To be eligible to have your owner-occupied or rental home weatherized, your household income must not exceed 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. For apartment buildings to be weatherized, 66 percent of the occupants must be eligible for the program. To apply, call 812-339-3447, ext. 275 or 228. The second round of ARRA weatherization funding in Indiana will run from June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011. ###http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=18http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=18Come one, Come all to dine for SCCAP!!Qdoba Mexican Grill12/2/2011South Central Community Action Program Mission“ We exist to provide opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence.”By dining, you will be giving back to your community, by bringing your $1 voucher, at Qdoba in Bloomington on Friday, December 2, 2011 starting at 7 am till 4 am the following morning!For each voucher brought in, Qdoba will donate a $1 to South Central Community Action Program!Please forward this to all your contacts concerning a great opportunity to give back to SCCAP at Qdoba’s.Please remember to bring a copy of this Voucher with you to the event!http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=19http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=19SCCAP's Linda Welty has been named the Volunteer of the Year by the Brown County Habitat for Humanity. Here is some information from the Brown County Habitat for Humanity about Linda receiving this award: "Our recipient this year holds a special significance for the beginning of the Brown County Habitat affiliate. Linda Welty convened a group of church and community leaders to discuss how to address housing needs and noticed there were no referral services in the county for those with housing needs. A student intern working in her office suggested she explore Habitat for Humanity International. Therein was born Brown County Habitat for Humanity."Linda was born in Brown County, moved away with her family at age 10, then returned 25 years later to make it her home again. For 23 years, through her work with SCCAP, Linda has worked to help Brown County citizens who were caught in the cycle of poverty. Her vision for Habitat was to help some of those families to become homeowners and to break that cycle. Linda's fondest memories are of the tears of gladness and looks of hopefulness when partner families received the keys to their new homes. "Habitat for Humanity and a grateful Brown County community say a big "THANK YOU" to Linda Welty for those twenty years of service to the people of the County and salute her as Brown County Habitat's 2011 "Volunteer of the Year." Congratulations Linda!"http://bc-habitat.com/-Ross Freemanhttp://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=17http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=17-Faces of Circles® Tour The South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) is hosting a Circles® Indiana Community of Practice Conference. Six Circles® communities will be coming together at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church to share their techniques to better serve their communities. Around 100 people from the six Circles® Initiatives from across the state (Evansville, Hartford City/ Montpelier, Indianapolis, Muncie and Scott County), as well as the local Bloomington/Monroe County Circles®, will share how they were able to build Circles® in their communities. Also, a team of four AmeriCorps/Vista members will be at the Bloomington conference this Thursday, May 19th. They are on a cross-country journey in search of answers, with the biggest question being how to end poverty. The 3,000 mile journey began May 3rd in Springfield, Ohio, with stops at Circles® Initiatives including:  Wilkesboro, NC- May 3rd  Albany, GA- May 5rd  Pensacola, FL- May 9th  Baldwin, LA- May 10th  Jackson, MS- May 12th  Longview, TX- May 13th The purpose of the tour was to document the progress of individuals in the National Circles® Initiative Campaign, an initiative with the goal of ending poverty by providing the most essential human needs: supportive relationships, access to resources and pathways to the elimination of socio-economic and racial barriers. In each city the team has been taking videos and photos, while interviewing families living in poverty and community members, in an attempt to more fully understand and overcome poverty’s many obstacles across our nation. For more information on the National Circles® Initiatives, visit the following sites: www.movethemountain.org www.thinktank-inc.org www.facesofcircles.org www.facesofcircles.blogspot.com Twitter @CirclesTour - Ross Freeman, Communications Internhttp://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=4http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=41.  Have a programmable thermostat installed to save money and keep your house comfortable in winter and summer.2.  Use compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs.3.  Clean or replace furnace filters regularly.4.  Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use. Turn off lights in rooms and TVs and other electronics.5.  Lower the thermostat o your hot water heater to 120° F or “low.” Take short showers instead of baths. Install shower and faucet aerators.6.  Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Wash clothes in cold water.7.  Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products.8.  Set the freezer temperature at 0° F and refrigerator at 40° F.http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=3http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=3Fifteen new parking spots have been added to the back and side parking lots at SCCAP's Bloomington main office. This work was finished a couple of weeks ago.During this busy season with dozens of people coming in daily to seek energy assistance, the front, back and side parking lots are now usually mostly full, but also have some spots available for clients and employees.This is a huge improvement from the situation previously when SCCAP's parking lot were often overfilled with cars. Energy assistance clients who use the front entrance had to park their cars in every available cranny, resulting in many vehicles that were illegally parked in the lot and along the street.With thousands of people receiving energy assistance from SCCAP each winter, this was a dangerous and inconvenient situation, especially for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Clients from various other programs - Circles® Initiative, Family Development, Head Start, Individual Development Accounts, Section 8 and Weatherization - had trouble finding parking.SCCAP greatly appreciates the support of the Jack Hopkins Social Service Funding Committee and City Council at the City of Bloomington, which provided most of the funding for the parking lot expansion.http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=2http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=2The South Central Community Action Program is now accepting applications for assistance with winter fuel bills for households in Brown, Monroe, Morgan and Owen counties.SCCAP began taking appointments on Oct. 5 for a winter heating benefit through its Energy Assistance Program. The agency is also taking applications for low-income households in need of bulk fuel.In addition, SCCAP will offer its energy education workshop for those who want to participate. Participants will receive an energy conservation kit, as well as information on staying warm while trying to reduce utility costs.Each household applying for the Energy Assistance Program will need to provide income documentation for the past 12 months for all household members ages 18 and older, current heat and electric bills, social security cards and lease information for those who rent.One change to the Energy Assistance Program this year, as a result of state policy changes, is that households whose utilities are included in their rent are not eligible for the program.Eligibility for the program is based on gross household income:Household Size - Maximum Annual Income: 1-$16,245; 2-$21,855; 3-$27,465; 4-$33,075; 5-$38,685; 6-$44,295.Last winter, 5,266 households received assistance through SCCAP’s Energy Assistance Program.SCCAP is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence. Its programs include: Affordable Rental Housing, the Circles® Initiative, Energy Assistance, Family Development, Head Start, Individual Development Accounts, Section 8 Housing and Weatherization. For appointments or additional information, the public should call: Monroe County - 339-3447; Brown County - 988-6636; Morgan County - 342-1518; Owen County - 829-2279.http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=1http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=1People with working cars in good repair that they no longer want are encouraged to donate them to the Wheels to Work program at the South Central Community Action Program.The donated cars will be used to help local low-income people improve their self-sufficiency. The donations are tax deductible so people who want a 2010 tax deduction should make their donation before the end of the year. It is a simple process to donate a car.Low-income people who are working or going to school but lack dependable transportation are allowed to purchase the donated cars at half of their Kelley Blue Book value. These recipients make arrangements to pay for the car on a schedule that fits their budget.Money that is received from those buying the cars at half price is used for any necessary repairs to other donated cars. Donated cars must be in good, working condition.For more information, contact Bonnie Vesely at 339-3447, ext. 218. http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=16http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=16SCCAP administrative offices in Monroe, Brown, Owen and Morgan Counties will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, May 16 and 17. SCCAP Head Start will operate as normal on these daysStaff will report as usual on both days, however, the doors will be closed to the public and staff will be unavailable by telephone. On these days, staff will focus on required recordkeeping and other internal activities.  SCCAP will re-open to the public with regular hours on Wednesday, May 18. http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=23http://www.insccap.org/index.php?pageId=103&newsId=23Request for BidsFebruary 7, 2012Download the Cleaning Services RFPSouth Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) is seeking bids from professional cleaning companies for the cleaning of its headquarters, located at 1500 W 15th Street in Bloomington.  The building is two stories, with administrative offices on the main level and Head Start classrooms and offices on the lower level.  Additionally, there are two off-site Head Start classrooms.  Specifications for cleaning needs are differentiated by upstairs and Head Start.  You will find the cleaning requirements attached in the above RFP.if you wish to bid on this project, please submit an itemized cost for your cleaning services.  Bids must be delivered in a sealed envelope marked "Cleaning Bid."  Please forward all bids to:SCCAPAttn:  Conor McIntyre1500 W 15th StreetBloomington, IN 47404Bids must be received no later than Friday, March 9, 2012 at 4:30 pm in the SCCAP offices.  Your final bid price will be considered valid for sixty (60) days from the bid due date.If you have any questions, please feel free to contactConor McIntyreSCCAP Director of Operations812-339-3447, ext. 223.