Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties

Diane’s Story

Sandie — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:32:07 +0000

Diane is a survivor, and she says she couldn’t have done it without the Car Ownership program. The program helped her get back on her feet after a very difficult year. Diane was in an abusive relationship, causing her and her daughter to stay at a shelter for nine months. They were accepted into low-income housing, but Diane’s car broke down. A shelter advocate directed her to Community Action’s Car Ownership program. Going through the necessary steps, Diane was able to purchase a car that helped her and her daughter immensely. With the help of her new Ford Focus, she was able find an apartment, go to work, take her daughter to doctor appointments, school when she missed the bus, and extra-curricular activities, as well as get to the grocery store, etc. “Oh, and to personally go to Syndicate (Community Action’s location) and make my payments…” Although it was a financial challenge, Read the Rest...

Hsa and Doh’s Story

Sandie — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:01:07 +0000

Hsa and Doh came to the United States from Burma in 2008. While settling in St. Paul, Hsa and Doh sought ways to make their transition easier, particularly for their two young boys, Banyan and Wilson. They felt it was critical for their sons to learn to speak English at a young age and prepare for life in America. Hsa and Doh learned about Community Action’s Head Start Program from their Ramsey County job counselor. The two boys were enrolled in Early Head Start at our Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center. When they reached pre-school age, they transferred to the Bigelow Center’s full-day Head Start program. Both parents are now able to work full-time while furthering their own education. Head Start staff also introduced them to the Children’s Museum where they often go as a family. Hsa and Doh are especially pleased with how Head Start has shaped Banyan and Wilson as Read the Rest...

Greg and Ramona’s Story

Sandie — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:45:36 +0000

Greg and Ramona, who live in St. Paul with their four children, were unable to repair a cold, drafty problem in their house because both had recently lost their jobs. A friend suggested theycontact Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties and they enrolled in the Energy Assistance Program. As part of the program, Greg and Ramona learned they qualified for a free energy audit plus weatherization services. A Community Action Energy Specialist performed the initial audit, which included a blower door test and other services. Next, a contractor cleaned, tuned, and tested their furnace. They replaced the water heater valve, installed a bath fan, repaired the filter rack on the furnace, and installed smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector in the home. Then a weatherization crew insulated and vented the attic and sealed major air leaks. A final inspection verified that the free weatherization work on the home Read the Rest...

Kara and Pablo’s Story

Sandie — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:54:06 +0000

Kara met Pablo while teaching in Venezuela. She returned to the U.S. to get her master’s degree in family education. After two years, Pablo joined her and they were married. Kara taught in the public school system and Pablo joined the National Guard Reserve while working for Best Buy. They had two wonderful children, settled down in their quiet Roseville neighborhood and continued to progress in their careers. Then the recession hit. Pablo and Kara were both laid-off. To make ends meet, Kara began teaching yoga and Pablo enrolled in a firefighter training program. With savings running out, Kara applied for Community Action’s energy assistance and food support programs. She had seen billboards for energy assistance, but wasn’t sure if they qualified. “I don’t know what we would have done without the help we received,” Pablo said. They were doing everything they could to stay afloat including borrowing from family. Pablo and Kara Read the Rest...

Ruth’s Story

Kevin — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:13:46 +0000

Ruth is a Foster Grandparent for the Bigelow Head Start program, through a partnership with Lutheran Social Services. Ruth provided foster care through Ramsey County for about eleven years, eventually adopting the last child for which she cared. Friends encouraged her to look into the Foster Grandparent Program. Wanting to give back to the community and discovering she could do so with children at Head Start, Ruth began working at Bigelow in October 2011. Ruth says her life has changed because she had to learn to slow her life down in order to be able to adjust to the individual needs of the children, “You become a part of the community, you see kids needs and reach out to do whatever you can. Each child is different.” Ruth works in a Head Start classroom every day from 7:30 a.m. until noon. Every day is different for Ruth; she helps in the classroom Read the Rest...

Food That Makes Cents

Sandie — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:59:19 +0000

Fare For All is a great way to save money on quality nutritious food. They buy fruits, vegetables, and frozen meats in bulk to save you up to 40% off grocery store prices. Fare For
All is community-supported and open to everyone. The more people who participate, the better. Click here to learn more about the program and the food packages.

Comcast volunteers help out at Battle Creek Head Start

Sandie — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:34:19 +0000

http://documents.scribd.com.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/7zg7xw703k2c911v.pdf?t=1366730255

Comcast volunteers help out at Ruth Benner Head Start

Sandie — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:29:41 +0000

http://documents.scribd.com.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/2lmfmmmla82c91e3.pdf?t=1366730412

Free EMT certification for diverse and low-income people

Sandie — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:21:41 +0000

The Saint Paul EMS Academy is a 10-week EMT certification course designed for diverse and low-income Saint Paul residents ages 18-24. Earn an hourly wage while you learn and tuition is free! Application intake for the Summer 2013 EMS Academy runs from April 15-May 10. Attend one of the Information Sessions on May 1 or May 6, to learn more.

Straight Talk: March 2013

Sandie — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:04:45 +0000

http://documents.scribd.com.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/4a4taa9n0g29639q.pdf?t=1364304628