Lakes And Pines Community Action Council Inc

BUILD PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES BY SERVING LOCAL FAMILIES & INDIVIDUALS IN PURSUIT OF SELF-RELIANCE

EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENTPROVIDED SERVICES TO INCOME ELIGIBLE PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UP TO 5 YEARS OF AGE. THE SERVICES ARE COMPREHENSIVE WITH THE CORNERSTONES OF PARENT AND CHILD EDUCATION, HEALTH, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY ASSET BUILDING. EARLY HEAD START AND HEAD START ARE PROGRAMS COMMITTED TO GIVING EVERY VULNERABLE CHILD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

HOUSING REHABILITATIONFUNDS WERE ADMINISTERED FROM THE MINNESOTA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY FOR THE REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM. THESE GRANT FUNDS WERE USED TO REPAIR HOMES TO MEET SECTION 8 HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS. GRANT FUNDS WERE LOANED, AT ZERO INTEREST, TO OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTY FOR A LOAN TERM OF 15 YEARS. AT THAT TIME, IF THE PROPERTY IS STILL OWNED BY THE ORIGINAL BORROWER THE LOAN WILL BE FORGIVEN. FUNDS WERE ADMINISTERED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CITIES OF PINE CITY, HINCKLEY, MILLE LACS, SANDSTONE AND PINE COUNTY AT A 10-YEAR, INTEREST FREE, FORGIVABLE LOAN. THRIVETRANSFORMING, HONORING, & RESPECTING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH VALUING EMPOWERMENT.COACHING IS PROVIDED FOR CUSTOMERS INTERESTED IN OR NEEDING EXTRA SUPPORT FOR UPWARD SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

COMMUNITY SERVICES HAS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS: EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCEPROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT AND/OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES WHO EXPERIENCED A TEMPORARY HOUSING CRISIS THAT COULD HAVE RENDERED THEM HOMELESS. FUNDS HELPED BY ASSISTING WITH MORTGAGES, RENT, DEPOSITS, TRANSPORTATION COSTS, AND EMERGENCY SHELTER COSTS, BUT ALSO INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO PREVENT FUTURE HOUSING EMERGENCIES (BUDGET COUNSELING, RESOURCE REFERRALS, OR A PERMANENT HOUSING PLAN). EMERGENCY SHELTER VOUCHERS WERE PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ALONG WITH ASSESSMENTS TO BE PLACED ON COORDINATED ENTRY FOR ACCESS TO HOUSING PROGRAMS IN THE REGION. HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAMSPROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT AND/OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO AT-RISK AND HOMELESS YOUTH (24 YEARS OLD AND YOUNGER). FUNDS HELPED BY ASSISTING WITH RENT, DEPOSITS, TRANSPORTATION COSTS, AND INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY (BUDGET COUNSELING, GOAL SETTING, RESOURCE REFERRALS).VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCEPROVIDED FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO ENSURE INCOME TAX FORMS WERE FILED WITH ALL THE TAX CREDITS THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR. INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO USE THE TAX REFUNDS TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLES, HOMES AND CREDIT WHICH ALSO HELPED TO STIMULATE THE LOCAL ECONOMY. THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR STAFF TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON FINANCIAL LITERACY TOPICS.FOOD SHELF SUPPORTSTAFF MEMBERS REGULARLY DONATED TO AREA FOOD SHELVES (BI-WEEKLY COLLECTIONS ARE HELD). GARDEN SEEDS WERE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO AREA FOOD SHELVES IN THE SPRING TO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO START GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD.SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) OUTREACHPROVIDED OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE. THIS IS FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD SUPPORT OR FOOD STAMPS.SOCIAL SECURITY ADVOCACY SERVICESPROVIDED OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO AREA INDIVIDUALS WITH LONG-TERM HEALTH ISSUES THAT PROHIBIT THEM FROM WORKING WHO ARE ALSO UNHOUSED OR UNSTABLY HOUSED AND ARE ENROLLED ON STATE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.HEALTHCARE ACCESS/MNSUREPROVIDED OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO OBTAIN AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, EITHER THROUGH PUBLIC PROGRAMS OR PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES THROUGH THE HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE CALLED MNSURE.LIVE WELL AT HOMEPROVIDED ASSESSMENTS TO SENIORS AND MATCHED THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE CHORE SERVICES AND GROCERY DELIVERY AIMED TO KEEP THE PERSON IN THEIR HOME RATHER THAN ENTERING A NURSING HOME OR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY.TITLE III RESPITE PROGRAMSERVICED CAREGIVERS BY OFFERING A BREAK FROM THEIR ADULT FAMILY MEMBER. THIS SERVICE ALSO PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CARE RECIPIENT TO ENJOY SOCIALIZING WITH OTHER SENIORS.

WEATHERIZATIONTHE GOAL IS TO REDUCE AIR FILTRATION AND LOWER ENERGY COSTS WITH INSULATION, WEATHER STRIPPING,CAULKING AND INSTALLATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT MECHANICAL SYSTEMS (HVAC). BY WEATHERIZING HOMES AND SAVING ENERGY, FAMILIES EXPERIENCE A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE.ENERGY ASSISTANCEAIDED THROUGH PAYMENT OF FUEL/UTILITY BILLS AND REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF HEATING SYSTEMS TO CORRECT EMERGENCY PROBLEMS. THIS PROGRAM MADE FUEL BILLS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.