Oct 14, 2021 FISH 2nd Thursday PowerPoint Oct 14, 2021 Zoom Meeting Video CAP Agency
FISH welcomed 42 attendees to the October meeting. FISH partners and affiliates filled 19 needs in September with a value of $12,432. FISH stories were shared.
Eric Gentry, Director of Housing and Emergency Services, gave some background on CAP, which is part of a national agency founded during President Lyndon Johnson’s initiative, War on Poverty. There are over 1,000 agencies in the United States with several in Minnesota. CAP has over 26 programs. Their mission is to empower clients, not with a handout but with a hand up. The Shakopee location is in the process of moving into the former Corn Growers building on First Avenue, with the Thrift Store moving into the former Pier 1 Imports building in Old Carriage Court. It will be known as Local Imports.
Housing and Emergency Services includes Emergency Housing, Supportive Housing, CAP Housing, Energy Assistance Program (EAP), and Continuum of Care (CoC). Scott County doesn’t have any brick and mortar shelters for the homeless. CAP serves the homeless or near homeless by providing basic needs such as shoes and underwear, and motel vouchers with funds through the FHPAP Program. Prevention from homelessness is provided through Supportive Housing. Available rentals are under 1% at this time. CAP has 44 housing units with nine in Scott County. More information is on the attached PowerPoint. Eric’s email is egentry@capagency.org.
There are also funds available to obtain a client’s GED, get a driver’s license or clothing with GAP Funding . There is funding for Energy Assistance (EAP) and Continuum of Care for eligible clients. EAP serves 6,000 households per year. There is a collaboration of 15 entities called Heading Home Scott-Carver addressing the lack of affordable housing and ways to end homelessness. Heading Home Scott-Carver Homelessness System Solutions Meeting, First Wednesday of each month 8:30-10:00am via Web meeting. Please contact Peter Goldstein – Scott County Housing Coordinator – Heading Home Collaborative Co-Chair – 952-496-8447 to be added to the ongoing meetings. pgoldstein@co.scott.mn.us. More information contained in the PowerPoint.
Jackie Lara, Director of Nutrition and Community Services, spoke next. She oversees the food shelf, senior nutrition, SNAP, Chore and WIC, Crisis Nursery, Esperanza and holiday programs and the thrift store.
Terry Hasson, who has been with CAP for 32 years, manages Chore, SNAP Outreach and Telephone Reassurance. Persons in Scott and Carver Counties who are 60 and over or are on Social Security Disability are eligible for cleaning, snow removal, mowing, handy man and driving services. In the last fiscal year they served 105 people, 400 by phone and provided handyman services to 801 units. Chore services began in 2006 and SNAP (formerly food stamps) in 2007. Marita Real assists Terry with these services. Call Terry at 952 402 9835 for help with chore services.
Jackie said the food shelf is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 am. To 4:00 p.m. They also have a mobile unit and food distributions. The Senior Nutrition program provides delivered meals for $5.00 but don’t enforce the fee if a client can’t pay. The WIC program, providing nutrition to Women, Infants and Children will be moving to Scott County Public Health in January, 2022. Jackie also oversees Community Projects: Project Student Success Hope for the Holidays and Esperanza. Sponsors are needed for Hope for the Holidays and Toy Distribution.
Prevention Service include Crisis Nursery, Parents Helping Parents, Family Resource Center and Local Imports (Thrift Store). To nominate someone for Adopt a Senior, contact Jackie Lara. In response to a question, the food shelf most-needed items include mac ‘n cheese, canned tuna and chicken and pop top soups, as well as ethnic foods which are very expensive. They also accept linens. Food shelf contact: Kim Wodtke, 952-402-9875, KWodtke@capagency.org.
Holly Schulz, Director of Head Start and Education Services, spoke first about Head Start. This program provides support for the whole child, ages 3 – 5, including education, health, nutrition and family support, which supports their school readiness. They focus on parent engagement, providing support and guidance for parents. Early Head Start is a home visiting program once a week to promote health and wellness. They have parent socialization events twice a month. They are looking for donations of books an educational supplies. They normally have volunteers in the classrooms but because of the pandemic they are not currently using volunteers. Child Care Aware supports 500 child cares in the area. Holly’s contact information: hschulz@capagency.org 651-322-3541.
Much more information including contact information is on the attached PowerPoint.
Announcements:
- Next month’s FISH meeting is a partner spotlight on the Scott County Community Development Agency and will take place virtually on November 18 due to Veteran’s Day.
- 2nd Harvest food distribution on the second Thursday of each month at Friendship Church in Prior Lake – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. No eligibility requirements, everyone gets two boxes of groceries and only need an ID with your address.