JanuaryJanuary--March 2011March 2011 Volume 2, Issue 8 Volume 2, Issue 8

MCAAMCAA AAction Newsction News

MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT -A NEW PROGRAM FOR MCAA -

 

MCAA and the Suncoast Community Capital organiza on joined together to respond to a federal grant with the goal of crea ng 55 new full‐ me, permanent jobs that provide an ad‐equate wage for self‐sufficiency. To create 55 new jobs, the MED program, which stands for Micro Enterprise Development program, will facilitate 30 business starts that create full‐

me employment for the business owner plus an addi onal 25 jobs created by the newly started business, or by exis ng businesses that expand the number of full‐ me employees. The MED program provides customized training and technical assistance to help clients de‐velop and implement business plans that reflect an analysis of markets, compe on, pricing, management struc‐tures and processes, finances, and customer services, as well as refining the product. It will connect clients with business mentors and with contract opportuni es with larger businesses. It will make loans to both new and ex‐is ng businesses that create new jobs. (con nued page 2) 

HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START “HEADLINES” SEE PAGE 5

GETTING OUT OF DEBT Imagine being free of debt ‐‐ no more sleepless nights over moun ng credit card balances, no more ball‐and‐chain of debt feeding your anxie‐

es, and no chance of threats from dreaded collec on agencies. You can do it! Here's the scoop. (con nued page 3)

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Helping People. Changing Lives.Helping People. Changing Lives.

FPL’S TOP 10 TIPS Review these money saving ideas from FPL to lower your energy costs: 1. Cool your home at 78 F or warmer with the thermostat fan switched to auto. For addi onal savings, raise your thermostat to 82 F or warmer when you're away. 2. Heat your home at 68 F or cooler with the thermostat fan switched to auto. To save even more, lower your thermostat to 65 F or cooler at bed me or when you 're away from home. (con nued page 6)

SEE PAGE 4 

MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT -A NEW PROGRAM FOR MCAA (continued from page 1) The proposal was funded last fall, and the MED program has completed the first series of classes and individual mentoring sessions on the development of a business plan. The MED program focuses on assis ng individuals who are low‐income (100% of the federal poverty level or below), providing an opportunity for someone with a crea ve idea, developed skill or a strong interest in becoming a business owner, to receive train‐ing, mentoring and some financial assistance. If you are interested in this program, or know of someone who may be interested, please contact Bob Terry at (941) 827‐0188, ext 7905 for more informa on. An orienta on session is planned for Thursday, April 28 at 5:30. If you are interested, please contact Bob to reserve a seat at the orienta on.

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ARE YOU THE TYPE? If you are interested in star ng your own business take the me to rate yourself ob‐jec vely as you will be your most important employee. Appraise your strengths and your weaknesses. As a prospec ve operator of your own business, acknowledge that you are weak in certain areas and cover the deficiency by either retraining yourself or hiring someone with the necessary skill. The ques ons below may give you some in‐sight as to whether you have the personality traits important to a business proprie‐tor.

1. Are you a self‐starter? 2. How do you feel about other people? 3. Can you lead others? 4. Can you take responsibility? 5. How good an organizer are you? 6. How good a worker are you? 7. Can you make decisions? 8. Can people trust what you say? 9. Can you s ck with it?

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GETTING OUT OF DEBT (continued from page 1) 1. Resolve to spend less than you make 

Make it a habit as fundamental as stopping for red lights. Realize once and for all that if you can't pay for it today ‐‐ you can't afford it.

2. Pick a winner and use it only for emergencies 

Out of all your cards, pick the one or two major credit cards that feature the lowest annual interest rate. Resolve

to use those cards for emergencies only! As for all the other plas c pals in your wallet, remove tempta on by tak‐

ing them out of your wallet. Do whatever it takes not to use them. Or

to make yourself have me to think before using them like freezing

them in a bowl of water so you have to thaw them out to use them.

3. Gather the latest bills from all Debt accounts and start paying on them! 

Line these up on the kitchen table. Find the minimum monthly payment

for each account and then add these up to get an overall monthly mini‐

mum. Pledge to pay this overall minimum PLUS a he y addi onal chunk

every month ‐‐ enough to make a solid dent in the outstanding balance

of at least one account. If you can't pull this off, you'll have to make a

dras c move to increase your income with a 2nd job or by selling things,

or lower your expenses.

4. Pick the highest interest rate account or the account with the smallest 

balance and: A ack! 

Pay extra on this account un l it is paid off and then move on to the next

one. Repeat this process monthly un l the last Debt account is paid in

full.

5. Ask for a lower interest rate 

Grab a bill from any account charging you more than 14% interest. Dial the toll‐free number on the bill and ask to

have your rate reduced ‐‐ say, to 11%. Tell them that you'd really like to stay with them out of customer loyalty

(embellish according to your ac ng skills), but that you have received offers for much‐lower‐rate cards. Expect to

be made very uncomfortable, but stand firm and remember that, to them, you are both a customer and a profit

center. You also stand to save a bundle. The more calls you make, the more persuasive you'll become. 6. Be prudent 

Be aggressive in paying down Debt, but don't get so ambi ous that you risk missing minimum payments on other accounts.

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FLAT STANLEY Kim Stephey About thirty years ago, Jeff Brown wrote a book, Flat Stanley”. In it, Stanley Lambchop was squashed flat by a falling bulle n board above his head as he slept at night. Stanley finds out that being flat can be fun. Since then Flat Stanley has made his way around visi ng people and sharing in their adventures. Earlier this year, Flat Stanley even got the chance to visit the White House to meet President Obama and his family. When Stanley returned to the elementary class that sent him on his trip to the White House, he had a gi , a le er from President Obama along with photos of himself and the first family. Flat Stanley, has now made his way to our Head Start program and will be visi ng all the Head Start classes within the next few weeks. Each class will be able to share an adventure with him. They will pass on their experiences with Flat Stanley to others by wri ng in his jour‐nal and by taking pictures. Once Stanley visits each classroom he will come back to us with the collec on of adventures he was able to share with the children. So far, Stanley has visited several classrooms

and is having so much fun. He did, however, fall in Ms. Dunn and Ms. Brown’s class at Blackburn but don’t worry the chil‐dren doctored him up with a Band‐Aid. It was nice to hear that the children were so concerned with Stanley and were able to make his boo‐boo be er before he had to con nue his journey to the next class. At South County, Flat Stanley gathered around with his new friends during circle me and learned to write the le er “E” and the number “18”. He was then able to play on the playground and play catch with the kids; he even made his way down the slide. When he came in from playing outside, Stanley went po y and washed his hands

with his new friends to prepare for lunch. He even showed up at our office and helped us answer phones one day. He was a big help and although we were sad to see him go, we knew he needed to con nue on his adventures. Young children will delight in discovering all the ways in which flatness can be an adventure. It is a great way for the children to use their crea vity and imagina on while sharing their expe‐riences with Flat Stanley. We look forward to learning about all the other fun things that Flat Stanley and his new Head Start friends will go on.

HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START “HEADLINES” Our lease was up at Rogers Preschool on 15th Street in Bradenton in early March so eight li le ones from our Early Head Start Program were relocated to Morton Clark to join our Head Start children. It was an easy transi on for the children, their parents, and staff. MCAA Head Start was one of fi een HS programs chosen to par cipate in a train‐ing of how to cope with Vic ms of Domes c Violence called Safe Families – Safe

Homes. The first training will be April 12th, 13th, and 14th offered by The Office of Head Start for our Family Advocate staff. Head Start’s T‐Ball and Soccer started last week for the second year. The YMCA provides the coaching at a re‐duced cost per child. YMCA and HS staff assists the par‐ents in coaching the teams. We were able to choose chil‐dren that will be transi oning out of Head Start into kin‐dergarten next year based on a lo ery system. The “Li le Hi ers” meet Thursday evenings at the West Bradenton YMCA, while the “Li le Kickers” meet on Saturday morn‐ings in Parrish. Head Start will be par cipa ng in “The Party in the Park” on Friday, April 22nd at Su on and Lamb Park in Pal‐me o. The annual event follows the Heritage Day Chil‐dren’s Parade and gathers approximately 1,000 children and their families. We will be sharing informa on about our programs with families while each child is given the opportunity to make a cra . The family advocates have been busy mee ng with par‐

ents and comple ng applica ons for the upcoming school year. Families interested in applying for Head Start or Early Head Start should call 750‐6667, ext. 7013 to set up an appointment.

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FPL’S TOP 10 TIPS (continued from page 1) 3. Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically and maximize your energy savings. It also helps to maintain a comfortable temperature when you wake up or return home. 4. Clean or replace your air conditioner's filter regularly to help your unit run more efficiently and trim cooling costs. 5. Turn off your ceiling fan when you leave the room. A fan that runs all the time costs up to $7 a month. Control your water use 6. Use your dishwasher to conserve energy. Avoid pre-rinsing dishes to save up to $70 a year. 7. Limit the time you run your pool pump: Summer - six hours a day Winter - four hours a day Control your appliances 8. Adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water. Always use a cold rinse. 9. Clean the lint filter in your dryer before every load to dry your clothes faster and save money. 10. Use the auto sensor function on your dryer to conserve energy by not over-drying your clothes. Start saving today To see how these tips can impact your electric bill, take an FPL Online Home Energy Survey at www.FPL.com/ohes. You can also learn about other energy-saving tips through FPL's Energy Saving Tool Kit at www.FPL.com/toolkit. Online Home Energy Survey Find ways to save energy Whether you rent or own, FPL's Online Home Energy Survey is an easy and convenient way to get a personalized, ex-pert analysis of your home's energy use, along with specific ways to save, such as: A customized report that you can print and save Detailed information that helps explain FPL's recommendations A "What If" link that shows how making various changes can affect your bill To log on, enter your FPL account number and the last six digits of your social security number. You can also qualify and sign up for FPL's money-saving programs and incentives through this free and useful tool. Visit them online at www.FPL.com/ohes. Home Energy Survey Energy Experts at your service Taking a free Home Energy Survey is a great way to find out the energy efficiency of your home. If you qualify, an FPL Energy Expert will inspect your home and provide valuable tips on how to maximize your home's energy-efficiency, as well as: Provide energy solutions specific to your household needs Review FPL programs and incentives that may be available to you Schedule your free Home Energy Survey today by calling 1-800-DlAL-FPL (1-800-342-5375). On Call® - guaranteed savings on your electric bill Lower your electric bill the easy way with FPL's On Call program. It's a simple way to save as much as $137 a year! By enrolling in On Call, you: Agree to let FPL occasionally turn off equipment you select, for short periods of time and only when absolutely nec-

essary Will receive a monthly credit on your bill even if On Call is not activated Sign up today for guaranteed savings. Visit them online at www.FPL.com/oncall or call 1-800-232-2050. (con nued page 6)

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FPL’S TOP 10 TIPS (continued from page 6) Air-conditioning program - shop with confidence If your air-conditioning system is more than 10 years old, needs frequent repairs and still doesn't keep your home cool, it may be time to replace it with a new high-efficiency model. FPL can help by providing: Substantial rebates to help pay for your new unit Expert information and advice on the buying process A selection of Participating Independent Contractors you can trust who have been evaluated by FPL and have a

record of good views from our customers To see how much easier and more affordable the buying process can be with FPL, request a copy of our free Air-Conditioning Buying Guide by calling 1-800-DIAL-FPL (1-800-342-5375) or visit us online at www.FPL.com/guide. Duct system test and repair - seal in the savings Duct system leaks can cause your electric bill to go up and alter the comfort and air quality of your home. FPL can per-form a fast and easy duct system test to determine if your ducts are sealed properly or if repairs are needed. Here's how the program works: Pay $30 for the first central air-conditioning system to be inspected and $15 for each additional air handler. Receive a complete report of the repairs needed and a list of FPL Participating Independent Contractors qualified to

make the repairs. Get incentives from FPL to help cover the cost of repairs. To schedule a duct system test, simply call 1-800-DIAL-FPL (1-800-342-5375), or visit us online at www.FPL.com/duct. Residential Building Envelope program - improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home Your home's shell - the building envelope - is made up of windows, doors, walls, floors, the roof and insulation. The en-velope is a barrier between your indoor environment and the outdoors. If your building envelope works well, you'll use less energy for lighting, air-conditioning and ventilation systems. » Call to schedule an FPL Home Energy Survey at 1-800-DIAL-FPL (1-800-342-5375). » Let an FPL Energy Expert measure the level of insulation in your home to determine if you're eligible for a rebate and the rebate amount. » Redeem your FPL incentive through any FPL Participating Independent Contractor. Reflective roofs The Participating Independent Contractor determines eligibility, FPL rebate amount, and installs the new roof or

coating/membranes. Contact an FPL Participating Independent Contractor online at www.FPL.com/contractor. BuildSmart® - build in the savings Building or buying a new home is a major investment. FPL's BuildSmart program ensures you're getting the most for your money in terms of energy efficiency. Unlike homes built to comply with state building codes, BuildSmart homes: Can reduce monthly energy bills by up to 30 percent. Are planned, built and inspected with energy efficiency in mind. Are certified by FPL to be built to a higher standard of energy efficiency. Protect your investment and let FPL's Energy Experts help you build a more efficient home. Visit them online at www.FPLBuildSmart.com. For more information on these programs and services, or to schedule an appointment with an FPL Energy Ex-pert for a Home Energy Survey, visit them online at www.FPL.com or call them at 1-800-DIAL-FPL (1-800-342-5375) .

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ANNIVERSARIES January thru March 2011 MCAA Thanks you for all that you do as well and the service and commitment you have given through the years. “The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” ~Vince Lombardi (In order of start date)

NEW FACES January thru March 2011 MCAA welcomes the many new faces that have joined our family. (In order of start date)

Head Start Willie Lee Johnson 45 years Head Start Billie Crawford 45 years Head Start Beverly Robinson 37 years USDA Sarah Eady 33 years Family Support Carol Hunt 33 years Head Start Carol Sullivan 28 years Head Start Ida Ortiz 18 years Head Start Sharon Stewart 16 years Head Start Dian McKinney 13 years Family Support Rick DiGiorgio 13 years Head Start Ann Herron 13 years Head Start Kim Robinson 11 years Administration Amy Palmer 11 years Administration Meredith Gromko 11 years USDA Rosemary Adderley 10 years Head Start Beatriz Martinez 9 years Administration Lynne Vaughan 9 years Family Support Kim Ross 8 years Family Support Maria Scheeres 7 years Head Start Patti Lamoreux 7 years Head Start Nohemy Umana 6 years Head Start Keichana Williams 5 years Head Start Chrislande Charles 5 years

Family Support Bob Terry Weatherization David Harford Head Start Michael Johnson Family Support Yolanda Kearney Family Support Consuelo E. Concepcion Family Support RosaLinda San Miguel Administration Parnell E. Lalonde IV

Head Start Juana Ortega 5 years Head Start Bernatta Murray 4 years Family Support Donna Zacharias 3 years Head Start Sara Stalnaker 3 years Head Start Phanta Hinton 3 years Administration Linda Ellington 3 years USDA Pete Plaia 3 years Head Start Monica Perry 2 years Head Start Joyce Mathis 2 years Head Start Sharon Griffith 2 years Head Start Maria Cuella 1 year Head Start Janice Baity 1 year Family Support Shujwana Lamy 1 year Head Start Dianne Spencer 1 year Family Support Ruby Rodriguez 1 year Family Support Georgia Ramos 1 year Head Start Dwan Freeman 1 year Head Start Javier Reyes-Vimos 1 year Head Start Luz Vimos 1 year