WINTER 2015

Board of DirectorsMark Kotte, PresidentJennifer Hanna, Vice PresidentLaurie Peterson, SecretarySteven McCoin, TreasurerBernard AndersonDennis ArnoldBeverly BeyerMark ClinchTerry LindbergSonny O’ConnorGayle RogersLauren SatchwellAshley ScarboroughTimothy ShaferCatherine Spitz

OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DEBORAH WHITE

Happy New Year to All ~2014 was an impactful year at MCCA! With the help of over 200 individuals and over 70 foundations, organizations, corporations, and churches, we were able to impact the lives of over 8,000 community members. We provided $3,345,343 in direct client assistance and leveraged $753,000 in homeownership promotion and preservation.

I am honored to introduce you to three of the individuals who you helped to posi-tively impact last year. A Domestic Violence Survivor: “I didn’t love myself, but the Neville House staff loved me until I was strong enough to love myself. They not only saved me, they saved one little girl’s mommy.”A former Mayors Manor Resident: “I am so appreciative for MM. It provided me a home and support for two years to progress in my life. I was sleeping in a car before moving into MM and now I have a place on my own and a full-time job in the com-munity.” A Weatherization Recipient: “My utility bill for March was the lowest it’s been since I can remember. I am definitely seeing changes. I cannot wait to see what happens down the road!! There are not enough words to thank you and everyone who works on and contributes to this program! Thank you so much!!”

I am pleased to share some additional outcomes that you helped make possible: 96% of people fleeing to Neville House reported feeling safer from abuse; and, 95% of domestic violence survivors in counseling reported a reduction in trauma symptoms. 92% of residents living at Mayors Manor supportive housing accomplished their an-nual life plan goals. 88% of people in crisis reported maintaining safe and affordable housing six months after receiving financial assistance and education.To view our full annual report, please visit our website www.mccainc.org.

Help us make 2015 impactful!Join us in celebrating our 50 years of service. We are seeking 50 people to share MCCA memories and milestones since 1965. Please contact Kristen at kristens@mccainc.org or me at dwhite@mccainc.org to participate.

I look forward to seeing you at MCCA and in our McLean and Livingston communities. In closing, I would like to share a quote from Terry Lindberg, MCCA Board member: “Sometimes our neighbors face obstacles they cannot overcome on their own. MCCA provides ways our community can lend its collective strength to people in need.”

Sincerely,

Deb

Cash Bar, Auction & Activities: 6:00 p.m.Dinner & Program: 7:00 p.m.Auction Check-out: 8:30 p.m.

Tickets : $50 per personTable of 10 Sponsorship: $450

Registration: 11:00 a.m. Shot gun: 12:30 p.m. Happy Hour: 5:00 p.m. Dinner: 6:00 p.m. Dinner Tickets : $65 per person

Golf Foursome: $550

For additional details and sponsorship opportunities contact Kristen Sand: (309) 834-9254 or kristens@mccainc.org

MCCA celebrates 50 years of work in our communities in 2015! MCCA has been fortunate to have a strong impact because of continuous community support. In 2015, we will celebrate with “MCCA in May” and hope you will join us for one of the exciting events below and help support MCCA’s legacy of Healthy Relationships, Healthy Finances, Healthy Homes and Healthy Neighborhoods into the future.

Save the DateMAY 18, 2015

2nd Annual MCCA Golf Outing & Dinner

To Help Drive out Domestic Violence

5th Annual Seeds of ChangeAt the Marriott Hotel, Uptown Normal

Save the DateFriday, May 1, 2015

MCCA Out and About in the Community

We Care Twin Cities 1/2 Marathon Water Station volunteers

Ground Breaking Ceremony for WBHC Habitat Home

Take Back the Night Event at ISU

Mayors Manor Hippie Halloween

BELATED HOLIDAY WISHES FROM MCCA STAFF!

Mike WINNER OF UGLY SWEATER CONTEST!

MCCA staff & volunteers enjoy meeting community members and having the opportunity to share our programs. Please contact Kristen (kristens@mccainc.org) to share your upcoming event information. Thanks.

Bethany, Deborah and Laura

Neville House 24 Hr Hotline

(309)827-7070

Please consider donating your used Cell Phoneto Neville House

These phones are used as part of a 9-1-1 Safety Plan and recycled for Client Assistance funds.

Drop-OffMonday through Friday

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.1301 W. Washington St.

Bloomington, IL

If you would like to host a Cell Phone Drive at your business or church, please call the Neville

House Business Line - (309) 828-8913

Our CDV team displayed the Clothesline project and Silent Witnesses at our agency last October.

Thank You to Chuck’s Harley-Davidson & Friends

MCCA would like to say THANK YOU to all the dedicated volunteers who gave of their time & talents to MCCA during 2014! We are thankful for the support & couldn’t do it without you!

JoAnn Smith Donna Smaling Lucy Moore Judy Green Marilee White Elaine Herzog Linda Morreau Gerry Decker Charles Bruno Donna Bruno Heidi Menard Hussain Hussaini John Colson Julie Lee Kristen Crombie Lauren Abriani Neha Raizada Nick Rizzo Paras Shah Theodore Shepard Vincent Ferrari Suma Saligram Dan Mulholland Darcy Dague Jason King Carol Leary Jean Girardi Ethel Koney Nicole Jovicevic Veronica Watson Kay Mills Bob Ballantini Vickie Smith

Helen GuthAnn Forbes Sue ReecerElsie FitchDina OaksBrad Williams Kathy ToshNancy Zeigler Sue MorganAnn PelhankDianne WilliamsRob StoopAnn KistnerMatthew DeSalvo Megan WatsonKaren FlemingMike FogleCarol AldridgePhillis CelliniTonya Rose Judy GreenJanice WheatleyJan HazekampAnn Fritz Alexis KalishCameron KurtzEmily McLeodFelicia ShawMichael ThomasRenesia MartinSue Jefferson

Thanks again for your support of MCCA through volunteer service. *We apologize for anyone we may have missed.

Thank you for your generous donation of Chuck’s boxes for our Neville House families and for the support of Neville House throughout the year. Our CDV team appreciates your continued support of our mission.

Livingston County News

Best Wishes For Retirement MCCA celebrated the work and accomplishments of two employees over the last month.

Kathleen Frank retired in December 2014. Kathleen joined MCCA in March of 2011 to provide administrative assistance to our leadership team. Kathleen provided great talent in design-ing our agency newsletter and flyers, helped implement our agency events, and her organizational skills provided support to the overall MCCA team.

Valorie Casson retired in January 2015. Valorie joined MCCA in July 2011 as the Program Coordinator for Mayors Manor. Valorie has done an excellent job overseeing the daily opera-tions of Mayors Manor and providing a supportive environment for residents. She has been a positive presence at both Mayors Manor and our Homeless Coalition partners. Valorie took over at Mayors Manor during a challenging time and worked on re-vamping Mayors Manor processes and procedures. She is great at problem solving, conflict resolution, and utilizing resources from the community. Valorie has been a great team member and we appreciate her commitment and dedication.

Kathleen (left) helped welcome and train our new Administrative Assistant, Theressa, prior to retirement.

COMING THIS SPRING 3rd Annual Westside 5K.

Watch for more details on how to get involved. For questions please contact Kristen Sand; kristens@mccainc.org

MCCA Expanding Services to Livingston County Thanks to Grant Award

Thanks to The Caterpillar Foundation, MCCA will expand services in Livingston County to include their Opportunities for Financial Stability Program. MCCA received a $45,000 grant from the Caterpillar Foundation to help launch the program in 2015. The OFS program is similar to the Next Step Options program that MCCA launched last year in McLean County, thanks to a grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Women to Women Giving Circle. MCCA has seen success in participants in the McLean County program and looks forward to celebrat-ing that success in Livingston County as well.

The OFS program is a long term commitment between MCCA and the individual to partner to make sustainable changes in their lives. The program is not a traditional community action program. While there may be resources available to assist in reaching one’s financial goals this program really explores the individual’s vision for their long-term goals and developing a plan to reach them. The program is designed to help women who are ready to get out of a crisis lifestyle. Women who enroll in this program will have a life coach and financial coach to help identify and achieve goals. There is no cost for the services because Caterpillar is partnering to invest in women’s lives in Livingston County.

The partnership between The Caterpillar Foundation and MCCA shows the strong commitment from both organiza-tions to help women reach their full potential. The Caterpillar Foundation’s mission to turn the spiral of poverty into a path of prosperity by investing in those proven to yield the best results – women and girls is the perfect complement to MCCA’s mis-sion to educate, equip and empower individuals and families toward financially secure violence free lives. Valorie (right) had the op-

portunity to show our new program coordinator, Melis-sa, the ropes at Mayors Man-or prior to her retirement.

Caterpillar representative presenting MCCA staff with the grant award.

Next Step

News Financial Workshop Series

Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.Mid Central Community Action

1301 W. Washington St.Bloomington, IL 61701

Who qualifies?

* SINGLE individuals with no dependents and income should be $35,000 or less* If you are SINGLE WITH DEPENDENTS your income should be $55,000 or less* If you are MARRIED your combined incomes should be $55,000 or less.Please bring: * Tax information such as W-2, 1099, etc.* Social Security cards (or ITINS) for all persons on the return* Government issued picture ID*Copy of your 2013 Federal Tax Return

FREE IRS TAX PREPARATIONIRS VITA PROGRAM

Have your federal and state tax returns prepared by an IRS-certified volunteer for FREE.

VITA services are provided by the Bloomington-Normal VITA Foundation and Mt. Moriah Christian Church.

February 2 - You and Your Credit Score - *Participants are provided a free credit report from 3 credit bureaus with scores (a $39 value)

February 9 - Personal Budgeting February 16 - Cost of Credit Cards and Personal Loans Light dinner provided for participants.

Ask about our free financial coaching services

All workshops held at 5:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Mid Central Community Action 1301 W. Washington St. Bloomington, IL 61701

Class size is limited so RSVP is required *A signed release for the free credit report MUST be submitted by 4:30

p.m. the Friday before the workshop to receive a copy of your report.

Call or e-mail NOW to register (309) 834-9244 kelleys@mccainc.org

Watch MCCA’s web site for the most up to date class schedule.

Celebrating Success!

Next Step participants show off their certificates that highlight their success of meeting financial goals.

In December, MCCA celebrated with several Next Step Partici-pants to highlight reaching particular financial goals and to motivate each other to continue moving forward. The luncheon celebrated participants success of decreasing debt, finding employment, maintaining their budget while decreasing debt and making choices to lessen their housing cost to decrease debt. Each participant received a certificate to help keep them motivated towards future goals. During the luncheon, participants had the opportunity to share the goals they met and what motivated them to obtain the goal. They also shared their future goals and our financial coaches shared how our agency can assist in those goals.

One participant brought along another family member, who enrolled in Next Step and looks forward to her own celebration luncheon.

Interested in learning more about Next Step and the Coaching Services available, contact Jenna Kearns (309) 834-9211 or jennak@mccainc.org)

Check out our Homebuyer Education Online Classes at

www.mccainc.org

MCCA wants your feedback! The Community Needs Assessment for 2015 is ready for distribution. The purpose of the Community Needs Assessment is to measure the importance and satisfaction levels community individuals place on a number of topics ranging from the availability of affordable health care to the opportunities available to continue an individual’s educa-tion. The paper version of the Community Needs Assessment is available at numerous public locations throughout McLean and Livingston Coun-ties and this year is available electronically, utilizing Survey Monkey, through the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CNA_2015. We encourage anyone in McLean and Livingston Counties to complete the assessment using the paper version or the link. Your opinion is valuable to us as we make future service and funding decisions. Thank you for helping improve our community!

Green Winter Tips to Save Money and the Planet

Your Home Energy Savers Book – Project Energy Savers, LLC

Adjust Your Thermostat: Set it high in the summer, to 78 degrees. It should be warm but still feel comfortable. Turn on a fan before turning on the air conditioner. In the winter, set the thermostat at 68 degrees and reach for a sweater before turning it up. For every one degree you turn down the temperature, you will save up to 5 percent in heating costs or about $45 during the winter heating season. Five degrees can save up to $225! Turn Down the Water Temperature: Your water heater has a thermostat that controls the heat of your water. Set it to 120 degrees. This will save you energy and save you from scalding hot water.

Unplug Your Second Refrigerator: A second refrigerator can use a lot of energy. About 7 percent of your home’s energy use goes to powering your refrigerator – and that amount is doubled if you own two. You can save up to $250 on your annual electricity costs by using just one refrigerator.

Collaborative Construction Zone

MCCA recently purchased our second home on W. Jefferson St. in Bloomington as part of the West Bloomington Hous-ing Collaborative (WBHC) Revitalization efforts. This purchase is the second of 13 homes that will be revitalized by MCCA as a partner in the WBHC.

Construction will begin soon and should be completed by late spring. Rehab work includes a new roof, kitchen remodel and updating the heating system. The team will also focus on preserving the original aspects of the house; including beautiful woodwork. MCCA will host an open house for this home during the Community Innovation Fair on April 25, 2015.

The WBHC was formed last year as a collaborative focused on housing on the Westside of Bloomington. The WBHC received funds from the IL Attorney General’s office. MCCA is one of eight community partners committed to the col-laborative and one of three organizations that will organize housing construction projects. In addition to MCCA’s 13 rehabs, Habitat for Humanity will build 3 homes and the West Bloomington Revitalization Project will complete 20 homeowner occupied projects. For more information, please contact Jennifer Baker, Director of Rehabs & Revitalization (309) 834-9237 or jenniferb@mccainc.org.

You’re Invited!

Community Innovation Fair

Friendship Park Neighborhood Area, West Bloomington April 25, 2015

Visit our web site for more info on how to participate (mccainc.org)

Questions or more information, please contact Jennifer Baker, Director of Rehabs & Revitalization (309) 834-9237 or jenniferb@mccainc.org

Contractor Informational Meeting

for MCCA’s Rehab Program as part of West Bloomington Housing Collaborative

February 12, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00pm

Mid Central Community Action 1301 W. Washington St. Bloomington, IL

Refreshments provided

Please RSVP by February 9, 2014 to Jennifer Baker at jenniferb@mccainc.org or

ph. (309) 834-9237

Support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop at smile.amazon.com. Same selection and low prices as amazon.com with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to MCCA. Here is the link: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/37-0903245

How to contact us:McLean County Office

1301 W. Washington St.Bloomington, IL 61701

(309) 829-0691Fax: (309) 828-8811

Livingston County Office210 W Water St. Suite 1E

Pontiac, IL 61764(815) 844-3201

McLean County DomesticViolence

24-hour Hotline(309) 827-7070Mayor’s Manor

Supportive Housing504 W. Washington St.Bloomington, IL 61701

(309) 827-2967

by email:mcca@MCCAinc.org

on the web:www.MCCAinc.org

www.facebook.com/MCCAincwww.twitter.com/MCCAinc

NOTE: If you would prefer to receive an electronic copy of the newsletter, email theressal@mccainc.org

Mid Central Community Action, Inc. 1301 W. Washington St. Bloomington, IL 61701 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Please consider partnering with us to “Educate, Equip & Empower individuals & families toward financially secure, violence free lives.”