COMMUNITY

ACTION

AGENCY

OF

SAINT

LOUIS

C O U N T Y

T H E S T E P P I N G S TO N E THE MISSION OF CAASTLC, INC IS TO END POVERTY.

Don’t Believe the Hype By James Ingram A recent study funded by the Justice Department and conducted by Carnegie Mellon University concluded that, for instance, after about 7 ½ years, the “hazard rate” for an 18-year-old first-time arrestee (for robbery) declined to the same rate as an 18-year-old in the general population. This so-called “hazard rate” is calculated based Some of that is due, in part, to the upon the time that a suspect remains free abundance of mythology surrounding the from re-arrest. perception of what it means to be an exoffender or “ex-con”, as they are often However, as Sir Winston Churchill once said “A lie travels half-way around the world described. before the truth has a chance to put its pants You’ve heard and, perhaps, even contributed on.” So it is with the mythology surrounding to the myth-spreading. “Educated people ex-offenders.The facts are that the reasons never go to jail” is one commonly held for employing ex-offenders far outweigh the misconception. Ever heard of Bernie Madoff negatives. The truth is that many exor Martha Stewart? offenders receive valuable employment skills during their incarceration because Perhaps you’ve heard and even contributed many prisons produce and sell a vast array to the myth-spreading. “Educated people of products in competitive markets, all never go to jail” is one commonly held produced through inmate labor. misconception. Ever heard of Bernie Madoff or Martha Stewart? How about this one: Secondly, many prisoners take advantage of “Once a con, always a con”. Have you ever educational opportunities during their heard of Judge Greg Mathis of the “Judge incarceration, with many receiving their Mathis” TV show? Mathis’ opening to GED, college degrees, culinary or even every show talks about his criminal record computer skills during their confinement. (as a youth) and how he focused on education, went on to law school, and According to government statistics, 650,000 leave state and federal institutions annually eventually became a judge and TV star. In our current economy, it is difficult for even the most skilled and astute job seeker to secure employment. Compound that challenge with the stigma of being an exoffender, and even in “ideal” economic times the odds are oftentimes insurmountable.

(with 12 million leaving local jails) and $60 billion is being spent on corrections every year. Employing ex-offenders assists them in becoming productive, tax-paying, members of American society. Employers, in turn, receive the benefit of motivated, appreciative, and skilled employees; eliminating one of the primary reasons for recidivism, which is chronic unemployment. But there’s more. Employers who employ ex-offenders can apply for a Work Opportunity Ta x Credit (www.irs.ustreas.gov), which allows them to receive a federal tax credit up to $2,400 for each qualified new worker. If an employer works in an industry which requires bonding, The Federal Bonding Program www.bonds4jobs.com offers individual bonds to employers (free of charge) for job applicants who are denied coverage by commercial insurance carriers. The bond protects the employer in the event of any loss of money, property, or due to theft or some other dishonest act. Now that we have the facts, that leaves only one final question: employers what are you waiting for?

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Back to School Resource Fair Uplifting The Community Basics Computer Class

2 3 4

Another Satisfied Weatherization Customer Link Between Obesity and Malnutrition Heath Watch

5 6 8

Community Action Agency of Saint Louis County. 2709 Woodson Road. Saint Louis. MO. 63114. Merline P. Anderson - Executive Director.

PAGE 1

B ACK TO SCHOOL RESOURCE FAIR

On August 5th, 2010, CAASTLC helped 500 children and families start the school year off right by providing fully stocked backpacks. In addition to school supplies, there were over 30 local organizations providing a wide range of services, including free haircuts. It’s going to be a great 2010 - 2011 school year! 5th 3rd Bank’s E Bus - a bus that serves as a mobile classroom - stopped to by to help visitors receive one-on-one credit counseling, free credit reports, foreclosure assistance and homeownership guides. The bus was a valuable addition to this year’s fair. PAGE 2

Uplifting the Community By: Cedric Jackson Community Action Agency of St. Louis County has been in the business of helping families and individuals chart a path out of poverty since 1968. In addition to assisting low-income households with a host of programs that offer financial as well as housing assistance ― CAASTLC also offers encouragement to the community it serves to get involved through awareness and by educating themselves on the concepts and principles of self-empowerment. This is not to say that poverty is somehow unrelated to well-defined social-ills that many individuals, for any number of reasons, cannot cope with successfully on their own. Most of us have at least some understanding that perhaps the most common social dysfunction that often leads to a state of poverty is drug and alcohol abuse. Men and women trapped in a constant battle between sobriety and addiction―who invariably find themselves caught up in the criminal justice system, are often referred to CAASTLC’s drug and alcohol abuse program. In speaking with in-house clinical supervisor,Vern Johannes, a large number of offenders that go through the program are more likely to use alcohol or marijuana as their substance of choice. And as with any attempt at helping someone to turn

his or her life around, success is often a tough measure given the state of mind and motivation of those individuals who enter and complete the program. Of course there are many contributing factors in the cycle of poverty. The lack of a livable wage job; a source of steady income, is foremost among them. What better way to help minimize the effects of poverty than by helping those in need find gainful employment? Chris Boyd, Case Manager Coordinator, oversees CAASTLC’s Family Development Case Management program. In this home-based initiative, Chris provides assistance and support by fostering relationships with men and women who desire to transition from a state of being unemployed to employed.

Outside of the daily challenge of helping those in need find the means to sustain themselves and making measurable strides toward eliminating poverty, CAASTLC is also involved in helping low income families reduce their overall energy costs through the Weatherization program. Madeline Buthod―Weatherization Administrative Assistant, helps support the program by providing guidance to intake workers who accept the initial application from individuals seeking to have their home weatherized.

Clients are often pleasantly surprised at the amount of savings and other benefits they can expect to experience in terms of having a more energy efficient home as a result of keeping heat in and cold air out during winter, and vice versa during The second and perhaps longer the summer months. And having term challenge is trying to ensure the earned an degree in sociology, client maintains an active employment Madeline’s efforts and dedication status, which often revolves around extend beyond the weatherization transportation to and from work. program as she cares for everyone Such potential stumbling-blocks can who comes through CAASTLC’s either be a personal issue or a doors. community issue. Chris’s mission is to intervene with available resources in When it comes to the range of either instance. She will work with assistance that’s available through the client to perhaps seek CAASTLC, she certainly believes in employment with an employer that doing her part to inform and educate provides some sort of transportation the community. assistance.

Pictures of CAASTLC’s Board hard at work during their annual retreat. This year’s theme was “Under Construction.” PAGE 3

‘The Basics’ Computer Class Takes It’s First Steps in Improving Computer Literacy By Adam Buzard The other day I was sitting at an outside table at a cafe, which was a bad idea in the first place because it was 173 degrees. Okay, not really, but it was hot. As I sat there attempting to answer some emails on my phone, I couldn’t help but notice the amount of technology walking around me. Almost every person who walked past was talking on their cell phone, using a bluetooth headset, texting, or carrying their laptops with them. A guy two tables over was using a “e-reader” to enjoy a book.

continue to use and learn new technologies. Having the ability to learn how they work allows for individuals to keep up and adapt to the new technology.

Technology has completely shaped the way we interact with the world and the people around us, from social networking, to doing our jobs, even to how we read books.

A recent grad, Regina, emailed from home on the equipment she received from CAASTLC, ”Now I can search for a job and not feel like I am in a stressful environment and not have someone looking over my shoulder waiting for me to finish.”

As technology continues to advance at a breakneck pace, it becomes increasingly more difficult to stay current. CAASTLC, Inc. is helping people by offering a Basics Computer Class that provides participants with the basics to navigating computers. This three day class gives students the ability to understand the basics, but more than that, it provides them with the tools to

Recent graduates and staff of CAASTLC”s Step Up to Leadership pose after completing the 12-week intensive class.

If attendees complete The Basics Computer Class, along with our Employment Class, they qualify for a free computer with 6 months of prepaid internet access to assist them in their job hunt and continued education, as well as providing an opportunity to keep practicing their newfound skills.

Helping people feel comfortable and be better qualified to enter the job force is what it is all about. CAASTLC, Inc. is excited about continuing to offer this class and to help people learn new skills and acquire new jobs in order to break the cycle of poverty, one computer click at a time.

R ITH HE W A N OK REGI SHE TO NG R E T U ETI COMP OMPL C R E T AF HOME ASS! THE CL

These graduates are now equipped to serve their communities in very powerful, tangible and impacful ways. Congratulations! PAGE 4

Another Satisfied Weatherization Customer

WEATHERIZATION WORKS!

By Madeline Buford

In December 2009, Ms. M from the Mackenzie area of South St. Louis County was approved for the Weatherization Program. After conducting a thorough energy audit of her home, weatherization auditors found that her house would benefit from several air sealing measures among other repairs. With the help of grant money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, CAASTLC was able to insulate her attic, caulk windows, and install door sweeps and weather stripping. The energy audit, which includes testing for gas and carbon monoxide leaks, checking the overall efficiency of the furnace and hot water heater, inspecting the insulation, and measuring air flow through a home, also uncovered a furnace that was in desperate need of repairs. Luckily, furnace repair and replacement is not a problem for the Weatherization Program.

Top: Auditors test window seals. Middle: Weatherization staff represent CAASTLC at resource fair. Bottom: Auditor completing pipe inspection.

Top: Auditor climbs up to the attic to replace insulation. Bottom: Measuring and repairing drying vents.

The air sealing measures performed reduced the amount of air leakage in the home by more than 25%.

Community Action Agency ensures quality work on all homes. Once our licensed, certified, and insured contractors have completed the necessary work, one of our BPI (Building Performance Institute) certified inspectors conducts a final inspection to make sure all of the work performed was done When the work was finished, Ms. M. accurately and efficiently. On top of this, there is a one year warranty on all of was asked if she was satisfied with the the work completed. service. She replied, “The auditors, Ms. M. has now become an advocate for the program. She tells everyone she Denny and Felix, were wonderful. They knows about her experience with the Weatherization Program and how it has were polite, they paid attention to saved her money, saves on energy and increases the comfort in her home. She details and they fixed my furnace right says that her home is less drafty and fells a lot more comfortable. away. I could feel a difference If you would like your home weatherized as well, or know of someone who immediately!” In fact the difference could benefit from the service, simply call Madeline Buthod at (314) 446-4436 Ms. M could feel was significant. to be put on the list for the program. PAGE 5

COMMU N I T Y GARDEN G O I N G I N AT BETHANY-PEACE.

The Link Between Obesity and Malnutrition by Katherine Lucas-Johnson A few weeks ago I read an article in a national publication which sited that Individuals who shopped in upscale supermarkets were healthier and much more physically fit than the individuals who shopped at low end and/or bargain priced grocery stores. That is most likely entirely true; because most individuals who shop at upscale stores do not live in poverty; they have resources to accommodate them purchasing the appropriate foods with the appropriate nutritional value to maintain optimum weight and a balanced healthy life style.

suffering morbidly obese individual, most people assume that this person must be consuming more than the appropriate amount of food and that they are not putting forth an effort to eat right and live a healthy life style. Wikipedia defines malnutrition as follows, the insufficient excessive or imbalanced consumption of nutrients. A number of different nutrition disorders may arise depending on which nutrients are under or overabundant in the diet.

Starvation is rare in the United States, however a pervasive form What many of us fail to see is of malnutrition continues to the link between obesity and manifest among the low income. malnutrition; it’s easy to look at When funds are low, many pictures of emaciated adults and individuals will cut their budgets children in developing countries by cutting back on the quantity and believe that they are starving and most of all the quality of and malnourished. We don’t feel food they are able to purchase. the same way when we see a ...continued on page 7

STATISTICS SNAP SHOT OF POVERTY LOCATION:

Saint Louis City

Saint Louis County

County Population

350,759

995,118

Percent Impoverished

23%

8.6%

Persons in Poverty

80,675

85,580 PAGE 6

The Link Between Obesity & Malnutrition continued...

The US census bureau identifies those at greatest risk of being hungry and at the edge of malnutrition as living in households headed by single mothers. Households with children experience food insecurity at almost double the rate of households without children, geographically most food insecure households are located in states in the midwest and south. The World Health Organization states that protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) first observed in developing countries has been described in increasing frequency in hospitalized and chronically ill children in the United States. PEM impairs physical growth of

cognitive reasoning, impairs the development of the brain, liver, heart, small bowel, muscular structure and other organs. Effective solutions to the crisis of malnutrition according to the Danforth Foundation must involve interventions spanning a diverse spectrum of disciplines including healthcare, agriculture and home economics. One of the ways CAASTLC attempts to fight back against malnutrition and food insecurity is through the development of Community Gardens. Community Garden projects can produce nutritious food at a fraction of the cost of purchasing the same produce at a grocery

store. Community Garden projects have helped to improve food security in several communities throughout the United States. Individuals working in Community Garden Projects have increased awareness and access to the benefits of healthy fresh foods; this is “key” in developing a healthy lifestyle and paramount in fighting nutritional obesity problems related to eating style. CAASTLC is excited about these local gardens and knows that by providing fresh and healthy food, we can provide a better example for our children, and encourage hope for the future health of our communities.

PARTICIPANTS FROM ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY GARDENS THAT ARE GROWING ALL OVER SAINT LOUIS COUNTY!

VOLUNTEERS HELP BUILD, PLANT, WATER, AND MAINTAIN THE GARDENS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS VEGETABLES. PAGE 7

Heath Watch by Marzelle Jackson It’s been a hot summer.

Here are some tips on how to recognize a heat related illness: Heat Rash – skin irritation that looks like a cluster of red pimples or small blisters. Heat Cramps - painful muscle spasms in the arms, legs or abdomen. Body temperature is normal; skin feels moist and cool but sweaty. Heat syncope – fainting, sudden onset of dizziness, skin is pale and sweaty but remains cool. Heart rate is rapid body temperature is normal. Heat Exhaustion – thirsty, giddy, weak, uncoordinated, nauseous and sweating profusely, skin is cold and clammy. Heat Stroke – life threatening condition – when the body loses its ability to control its temperature. Victims almost always die, so immediate medical attention is essential. Develops a fever that rapidly rises to dangerous levels within minutes, body temperature of 104F (40C0 or higher, confusion, combativeness, staggering, strong rapid pulse, dry flushed skin, lack of sweating, delirium or coma.

Become familiar and check your skin regularly. If any of these symptoms arise or you find anything unusual seek medical attention or see your doctor right away. Stay safe! PAGE 8

Community Action Agency of Saint Louis County, Inc. 2709 Woodson Road Overland, MO 63114 Phone: 314.863.0015 Website: www.caastlc.org