IRS will accept applications for funding for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) grant programs. Many Community Action Agencies across America receive VITA funding to provide free tax filing assistance to underserved populations in hardest-to-reach urban and non-urban areas, to increase the capacity of targeted taxpayers to file returns electronically, and to train volunteers. The TCE program enables grantees to provide tax counseling and return preparation to persons 60 or older and gives training and technical assistance to volunteers.

IRS will accept VITA and TCE grant applications between June 1st- July 9th, 2010. A conference call is scheduled for June 1, 2010, to provide an overview of the grant programs to potential applicants.

10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. EDT 888.622.5357 access code 242499
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EDT 888.622.5357 access code 242499

The topics that will be covered in each session are the same. Please plan to attend only one session. The initial portion of the call will be in listen only mode to avoid interruptions. The later portion of the call will be a question and answer session with the audience. If more than one individual is participating from your organization, please share a phone line. Each session is limited to 200 lines. Callers may access the call up to five minutes before the scheduled time.

The presentation will be available on the VITA Grant page,www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=184243,00.html, on IRS.gov on Friday, May 28. It will be under the "What's New" section titled ‘2011 VITA/TCE Grant Overview.’ We will reference each slide as we discuss.

If you are unable to attend one of these sessions or there are no lines available, please review the presentation material, which includes our notes. Send any questions to grant.program.office@irs.gov (VITA) or tce.grant.office@irs.gov (TCE).

The application packages for these two grants will be available June 1, 2010, on IRS.gov. They are:

• Publication 4671, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Grant 2011 Program Overview and Application Package, and
• Publication 1101, Tax Counseling for the Elderly 2011 Application Package and Guidelines for Managing a TCE Program.

 

Windows in the US account for 30% of building heating and cooling energy loss. Check out this webinar by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Technologies Program, “Cost-Effective Triple Pane (R-5) and Low-e Storm Windows.” There is no cost to sign up for this webinar.

DOE Webinar June 22, 2010: Cost-Effective Triple Pane (R-5) and
Low-e Storm Windows Available Now

May 25, 2010

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Building Technologies Program is offering a webinar on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. EST titled "Cost-Effective Triple Pane (R-5) and Low-e Storm Windows” Available Now."

Windows in the United States account for 30% of building heating and cooling energy loss, and represent a key opportunity for improving the energy efficiency of buildings. This webinar will provide information about DOE's effort to bring affordable triple pane and low-e storm windows to the marketplace. Through the launch of a new DOE-sponsored volume purchase program, builders and distributors can buy these windows at a competitive price. Learn more.

Specifically, our speakers will present:

• An overview of DOE's window technology research
• How the volume purchase program has made these windows affordable
• Energy-savings and high-performance design opportunities
• Window products specifications and pricing
• Information on how to purchase these windows.

Target audience:
This webinar is intended for any organization that purchases windows in large volume, including weatherization agencies, housing authorities, builders, contractors, and distributors.

Presenters:

• Marc LaFrance: Technology manager for Building Envelope and Windows Research and Development, DOE
• Christian Kohler: Windows & Daylighting Research Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• Graham Parker: Senior staff engineer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Jason Bogovich: Manager, Energetics, Inc.
• Nils Petermann: Project manager, Efficient Windows Collaborative, Alliance to Save Energy
• Terry Mapes: Engineer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

This webinar is free of charge, but you must register in advance to obtain the URL and password for logging on via the Internet, and the phone number to connect to the audio. Learn more about the webinar.

Visit the Building Technologies Program Web site for information about research and development of technologies and practices to achieve the goal of marketable net-zero energy commercial and residential buildings.

There is no cost for this informative webinar, and you should RSVP now.

Independent Sector is pleased to begin accepting nominations for the inaugural American Express NGen Leadership Award. This award was created to honor an outstanding nonprofit leader under age 40 who has had a transformative impact on addressing society’s critical needs.

By recognizing the contributions of young leaders to the nonprofit and philanthropic community, this award highlights both the promise and impact of emerging leaders. Nominations will be accepted through Monday, June 14. Self-nomination is not admissible for this award.

This award extends Independent Sector’s commitment to encouraging emerging leaders in the nonprofit and philanthropic community. Among IS signature programs is NGen: Moving Nonprofit Leaders from Next to Now, a special series of professional development sessions for individuals under 40 taking place at Independent Sector's Annual Conference. NGen has also expanded to include the American Express NGen Fellows program, which provides an accomplished and diverse group of 12 emerging leaders with exceptional opportunities to hone their leadership skills, strengthen their professional networks, and develop a collaborative project focused on issues important to young leaders.

To be eligible for the award, a leader must work for a U.S.-based nonprofit or non-governmental organization and have had a transformative, measurable impact within his or her field, beyond just one organization.
Once the nominations have been submitted, they will be evaluated by a selection committee of nonprofit leaders. Finalists will be asked to submit answers to brief essay questions and those responses will be posted on the IS website for public voting by NGen program participants. These results will be incorporated into the committee’s final decision.

Please visit the IS website to nominate an outstanding under-40 nonprofit leader. The winner of the NGen Leadership Award will be announced in late August, and will be recognized during the IS Annual Conference in Atlanta, October 20-22.

If you live outside the Washington, DC area and you don’t watch “Morning Joe” on MSNBC or read the Sunday New York Times, you may not be familiar with Politico.

Politico is faithfully read and cited by politicians, policymakers, and people-of-influence who work on and/or care about national affairs and politics. It is a highly-respected publication.

Therefore, when the photo showing the Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency job fair, displaying their/the Partnership’s logo, it was very cool.

Kudos to M-DCAA and Julieanne Edwards, Executive Director, for this subliminal marketing photo, and more importantly, for the excellent work that the staff and board of directors do every day to help those in need in Miami an Dade County.

Reprinted with permission from Politico

Now, more than ever, it’s essential that we tell on Community Action success stories in as many media and public information outlets as possible. Whether our stories and case studies are about direct service accomplishments and results—the number of homes we’ve weatherized; families we’ve fed, sheltered, or prevented foreclosure on their homes; or taught in Head Start—or are about, effective, high-visibility advocacy activities, we can all work together to publicize your work. Here’s another great story from Community Action of Laramie County in Wyoming about their impressive poverty simulation

Poverty simulation opens eyes
By Baylie Evans

CHEYENNE -- A poverty simulation on Thursday was a wakeup call for dozens of people who left feeling frustrated or baffled by how to escape the cycles of poverty.

The annual poverty simulation, presented by Community Action of Laramie County, invited community members to take on a hypothetical situation and be put in the shoes of a very low-income individual.

In a conference room on the Laramie County Community College campus, the participants had to visit different stations, which represented various businesses and human service agencies in a hypothetical city.

They were asked to try to navigate the web of agencies and day-to-day life in order to keep their homes, feed their families and survive.

Sometimes the agencies could help them with housing, rent, food or utilities. Sometimes they couldn't. Businesses scammed people, drug dealers lured in teenagers, and police officers took offenders to jail.
It all was meant to simulate the "day-to-day realities that are faced by people in poverty," Paula Dickson, the director of Community Action of Laramie County, said.

The goal was to teach several lessons to the participants, including compassion and an understanding of the trials of poverty. It also was meant to open the eyes of those administering the programs aimed at helping the needy in the real world. Many of the participants were workers at such agencies here.

At the end of the morning, many ended up feeling hopeless and frustrated by a system that doesn't seem to work for the people it serves, but against them.

Some were surprised by the inefficiency of the programs, which required endless paperwork or long lines. People often were sent one place, only to learn that the agency couldn't help after all.

Kathy Kennedy was a participant in the simulation and has spent her whole life in poverty. She said the simulation was quite true to life. "We have a system now that encourages people to stay in the system," she said.

Instead of giving people enough of the right kind of help to break through the poverty barriers, it tangles them in a web of agencies and dead ends that make them feel hopeless.

Programs like Community Action have helped her immensely, particularly in giving her confidence and self-worth, she said.

"(But) I feel like they're a plug," she added.

There needs to be some uniformity, less redundancy and more efficiency.

Dickson said there is some movement toward creating a campus of human service agencies as a sort of a one-stop shop for people who need help. Also, a new uniform system, which would require less paperwork and improve redundancy, is on its way.

But it's not as simple as it seems. Money comes from various sources and often comes with strings or requirements attached.

After attending the simulation in past years, staffers at agencies in town have made changes, Dickson said. Some have changed their hours or the way they train their staff.

She hasn't noticed reluctance to improved efficiency because it would mean fewer jobs for staff at the agencies.

"(But) I could see how it might happen," she said. "Nobody wants to lose their job."

Here at the Partnership office in Washington, DC, we thrive on telling the world…okay, it really is shameless bragging, but Community Action has earned bragging rights…about the many successes and compelling stories from across our nation. National Community Action Month (May of each year) provides a truly wonderful time to promote our Movement. Check out this snippets from our great colleagues.

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• On May 25, US Rep. Michael Arcuri joined Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency in Utica, New York to discuss how ARRA funding has led to expanded programs and job creation. “During National Community Action Month, I am happy to be able to highlight the specific programs and initiatives that MVCAA will be continuing or has started with more than $7.6 million in Recovery Bill funding this year,” he said in a news release. “MVCAA is using this additional funding to help even more families in our community to overcome the challenges of today's economy, and creating local jobs in the process."

• Community Action of Northeast Indiana held a Poverty Simulation, which was covered by the Journal Gazette.

• Stark County (OH) Community Action Agency held an awards ceremony on May 18. Media coverage appeared in the Canton Repository. In addition, Mayor William J. Healy of Canton issued the CAA a proclamation declaring May Community Action Month.

• Pro Action of Steuben and Yates in Bath, New York held its annual Shining Stars recognition event, which honors elected officials, volunteers, businesses, and community partners who have been outstanding in their support of the CAA’s customers and programs. Media coverage appeared in the Star Gazette.

• Human Resources Development Council in Billings, Montana hosted their 4th annual Poverty Awareness Walk. Media coverage appeared in the Billings Gazette, KULR TV (NBC affiliate), and KTVQ TV (CBS affiliate)

Walkers participating in Human Resources Development Council’s 4th annual Poverty Awareness Walk
take a break to show off their signs, which clearly indicate the walk’s purpose

 

Partnership Members will be receiving the Promise magazine soon!

In the Spring issue of The Promise magazine, we highlight green jobs, the supplemental poverty measure, and how CAAs helped low-income Americans prepare their 2009 tax returns and claim critical tax credits.

We’re gearing up for the 2010 Annual Convention, so that’s also featured. And check out stories on a poverty symposium in New York, capacity building in California, a poverty photo exhibit in Nebraska,
a Workforce Investment Act success story in Kentucky, and much more!

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We would like to receive information from you on the following topics for the Summer issue of The Promise magazine:

• CAA National Community Action Month commemorations – how did your CAA celebrate in May—did you honor volunteers and staff, host an event, or get an article published in the local newspaper? And did your elected officials proclaim May “Community Action Month?” Give us the scoop! Please note: if you’ve already emailed us your NCAM materials in response to earlier requests, we have your submissions on file and will include them.

• News on new staff appointments, awards, best practices and success stories. If you’ve done something new or innovative to help people and change lives, let us know!

Submissions Guidelines

• Please email a news release or similar document (such as a newsletter article) that provides a general description of the topic(s) above.

• Photos – If available, please email 1 or 2 photos that directly relate to your submission. All photos should be in JPG format at 300 dpi, and as large as possible. Include photo captions, and if needed, the photo credit information.

• Please email your submissions and photos to magazine@communityactionpartnership.com. Include the subject line “magazine submission” or something that describes your submission, i.e. “CAA tax program”. Please note the new email address, all magazine related correspondence should be sent there.

 

Debbie Weinstein, Executive Director of the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN), is one of the excellent, knowledgeable speakers who will present at the Partnership’s Annual Convention in Boston, August 31-September 3. The Coalition on Human Needs is comprised of more than 200 organizations that are committed to promoting economic security and social justice across our nation. Debbie is shown in the photo with David Hansell, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health & Human Services at the recent meeting of the Vice President’s Task Force on the Middle Class.

Debbie is a popular speaker at Community Action state association meetings and other national, regional and community conferences and events. Debbie and the CHN staff and board know and respect our work. You’ll want to attend her session in Boston.

Convention Discount Early Bird Rates End on June 18!

To view or download the 2010 Annual Convention Brochure, click here. We have a limited number of hotel rooms at the convention rate and they are selling quickly at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. Click here to reserve online and assure your reservation is confirmed at the convention rate of $189.00 single or double.