Waukon, IA

Five participants in the Waukon Horizons program have recently taken the steps to create a local non-profit, 501c3 agency. There is currently no local agency that is this status and is willing to serve as a host agency for community projects. By becoming a 501c3 agency, the community will be able to apply for more grant funding for future projects.

The Allamakee New Beginning, Inc has received its non-profit status from the State of Iowa. The next step is to apply for 501c3 status from the IRS. At the ANB meeting on April 18, they elected Dave Schmelzer as chair, Mike Snitker as vice-chair, Matt Castle as secretary, Amy Monroe as treasurer and Arvid Hatlan as marketing coordinator.

This group currently oversees the community garden and habitat/home improvement projects for low-income families.

Monthly meetings have been setup at tha Allamakee Extension Office to provide residents help in managing their personal finances.

Some of the objectives are; setting goals, developing a spending plan, organizing personal records, how to manage credit,  identifying sources of financial information and much more.

A local landlord has offered the tenants a 25.00 discount on their rent if they participate. Also Horisons is helping provide day care to those that attend and the classes are free.

Thanks to Iowa State University Extension, ISED Ventures and the IRS the low income people of Waukon now have the opportunity to get their taxes prepared free of charge. January 10th the community volunteers traveled to Cresco to recieve extensive training and testing to carry out this program.

Already five people have made appointments to take advantage of the program.

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The need for a Community Resource Directory was identified in the March Action Forum.  The Directory was organized, printed and sipersed through Waukon.  It was a quick listing of all agencies and organizations and their services that are available to area residents.

Since most services for the low-income are not immediately available in Waukon, this directory is very helpful in know where to go and whom to contact in case of needs and emergency assistance.