Waukon, IA

Well, all the plots in the Community Garden have been rented. In fact, we had to add more space to the shared space in the garden. We have a wide diveristy of participants: coworkers, friends, a 4-H club, apartment dwellers, retired farm couple. We have secured several resources for the garden. Waukon Implement is donating the use of a riding lawn mower for lawn upkeep. Pioneer Hybrid seed dealer donated the sweet corn seed. The landowner paid for part of the tiller gas. The people who have plots are really starting to bond as well. Often you can see them sitting in the shade visiting once the work is done!

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.

One of the needs identified in the Study Circle discussions was the condition of the sidewalks in town. Missing or damaged sidewalks prevent families from being able to spend time together in a safe environment. If families wanted to take advantage of the great parks in Waukon or go for a walk, they often have to walk in the streets. Safety for pedestrians crosses all social levels, but can be an additional hardship on low-income families as gas prices continue to rise and walking or biking become more of a reality for them.

Waukon and Postville were identified as the two communities in NE IA to participate in a Barrier Mapping project as part of the NE IA Food & Fitness Initiative. The Food & Fitness Initiative is an effort of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to create vibrant communities with equal access to affordable, healthy food and safe and inviting places physical activity and play. Nine communities across the country have been selected to become models of community change. They are forming local collaboratives to improve the health and quality of life in their communities by transforming their food and fitness environments.

Volunteers from Waukon have been busy walking the sidewalks, taking notes and photos and marking locations on GPS to create an on-line map of the community. Not only will the community benefit from this process, but we are also the pilot for the 5-county area. We will be reporting on how this process works and how other communities can replicate it in the future.

Want to garden but don’t have space for one? The Waukon community garden has 10’ by 10’ and 10’ by 20’ plots available to anyone who would like to try their hand at gardening. Rent for the plots will be $10 for the smaller plots and $20 for the larger plots. Some money will be refunded at the end of the year if the garden plot is cleaned up. Applications are available at the Allamakee County Extension Office and are due May 5.

The plans are being finalized to have the garden plots on the Quillin/Ramsay property off 2nd Street NW in Waukon. Gardeners need to furnish seeds, plants and the desire to start growing those vegetables. Gardening technical help is available from the Allamakee County Extension Office and the Allamakee County Master Gardeners.

The project is under the direction of participants in the Waukon Horizons program, Allamakee New Beginnings, Inc. and ISU Extension.

In addition to public access to gardening space, scholarships are available for low-income families. Upon referral, these families will have access to a garden plot, receive seeds and plants and have the opportunity to participate in educational classes on gardening, fresh food preparation and preservation. Funding from the Northwest Area Foundation will be used to assist with this project.

The Habitat committee of the Horizons project recently received $298 from the Allamakee County Community Foundation to purchase paint brushed, pans and other supplies for the next season of home repair. Last year two homes of low-income senior citizens were painted and winterized as part of the Action Forum. This year one house has been confirmed for painting. Other nominations are welcome.

The need for Free Tax Preparation and E-filing was identified during the Study Circle activities of the Horizons Program. Five volunteers were identified, trained and tested to man the newly created Waukon VITA site. Grant dollars were requested to buy a computer, printer, supplies and pay the mileage of those attending the training. The Allamakee County Extension office provided a room, desk and staff to take appointments and answer questions. The Waukon site was open Mondays, 9 AM - 4:30 PM, March through April 14th.
Outcome

The Waukon VITA site provided Electronic Filing for 25 local residents, recovering $7076 in Earned Income Credit; $18100 in Federal Refunds; and $2490 in State Refunds. With an average preparation fee of $100, the VITA site saved Waukon residents approximately $2500.

Forty-seven Senior Citizens sought help filing the 1040A required to be eligible for the Stimulus Payment. At $35 for filing, the VITA site saved Waukon residents $1645.

A total of 72 clients were served.

Once at both a Study Circle session and a LeadershipPlenty session, an individual in poverty was brought to tears of frustration.  She was feeling the group was not headed in a direction that would help her personally and yet not able to put to words what we could do to help her, help herself.  Part of her frustration was the inability to get a job because she felt people judged her and held her poorness against her.  In the end, before leaving the second tearful session, she was able to put into words a radio script that will be taped using different voices, accents, ages, gender… Look around - that guy over there…. that lady next door - they might not look like you, sound like you, or think like you - but really…. deep down you’re more alike than different.  Don’t believe me?   Say hi to someone new today…… A Welcoming Waukon is a Strong Waukon

My husband and I went to the organization meeting at Elma.  It was very informative, encouraging and healing for us.

Back at home, many ideas surfaced that would improve our community.  It was difficult to pick just one.  It was decided to buy paint, identify homes in need of paint and select a project of someone of low-income.

“Where would I fit in?”  Thinking back to when we added on to our home, I remembered the need for food and snacks for the workers.  So I offered to cook for the painters.  Those at our Round Table discussion (Study Circles) signed up to help. 

When it was time to start working on the homes, I was contacted as to the date and location to bring the food.  The guys said, “just go to the grocery store and buy the food.  We’ll pay for it.”  I thought that would be cheating our community.  I work at MOSAIC with handicapped individuals.  When the day came, those that prepared the meals for the clients volunteered to assist in preparing and deliving the food to the painters.  Rather than just cold meats and snacks, as suggested by the paint crew, we served tator tot cassarole - everyone’s favorite.  A couple of the ladies from the Study Circle group provided deserts and side dishes to go with the cassarole.  Volunteers help deliver and set up tables, chairs, plates and silverware to the paint site.  The warm meal on a chilly day was greatly appreciated. 

Each day we prepared food different volunteers were contacted.  Some in the community donated meat from their freezer. 

When the snow melts and spring is here we’re ready to prepare some more meals for the painters. 

My husband and I greatly enjoyed the Leadership Plenty meetings and developed new friendships.

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.

cresco to