Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
January 3, 2024
- Welcome: Twenty-one members representing nineteen agencies attended. For the 2023 calendar year, the Coalition Board was able to assist 29 families, including 79 children with rent and utilities. The Board voted to increase the monthly benefit available to $1,000. The family swim pass applications will be ready before the first of April at Buck Run and The Beacon.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Clara Wicoff was unable to attend, but sent information concerning a summer internship with K-State Research. Billie Jo will forward the information to members.
- Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research: The free “Walk With Ease” class will begin on January 8 at Buck Run Community Center; contact Lea Kay at 620-224-0182 or lkarleskint@ksu.edu to register. Classes will be from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until February 16. Lea Kay is always looking for community partners for her nutrition classes; she only needs space, sink, and electricity.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries, Salvation Army, Ministerial Alliance: Allen announced that he and his family will be leaving Bourbon County to relocate in Georgia; he needs to find someone who cares about people to take over these ministries. This year the Red Bucket Campaign for the Salvation Army raised enough to spend approximately $850 per month to help Bourbon County citizens. Allen expressed thanks to all those who volunteered to ring the bells this Christmas season.
- Lisa Robertson, CHC Community Health Worker and COPE (and Kylie Paulsen): They have been busy with Wash Wednesdays at the Washateria from 10-2; there is always a Community helper on site during these times to help clients with resources. They will be working with the east side laundry to provide free wash on the first Thursday of the month from 3 -6 pm. These programs will run for at least one year. The grant for COPE runs only through the end of May; some job descriptions may change at that time.
- Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT: PSU Small Business Development Center has new hours – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9-4; Amy Sawyer will be the new person in the office.
- Stephanie Herring, Family Resource Center; She is available to help with anything to make sure kids are receiving proper care for and are safe in their homes.
- Christine Abbott, KansasWorks SEK: She is always looking for 16-24 year old young people who need help with employment issues, GED certifications, work study, etc.
- Star Culp, Parents as Teachers: She has a waiting list for USD 234 but has openings in 235; contact Star through the Greenbush website.
- Larry Jump, Community Liaison with SEKCAP: SEKCAP provides center and home based services for preschool children and parents. Larry also uses his graphic design background to produce promotional items for SEKCAP.
- Dawn Cubbison, Aetna Better Health: New 2024 brochures listing benefits and rewards for clients were distributied to members.
- Elizabeth Schafer, CASA and Pioneer Kiwanis: These organizations need volunteers.
- Lori Holman, American Red Cross: Lori has just begun her job as the account manager for the American Red Cross; she is in charge of nine counties.
- Nick Johnson, USD 234 Pre-School: Nick announced that the district has recently purchased the former Family Physicians building on Horton Street to house the pre-school. Once grant monies are received and remodeling completed, the pre-school will be able to serve 150-160 students. The projected date for the pre-school to relocate is January 2025.
- Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: At present there are only 13 applicants on the waitlist but they continue to take applications.
- Dee Dee LeFever, Community Liaison Greenbush: She is the resource person who helps match needs with services. She will now also be helping on the Autism Team in order to provide more evaluation days each month.
- Cheri Walrod: Fifteen core leaders are involved in the first session of Core Community; fund raising reached the goal for 2023; and families enjoyed several special adventures for the Christmas season.
- Program: Tess Watson, founder of the Dream Big Little One project, Patti Street and Luann Nicoletti, project volunteers, shared how the program began in Tess’s kitchen making cinnamon rolls to raise funds and evolved into the 501c3 organization that it is at present. To date, the organization has helped over 1700 children obtain a bed complete with mattress, bedding, and comfort items. Their mission is to provide clean, new or recycled beds and bedding for SE Kansas and SW Missouri children in need, free of charge. Their need is help in donating bedding, new or gently used beds, or financial donations to help purchase said items. The goal is to ensure that every child has a warm bed to rest his/her head. To help with this project contact info@donatebeds.com.
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be February 7, 2024.