DECEMBER 2011
CAP Services’ is proud to announce it has been approved by the Denver Homeownership Center as a nonprofit organization to administer its secondary financing assistance program in conjunction with FHA-insured first mortgages.  The certification process was lengthy and involved the submission of information and data on CAP’s Board of Directors, loan history and policies and staff qualifications. CAP offers down payment and closing cost assistance for households with incomes at or below 80% of county median income.  Applicants must reside in Marquette, Lincoln, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood Counties.   These prospective homebuyers could not access CAP’s down payment assistance program if they needed an FHA-backed first mortgage.    

CAP Services' hosted open houses for its
two homes built by Fresh Start participants
in the Eastgate Estates subdivision in Waupaca.  
The crew of approximately 20 young people also
volunteered in the community and worked to earn
a diploma/GED.  Each homes, include solar hot
water, are for sale to income eligible households.  

CAP Services' offered 10 poverty simulations in 2011.  These offer individuals an opportunity to walk in the shoes of a low-income individual and experience the challenges they face in making ends meet.  On a scale of 10, participants rated their overall experience at 8.77, and described the increase in their  understanding of the difficult choices needed with limited resources by 46% after having been through the simulation.  One individual said "I really felt like a different person!  The experience not only gave me tangible evidence of what individuals go through on a weekly basis, but how  one acts and feels when put in strenuous circumstances."  Another said "i will try harder to show empathy to our families.  One kind gesture to someone else can make a huge difference."  

Betsy Rozelle of CAP Services' joined other Fox Valley community representatives in a visit to Northern Iowa University to learn about its immigration simulation.  The information will assist in the development of a simulation that deepens the understanding of the experiences of immigrants in this country.

Mary Patoka of CAP Services was named to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago's Housing Advisory Council.  As such, she will be charged with providing input on the housing needs in rural Wisconsin, especially those of low-income individuals during her three-year term.

NOVEMBER 2011
CAP Services, in partnership with North Central Community Action Program, offered a series of small business training sessions in Wisconsin Rapids.  Eleven individuals enrolled in the training in the hopes of some day starting their own business.

CAP staff were represented at the recent “Poverty Matters” conference on November 15 and 16 in Wisconsin Dells.  Betsy Rozelle provided an overview of CAP’s grassroots food waste management initiative.  She, along with several peers, also facilitated a “Poverty Simulation” where individuals experienced first hand the difficult choices low-income families need to make every day.  Almost 60 people participated.

OCTOBER 2011
In recognition of the need to support emerging leaders, CAP Services’ organized a two-day training in Chicago for 20 new directors of community action agencies in conjunction with the  Mid-America Community Action Association.  CAP-LAW was featured and addressed a number of legal and contractual obligations of community action agencies.

Debra Darby (Director of Marketing Communications for Mirel) presented some sample composting bags to Betsy Rozelle of CAP Services to in turn, donate to Ferber Elementary School in Appleton.   Ms. Rozelle has lead CAP’s food sustainability/food waste management initiative and schools have been among those interested in better managing food waste.

CAP hosted its annual staff development day on October 21 at the Ramada Inn in Stevens Point.  A mix of personal and professional workshop sessions were available, including sessions on resiliency, and a lunch keynote by comedian Chris Barnes.  A food drive was held for the Family Crisis Center.  Nearly 200 staff attended.

SEPTEMBER 2011
CAP Services’ hosted an open house for its 15th house in Wautoma built by Fresh Start program participants.  The three-bedroom, two-bath home is available for sale to income-eligible households.

CAP Services’ completed its annual risk management assessment with the regional Head Start office in Chicago.  The report included comments on some of CAP’s program strengths including its collaborations with school districts, its selection as a demonstration site for the Pyramid Model and integration of Early Head Start

Mary Patoka addressed the Portage County United Way Emerging Leaders group and spoke to the power everyone has to encourage growth and leadership in others.  She cited examples of
several, women in particular, that supported her own leadership style.

Open Houses were held at two new senior housing
projects for which CAP was a developer.  These included
a 24 unit project in Mauston, where CAP partnered with
the Community Action Council of Central Wisconsin and a 24 unit project in Seymour.  Interest in both projects is very high and nearly all units are filled.

AUGUST 2011
"Wisconsin Public Service recently donated 80 home energy kits for distribution to households served by CAP. These kits, each valued at $35, include compact flourescent bulbs, outlet insulators, door draft guards, window insulation kits and caulk rope. With winter just around
the corner, these kits will allow families to take some simple measures to save energy.
Our thanks to WPS!

The Montello Pigeon racing Club again sponsored a race to benefit CAP's Family Resource Center. 205 tickets were sold and prize winners include: Dawn Buchholz, Jim Haupt, Andy Konkel, Glenn Johnson, Lori Larsen and Dawn Anderson-Mueller. Lee and Lisa Konkel took a $50 prize for their bird that came in last. Thanks to volunteers who sold tickets and the to Montello Club for their long-time support of the Family Resource Center.

CAP Services is gained its license as a mortgage banker by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions in August. Four CAP staff are licensed mortgage loan originators.

JULY 2011
Almost 300 runners and walkers participated in CAP's Fasmily Crisis Center -Take a Step to End Domestic Violence 5 K on July 19. It was one of the hottest days of the year but not only
did the runners show up so did 50 dedicated volunteers. Thanks to all for a great event!

CAP Services recently announced it helped 219 low-income households in Waupaca and Waushara Counties obtain $375,216 in state and federal tax credits for tax ar The average refund per household for 2010 was $1,731. Even using a modest mulitplier of 1.5, the economic impact for these communities approached $563,000! Thanks to our numerous volunteers who made it possible.

Mary Patoka, CAP's President & CEO, was recently seated on the Impact Seven Board of Directors. Imact Seven is a private, not for profit community and housing develoment organization established in 1970 by people of northwestern Wisconsin concerned with a waning economy. It's mission is to have a comprehensive impact upon the population of Wisconsin, with emphasis on the rural areas and less fortunate of Wisconsin. Over its history, I-7 has been involved in many varied areaa including economic development, housing development, property management, employment and training and other independent and supportive socio-economic development activities. She joins ten other members representing business, civic, legal and other non-governmental organizations. Patoka will bring her experience in housing, economic and human development, with a focus on serving low-income communities. She is also certified by the National Developnment Council as an Economic Development Specialist.

JUNE 2011
Hi-Rise Apartments, the Salvation Army and Family Crisis Center will all be featured during the “A Home for Everyone Conference to be held in Stevens Point July 27 and 28. CAP staff will also be represented on various sessions during the conference.

CAP Services’ was among the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI’s) awarded funding by the US Treasury for use in supporting economic development projects. More details will follow when the award contract is executed.

CAP staff hosted a day-long visit by Camille Solberg, Senator Ron Johnson’s Regional Representative. She attended CAP’s annual reception and wanted to learn more about services. Her stops included two business clients (Intevation Food Group in Plover and Seascape Technologies in Ogdensburg), the Family Crisis Center, Fresh Start in Waupaca and Foxfire Senior Village.

Robert Snider of CAP’s Fresh Start Program in Wautoma attended NCCER training in Atlanta and earned certification in the construction curriculum recognized by the Department of Labor for Youth Buidl funded programs.

MAY 2011
May is National Community Action Month. CAP Services, along with a network of about 1,000 agencies across the United States will recognize the spirit in which community action was born. President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty resulted in the creation of a number of anti-poverty programs including community action, Head Start, VISTA, Job Corps, Neighborhood Health Services, and Legal Services.

CAP Services recognizes its 45th anniversary this month. It has provided a variety of human and community development services over its history, designed to “create a permanent increase in the ability of low-income individuals to achieve economic and emotional self-sufficiency.”

Community Credit Union was recently recognized as WISCAP’s Outstanding Advocate at its annual meeting in Madison on May 5th. For over 35 years, Community First has lived its mission of community first. It’s a sponsor at nearly every major fund-raising event in their service area, often at a leadership level, including sponsorship for CAP Service’s Golf Inside Outing Event for the past 7 years. This event has resulted in proceeds in excess of $30,000 to support CAP’s Skills Enhancement Program Endowment Fund. Credit Union staff helped with marketing, public relations, and sponsorship committees with dedication. In 2011, when the Golf Inside Outing event was suspended, Community First stepped up to the plate again. Community First provided a site for free tax assistance services and volunteers to help, but committed $5,000 as the lead financial sponsor of CAP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program in Waupaca County. Community First’s willingness to partner financially allowed CAP to offer services to those households between 125 and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Karl Pnazek, CAP’s VP & Director of Community Assets for People recently was recognized by the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Upon nomination by Bob Enright in the UWSP Department of Sociology and Social Work, he was selected by the Academy of Letters and Science to receive the 2011 Community Recognition Award. The Academy of Letters and Science is an advisory group composed mainly of community members who share with the faculty of the College a dedication to the ideals of a university education in the liberal arts and sciences and to student success in academics, leadership, and service. Each spring the Academy and the College celebrate these mutual principles and the students who embody them.

APRIL 2011
CAP Services staff participated in training on the "Six Key Practices of Collaborative Leadership," Asset Building for Youth and Time Management. All are designed to support and build staff skills in these areas.

Intevation Food Group also hosted a visit by representatives of the USDA Rural Development office and one of its primary lenders for an update on its production. Intevation staff provided some tasty samples from its appetizer lines.

CAP's free tax assistance program is nearing completion and reports assisting 219 households in Waupaca and Waushara Counties. More details on total refunds and credits will follow.

Representative Joan Ballweg spent some of her time in the district visiting CAP's Fresh Start Program in Wautoma and the Welding Training Center there. She had an opportunity to talk with some of the youth enrolled in the program and get their input on what services have meant to them.

MARCH 2011
Congressman Sean Duffy visited Intevation Food Group to get a look at one of CAP's business loan projects tied to job creation. As a new Congressman, he appreciated the opportunity to see an example of CAP's business technical assistance and loan programs.

Staff facilitated a poverty simulation at St. Bernard's Church in Appleton. The Appleton Post Crescent covered the event and heard comments about how powerful the event was. People noted they had a better understanding of what it takes to walk in the shoes of a low-income person. At least one person from the simulation event has chosen to volunteer at CAP as a way to do something on poverty.

CAP's Board of Directors voted to pursue certification as an FHA lender. Doing so will allow CAP to bring its down payment and closing cost assistance services to those using FHA-mortgage backed products. The certification process is expected to take 4-5 months.

Staff in CAP's sustainability project have deployed a survey to a number of businesses in the Waupaca area regarding options for managing food waste with assistance from the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. A local task force, consisting of CAP staff, local businesses, schools, and community volunteers will review the survey results and organize follow-up meetings to discuss composting and access to food waste digesters (UW-Oshkosh).

FEBRUARY 2011
CAP Services' in conjunction with WISCAP organized financial wellness training in Stevens Point. Over 40 individuals participated in the session, facilitated by Daniel Sweeney with M&I Development Corporation. Participants included staff from CAP Services, other Wisconsin community action agencies and North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board.

CAP's Head Start Program hosted an eight-member federal review team during the week of February 14. Team members examined all components of CAP's Head Start and Early Head Start Program. Results of the review have since been received. No non-compliance issues were identified and the team complimented the program on some of its best practices.

CAP's Work N Wheels Program assisted its 50th household with the purchase of a vehicle. This program is designed to help those who need reliable transportation for employment.

JANUARY 2011
CAP Services’ staff are busy preparing volunteers for its free tax assistance program in Waupaca and Waushara Counties.  Last year, over 180 households accessed the program and cumulatively claimed over $220,000 in tax refunds.  Earned income tax credits accounted for nearly $105,000 of the total refunds.  For more information, contact Betsy at 920/209-0760 in Waupaca or Julie at 920/647-0978.

CAP Services’ competed successfully for USDA Intermediary Relending Program funds of nearly $300,000.  CAP will use these funds for loans to business starts or expansions in its service area.  Tight capital and credit continue to be barriers for many small businesses.

CAP Services’ organized training by the National Center for Family-Centered Practice/University of Iowa School of Social Work in the area of Family Development in Stevens Point.  Nearly 20 individuals from CAP Services and other community action agencies in Wisconsin will complete the 2-week intensive program and test for national certification by late spring.  CAP uses a family development model in its programs that provide services to families over longer periods of time.  It addresses 12 areas of family development:  housing, transportation, child care, academic skills, employment, income, education, access to health services, access to dental services, family unity, legal issues and mental health & AODA needs.  Families identify goals in these areas and staff work with them to move toward self-sufficiency.

CAP Services was recognized at United Way of Portage County’s annual reception with its “Gold” Campaign award (average employee gifts of $3 or more per week) and its $10,0000+ Club.  Patoka was  also presented with the 2010 Speaker’s Bureau Award.