SELF: News

2004 News Releases

	November 9, 2004 - SELF SEEKS "ADOPT-A-FAMILY" SPONSORS
	October 14, 2004 - WINTER EMERGENCY PROGRAM APPOINTMENTS BEGIN OCT. 18 SELF BRANCHES FOR ONSLAUGHT OF CALLS
	September 14, 2004 - SELF Receives Work Force Development Grant from Verizon Foundation
	August 13, 2004 - MAJOR SCHOOL SUPPLY PROGRAM TO REACH 1,200 KIDS
	May 14, 2004 - SELF OFFERS SUMMER COOLING ASSISTANCE
	March 15, 2004 - DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE
	March 11, 2004 - Congressman Boehner to Tour SELF Offices Friday, 3/12/2004
	March 3, 2004 - EMPOWER ONE PROGRAM AWARDED TWO GRANTS
	February 17, 2004 - SELF NAMES 2004 OFFICERS/MEMBERS; JANET CLEMMONS/SELF AWARD WINNER

November 9, 2004 - SELF SEEKS "ADOPT-A-FAMILY" SPONSORS

BUTLER COUNTY - Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) seeks organizations, individuals and businesses to sponsor one of the agency's many low-income families as part of its annual "Adopt-A-Family" Program. Sponsors are encouraged to sign up by December 3 if they wish to adopt a family for this holiday season.

Through this program, sponsors are given details about a Butler County family and that family's "wish list" so that they can determine the best way of enhancing the holiday experience for the family. This may include gifts or other holiday items of the sponsor's choice. Sponsors and volunteers generally enjoy purchasing gifts and wrapping them; some sponsors also wish to deliver gifts to the families. Others make monetary donations or donate time to help SELF staff implement the program.

Families nominated for the "Adopt-A-Family" program are not receiving holiday assistance from other social service agencies, are documented to be low-income, and are actively working toward self-sufficiency.

"SELF's Adopt-A-Family program is unique in that it helps families who have already been working very hard to become more self-sufficient. Families that have worked hard during the year to improve their financial stability often suffer setbacks during the holiday season," states Jeffrey Diver, SELF's executive director.

If you are interested in sponsoring a family or donating your time to help wrap presents for the holidays, please phone Athena Maly or Ofelia Martinez at SELF's main office in Hamilton at (513) 868-9300. Residents of Middletown may dial 1-888-432-7022.

SELF is a nonprofit organization and Butler County's state-designated community action agency, helping thousands of Butler County families to obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets. Clients meet with SELF staff at offices in Hamilton, Middletown and Oxford.

October 14, 2004 - WINTER EMERGENCY PROGRAM APPOINTMENTS BEGIN OCT. 18, SELF BRACES FOR ONSLAUGHT OF CALLS

HAMILTON -Supports To Encourage Low-income Families (SELF), Butler County's community action agency, will offer the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) to assist low-income families with home heating costs. The program begins November 1, 2004. Appointments can be made on a first-come, first-served basis beginning October 18, 2004.

In the past few years, thousands of Butler County families in crisis have avoided losing their heat and utilities during the harsh winter months through E-HEAP. SELF assisted 2,356 Butler County households with home heating during the 2003-2004 winter heating season - 1,146 households in Hamilton, 668 in Middletown, 357 in Oxford and 185 in other areas. Of those, 16 percent were persons with disabilities, 11 percent were 60 and older, and 45 percent had children under the age of 5. Most of these families are considered the "working poor," meaning that they derive income only from employment and not from public assistance.

"We have been told to expect higher prices for all forms of home heating this winter. Some fuels are expected to go up by 25 percent or more over last winter," says Jeffrey Diver, executive director of SELF. "For families barely making ends meet, the increases could push them into crisis. We urge all families who get a 10-day notice of shutoff to call our agency immediately to schedule an appointment."

HEAP, a federal program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides assistance to more than five million Americans each year. There are two parts to the program -- Regular HEAP (R-HEAP) and Emergency HEAP (E-HEAP). For both programs, residents must have household incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty levels. As an example, for a family of four, the maximum income would be $28,275. The maximum income for a household of one is $13,965.

R-HEAP: Residents may apply to the Ohio Department of Development for R-HEAP, which allows them to request payment for part of the average winter costs of their bill. R-HEAP runs from November 1, 2004 - April 15, 2005. Applications are available at SELF and at utility companies and social service agencies throughout the county. SELF staff members are available to help residents complete applications and then send them directly to the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Services, which provides the assistance.

E-HEAP: E-HEAP provides assistance to households that have had heating service disconnected, face the threat of disconnection, have less than a 10-day supply of heating fuel, or need new heating services connected. In order to apply, families need to bring to SELF at the time of their appointment social security cards for everyone in the household, proof of income for the last 13 weeks for everyone in the household, a shut-off notice and utility bill, and picture identification. If someone in the household is classified as permanently and totally disabled, he/she must provide proof at the time of the interview.

Appointments for E-HEAP can be made beginning October 18 for the E-HEAP season (November 3 through March 31, 2005). E-HEAP clients will be seen at SELF's main office in Hamilton, Ohio and at SELF's offices in Middletown and Oxford. Home visits will be available to the elderly and the disabled.

For more information and or schedule an appointment, call 868-9300 or 1-888-432-7022.

September 14, 2004 - SELF Receives Work Force Development Grant From Verizon Foundation

$10,000 Award Supports Job Skills Program in Oxford

HAMILTON, Ohio - SELF (Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families) has been awarded $10,000 from the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, to fund a program that focuses on providing job training to low-income families in Oxford.

"There is a critical need in Oxford to reach out to those with minimal job and social skills and give them the ability to improve their lives," said Jeffrey Diver, executive director-SELF, which is headquartered in Hamilton. "This grant from Verizon permits us to do just that."

Todd Colquitt, president-Verizon Ohio, says, "Cultivating a skilled workforce helps cities attract jobs and businesses in a competitive marketplace, and healthy communities are essential to the success of any company, including Verizon."

SELF joined forces with the Family Resource Center, which is managed by Oxford Talawanda Community Services, Inc., to create Empower One, a program that identifies an individual's strengths, weaknesses, and needs and then uses that knowledge to help the individual progress

"We have a strong program," Mary Jo Clark, administrator-Family Resource Center, "that helps people overcome the challenges they face and provides realistic goals for them to reach."
In 2003, SELF received a grant from Verizon for $8,000 that was used to set up the Empower One program.

A Dow 30 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

August 13, 2004 - MAJOR SCHOOL SUPPLY PROGRAM TO REACH 1,200 KIDS

BUTLER COUNTY - More than 1,200 Butler County children will benefit from a public/private partnership to get school supplies into the hands of low-income families.

Sponsored by the Butler County Commissioners and the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services, in conjunction with the Princeton Pike Church of God and Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF), the drive will prepare and distribute at least 1,200 book bags loaded with school supplies to children of low-income families. The Oxford Family Resource Center, operated by Oxford Talawanda Community Services, and the New Miami Initiative will host giveaways in their respective communities. Office Depot will be providing 30 book bags.

"County government, churches, nonprofits and businesses are working together to help our families prepare for the new school year," said Charles Furmon, President of the Butler County Commission. "By combining our efforts and resources, we're reaching many more families than any one group could do alone."

"A solid education depends on all children having the required supplies," said County Commissioner Mike Fox. "The commissioners are pleased that we can convene these groups for the third year to reach families in greatest need."

Eligibility criteria
Parents must complete a brief application at the distribution site. Household income must be below 200 percent of poverty; for example, for a family of three annual household income cannot exceed $31,340; for a family of four, annual household income cannot exceed $37,700. Parents will be provided with one book bag with supplies for each child; there is a limit of three per family. All book bags and supplies are being provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Hamilton Distribution
(Families with children in the Ross, Fairfield, and Hamilton)
The book bags will be distributed in Hamilton on Friday, August 20 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Fourth Street Park. Princeton Pike Church of God volunteers are distributing the bags as part of their annual outreach, entitled "Operation Love."

Middletown Distribution
(Families with children within the Madison Local, Middletown, Edgewood, and Monroe school districts.)

Books bags will be distributed at the Middletown Community Center on Friday, August 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Staff from SELF will be hosting the distribution.

New Miami Distribution
(Families with children within the New Miami school district.)
Vouchers for the book bags will be distributed at a Back to School Festival this Saturday, August 14, from Noon to 8 p.m. at Armco Park. Volunteers from the New Miami Initiative will be hosting the distribution.

Oxford
(Families with children within the Talawanda School District.)
Book bags will be distributed at a Back-to-School Festival at the Oxford Family Resource Center, 5445 College Corner Pike on Saturday, August 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students of the Lakota Schools are being served through separate activities of Reach Out Lakota and SELF.

For more information, contact the Princeton Pike Church of God at 867-1995 or SELF at 868-9300.

May 14, 2004 - SELF OFFERS SUMMER COOLING ASSISTANCE

BUTLER COUNTY - Beginning June 1 and ending August 31, Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) is offering eligible low-income Butler County families a respite from the summer heat with its Summer Crisis Cooling Program. Appointments will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis beginning May 19, 2004.

SELF will be offering air conditioners to low-income individuals with a current respiratory illness or breathing condition verified by a medical doctor. In addition, individuals must be income-eligible and not have received an air conditioner from SELF in the last three years.

"The summer heat presents a real challenge to low-income families who may feel they are not able to afford relief, especially the elderly and those with respiratory ailments such as asthma," says Jeffrey Diver, executive director of SELF. "SELF is thrilled to be able to once again offer this program to those for whom the heat poses a serious medical risk."

To qualify for an air conditioner, an individual must have a respiratory disease or breathing problem verified by a medical certificate; must not have received an air conditioner from SELF within the last three years; and must have a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For a family of three, total household income cannot exceed $23,505 annually or $5,876 for the last three months. Those individuals may also qualify without a notice of electric disconnection for help on an electric bill up to $175.

Individuals having a breathing condition but not receiving an air conditioner may qualify for help on an electric bill up to $175, if that individual has income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and has received a notice of electric disconnection. Individuals aged 60 and over whose incomes qualify do not need a disconnection notice. Residents of any licensed medical facility, publicly operated community residences, boarding/rooming houses, group homes or emergency shelters are not eligible.

SELF's Summer Crisis Cooling Program is the summer counterpart to an Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program that assisted 2,356 families last winter: (in Hamilton: 1402; in Middletown, 695; in Oxford: 249; and home visits, 10).

To get an appointment for assistance in Middletown, call 1-888-432-7022. For appointments in Hamilton or Oxford, call 868-9300.

SELF helps low-income individuals and families obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets to achieve self-sufficiency. SELF provided services to more than 11,000 Butler County residents in 2003.

March 15, 2004 -- DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE

Columbus, OH -- State Development Director Bruce Johnson announced today that qualified Ohioans threatened with losing their heating services have until March 31, 2004 to apply for assistance through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP). Applicants may still apply by mail for the regular portion of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) through May 31, 2004.

"Individuals threatened with losing their heating source have only a few more weeks to apply for assistance," said Johnson. "So far, more than 200,000 households have received benefits totaling nearly $40 million through the 2003-2004 Regular HEAP and EHEAP Winter Crisis Program." The Ohio Department of Development's Community Development Division administers both programs.

Households in danger of having, or that have already had, their main or secondary heating source disconnected may be eligible to receive EHEAP funds up to $175. Those households with less than a 10-day supply of bulk fuel are eligible to receive up to $250 to restore or continue their heating service. In addition, the EHEAP Winter Crisis Program can also pay for heating system repairs in certain cases. A household can receive this assistance once per winter season.

Eligible households can apply for the EHEAP Winter Crisis Program at a local community action agency. Agency staff will conduct face-to-face interviews to complete the application process. Applicants must have a copy of their utility bill and documentation of income. Households whose gross income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the EHEAP. Eligibility is based upon either income over the past three months or by using a 12-month income test.

For more information, call the toll free HEAP hotline at 1-800-282-0880, Monday through Friday. Those who have Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) can call 1-800-686-1557 toll-free, or visit the HEAP Web site at http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/ocs/.

Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) is the state-designated community action agency for Butler County, Ohio. Between November 1, 2003 and March 16, 2004, 2,079 county residents have benefited from EHEAP through SELF.

March 11, 2004 -- Congressman Boehner to Tour SELF offices Friday, 3/12/2004

HAMILTON - Congressman John Boehner (R-OH, District 8) will tour a satellite office of Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF), the Hamilton Opportunity Center, 550 S. 12th Street, Hamilton on Friday, March 12, 2004. Congressman Boehner is expected to arrive at the Opportunity Center at approximately 2:00 p.m.

Congressman Boehner chairs the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and he will use his visit to learn more about SELF and its Welfare to Work initiatives. The Welfare to Work (WtW) program partners closely with the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services to prepare individuals to become self-sufficient and to support their families without cash assistance. As part of WtW, the Hamilton and Middletown Opportunity Centers offer job skills training, Project STEPS (Strategic Training to Elevate Personal Success), and several other services designed to help individuals reach their self-sufficiency goals.

Congressman Boehner has represented the Eighth Congressional District of Ohio since 1990. He currently resides in West Chester.

SELF is a nonprofit organization and the state-designated community action agency for Butler County. SELF helps low-income individuals and families obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets to achieve self-sufficiency. SELF provided services to more than 11,000 Butler County residents in 2003.

March 3, 2004 -- EMPOWER ONE PROGRAM AWARDED TWO GRANTS

OXFORD -- A self-sufficiency program for residents of the Talawanda School District recently received a boost from two foundations, The Molyneaux Foundation and The Spaulding Foundation.

Called Empower One, the program assists low-income residents to set and achieve an action plan to help them become self-sufficient. The program is a collaboration of The Family Resource Center in Oxford and Supports To Encourage Low-income Families (SELF). Nearly 60 low-income households have been served since July 2002. Of those households, 91 percent have achieved one goal and 65 percent have achieved two of their goals, which range from securing transportation or a job to completing job training.

Both The Molyneaux Foundation, administered by the Trust Division of First Financial Bank in Hamilton, and The Spaulding Foundation in Cincinnati awarded Empower One grants of $10,000 to continue the program.

"We are extremely happy that these two forward-looking foundations have chosen to support an effort that helps lower income families get beyond the emergencies they face and actually achieve their dreams," said Mary Jo Clark, Administrator of The Family Resource Center.

"SELF and The Family Resource Center have forged this partnership to improve outcomes of clients and eliminate duplication of services. It's a winning program for everyone," said Jeffrey Diver, Executive Director of SELF.

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February 17, 2004 -- SELF NAMES 2004 OFFICERS/MEMBERS;
JANET CLEMMONS/SELF AWARD WINNER

BUTLER COUNTY - Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF), Butler County's state-designated community action agency, named officers and Board members at its annual awards dinner February 6, 2004.

Named as officers for 2004 were: President, Judy Scherrer, Edgewood City Schools; Vice President, Laura Williams, City of Middletown; Treasurer, Lawrence Mulligan, Jr., First Financial Bancorp; and Secretary, Donna Prewitt, Middletown City Schools.

Board members named to three-year terms were: Gary E. Becker, Dinsmore & Shohl; Mike Fox, Butler County Commission; Laura Williams, Middletown City Council; Jerome Kearns, Butler County Department of Job and Family Services; and Mike Johnson, Oxford Talawanda Community Services.

Awards presented by SELF included:
* The Janet Clemmons/SELF Community Service Award --Carla and Robby Rice of Fairfield. The award was established in January 1997 to honor the Butler County individual who best exhibits the spirit of SELF (empowering individuals to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency).

The Rices' nominations cited their extensive volunteer work and their dedication to raising money for numerous non-profit organizations throughout the area, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. "Carla and Robby are truly incredible people," read one nomination. "They are always there to assist families in whatever way they can." The Rices have donated hundreds of hours to Butler County Head Start, Butler County Help Me Grow, and the children at the Janet Clemmons Center.

Three other Janet Clemmons/SELF Community Service nominees recognized were: Maureen Noe, President and CEO of the Butler County United Way; Vickie Moody-Cardwell, community leader and volunteer with the Booker T. Washington Community Center; and Tara Becker, a senior at Ursuline Academy and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and the West End YMCA.

* "Reach for the Stars" award (recognition for clients who have reached outstanding goals)

* John Henry Butler of Hamilton and Cathy Engle of Middletown.

* "Spirit of SELF" award (recognition for SELF staff member who has gone above and beyond)

* Sharon Uttinger of Middletown, based at the Middletown Social Services and Health Center.

* Outstanding Partner with SELF - Cincinnati Bell.

SELF is a nonprofit organization and the state-designated community action agency for Butler County. SELF helped over 11,800 low-income individuals and families obtain employment, maintain employment and build assets to achieve self-sufficiency in 2003.