Open House Celebrates Clients and Programs

Over eighty people came to tour the Great Northern Corporation (GNC) offices and learn more about the many programs offered from our headquarters on School Hill in Weed on May 1st.  The GNC staff welcomed clients, representatives from cities, economic development agencies, vendors, and partners in celebration of programs and services that offer solutions to improve lives and enrich our communities.

“Amazing!  is what I kept saying to myself last night – I feel honored to work with such a dedicated, and fun team. “ said Executive Director, Bonnie Kubowitz.  “All the comments I received were positive and so many people were overwhelmed with the services GNC provides.  Many had no idea of the diversity and depth of the services that we offer and coordinate for our jurisdictions.”

The 2011 GNC Annual Report was showcased and is part of the branding program that staff has been working on to get the word out about the non-profit community based corporation.  “Our clients have stories to tell,” said Audra Gibson, Marketing and Project Manager.  “We have incorporated their stories and pictures in our print and web materials to explain the services and benefits of the programs we manage”, she added.

 

The Wilson Family of Yreka were enthusiastic attendees, showing before and after images of their Housing Rehabilitation project completed in Yreka last year.

 

For more information about GNC, visit their website at www.GncCorp.org where you can view the 2011 Annual Report and contact information for staff as well as program information.

Workshop May 22nd

GNC and the Mt. Shasta Family Resource Center offer Program Workshop

Do you need help planning for energy assistance for NEXT winter?  Are you planning a home or rental unit improvement project to address repairs related to insulation and energy efficiency?  Maybe you would like some assistance to access food or even a business loan?

Great Northern Corporation (GNC) announces a workshop event in partnership with the Family Resource Center of Mt. Shasta to be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 1:30-2:30 PM at the FRC at 109 East Lake Street in Mt. Shasta.

Knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance with applications for the following GNC programs currently available to Mt. Shasta area residents:

  • Housing Rehabilitation
  • Energy Assistance
  • Weatherization
  • Food Assistance
  • Economic Development

All are welcome to attend.  Many of these programs are more accessible to those that plan ahead for emergency needs.  For more information please contact Claudia at Great Northern (530) 938-4115 ext.21.

 

New Signage at GNC Headquarters in Weed

New Signage Entrace

New Signage at GNC Office Building Entrance

The entrance to Great Northern Corporation’s office building got a face lift when sign maker Steve Hart of Signs of Life installed the newly designed signage last week.  Signs were made incorporating materials and templates from previous signage.  Looks great, Steve!  Thank you!

Photos by La Wanda Wilson

Door Sign

New Logo on Door Signage

Entry Sign

Former redwood sign refurbished by Steve Hart - Signs of Life

Installation of Entry Sign

Planting the GNC Sign

Asset Mapping Meeting for Healthy Homes Program

Siskiyou Asset Mapping Workshop – Notes on Discussion

Healthy Homes Program Development

January 26, 2012 Siskiyou County Office of Education, Yreka

 

Terry Barber    Siskiyou County Public Health  841-2110  tbarber@co.siskiyou.ca.us

Marian Murphy-Shaw SCOE/COS    938-5511/842-8498     mshaw@siskiyoucoe.net

Marcia Armstrong       Board of Supervisors             468-2824         armstrng@sisqtel.net

Karen Derry    Happy Camp FRC      493-5117         derrykaren@yahoo.com

Karen Pautz    First 5 Siskiyou/FRC Network           karenpautz@first5siskiyou.org

Bonnie Kubowitz        Great Northern Corp   938-4115 ext  bkubowitz@gncCorp.org

Audra Gibson             Great Northern Corp   938-4115 ext 42  agibson@gncCorp.org

 

Elizabeth Mitchell-Collard Community Health Plan of Siskiyous     926-1300 elizamitch@aol.com

 

 

HEALTHY HOMES

Are designed, constructed, maintained or rehabilitated in a manner that supports the health of residents (evidence links housing conditions to health outcomes).

Supporting the growth and health of children lowers costs to taxpayers

 

Siskiyou Health Issues

Asthma/breathing

0-5 yr olds

Asbestos

Nutrition

 

Siskiyou Areas of Concern

Hornbook – KRCC

Tulelake

Happy Camp

Butte Valley

Mt. Shasta Forest

Mt. Shasta Vista

Angel Valley Weed

 

Housing Hazards

Second hand smoke

Mold/moisture

No insulation

Inefficient Wood heat (CHF – replace wood stoves?)

Lead based paint and other lead sources

Asbestos

 

Healthy Homes Program Funding

Environmental Protection Agency (EPS)

Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Weather Assistance Program (WAP)

GNC

 

Education

National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) TRAINING

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Dept Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Training Credentials

(Lack of nearby training for program requirements)

College of the Siskiyous potential?

 

Lead Based Paint issues – Darla County CHDP

Needing education on pipes, soil near freeways, backyards, clean up, candy wrappers, toys, dishes (some Mexican cultures still using and bringing lead products to US)

Environmental Health, Building Services (structural issues) and some Human Services are complaint driven at the County level.  The Healthy Homes program may allow for an invitation into homes where other key health issues may be addressed.  Who is ‘invited’ into the homes?

Weatherization Program at resident’s request

Siskiyou Early Head Start

Churches

 

Resources for Data

Dept of Health – Terry

Environmental Health -Terry

Siskiyou Early Head Start

www.Users.sisqtel.net/armstrng

First 5 Database www.kidsdata.org

Healthy Kids – web

EDD

Center for Economic Development – Chico

 

Gaps

Implementing health and safety measures to existing programs

Renters getting into and owning a house

0-18 Far Northern (development delayed)

Backpack lunch program after school/weekends/holidays

Nutrition

 

Partnerships – thinking about food and nutrition as it relates to healthy homes

Tribe

UC Extension

Early Head Start Siskiyou

Churches

Far Northern

COS

GNC

MSCA

Rotary on Wheels /Senior Nutrition

Ford Family Foundation

 

 

Next Steps

Siskiyou County Grant Specialist training underway with Michelle O’Gorman at Yreka FRC)

Healthy Homes Continuum

Food and shelter

Safe homes checklist

Food

Emotional health

Energy Efficiency – NACO

Green Jobs or Contractors

Misdemeanor Work program ideas – linking needs to low/no cost available work force

 

More food research  http://wenourishhope.org/

Tribal Commodities, FRC centers for distribution.  Michelle Harris FRC Nutrition specialist. (How to use commodities for healthier eating)

Cal Fresh and WIC Programs

GNC USDA Food Commodity distribution

Soup Kitchens

“The Town That Food Saved” referenced by Marcia Armstrong

Strategies for food systems, New Hampshire and others?

Strive for locally grown and consumed.

Rotary Programs “First Harvest”

Meals on Wheels

School gardens

Community Gardens

Juvenile hall providing workers for above?