Our employees wanted to direct the result of their fundraising from two bowling events and the money that would normally fund our Christmas party to organizations that make holiday food baskets available to local residents.

Last year we assembled and delivered the bags ourselves and this year realized that local organizations might have a better handle on where to make the most difference in the lives of their neighbors.

This year’s recipients: Butte Valley Community Resource Center, Mt. Shasta Elks Lodge 2333, Northern Siskiyou Ministerial Association, Weed Community Christmas Basket Committee and the Scott Valley Salvation Army.

Decked out in our tee shirts designed by Weaterization crew member, Zach McCrillis, the staff joined board members for our Annual Picnic in Weed on August 30th.

Great food catered by GNC client Montgomery Meats, home made desserts, and lively horseshoes and bocce ball made for a fun day with co-workers and family members.

 

August 15 – 16, 2012
Lake Shastina Resort

Executive Director, Bonnie Kubowitz convened the entire GNC Staff for a team retreat facilitated by Diane Strachen of Positive Futures Inc.

Retreat goals included:
1) improved communication and leadership skills for staff
2) integration of programs and cross-training
3) diversifying funding and
4) co-creation for “one touch” client services/healthy homes.

The entire staff practiced listening skills, observed increased awareness of the variety of services performed by GNC and appreciation for the collective skills and capacity of the group.

Some interesting quotes from the sessions:
“Retreats don’t suck”, Zach sums up Day One.
“None of us is as smart as all of us”, Old Cowboy saying.

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 1^st.  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.

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

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?