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.

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 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

New Logo on Door Signage

Former redwood sign refurbished by Steve Hart - Signs of Life

Planting the GNC Sign

Great Northern Corporation (GNC) is very pleased to announce completion of our project funded from the McConnell Fund of the Shasta Regional Community Foundation for emergency food purchase and delivery van repair for our USDA Food Commodities Program.

The money was used to purchase additional food for delivery throughout Siskiyou County.

GNC’s food program has seen increased demand in recent months in all areas of the county.  “More and more people are not able to meet the needs of their families with food and other essentials” reports GNC Food Commodities Program Manager, Dennis Baldini.  “This money went a long way to help a lot of people in our area.”

A portion of the funding was used for emergency repair to GNC’s food delivery van.  The van had been inoperable for over a month.  A temporary loaner van for interim food delivery was provided by the California Emergency Foodlink organization of Sacramento County.  “We continue to look for a long term solution to improved delivery of food commodities in Siskiyou County which requires driving close to 18,000 miles per year,” says Executive Director, Bonnie Kubowitz.

The City of Dunsmuir wants to make the public aware that “private property sewer laterals” are eligible activities under the City’s housing rehabilitation program.  Anyone interested in this program is welcome to pick up an application at City Hall or by calling GNC at 938-4115 ext. 21.

The staff of Great Northern Corporation (GNC) is available each Wednesday from 9 am to 3 pm to residents of Siskiyou County providing information and application assistance for the Housing Rehabilitation Programs in the Mt. Shasta, Dunsmuir and Etna areas.  Please call Claudia at 938-4115 ext. 21 to schedule an appointment.

These programs and others managed by GNC are equal housing opportunities.   For more information about GNC visit their website www.gncCorp.org.

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?

Employee donations were added to those of the Fabulous Foxes in Red Chapter of the Red Hat Society, Seven Suns Coffee, Mt. Shasta Supermarket, General Produce and Rays Food Place in Mt. Shasta to provide several meals for each family. GNC is the USDA food commodity distributor for  Siskyou County.

Manager, Dennis Baldini has indicated that he has seen an increase in need in our area with the rise in unemployment and high gas prices.

Learn more about GNC Food Program.

Yreka, CA — The Trail family of Yreka describes themselves as “low to no tech” and “zero waste” when it comes to dry farming and raising meat goats for breeding in rural Siskiyou County.

Parents Anna and Marc home school their daughter, Dominique, under the Golden Eagle Charter School program. At age 13 she is a sophomore with a grade point average of 3.96. Her formally approved high school project found a natural segue to the food commodities distribution services of Great Northern Corporation (GNC).

“Dominique wanted to do a project that helped our family business and link it to community service. Although not a requirement, she was raised to keep ‘the big picture’ in mind and saw a way that she could give back to an organization that had helped us over the years,” said her mom.

After losing a prize buck to a urinary problem, the family discovered that nutrition could have been the main health issue. Dominique proposed growing a number of test plots for feed that included wheat, alfalfa, rye grass and other legume hays that could then be used for the breeding stock. At the same time, she “dry farmed” potatoes, onions and other vegetables with the goal to donate them to GNC’s food program.

Marc’s health issues have required the family to become self-sufficient and by choice they lead a simple and modest life that is rich with family ties and a desire to share what they can with others.

The Trails have received food from GNC’s program over the past 10 years and recently observed the increase in numbers of people who needed assistance, and that quantities and quality were not meeting local needs. Dominique wondered why all the helpers were always seniors. “Where are the kids to help with this program?” she asked.