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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGrant Request - Heart of OregonDeschutes County Board of County Commissioners Discretionary Grant Program Board Meeting Date: June 24, 2013 Organization: Heart of Oregon Organization Description: Heart of Oregon improves economic and social vitality while increasing pathways out of poverty by operating job -skills training programs for young adults. Project Name: Van Transportation for Youth Transformation Program Project Description: Make repairs and perform maintenance on vehicles that transport youth to various job sites in Deschutes County. If awarded, funds will be matched 1:1. Project Period: 6/1/2013 — 9/15/2013 Amount of Request: $2,500 Previous Grants: Heart of Oregon Corps 4/12/2005 Heart of Oregon Corps 5/1/2006 Heart of Oregon Corps 11/2012006 Heart of Oregon Corps 5/17/2007 Heart of Oregon Corps 10/20/2008 Heart of Oregon Corps 8/22/2012 $ 300.00 $ 4,000.00 $ 3,000.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 3,000.00 $ 2,000.00 Pole Pedal Paddle entry fee ETO Software Fire Fuel Reduction ETO Software Consultation Deck Replacement Approved: Declined: HEART of OREGON CORPS April 24, 2013 Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St. Bend, OR 97701-1960 Dear Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, On behalf of the Heart of Oregon Corps Board of Directors, staff and program participants, I am pleased to present the enclosed proposal to the Deschutes County Discretionary Grant program for a request of a $2,500 investment in our agency's critical transportation needs, which we will match at a 1:1 rate. Over the course of one year, Heart of Oregon Corps programs offer 140 Deschutes County youth, ages 16-27, opportunities to gain job skills training, increase their education levels, and access post -secondary scholarships. Your investment will directly empower local young people who give back to the county's constituents and public lands through environmental stewardship, construction of affordable housing, and weatherization of low-income homes. Heart of Oregon Corps operates youth employment training programs that reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth, and maintain the natural environment. While the Oregon unemployment rate is 7.6 %, the unemployment rate for 16 to 24 year old Oregonians is 17.8%. By paying youth stipends and wages, we stimulate the local economy and directly combat the national youth unemployment crisis in our community. Over the past 5 years we've paid more than 4.5 million dollars in wages and stipends. We've also awarded $607,636 in college scholarships to youth and in turn they've contributed over 300,000 hours in service to Central Oregon. We are proud of the transformations we see in program participants and the contributions they make to Deschutes County. The service footprint of our programs stretches across the entire county and is made possible by our fleet of passenger vehicles, which provides youth participants with transportation to and from the job site. We truly hope you choose to invest in Heart of Oregon Corps' local impact by funding some of our ongoing transportation needs. Please feel free to reach me anytime if you would like additional information. My cell number is 541-408-2647 and email is amy.mentuck@heartoforegon.org Warmly, Cc Amy Met k Director of Development Laura Handy Executive Director 9 r: C;ri J PO Box 279, Bend, OR 97709 phone: (541) 633-7834 I fax: (541) 306-3703 1 info@heartoforegon.org www.heartoforogon.org Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St , Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (5411385-3202 - www desc1iutes org DESCHUTES COUNTY ECC_)NOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGR4M APPLI(:'ATION Direct Application to: Commissioner Tanury Bane• Commissioner Anthony DeBone Da te: Project Nanie Project Beginning Date: Amount of Request: Applicant/Organization: Commissioner Alan Ungei All Three Commissioner, Tran.5por#u ;c, Tam 110 ,41, 1 -o Soo Address: Project End Date: Date Funds Needed: 1-i Po -r)- 0-r Of esu Co`1 P• o • Bo. Contact Name(s): Fax: Tai ID #: City & Zip: 4444Wlephone: r#L k D f routo Pi -306-31-0 Alternate Phone: 9-15-2,ot3 lc) 013 q3 -(303S1-9 ;9'i-633_1839 Email: ac•, n L;�, �kr--aprQQo.,.Or) e iambi Or On a separate sheet, please briefly answer the following questions: 1 Describe the applicant organization, including its pulvose., leadership structure, and activities Describe the proposed project 01 activity 3 Provide a timeline for completing the proposed project or activity 4 Explains how the proposed project or activity will impact the community's economic health Identify the specific communities or groups that will benefit 6 Itemize anticipated expenditures* Describe how grant funds will be used and include the source and an'oi'nts of matching funds or in-kind contribution;, if any If the grant will support an ongoing activity, explain how it 'will be funded in the future Attach: Proof of the applicant organization's non-profit status Applicant may be contacted dining the review process anis asked to provide a complete line item budget Tammy Bailey: Amount: Si;natnre Anthony DeBone- Amount Signature Alan Timer Amount Signature HEART OF OREGON CORPS Empuwerany chanye. Van Transporation for Youth Transformation 1. Describe the applicant organization, including its purpose, leadership structure, and activities. The mission of Heart of Oregon Corps is to empower and inspire positive change in the lives of young people through jobs, education and stewardship. The vision of Heart of Oregon Corps is to improve economic and social vitality while increasing pathways out of poverty. We operate job -skills training programs that are a mainstay in the region's youth employment landscape and help address the needs of disconnected young adults (age 16-27) across Central Oregon. Our six core programs include: (1) YouthBuild; (2) AmeriCorps; (3) Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps; (4) Stewardship; (5) Clean Energy Service Corps, and (6) Heart of Oregon Corps Thrift Store in Madras. Participants earn wages or stipends, acquire essential job skills and employment experience, attain educational goals, engage with their community, and reach financial independence. Corpsmembers complete projects that benefit local communities and stimulate local economies. In the past five years, we have paid more than $4.5 million in stipends and wages. Program participants have completed over 300,000 hours of service to the community while completing high school or its equivalency and earning nearly $607,636 in post- secondary AmeriCorps Education Scholarships. Over the past 12 years, HOC has served more than 2,000 young people, with an estimated 81% exiting the program into full-time education or stable employment Heart of Oregon Corps is governed by an active 8 member board of directors who each contribute significantly to the organization. Each member contributes a minimum of 5 hours per month up to 160 hours per month. All members make a cash contribution ranging from $100 to $5,000 annually and specific in-kind contributions. Board Members include: Jeff Lichtenberg, President (Director Jefferson County Community Justice); Steve Welbourn, Vice President (Spiritual Advisor, State of Oregon); Trish Jorgenson, Secretary (Retired Reserve Deputy); Katy Fitzsimons, Treasurer (Marketing Development Manager, Coca-Cola Refreshments); Tony DeBone (Deschutes County Commissioner); Erick Ward (Partner, Ward Grover, LLP), Mike Daly (former Deschutes County Commissioner/Retired Excavating Contractor). On the staff level, the organization is managed by the leadership team of Laura Handy, Executive Director; Co-founder/Education Director, Dan Saraceno; Amy Mentuck, Development Director; and Ann Kompir, Finance Director. 2. Describe the proposed project or activity. Of our 6 programs, 5 are based in Deschutes County: AmeriCorps, Clean Energy Service Corps (CESC), and Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (COYCC) are in Bend, while YouthBuild and Stewardship are operated out of Redmond. Heart of Oregon Corps (HOC) youth crews make a tremendous impact in Deschutes County. This year we will employ approximately 140 local youth to provide various services that benefit the county's constituents and public lands. All HOC participants improve their own lives by earning wages, gaining work experience, and working towards educational advancement — GED, high school diploma, or college credits. 1 Heart of Oregon Corps: Van Transportation for Youth Transformation 3. Provide a timeline for completing the proposed project or activity. Heart of Oregon Corps respectfully requests a Deschutes County investment of $2,500 to replace tires, brakes, change oil, and purchase assorted auto parts for our fleet of passenger vehicles by July. Our 8 vehicle fleet racked up over $10,000 of maintenance fees last year, traveling over 40,000 miles. Summer is our peak season, when AmeriCorps and COYCC crews drive extensively on rough, unpaved BLM and Forest Service roads. Heavy mileage combined with difficult road conditions results in significant vehicle wear and tear. Every year Heart of Oregon Corps incurs substantial ongoing costs replacing tires, brakes, and performing general maintenance to ensure the safety and upkeep of the fleet. HOC will match any funding at a 1:1 rate to meet this critical agency need. Safe and functional transportation is the foundation for Heart of Oregon Corps' service footprint, which spans across the entirety of Deschutes County, from Smith Rock State Park to the Deschutes National Forest in South County. 4. Explain how the proposed project or activity will impact the community's economic health. Heart of Oregon Corps has paid local youth more than $4.5 million in wages over the last 5 years — money that is reinvested into local economies. Our programs employ and train Deschutes County youth, connecting them with local jobs and careers when they most need them. Over the past 5 years, we have awarded over $607,636 in scholarships. Those education awards allow youth to continue their post -secondary education at COCC, OSU-Cascades, and eligible trade schools. Increasing education levels in local youth prepares and enhances the Deschutes County workforce. Finally, Heart of Oregon Corps' environmental conservation and clean energy services directly benefit the local economy. Deschutes National Forest estimates 3 million users a year and is experiencing greater use on all trail systems than ever before. Our crews help properly rehabilitate and maintain public lands within the county. That work promotes local tourism and recreation, which benefits revenues for both local business and government. The weatherization services we provide to low- income homeowners help residents save money and energy. 5. Identify the specific communities or groups that will benefit. The current economic downturn is hitting youth particularly hard, especially rural youth. While the Oregon unemployment rate is 7.6%, the unemployment rate for youth ages 16-24 is 17.8% -- more than double. Studies show that youth employed during and immediately after high school experience increased earnings potential and more job stability throughout life. Only 69% of Deschutes County youth graduate high school on time, significantly lower than the statewide average of 77%. Youth served by Heart of Oregon Corps are an underprivileged demographic: 11% are homeless, which includes transitional housing. Lack of transportation is a major barrier to employment for local youth. Many HOC members lack access to personal transportation, and very few own vehicles. Heavily -forested Deschutes County is larger than the entire state of Delaware, yet local and regional public transportation is limited. Heart of Oregon Corps addresses this difficulty by offering employment in participants' geographic location and van transportation to and from the designated local pickup point and the field sites. Without the transportation solutions we provide, many disadvantaged local youth simply cannot access existing job opportunities. 3 Heart of Oregon Corps: Van Transportation for Youth Transformation INTERNAL., REVENUE SERVICE P. 0. SOX 2508 CINCINNATI, OH 45201 Date: MAR - 4 2005 HEART OF OREGON CORPS INC 63360 NW BRITTA ST STE 1 BEND, OR 97701-9475 Dear Applicant: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Employer Identification Number: 93-1303879 DLN: 17053001734005 Contact Person: ERIC J BERTELSEN ID# 31323 Contact Telephone Number: (877) 829-5500 Public Charity Status: 170(b) (1) (A) (vi) Our letter dated APRIL 2001, stated you would be exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, and you would be treated as a public charity, rather than as a private foundation, during an advance ruling period. - Based'on:the information you submitted, you are classified as a public charity under the Code section listed in the heading of this letter. Since your exempt status was not under consideration, you continue to be classified as an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Code. Publication 557, Tax -Exempt Status for Your Organization, provides detailed information about your rights and responsibilities as an exempt organization. You may request a copy by calling the toll-free number for forms, (800) 829-3676. Information is .also available on our Internet Web Site at www. irs•..gov. If you have general questions about exempt organizations, please call our toll-free number shown in the heading between 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. Please keep this letter in your permanent records. Sincerely yours, Lois G. Lerner Director, Exempt Organizations Rulings and Agreements Letter 1050 (D0/CG)