As the new year dawns upon us, it’s the perfect time for Tri-CAP to count its blessings and thank our many wonderful state, federal and community partners. (We won’t name any partners by name because, frankly, there are too many of them, space is limited, and we don’t want to make anyone angry with us if we forget them!)
We serve eligible households through a variety of programs, including Transportation, Energy Assistance, Housing, Self-Sufficiency, and Weatherization. We extend a hand up – not a hand out – to those in need.
During fiscal year 2008-2009, we served 11,089 families and 30,975 individuals. We could not have done this amazing job without the assistance of our partners: County human services, area non-profits, state and federal government agencies, landlords, attorneys, area businesses, financial institutions, educators, and grant funders. Together, we provide services that meet the basic needs of persons experiencing poverty, homelessness, crises or life changes.
Financial institutions help our Financial Fitness team work with customers to repair their credit histories, open savings accounts and become patrons of mainstream banks; they also assist our FAIM (Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota) customers to bank their savings. These institutions also make home repair loans to some of our housing customers.
Our W.I.N.G.S. /Displaced Homemaker program partners with women’s shelters and workforce centers to prepare men and women for employment after they’ve experienced a loss of income due to death, divorce, separation or the disability of a partner. And local business advisors are available to work with customers who want to start a small business.
Energy Assistance Program teams with utility companies to keep customers’ utilities from being shut off, while Weatherization uses local contractors to make homes safer and warmer. And both private and government financial institutions assist our Community Development program in acquiring and rehabilitating houses to sell at no profit and with no interest to eligible households, which otherwise might not be able to afford a home.
While our Renting 101 counselors advise customers about how to clean up their rental histories, local attorneys and landlords give them straightforward advice about the realities of renting – and the things that will keep them out of housing.
Local communities work together with our Transportation Center to provide needed transportation services in underserved areas; we also rely on our many volunteer drivers, who provide their own vehicles, to help customers get to and from medical and other important appointments. And we are fortunate that several local nonprofits help us recruit those dedicated volunteers.
As we said, the above isn’t a comprehensive list – this is only a blog, not a book. Just know there are many other nonprofits and community agencies who refer customers to us or take referrals from us, and together we weave a network of services to help our customers expand their opportunities and become more self sufficient.
Thank you, Tri-CAP partners, and Happy New Year!
