Alta, IA

The Alta RuFES (Rural Family Economic Success - administered through the Annie E. Casey Foundation) team provided Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) during the 2010 tax season for several individuals and families. While the assistance focused on basic tax needs, we were able to provide maximum credits and deductions for those we served.

VITA services were provided free of charge and because it saved those we served the fee they would have been charged by going to a professional tax provider, VITA brought double benefit to those who were served.

This year was a good start for VITA in Alta in training volunteers in the process and exposing our community to money-saving help.

Next year, we hope to help even more individuals and families with free tax services, while providing opportunities for more residents in Alta the chance to give of their time and service to assist neighbors in need by becoming VITA volunteers.

Thanks to the Alta RuFES team for making Volunteer Income Tax Assistance available this year!

Jenna Harms of Alta, has been selected as a delegate to the 2010 Rural Youth Convening of the National Rural Assembly in Santa Fe, New Mexico, April 22-25. Harms  is one of 53 young people chosen from a nation-wide nominations process.  Assembly participants were selected on the basis of leadership, community involvement, and personal interests and achievement. Jenna Harms  was nominated to be part of the youth delegation by Horizons/RuFES  of Alta, Iowa.

“The critical question facing many small towns and rural communities is what opportunities are going to be there for this next generation,” said Dee Davis, President of the Center for Rural Strategies and chairperson of the National Rural Assembly steering committee. “It is important that rural young people are part of the conversation and part of finding solutions. We are very encouraged by this strong group of delegates and look forward to their contribution.”

Peter Morris of the National Congress for American Indians and member of the Youth Assembly organizing committee adds, “These delegates were selected through a very competitive nominations process. Those selected are ages 18-25 and live in rural communities in 28 states across the nation. They represent the geographic, racial, and ethnic diversity of rural America and the nation as a whole.”

The youth convening of the National Rural Assembly will provide a forum for rural young people to discuss issues that are critical to their lives and communities, such as job creation, education, local culture, and conserving natural resources.

The National Rural Assembly includes more than 500 local, regional, and national organizations based in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The stated goal of the National Rural Assembly is to make the country stronger by improving the outlook for rural communities.

Three Alta team members spent a nice Saturday in Ames with people from other Iowa Horizons communities, sharing success stories and gathering ideas. Some Alta successes we shared included Alta Building Connections (ABC) has welcomed 20 new residents to the community since April 2008. Through ABC new people to the community receive a packet of gifts from every Alta business, and some gifts from neighboring communities’ businesses. The packet also has information about community servies that a person new to town needs. We are also proud to say that the community resources center (CRC ) opened in October 2008 and is staffed by a volunteer on Friday mornings. We so happy that the CRC is getting young people involved in the community.

Terry Pollard, Alta Horizons steering committee chair, was invited to speak to a group of citizens in Correctionville, on Monday, October 28, meeting in the fellowship hall annex at Grace United Methodist Church.

This was the kick-off night for the study circle groups at Correctionville, which is just starting the Horizons program. There were approximately 40 people in attendance and a light, delicious meal provided by Horizons was served at the beginning of the meeting.

Terry was invited to share information regarding Alta Horizons that served as a point of encouragement to the Correctionville citizens as they kick off their Horizons program. He highlighted in his presentation the initial beginnings of Horizons in Alta and walked the group through the successful steps that were taken.

He presented a sample welcome kit to the group as well as pictures of the new Alta Resource Center in Alta. Several citizens asked questions regarding some things that were done in Alta. Terry encouraged the participants in Correctionville to remember that it’s challenging yet rewarding work, and in the end there will be a new opportunity for the community to work together and address poverty issues within the community in ways they haven’t done before.  He congratulated them on their fine start and looked forward to sharing any ideas that will assist them on their journey together.

Thanks to Correctionville and the Iowa State University Extension Horizons personnel for the invitation for Alta Horizons to share with another community - part of the networking!

From the Storm Lake Times - The Alta Horizons Steering Committee proudly announces the grand opening of the Alta Community Resource Center at 212 1/2 Main Street in Alta. The center was open to the public, Wednesday, September 10, and will be open on a regular basis on Fridays from 10am-12noon. It is intended to be a one-stop shop for people with questions about local services and a base to sustain ongoing Horizons activities. It will be staffed by volunteers.

“I’m happy we have a visible face in the community,” said president of the Horizons steering committee Rev. Terry Pollard. “Actually I’ve had a great team. I’ve delegated quite a bit of the work and I’ve been the ‘rah, rah man.’”

Other members of the committee are Cassie Bishop, Bonnie Hach, Don Binder, Bertha Carlson, Pam Henderson, Fred Maharry, Jim Black, Iris Halverson, Tom Huseman, Sandra Kuhn, and Carolyn DeRoos. Bishop, a registered nurse, is leader of the Horizons health care work group. She will provide blood pressure checks when she volunteers at the center.

The Horizons program is a community leadership initiative to reduce poverty and is funded by the Northwest Area Foundation, through the Iowa State University Extension. Alta qualified for the program for communities of less than 5,000 with a poverty level of at least 10%.

Horizons helps communities take charge and build stronger leaders to address poverty, economic decline, and the exodus of young adults in rural Iowa communities.

Note: The Storm Lake Pilot-Tribune also did a feature front page news story on the opening of the Resource Center. The local media outlets have given us great coverage.

An open house to kick off the new Alta Community Resource Center was held on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, as a crowning achievement to the nearly tw0-year long Horizon development program.

The Resource Center is located at 212 1/2 Main Street, and will be one-stop shop for everyone who  may be new to the community or is in need of information or assistance programs or referrals to a variety of northwest Iowa services. Volunteers will staff the office.

Rev. Terry Pollard is leading the Horizons committee, with Bonnie Hach as secretary.

“Every day there are low income, frail elderly, new residents and people whose life situation has changed that have questions about where to find help for financial assistance, housing needs, available childcare, health services, and transportation,” said Kris Shannon, a Horizons participant and a resource center organizer. “This center is conveniently located on Main Street and will have answers to those questions. In small rural towns, the strength has to come in a good people network.”

With a steering committee in place and an agreement formed with the city to manage grant funds, Alta has fulfilled all its responsibilities in the program. Alta will soon receive the additional $8,500 of grant money promised by the Northwest Area Foundation.

The program in Alta began with more than 40 people involved in study circles in 2007, followed by 6 weeks of guided community discussions, and 26 volunteers completing a nine-week leadership course. Three Altans have additionally earned certification as trainers in the course so that it could be conducted in Alta - and could be shared with other groups in need of leadership development in the future.

“Horizons is working here. It’s bringing people together, helping us identify the needs and resources within our town,” said Pam Henderson, Alta City Council member.

After 18 months of effort, the Horizons program is paying off for the community. “It’s like a dream come true,” said Rev. Terry, Pollard, Alta Horizons chair. “We’ve had lots of help and lots of people take interest to see this through. We are glad to now have a very visible “face” for Horizons on Main Street in Alta. My hope is that the program in Alta will still be alive and well years into the future and making a difference in the lives of people who need it most.”

Horizons in Alta began in the fall of 2006.

Thirty-two Alta residents, including seven or eight who had not yet been involved in Horizons efforts, participated in a forum on Sunday evening, June 22, at the Alta Community Center.

Following a light supper, participants heard updates from each of the Horizons work groups and had opportunities to ask questions and offer suggestions. Some work groups also gained new volunteers before the evening was done! Highlights included an update on plans to open the Community Resource Center at 212 ½ Main Street in Alta before the end of the summer. (see below for donations needed!)

We were urged to be sure to refer new Alta residents to the ABC group (Alta Builds Connections) so they can receive a welcome visit. Special efforts are needed to reach out to new residents who may be low-income or isolated in any way. It was noted that there are several housing starts in the community, and entrepreneurial business recognition and encouragement was presented.

Because this was the final event during the official two-year Horizons effort, a certificate of appreciation was presented to each member of the hard-working steering committee. As the formal Horizons project ends, ISU Extension’s Community Coach (Barb Wollan) also ends her formal involvement with the project and the community. Barb assured the group, however, that she is still available for consultation and will look forward to hearing about the work ahead. She left the group with a challenge to continue the good work that has begun, to directly assist low-income residents, to keep in mind the impact on low-income families whenever policy decisions are made, and to continue working to build involvement of all segments of the community, especially low-income residents.

The Community Resource Center seeks donations of the following items. Contact Bonnie Hach to donate: pencils & pens, pencil sharpener, paper clips & clasps, 20# copy paper, manila folders, hanging file folders, stapler & staples, typewriter, a computer & programs, an answering phone, phone cards, storage shelves, a folding 4’ conference table, literature racks.

Part of any community success takes place when people start talking and working together to see something different happen. Alta Horizons is glad to see that there is ongoing commitment in the school district, the city and the local businesses to work together to create change in Alta.

The Community Resource Center (CRC), soon to open this fall in Alta on Main Street, provides an ongoing structure in which resources and networking can be realized in a visible way.

The Alta Building Connections (ABC) has found its face through Alta Horizons. It will continue to provide consistent and regular opportunity to keep in touch with people moving into the Alta community and provide them with the information they need for the resources the city of Alta and surrounding community has to offer.

The District Promotion Committee (DPC) arose from the ideas tossed around in the study circle groups early on in the Horizons program in Alta. This committee, among whom are members of the Alta Horizons Steering Committee, will serve as an ongoing entity to continue to explore ways to promote our city and schools and businesses.

If you enter Alta on the county roads from the north or south, you’ll see something new by way of signage and a new city logo!

Not long after Alta Horizons got to work in the community (Alta Horizons promoting and carried through with the city and the school district on the importance of community entities working together to improve the way of life) a school district promotional committee was formed (utilizing several members of the Alta Horizons Steering Committee). The purpose, in cooperation with the city and school, was to develop a new theme and logo for  the city of Alta, as well as put together a full color, 4-page full paper size information brochure. The brochure is designed to promote all that Alta has to present to its residents.

This long-awaited and well-planned purpose came to being in May 2008, with a community unveiling at the local football field. In attendance were teachers and students, mayor and city council members, district promo committee members, and Horizon Steering Committee members.  Local newspaper and TV media outlets were on hand for interviews and extensive coverage of what was happening in Alta.

The new Alta logo incorporates the words ALTA and a beautiful golden sunrise nestled over wind turbines with the theme “Catch the Energy” as part of the city logo. Two new signs have since been mounted at the north and south entry ways to Alta.

The “seed idea” for this new community branding and new theme to create a sense of pride in the community found its heartbeat  in the Horizons study groups that got people in Alta together and got them to talking about what needs to happen in the community. From that “seed idea” has come new signs, a new logo, a new theme, and a new sense of pride in Alta to “Catch the Energy”!

Alta Horizons has recently become aware of the need for clothing assistance for families in need in Alta.

Dialogue has begun this month (June, 2008) for the use of an existing building on Main Street which would be an ideal location for the clothing depot.

The concept of the clothing depot is to receive new or used clothing to be distributed “free” or at a greatly reduced price on a weekly basis. The clothing depot would also include basic household items and necessities for purchase. This depot would be staffed by volunteers on a regular weekly schedule, thereby being self-funded with little overhead expense.

Stay tuned as Alta Horizons pursues this exciting new “business” adventure to address needs within our community!