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!

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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”!

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!

In the past two months, the city council has approved a new housing development south of the Alta Middle School. Along
with the new housing, there is focus now on beautification and property improvement in Alta. Horizons is exploring ways to improve notification of available funds for greater local resident participation.

Currently, 8 houses in Alta are being selected to benefit from a recent HUD grant the city received.

Alta Horizons is currently active in recruiting some people within the community to  serve on the housing work group to be proactive in promoting housing goals within the city limits of Alta.

Several ideas to make affordable health care accessible to Alta residents who need it were discussed in dialogue with the representative from UCHC: (1) making a nurse available in an Alta facility starting with 1 morning a month; (2) utilizing a Spanish-speaking advocate from the west side trailer home park in Alta for those within in the Hispanic community who need to be made aware of what is available; (3) in June, sports physicals and kindergarten physicals are going to be made available at a set fee of $30 without immunizations. Bus transportation to UCHC is being considered. Alta is considering “scholarships for those who cannot afford the $30; (4) the committee received information about other services including dental care and 340B discount drug prescription assistance.

Horizons will promote the UCHC health services in the Alta community and will continue to dialogue with the UCHC to provide this option of medical care for the Alta Community.

UCHC information brochures were distributed to committee members. Alta Horizons is going to be distributing these brochures from the new CRC this fall as well as making them available through the local food pantry in Alta - the Lord’s Cupboard. These brochures are available in Spanish and English.

Alta Horizons will also be promoting locally the new Iowa Tobacco Cessation program, which has no income pre-qualications - a 12-week program which includes prescription medicines and counseling.

Alta Horizons will continue to look for ways to encourage the UCHC to bring the health services TO the community of Alta or make it easier for people in Alta to utilize the services.