May 2010 Meeting Minutes

Download a copy of the May 5, 2010 Winnebagoland Housing Coalition minutes here.

Bare Essentials Drive

You may recall that Patti Vickman of the Oshkosh Area School District spoke to us some months ago about the Self Sufficiency Project.

The Self Sufficiency Project has a mission of engaging the Greater Oshkosh community in efforts to reduce poverty and foster self-sufficiency.

The Group recently hosted a "plunge" event where community leaders were invited to learn about poverty in our community and talk about ways we can work together to make a difference.

An initial project that came out of the plunge is the "Bare Essentials Drive." The Bare Essentials Drive is designed to secure new underwear and sock donations for St. Vincent DePaul, and targeted items for the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry to include: tuna, peanut butter, toothpaste, shampoo or toilet paper.

The Self-Sufficiency Project is seeking additional area organizations and businesses to particpating in hosting a June drive for these worthy causes. If you would like to sign your agency up please call the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation at 426-3993. The Community Foundation can also respond to any questions that you might have about this drive.

New Advocap Program-Funds for Fines

Advocap just launched a new program called Funds for Fines. Funds for Fines is a loan program aimed at helping low-income drivers drive legally and responsibly. Funds for Fines loans are targeted to individuals whose fines are due to traffic and parking citations which have resulted in suspension or revocation of drivers license or vehicle registration. Funds for Fines will not provide loans for applicant's whose citations are due to risky behavior such as driving while intoxicated. Download a program flyer here.

For more information and/or to apply, please call: Sue Pomplun, ADVOCAP Work N Wheels Program Coordinator, at 920-426-0105 (office) or 920-252-5118 (cell)

NEW Case Managers Group

One of the initiatives that came out of the Housing Coalition Action Planning session was to have a "Case Managers" group to regularly meet and communicate more effectively about cases that may touch multiple agencies. It is believed that increased coordination and communication will enhance client services. Amy Lang of Advocap will be the lead for this group. As the lead Amy will be coordinating meeting details. If you are interested in joining this newly formed work group please email Amy Lang to express your interest at amyl@advocap.org or call her at 426-0150.

Meal Site and Food Pantry Resource List

Do you have clients in need of food? Then you may want to check out the most up to date Food Pantry and Community Meals list for Oshkosh and Omro. This list was revised 4/26/10.

Habitat for Humanity Accepting Applications for next Build

Oshkosh Habitat for Humanity's Executive Director Steve Hoopman reported that applications are being accepted for their next build on Grand Street. Information can be obtained about program guidelines by visiting the Habitat for Humanity website at http://www.habitatoshkosh.org/index.php Applications are available for download on the website also. Contact Erica Wolf with questions at 235-3535.