Spring 2017
Spring Has Sprung Let’s Help Motivate
The weather is finally cooperating and we
see signs that spring has sprung. Extra
daylight is here, the grass is growing and
more people are walking up and down
the streets. Generally, people enjoy the
season changing from winter to spring
and are busy making spring break plans.
Schools will be closing soon for summer
break along with golf courses being full to
capacity. Spring is fun and for those who
can afford the many options that it
brings, it is a great time of year. For those
who come through our doors for assistance it can bring many challenges; utility shut off notices, summer childcare, employment and various other
issues that people in poverty face. What I notice when I see people
coming into our office is how comfortable we make them feel. We
have families registering for Head Start, signing up for utility assistance,
whatever the reason for coming through our doors we treat everyone
with respect.
Spring 2017
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Head Start Apps .......... 2
VITA Review .................. 2
Dubuque ONV ............. 3
Jackson ONV ............... 4
Delaware ONV ............ 5
Meet our Interns .......... 6
Head Start ..................... 7
SPECIAL INTEREST
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VITA 2016 statistics
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Head Start now
accepting Applications
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Green Iowa offering
FREE energy audits
Our ability to focus on the needs of others goes right to our self-esteem.
We are selfish by nature, which in some regards is not a bad trait (health, employment, family, etc…),
but everyone can improve their ability to be selfless and more empathic to those we meet. Keep in
mind with the sunny days ahead, some people will not have a spring break vacation or a golf outing,
those people might be coming through our doors. The Operation: New View mission statement includes the phrase “motivation” which implies we enable people to achieve goals and become selfsufficient. I am very pleased we go the extra mile to help those coming through our doors in this manner.
Spring has sprung and no matter the season, we are committed to having a pleasant atmosphere
within the many offices of Operation: New View.
—David Barnes, Executive Director, Operation New View CAA
Central Office
1473 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001-4853
563.556.5130
www.operationnewview.org
Dubuque County
Outreach Office
Delaware County
Outreach Office
Jackson County
Outreach Office
Child & Adult Care
Food Program
1473 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001-4853
563.556.5130
721 South 5th St., Suite B
P.O. Box 443
Manchester, IA 52057-0443
563.927.4629
904 East Quarry
Maquoketa, IA 52060
563.652.5197
705 5th Street, NW
Dyersville, IA 52040
563.875.7452
Spring 2017
Accepting Head Start Applications for 2017-2018 School Year
Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood development program that focuses on increasing the school
readiness of children ages 3
to 5 from low-income families
through education, health,
social, and other services.
We have 13 classroom centers, located in Dubuque,
Jackson, and Delaware
Counties that can serve up
to 225 children.
Head Start classroom Maquoketa, IA
For more information about
this program or to apply for
enrollment for your child,
please visit our website at
operationnewview.org
or call (563)556-5130
Head Start is a four-day
weekly preschool program
that is provided at no cost
to the parents, for income
eligible families.
Services provided include:
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Early Learning
Screenings and follow-up
for health, development,
and behavior
Health and safety
Social and emotional
development
Nutrition
Family goal-setting
Social services
Transition services
Services for children with
disabilities
We are currently accepting
applications for the
2017-2018 school year.
Contact your local office for more applicant and enrollment information:
Dubuque Co 563-556-5130 | Delaware Co 563-927-4629 | Jackson Co 563-652-5197
VITA in Review
VITA (Volunteer Income tax Assistance) provided free income tax preparation for our low to
moderate income clients, we were fortunate to receive help from 18 volunteers. The following is
a breakdown of the number of tax returns prepared and
approved as well as the money brought into our service area through the VITA program:
Delaware Co
Dubuque Co
Jackson Co
Total
Tax Returns filed
49
206
80
335
Federal Refund Dollars
$78,310
$308,598
$113,726
$500,634
EITC Refund Dollars
$38,106
$116,095
$89,311
$243,512
State Refund Dollars
$14,727
$41,632
$15,838
$72,197
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Spring 2017
Botanical Gardens, Dubuque, IA
Dubuque County Outreach:
LIHEAP News
This LIHEAP season, Energy Assistance applications have surpassed last year’s total
numbers. So far, over 4300 applications
have been taken with a total payout to area heating vendors of approximately $1.9
million. The program accepted applications from October 1st to April 28th. A big
thanks to all who worked especially hard
this past winter to make the program a
great success.
must make a repayment agreement to
keep their service on. However, a lot of the
time these repayment agreements are unaffordable. That is where utility funds come
in handy to help buy down arrearages and
make repayment agreements more reasonable to low income households.
Funding history has been erratic the last
decade or so. The last few years has seen a
decline in federal funding from a high of
$5.1 billion in 2009 and 2010. A little less in
2011 at $4.4 billion. Since then it has been
downhill. Funding since 2012 have been
stagnate at $3.4 billion. The Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) funding is part the Labor,
Health and Human Service, Education appropriation.
Iowa’s Winter Moratorium on utility service
disconnections ended on April 1st, and
many low income households are in need
of additional help in order to keep their utility service on. That is where utility contribution funds come in handy. Recently, Alliant
Energy donated $84,838.27 to our agency.
These funds come from Alliant shareholders,
employees, retirees and customers. We also
receive funds from Black Hills Energy, Maquoketa Valley REC, and from smaller Municipals throughout our area. Local donations are also donated to our agency for
use in our “Keep Our Neighbor Warm” fund.
Usually for utility arrearages, a customer
—Jim O’Toole, Program Manager,
Operation New View CAA
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Spring 2017
Jackson County
Outreach:
Partner in our Community
Maquoketa River Water Trail
The Jackson County Office has had another
successful year of assisting low to moderateincome individuals and families with income
tax preparation. Approximately, 85 returns
were prepared through the Volunteer Income
Tax Preparation Program at the site. We thank
Jane Bentrott and Pamela Williams for volunteering to serve our community through this
program.
Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois for their partnership during February’s Loads of Love Campaign. Hundreds of personal care, household
and food items were donated to our Gift/
Exchange Shop for elderly, disabled and lowincome families. Individuals and families can
shop one time every 90 days. We thank all of
those in our community who made this drive
a successful venture.
Our community partner, Maquoketa Community Services, has provided funding to supply
the Jackson County food pantries with Farmers Market Coupons. These coupons can be
used at any Jackson County Farmers Markets
to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and
meats. Stop by your local food bank to take
advantage of this nutritional option.
—Ronelle Clark, Outreach Coordinator,
Jackson County
Spring is a good time to think about changing
the furnace filter in your home. Thanks to our
partnership with Theisen’s Home Farm and
Auto, we have an array of sizes of furnace
filters. Stop by soon to see if we have a size to
fit your furnace. Filters are good for 30 days.
Thanks to Maquoketa United Church of Christ,
St. Joes Catholic Church - Bellevue, Maquoketa Methodist Church and Girl Scouts of
4
Spring 2017
Quaker Mill Dam in Manchester, IA
Delaware County Outreach:
Thankful for your Support
The LIHEAP season is behind us and the winter
moratorium has ended. Delaware County
Outreach is now focusing on helping clients
with continued budget counseling and guidance making payment arrangements to
manage overdue utility bills. This can be a
challenging time of year for families whose
life situations have gotten them behind on
their utilities. Operation: New View works
closely with utility companies to reach manageable solutions for our clients.
Many families rely even more on the food
bank once school is out and kids are home
for summer vacation. Place a food order by
calling Operation: New View at 563-927-4629
on Monday or Thursday mornings from 8 to 10
am. Pick up is from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm the
same day. Food donations may be dropped
off at the same time or by calling Doug at
563-920-8532. Monetary donations may be
sent to the Delaware County Food Bank P.O.
Box 467 Manchester, IA 52057.
The Delaware County VITA site had another
successful tax season. It was great helping
people not only get their tax refund money
back but if qualified get the refund from the
Earned Income Tax Credit. That money can
make a huge difference in a family’s budget.
We continue to help as many families as we
can with our hygiene program. Laundry
soap, toilet paper, dish soap, tooth paste/
brushes, bar soap, deodorant and shampoo
are always needed and can be dropped off.
We here at Operation: New View are so
grateful for all the support from other agencies, organizations and the community. We
could not do this without your support, so
once again, thank you for helping us help
others.
The Delaware County Food Bank once again
provided Easter baskets for hundreds of Delaware county residents. Dozens of volunteers
packed and distributed the baskets, while
others delivered to the elderly, disabled and
shut in folks throughout the county. Thanks to
all that helped with the Easter distribution.
—Deb Hamblin, Outreach Coordinator, Delaware County ONV
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Spring 2017
Interns from R to L: Briana, Celeste, Megan, Melanie
Meet Our Interns:
Pursing Their Dreams, Exploring Social Services
Meet Bri, a Junior at Social Work major at
Loras College currently interning with Operation New View: CAA of Dubuque. Bri has
been at ONV since September 2016 and
has helped with the energy-assistance program, food pantry referrals, filing documents, and participated in a poverty simulation. Briana says, “I took this internship because I wanted to help people in the community and gain some more experience
with struggling people and families. The internship has been an incredible experience
and I am thankful to have helped the
countless number of people.”
I enjoy the thought of helping those in
need.” Celeste shared.
Megan is a graduating this spring with a
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Loras
College. Since January she has been a
Field Placement Student with the Head Start
Program. Megan commented, “I choose to
do my Social Work Field Placement with the
Head Start Program because I knew that I
would have many unique opportunities to
help children and their families.”
Meet Melanie, a sophomore at Loras College majoring in Social Work. “I took this
internship at Operation: New View so I
could broaden my knowledge of the different resources that Dubuque has to offer to
those with low income. I have gained a lot
of experience that will help in the future,”
Melanie said. She has helped the agency
by taking LIHEAP applications, filing paperwork, taking food pantry referrals, working
the front desk and even participated in a
Poverty Simulation.
Celeste, a Senior at Loras College is completing her field placement at ONV and will
graduate in May! She works with a wide
population of people with energy assistance and rent reimbursement. She has
been with ONV since the beginning of February and enjoys being here. Celeste chose
Operation: New View because she enjoys
working with people and being able to help
them find immediate relief if necessary. “In
the past, I have worked with United Way to
encourage people of all ages to volunteer,
I have worked with young children at St.
Mark Youth Enrichment and I also have experience working with the homeless in Colorado. I enjoy meeting people everyday and
Celeste and Megan both will be graduating this May from Loras College. Thank you
for all you have done at ONV and best of
luck in your future endeavors!
6
Spring 2017
Head Start Happenings…
Director David Barnes reading to a Head Start class
Spring is quickly passing us by which means the
school year will be ending soon. It was announced during the spring of 2016 a Head Start
Supplemental grant was available to Extend Duration of Services in our Head Start Program. December 1, 2016, we received notification of our
grant approval for $108,539.00, which has allowed our program to increase class hours at five
Head Start classrooms. Our Manchester, Maquoketa, Dyersville and two Dubuque classrooms
(Westside and “New View”) now operate 7 hours
per day Monday thru Thursday with increased
class days from 134 days per school year to 145
days. The grant funds allowed staff at all five locations to have an increase in hours, which reclassified all too full-time employment status. This
grant also allowed us to ask for start-up dollars.
The Start-up dollars assisted in our program to
open a new classroom on the west side of Dubuque. The classroom is housed at new Unified Therapy building on Pennsylvania Avenue. The owners of Unified Therapy, “Simply LLC” renovated
the building with the plans for Head Start to colocate at this site which meant Head Start costs
for this location was minimal. We renovated a
former beauty salon located on the south side of
Dubuque in the Key West area into a Head Start
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classroom. Our classroom that was located at St.
John’s Episcopal Church Parish hall in downtown
Dubuque is the site we relocated to Key West.
During the last week of March, the Maquoketa
Head Start and Prescott Head Start staff, families
and Central Office team members participated
in a Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care
Settings (SNACS). Our program was selected as a
participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Head Start staff will receive a
monetary stipend for their participation, as will
the families that participated in the survey process.
We are currently taking applications for the 2017
– 2018 school year. Do you or someone you
know have a child three or four years of age
looking for a high quality preschool program.
Head Start is free to qualifying families! Please
contact your local Operation: New View Community Action Agency Outreach office or go to
the Operation: New View website at
www.operationnewview.org select “Our Programs” “Head Start” and click the link on the bottom of page to complete the application.
Spring 2017
Green Iowa AmeriCorps Offers FREE Audits
Green Iowa
AmeriCorps helps
make Iowans
more energy
efficient through
low-impact
home weatherization, energy
education, and community outreach.
GIAC is headquartered at the University of
Northern Iowa, and maintains six sites
throughout Iowa.
We’re fortunate to have a local site here at
the Central Office in Dubuque. The team
will be able to provide FREE home audits in
all 3 of our service counties.
Objectives of Green Iowa AmeriCorps:
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Implement energy efficiency services to
under-served populations to reduce financial burden and energy waste
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Enhance and promote existing energy
efficiency efforts in underserved Iowa
communities
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Provide energy conservation and
efficiency education
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Identify and address energy efficiency
use issues via a team based approach
in target communities

Recruit and manage volunteers
Operation: New View Community Action Agency is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Operation New View:
Action Agency
1473 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: 563.556.5130
Fax: 563.556.4402
E-mail: operationnewview.org