6
community news
february6
2014
Health Center Partnership With Pacific University Growing
The Vernonia Health Center
Board recently partnered with the
Vernonia Senior Center to host speakers
from Pacific University for the first
in a series of three conversations on
wellness. Ruth Zuinga PHD, from Pacific
University School of Psychology, joined
a diverse group of community members
to discuss “Motivation for Healthy
Living”.
For an hour over a dozen
community members shared barriers
and successful strategies to make
healthier choices and how to re-evaluate
past experiences to provide motivation
for self identified goals. “It was very
engaging and enjoyable. I was happily
impressed.” said Marie Kran following
the session. Tobie Finzel agreed.
“Excellent presentation.”
According to Heather Lewis
of the Vernonia Health Board, these
conversations are being offered in
response to a recent community survey
in which the Vernonia Health Center
Board asked patients and community
members how they could better provide
for the needs of the community.
“Offering Community Education on
Health Related Topics” was high on
the list. So we approached our partners
at Pacific University and this three part
series is the first of many we will be
offering.”
“They are an enthusiastic and
invested partner,” shared Lewis about
the relationship with Pacific University.
“This is also being reflected in the
primary care services at the Vernonia
Health Clinic. The P.A. Student rotation
has begun and community feedback is
overwhelmingly supportive.”
Lewis added that in the last five
months, the new partnership between
the Vernonia Health Board and Pacific
University has brought services at the
clinic from two days a week to five.
Daily appointments have increased as
well, going from five to eight clients
a day up to twelve to eighteen. “I think
this shows the community is just as
excited as we are with the addition of
Pacific University to our operations
team,” said Lewis. “With seven Health
Professional Schools at the University
we look forward to being able to work
with them on many levels for additional
services for our clients.”
The next Community Health
Conversation will be February 24 th , 1:00
PM at the Vernonia Senior Center. Watch
for fliers and postings on Facebook for
more details.
CAT Offers Innovative Home Ownership Program
Community Action Team (CAT), in partnership
with USDA Rural Development, is launching an excit-
ing new program which will assist low and moderate
income individuals and families to become homeown-
ers. CAT is one of a handful of nonprofits in the United
States selected to run this new Self-Help pilot program
which assists low and moderate income persons and
families become homeowners. This program, referred
to as Self-Help, will allow low-income families and
individuals to purchase and renovate foreclosed, short-
sale and/or vacant homes throughout Clatsop, Colum-
bia or Tillamook counties. This program renovates
homes one at a time, which differs from the standard
group Mutual Self-Help model.
CAT will work with the participants to find the
right home with the location, size, cost and amenities
to suit their needs. Families and individuals will work
under the guidance of a CAT construction supervisor,
using “sweat equity” and sub-contractors to complete
a remodel and deep energy retrofit of their new home.
The result will be new homeowners with a newly re-
modeled and energy efficient home. Sweat Equity
requires the new homeowner (with the help of friends
or family members) to complete 30 hours of labor per
week for the duration of the project – an average proj-
ect will last between four and six months. Disabled
persons may have volunteers partner with them to
complete the required sweat equity investment. Typi-
cal sweat equity tasks include demolition, painting,
carpentry, landscaping and finish work. Work such as
plumbing and electrical are completed by a licensed
subcontractor. Each of the homes in this unique Self-
Help model will receive a deep energy retrofit. The
money used to complete the deep energy retrofit is a
grant, and as long as the homeowner remains in their
home for a minimum of two years, it is not required to
be paid back. There is also the possibility of a grant to
be used toward the down payment! Homes in this pro-
gram will range from 800 to 1600 sq ft. The mortgages
on these homes will be between $80,000 and $160,000.
CAT will complete 15 homes in the three
Northwest counties of Oregon in the next 24 months.
This innovative Self-Help model will enable modest
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income families achieve homeownership, and help needed. After the home has been appraised and ap-
neighborhoods recover by filling vacant homes. Self- proved by USDA RD, it will be purchased and rehabili-
Help housing combines financing from USDA and tation of the home begins. Each home will receive an
sweat equity provided by the future homeowner. The energy audit which will be used to develop a scope of
benefits of the USDA 502 loan products are that the in- work to reach maximum energy savings for each home.
terest rates can be as low as 1% and the term can be as
CAT staff will help to manage the budgets,
long as 38 years. Loans for this program are currently contracts and the construction process to ensure that
available and there is no waiting list for these funds. things are done correctly and to maximize value. Once
Another benefit of USDA 502 loans is that there is no the work is completed the family moves into their new
down payment or payments during construction. After home.
continued on page 7
the home is completed, USDA will work with the hom-
eowner to keep them in their home in the event
the homeowner experiences financial hardship.
Some of the requirements for this pro-
gram including having a consistent source of
income, such as a regular paycheck, Veterans
benefits or SSI/SSDI, decent credit and the will-
Police responded to a
Arrests/Reports/
ingness to contribute sweat equity. For folks that
reported cold burglary
Criminal Citations
may be disabled, a volunteer or volunteers are
• January 03, 2014 – in the 1300 block of East
able to step in and help with the sweat equity.
miscellaneous
Police responded to the Ave,
The family must have a modest income based on
1600 Block of Heather jewelry items were
Rural Development’s income guidelines.
Ln on a report of a Civil found missing from the
Anyone interested in participating in
(Custody
Dispute). residence.
this program should contact Sally McLaughlin,
Report will be forwarded • January 25, 2014
the Homeownership Specialist with Community
to Columbia County – Police transported
Action Team, and fill out the one page pre-qual-
a juvenile to an area
Courts for review.
ification form to determine their eligibility. If
•
January
14, hospital due to a
eligible to participate in the program, CAT staff
2014 –Arrest on a confirmed threat of self-
will work with participants to fill out the formal
Misdemeanor Warrant harm.
USDA Loan documents.
in the 400 Block of
Participants who have qualified for the
Traffic/Other Citations
North St.
program will look through an inventory of hous-
•
January
17, • January 16, 2014 –
es that fit their needs. Once a home has been
2014 – Arrest on a Issued a traffic citation
identified, a detailed scope of work will be de-
Driving
While
Misdemeanor Warrant for
veloped to determine the repairs and upgrades
in the 900 Block of Suspended on Bridge
St. near California Ave.
Madison Ave.
• January 22, 2014 • January 18, 2014 –
Vernonia’s Voice is
- Police responded Issued a traffic citation
published on the
to a reported theft of for Failing to Change
prescription medication Address on Registration
1st and 3rd Thursday.
in the 1000 block of on Bridge St. near
Our next issue will be
Weed Ave.
Columbia St.
February 20th.
• January 22, 2014 -
Vernonia Police Blotter
January 1-31, 2014
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Vernonia
Veterinary Clinic
Small and Large Animals
Now Open
Mon, Wed & Saturday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Call for Appointments
(503) 429-1612
Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470
700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR
