03-26-1990 Countil Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

BACKG ROUNDW«atonka Community Action Network ( WeCan ) is a community based, non-profit action group, it was formed as a grassroots effort to tnr.g needed human services to our area. Our board is comprised of people from a vanety of organizations: schools, city govommenl. police departments, churches, volunteer groups, emergency services and businesses. Our service area includes the communities of:Orooo Miiwetrista Mound St. Bonifacius Tonka Bay Navarre Maple Plain Loreno Minnetonka Beach Independence Greenfield Spring Park OVERVtEW The commonly acceptJd stereotype of the Westonka area is one of an affluent enclave. When parts of our service area are viewed from Lake Minnetonka it is plain that there is tremendous wealth m the area. What is not so obvious is that there is also abject pov- erty. For example: The percentage of households m poverty is Z5S m theWestonka area This compares to a rate of 4% in Suburban Hennepin County as a whole 45% of these households in poverty are households with children. In the Westonka Schoi 1 District ( which encompasses Mound, Minnetnsta. Soring Park. Navarre and portions of Oreno ) 11% of children enro 'ud in all grades quality tor subsidized lunches. By denying existing, cbrnnic poverty, our stereotype of wealth nas It-' theWestonka area with a history of few accessible services to help the poor. Available services do not reach into the community Most county services are centered and accessed in downtown Minneapolis, a distance of 25 miles. There is a sense of isolation and aPan- donment by the agencies whose purpose is to provide services to low income people WeCan is corKemed by the disturbing disparity between the human service needs of Westonka residents and the availability of services to meet those needs. WeCAN's mam goal is to see that low income individuals and families who are In crisis will have access to the resources they need. We believe that no person orfamily who needs help.....social, medical, educational, employment-related.......should 'fall through the cracks ’ or remain isolated from those who can provide appropnate services We have secured office space at the Westonka Community Center where clients are being served by framed volunteer advocates. In this space we expect to establish a mmi-service center tor use by non-profit, public and private agercies whose aims fit our mission. WeCAN currently provides emergency services both private and public funds are available The Mea's on Wheels orogra - s also an imcortant oart of the work of VVeCAN HOW WE SERVE THOSE IN NEEC The following 'case study’ wiil give an idea of the k'- v >* o'^cblems and emer.j-encies we are currently trying to address v M-nned funds. Mary Hnn, Bob and Katie their 3 v,. old child came from a small tourn to the big city looirtiiy for employment. Until recently, both hod jobs, but Bob lost his due to alcohol related problems. He took out his frustrotion by physi- colly abusing Mary r 'n and euentually left his family uiith no support. Mr y Hnn is trying to hold her tile together, but she hasn't iinished iiigh school, has no family to foil back on. ond con only find a minimum uiage Job. She is one of the 'uiorklng poor.' She has resisted asking for help, but a crisis has hoppened. Her 10 yr. old car needs repair so that she can get to work and there is no money. She is alone and fearful.....>her self-esteem and motlua- tion is shrinking, lilhere can she turn? fl friend directs her to the UleCBN office uihere she finds o compassionate, listening eor. Rfter substantiating her story the UieCRN uoiunteer negotiates with o local