Monday, April 7, 2008

Upcoming Workshops

The Horizons Program has scheduled several regional workshops. These workshops are free, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Gas cards and child care vouchers are available.

For pre-registration, contact:
WSU Klickitat County Extension
509-773-5817
228 W. Main, MS-CH-12, Goldendale, WA 98620
vanvelsora@wsu.edu


Detailed workshop descriptions will be furnished upon request.


Michael Shuman - April 15, 9:30am to 4pm
Grace Baptist Church, White Salmon

An attorney and economist, Mr. Shuman has written several books, including The Small-Mart Revolution. Mr. Shuman will address what local communities can do to create vibrant, self-reliant, community-based economic networks. He will highlight current trends in the national and global economy and show how consumers, investors, policymakers and organiz­ers can revitalize their own community by supporting local business. www.smallmart.org

Vance Corum, April 22, 9:30am to 4pm
Pioneer Center, White Salmon
Mr. Corum will cover the topics of Marketing, Fundraising, Farmers Markets and added value to products, etc.

Jennifer Smith, April 29, 1pm-5pm
Pioneer Center, White Salmon

Jennifer Smith will has been a successful grant writer and reviewer for the past 12 years. She specializes in telecommunications, education and athletic grants, and has reviewed grants for various State and Federal agencies, including the Dept. of Commerce and Dept. of Education. While Smith agrees that it's easier to award money than apply for it, she will teach you the basics of putting together a successful proposal in this hands-on class, as well as show you how to locate possible sources of funding. Come prepared to work - if you have a proposal you are working on or considering applying for bring that too.
Grant Writing



Living Lightly Institut, May 3 - 4
Starts at 10 am both days
Goldendale, WA

Experiments in Green Building, Renewable Energy and Organic Gardening. May 4 will include hands-on activities.

Youth Development, May 6, 9:30 am-4 pm
Pioneer Center, White Salmon
Jan Klein, State 4-H Teen Leadership Coordinator will bring a wealth of resources to this workshop. Jan has worked with many youth and adult projects and activities on both the State and National level. She demonstrates how to promote positive adult and teen partnerships.
During this workshop you will learn about:

· Adult – Youth Partnerships
· Youth Leadership
· Youth Mentoring
· 4-H Opportunities
· Community Partnerships
· Resources


Boardsmanship, May 8, 9:30am-12:00
Pioneer Center, White Salmon

A workshop for anyone working on Boards or with Board organizations. Presented by Elaine Porter-Cole of the Washington State School Board Directors’ Association.

Ecommerce, May 8, 2008, 1pm-4pm
Pioneer Center

Cheryl Williams-Cosner has 20 years of experience as a small business owner and educator in business management in such diverse industries as agriculture, homebased business, food business, education, nonprofit organizations and the arts.
During this workshop you will learn:

· What is Ecommerce
· Find what to Sell
· Explore Online Auctions
· Storefront Options
· Adding Value To Service or Product
E -Marketing
Pricing for sales

Thursday, January 10, 2008

BackPack Program Supports Children

,
According to statistics provided by the BackPack Program, 22% of families in Goldendale are living below the poverty level. That is 14 percentage points over the state average. Of that percentage 32% are under the age of 18 and further 39% are under the age of five. Many of these children, for various reasons, are not getting the nutrition they when not at school.

The BackPack Program is intended to give these children easy to prepare and nutritious food during the weekends. A local church stores the food and every week volunteers meet there to load up the food to be placed in the children's backpack at school. Food is discreetly placed in the childs backpack so that they are not singled out.

After the initial funding from the Washington State 4-H program to get started , several local groups have donated funding to sustain the program. The local Kiwanis Club has donated books to place in the backpacks as well. The cost to fill a backpack is about $3 or $12 per month. Food donations are accepted but need to be easy to prepare and nonperishable. If you would like to more information or wish to support the BackPack Program contact Ava Van Velsor at 509-773-5817.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Part 2: Community Clean-up

Fall Leaves Pick-Up - The Goldendale Horizons Project provided a fall leaves pick-up week in early November. The purpose was to provide leaf pick-up after residents raked, or if needed provide assistance to rake leaves. The leaves then are being used for mulch and/or compost by local residents. Flyers were sent to local stores and businesses to announce the event. Residents were provided phone numbers to call or schedule pick-up. Volunteers then, used their own vehicles to pick-up the bagged leaves. Pick-up was provided for about fifty residents in Goldendale. The National Junior Honor Society students of the Goldendale Middle School provided assistance to rake leaves. Thank you to the Clean-up Committee for organizing this event!!