New York Mills, MN

Volunteerism committee (Connie W and Victoria C) met on Tuesday 1-15-08 to discuss next steps.  We will begin compiling a list of organizations serving the New York Mills area.  This list will be as inclusive as possible and will include Org Name, Org Mission, Officer/Main Contact, Regular Sch Meetings, and type of support or programs they offer for community members. 

The VS will create a short form that can be filled out with a quick phone call and then we will compile the information in a brochure for distribution at sites throughout the city.  The information will also be included as a separate page on the NYM community blog. 

nym-horizons.pdf

Here is a design with the changes that were suggested.  If someone, would take this and get an estimate to print these, 2 sided, legal, glossy, where the qty price break is etc, that would be great.  Also might want to know what the charge to fold will be this brochure is designed to fold in half twice…if you see anything else that I can add or take away let me know. 

The New York Mills Workforce Housing Partnership has been working to determine if it should put together an application for the upcoming Greater MN Housing Fund grant cycle.  This collaboration started in November with participants from City Government, Local Financing, Community Orgs, Local Businesses along with reps from both Greater MN Housing and MN Housing Finance Agency attending a meeting at OTWCAC.  

The decision was made to conduct a survey to see what type of housing was needed to accommodate the workforce and other residents interested in living in NYM.  The survey (NYMWFHP Survey) was created, delivered and received with much support in December.  We had a terrific response. 

Quick summary: 2614 surveys out (1000 in the paper), 153 surveys in (10 from the paper).  48 replying they want to move to NYM.  See survey summary NYMWFHP Survey Summary .  

Many respondents are interested in Saving for Downpayment, Homebuyer Eduation and Financial Literacy .  Since homeownership is one of the best asset building vehicles out there, it is critical to help as many people who want to own a home become mortgage ready as this will go a long way towards reducing poverty.  Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

AARP - VITA training is underway to prepare for the 2007 tax season.  Free tax help will be available starting in February at OTWCAC in NYM.  If you know of people outside of NYM, please direct them to free tax preparation sites  in their area so that they are able to have the taxes prepared and e-filed by certified preparers for free.  Volunteers are always encouraged to apply.