Community Coordinator
Quarterly Report
January-March 2006
Report by: Rene Quintana

Introducing Ms. Heather Holt, the new Del Norte Workforce Center Business liaison. Heather began the year with a well attended business workshop titled, “Straight talk.” The attendees got great advice on how to get the funding they need for business startup and expansion. All local lending agencies were there: Chetco Federal Credit Union, North Valley Bank Umpqua Bank, Safe-Bidco and Coast Central Credit Union. This excellent workshop was followed by the always successful “Dealing with Difficult People” seminar facilitated by Ms. Heidi Ratner-Connolly. Heather has been working diligently in addressing the needs of the Del Norte business community.
Congratulations Heather!

Rain, Rain and More Rain!

Del Norte County was pelted with major storms that resulted in our county being declared an official disaster area by the President of the United States. Rural communities in the outer Klamath basin suffered the most with the rising lake flooding the nearby town. RHS Executive Director Mr. Lakes and I attended county meetings to determine how we could assist.

FEMA visits Del Norte

The Federal Emergency Management Assistance program opened an emergency site in Klamath to assist with claims, followed by a site in Crescent City. We are grateful for FEMA’s assistance in Del Norte County. The weather continues to be harsh with storms, so many of us look forward to the warm spring sunlight. Here are our visiting FEMA representatives working hard to meet the emergency needs of our community.

ALMA UPDATE
(Adelante, Literacy ,Migrant Association)

Ms. Hilda Contreras joins the ALMA (Adelante Literacy Migrant Association) team and is now teaching ESL and community services to our Del Norte migrant farm workers.
We welcome Ms. Contreras!

ALMA sets record in Graduates!
Mr. Armando Salazar received his GED recently. He diligently attended his classes in Smith River and completed his homework assignments. Armando has been able to persevere despite obstacles like poverty and lack of opportunities. This is what ALMA is about, giving the less fortunate opportunity to change their lives and show them the values of our American way of life. It is the empowerment of one self through education. Now let’s get Armando to his college degree! On behalf of ALMA and all of us that strive to bring services to the agricultural community we congratulate you!

Serving People with Disabilities

A Navigator meeting was held in late March to address the needs of consumers in our community. A representative from College of the Redwoods Ms. Sandy Nightingale gave a presentation on services provided to consumers. Ms. Nightingale has a state of the art consumer center with modern technology such as enlarged screens for the vision impaired, hearing aids and transcription machines. Other collaborators included, Social Security, Redwoods Regional Center, Del Norte County Mental Health, Del Norte High School and community representatives. The well-attended meeting focused on getting consumers back into the workforce and having them partake in part-time or full time employment. Collaborators agreed to form a sub group of stake holders addressing this specific need and sharing employment opportunities.