Anaconda, Montana

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission approved a special use permit to allow the new after-school facility (Donna’s House) in the ‘Medium Density Residential Development District, located at 212 E. 4th Street in Anaconda, at their November 18, 2008 commission meeting. Thus the Donna’s House Committee is now seeking an architect to review the home and develop plans for a safe environment for the new after-school facility. Horizons funds will assist with the architectural review. The new house location is in the heart of families with moderate to low incomes and in need of afterschool programs.

Rob Kellegher with the Anaconda Community Hospital has been spearheading our efforts to bring a training program for Certified Nurses Assistants to Anaconda. It is difficult if not impossible for those who are unemployed or underemployed to travel to Butte to access this training so our intention is to bring the training here to Anaconda through a partnership between the Hospital and the Horizons Team.

Rob and the staff at the Community Hospital have identified an Instructor for the CNA training classes and they are in the process of acquiring the necessary certifications to move forward. The present goal is to offer the first class to eight participants early in February, 2009, with additional classes to be offered as possible.

The partnership that includes Anaconda High School, the County Superintendent of Schools, Anaconda Local Development and the Horizons Project is presently offering two classes for small business people and for those who might be starting small business in the community. One of the classes, Introduction to Business Accounting, was offered last spring and is being offered again. The second class is a new addition. This five week class offers an introduction to applications of Microsoft Office Suite© in a business setting. A number of those in presently enrolled in these classes have recently been laid off from area businesses and so are seeking to improve their skills for future employment opportunities. Both classes will conclude in early December.

Two additional classes will be offered through the partnership with Anaconda High School and the Horizons Project. These two five week classes will be offered beginning in January, 2009. The two classes will be Introduction to Quick Books© and the second class will be Introduction and Intermediate Business Applications Using Microsoft Office Suite© Both classes are designed to improve business skills for those already employed in business settings in our community and for those seeking employment in those areas.

A third class is in the planning stages. This five week class will provide training in “Soft Skills” for both employers and employees. The two instructors for this class were recently certified with funds provided by the Horizons Project. “Soft Skills” covers things like how to build a resume’, how to interview, how to dress for success as well as workplace ethics like being on time and calling in if illness or emergencies occur. We hope to offer these classes in the evenings at Anaconda High School beginning in January, 2009.

The Foundation received approval as a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization this fall and the Board of Directors has been moving forward with development of the necessary materials to provide for both soliciting and receiving donations to the Foundation as well as the materials necessary for solicitation for grant applicants and for awarding grants from the Foundation. Several donations were also presented to the Foundation this fall allowing the Board of Directors to offer nearly $30,000 in mini-grants to the community. The solicitation for these grants is expected in early January, 2009.

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Identified Need:  The Anaconda Community Foundation is being established to help the people of Anaconda/Deer Lodge build a permanent financial legacy to support charitable work in the Anaconda area forever.  The Anaconda Community Foundation will be able to provide local financial support to those agencies and organizations that directly and/or indirectly serve the needs of those in poverty into the future.

 Short term goals:

• The Foundation is working to acquire full 501(c)(3) status through the Internal Revenue Service.
• The Foundation is working to establish an active Board of Directors and to identify an Executive Director.
• The Foundation is working to educate the community about opportunities to contribute to the Foundation while addressing estate-planning issues.

 Outcomes:

• The Foundation has completed the initial application for 501(c)(3) status through the Internal Revenue Service and has completed the first level of clarifications required for this status.
• The Foundation has elected a full Board of Directors and has hired a part time executive director to oversee the ongoing functions of the Foundation.
• The Foundation has worked closely with the Anaconda/Deer Lodge County Extension Agent to offer community education opportunities addressing estate planning issues for local citizens.
• The Foundation has received pass-through funds for local projects including Donna’s House and has provided a $10,000 grant to that facility.

 Next Steps:

• The Anaconda Community Foundation will continue to pursue 501(c)(3) status through the Internal Revenue Service.
• The Anaconda Community Foundation will complete efforts to develop a necessary business plan allowing the Foundation to collect and disperse funding to local organizations and agencies addressing various causes and concerns.
• The Anaconda Community Foundation will continue to develop and expand educational opportunities for local citizens on issues such as estate-planning and contributions to the Foundation.

Identified Need:  There is an identified need to expand educational opportunities for technical and trade skills training in this area.  Expanding these training opportunities will provide those living in poverty with access to the training and skills development necessary to enable them to find gainful employment.  Expanding training opportunities to local business leaders with help those businesses survive, thrive and expand helping to create more local employment opportunities for those living in poverty.

 Short Term Goals:

• Build effective partnership including, but not limited to, School District #10, Anaconda/Deer Lodge County Government, Anaconda Local Development, Montana Job Service, Anaconda PCA, and other organizations, individuals, and agencies to expand educational and training opportunities in the area.
• Offer the first cooperative opportunities in Basic Business Accounting and Quick Books Operation during February-March, 2008, to local contractors and business leaders through the local high school.

 Outcomes:

• Offered a five week Basic Accounting Practices Course through Anaconda High School with Russell Biniek, AHS Business Teacher, as instructor beginning February 5 and ending March 4, 2008.  A total of 16 local residents register for the course with 11 completing all five sessions.  Those attending included several local business people and several interested in starting businesses. 
• Offered a five week Basics in Quick Books Course through Anaconda High School, using the High School’s computer lab with Russell Biniek, AHS Business Teacher, as the instructor.  A total of 25 residents, (the maximum possible) registered for the class with a about 18 completing all of the sessions.  A waiting list of 17 residents was generated for a follow-up course should one be offered.  Again most of those who took the course were local business people working to improve their business performance.  
• A good working relationship involving several new partnerships was developed through these course offerings with Anaconda High School providing the instructor and the classroom space as well as access to the computer lab facilities.   Money for the instructor’s stipend was leveraged out of hold over funds from the Horizons Project and Community Action and Coaching Funds were used to purchase the licensing agreement for use of the QuickBooks Program materials as well as textbooks for both courses.  Anaconda Local Development provided registration time and personnel and the Anaconda/Deer Lodge County Superintendent of Schools provided advertising in the local newspaper and flyers for the project. 
• At least 11 local business people and perspective business people received instruction in basic business accounting and at least 17 local business people and perspective business people received instruction in the use of the Quick Books Program for computer-based business accounting.  As a result of these training efforts local businesses are more likely to thrive and expand creating more job opportunities for those in poverty. 

Next Steps:  The Expanding Educational Opportunities Sub-committee will be meeting soon to address next steps which may include:

·         Working with Anaconda High School to offer one or both courses again    during the late fall. 

·         Working with Anaconda High School, and the School District #10 Adult    Education Program to expand course offerings to include courses on basic        computer skills, basic construction techniques, and/or basic welding. 

·         Working to leverage funds through the Youth Build Program and the                     Northwest Area Foundation to relocate and expand the School District #10          construction and welding shop facilities to accommodate more skilled           trades training. 

·         Working with Anaconda Local Development and School District #10 to      develop a computer lab to be used for distance learning opportunities in    cooperation with the Montana University System.

·         Other possible directions…

Donna’s House – Community Youth Center lost its home in August 2007 after the landlord decided to sell the property to cover his mounting medical bills.  A committee was formed to find suitable long-term facilities for Donna’s House after-school activities.  The committee had committed citizens and staff/volunteers from Donna’s House.  An appeal went out to the community that resulted in several dozen leads that could be of interest for a new children’s center.  The committee methodically reviewed and investigated dozens and dozens of properties.  In March 2008, the committee narrowed the search to one location at 212 East 4^th Street in Anaconda.  Before finalizing the purchase, representatives from Habitat for Humanity, Anaconda Local Development Corp, Anaconda PCA, Public Housing Authority, County Government and School District were consulted about the location.  Everyone felt the property was ideally situated next to the middle school and located within blocks to the library, high school, play grounds, parks, museum, etc. Once the property was purchased, George Nixon (certified inspector) completed an extensive property inspection.  George made some excellent recommendations about how the property could be easily renovated into a children’s center.  Now, the special use permit process is underway with the County Planning Board.  Public hearing for the special use permit is scheduled for July 14. 

The Horizons Project and community support has been instrumental in gathering community support for Donna’s House – Community Youth Center’s after school programs.  Much attention was focused on keeping kids safe, helping working families and enhancing academic achievement.

Gary Wenger, LeadershipPlenty® graduate, not only volunteered for the County Communications Board immediately after theHorizons LP® series but has now accepted the Chairmanship at their February meeting. His goal is to move the seven year issue of ‘lack of clear communications between the police and other emergency personnel’ on to an action plan to resolve the “tower interference” problem. His goal with the Communication Board is to have clean, clear, communications by fall 2008. Gary was one of 58 individuals who attended the LeadershipPlenty® series offered by Horizons and was one of the 42 who completed every session in the nine course series. Other LP® graduates are also sharing their expertise on County Boards,  Garden Club and other service organizations as well as with their church organizations. To sign-up for the LeadershipPlenty® course, please contact the MSU Deer Lodge County Extension Office, 563-4035.