Alternative Finances to Higher Education

On April 23 was the 3rd Annual Regional Job Fair, hosted by the Washington State Dept of Social and Health Services, WA State Worksouce, Skillsource of Washington and Big Bend Community College. In this current economic climate, more adult students are seeking ways to better educate themselves to better jobs. To meet a growing need in the region Tony Garcia, the regional Horizons Coach, was asked to prepare and present a discussion on titled "Alternative Finances to Higher Education". This was a presentation to adult community members (over 40 were in attendance) to showcase how they might return to college, and where they could find resources to assist them. Topics included GED (and other possible HS equivalency programs), Americorp, Peacecorp, Military options, Apprenticeship programs, local financial support, state financial support, federal programs, grants, fellowships and scholarships. To enhance the presentation a 250 page book was developed and produced to hand to presentation attendees that gave necessary background information and contact numbers for easy access.

Imagine U at WSU

Washington State University, Horizons and the Othello School District hosted an Imagine U At WSU for Othello High School student on April 20, 2009. Two days after the gang shooting at Taggeres Park, and the day of the funeral of the slain young man. OHS had a strong police presence during the day, but all went well for all involved. This help in showing students, and the community, in the wake of great tragedy - youth still must believe and hold hope for a better future - and education is an important part of meeting that future.


The day began with an assembly, to introduce the WSU staff and students who were there to work with HS students throughout the day, as well as to "pass" some WSU T-Shirts to HS Students.






WSU Students and staff were in attendance all day to work with students allowing to experience what some of the classes would be like at WSU and what to offer them advise and speak of their experience at WSU






















In response to the need of Hispanic students WSU had a presentation made that directly spoke of the upcoming "DreamAct" that will be presented to the US Congress, and to give hope to those students who are not documented in the need to stay in school, graduate and attend higher education as a way out of poverty.

Gang Killing

March 18, 2009 - 19 year old Ismael Garcia was shot and killed during an gang altercation at the Taggers Park. The shooters were rival gang members. This is the main reason that we need increased gang awareness and police presence in West Othello. There is not only a greater gang presence in area (that can be seen in the increase of graffiti) but the crimes committed by gang members has increased in violence. As a response to the community, the Horizons program along with partner agencies (Adams County Community Network and the Adams County Juvenile Services) has sponsored several events to highlight the growing gang problem in the area as well as to provide increase knowledge on how to identify and deal with the problem.

Community Gang Meeting
April 2, 2009

More than 70 concerned citizens filled the pews at the Othello Christian Church for a town hall meeting on gang awareness last Thursday evening. The audience was attentive and relatively quiet as people listened to two nationally recognized gang experts, Domenic Cappelluti and Steve Hollister, from the Waukeen (Illinois) Police Department, who led a 3 hour discussion on gang cultures.


Regional Anti-Gang Training for Law Enforcement Personnel
April 2/3, 2009


A two day training by Gang Combat Dynamics was attended by 30 law enforcement personnel form throughout the region, including various city officer, sheriffs deputies from 3 different counties, probation/parole officers as well as federal officers from the Immigration and Customes Enforcement.

Gangs in Schools Task Force
April 29, 2009

Over 60 individuals including community members, school personnel (from various school districts) law enforcement personnel and various probation/parole officers came together to discuss the increasing problem of gang presence in local school districts and how to approach the Washington State Legislature for policy changes that would help local jurisdictions in identifying and dealing with the growing gang presence and problem.

Leadershp Plenty Training

Community members were instructed on the Leadership Plenty training in Spokane. (pictured on the far left is Jerri Casados, thanks go to the regional Dept of Social and Health Services - another local partner in allowing Jerri to participate, and for its continued support to the Horizons program in Adams and Grant Counties)

Community members participated in the Leadership Plenty training over several day long weekend trainings. Horizons would like to thank the Othello Community Hospital for use of their conference room during the trainings.

STUDY CIRCLES

Community Study Circles training for community members was held at the Washington State Migrant Council's Headstart Building (WSMC a local partner hosted the location of the various events). The following Action items were identified as being what the local community should be dealt with in order to improve and/or assist in the reduction of poverty in the area.

1. Infrastructure: The need for road improvement, lights on street corners, stop signs and posted speed limits.
2. Park Improvements: the need for playground equipment, lighting and paved parking at the Taggeris Park (the only park located in the area)
3. Problems with the drinking water in the area. Community members complained of bad tasting and smelling water.
4. Improvement to county ordinances in regards to weeds, garbage removal, old non working automobiles, semi-truck parking in residential areas, and dog control.
5. Assistance in the elimination of the growing gang presence in the community.
6. Assistance to parents and students on how to access higher education.
7. Assistance to parents on how to understand and access the local educational system.
8. Improvement to the public transportation system.
9. Increase to access to local state and nonprofit services.
10. Increase awareness of local high teen pregnancy problem

Study Circles Facilitator Training

Regional Coach Tony Garcia, recruited and trained indivdiuals from various parts of the community to become Study Circles Facilitators.

The Adams County Community Network and the Othello Community Hospital - local area Horizons Partners hosted the training event.