Summer Garden Update

Here at the Cope Family Center “Farm” we specialize in oversized vegetables, particularly squash! Just one of these could probably feed a family of 5! It’s been a productive summer, to say the least, and continuing thanks goes to our volunteers and Master Gardener supervisors. We’ve been so lucky to have the continued involvement of Water-Wise Women Cheryl Toivola and Mary Hudson, as well as experienced gardeners like Mary Cammarota and Chris Hattich of Hattich Ranch & Farm (who provided the starters for the garden this year).

Last month we spread a new layer of compost, graciously donated by Napa Waste & Recycling, and we’ve been trying to keep up with our harvest ever since. This month a family of 5 came out to volunteer and it was great seeing the little ones harvest beans, basil, and tomatoes while their older siblings pruned some of the perennials.  Thanks mom for getting your whole family involved!

Would you like to be added to our list of folks to get notices about our Open Garden Days? They happen once a month and we can always use the help! Email ainglis@copefamilycenter.org.

Let’s Bank on Napa!

by Jennifer Sunseri, Cope Online Organizing Intern

I had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Laymon, Family Economic Success Manager at Cope about the financial program, Bank on Napa. She explained to me that many Napa County low-income residents are financially underserved. There are a few reasons for these obstacles to financial services: language barriers, lack of knowledge or distrust of banks, or undocumented status. Many are unbanked (do not have a bank account) and spend considerably more of their money on expensive alternative banking options such as check cashing or payday lending services than they would on regular banking fees. Others are under-banked, and have an account but still utilize expensive options for paying bills such as money orders and cashiers checks. “…unbanked customers spend at least two percent of income to access alternative financial services, spending between $800-$2000 annually to cash checks and pay bills” (Michele Grupe, Bank on Napa Valley). With approximately 26.5% of Napa County residents living with incomes too small to pay all of their expenses, these additional banking fees are detrimental to their ability to utilize all of their income (Michele Grupe, Bank on Napa Valley). As Michelle says, Bank on Napa Valley helps residents hang on to more of their money.

What is Bank on Napa Valley? Bank on Napa Valley is based on other successful Bank On initiatives (San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento, to name a few), and is a collaborative effort of the Self-Sufficiency Committee of the Napa Valley Coalition of Nonprofit Agencies (Michele Grupe, Bank on Napa Valley). Their goal is to connect working people and families with banking services to fit their needs, helping them to enter the financial mainstream (Michele Grupe, Bank on Napa Valley). The BONV Steering Committee is made up of Cope Family Center as lead agency, Puertas Abiertas, McPherson Family Resource Center, Calistoga Family Center and NEWS. The goal of the BONV committees is to design and provide a minimum of five financial starter and second chance accounts, as well as financial education; soliciting 15 financial institutions to provide the products by the January 2013 launch. At least 100 eligible consumers will be surveyed as to their financial needs. The desired outcome of a program like Bank on Napa Valley is that working families can have access to low or no-cost bank accounts that help them to save their hard-earned dollars, function productively in a financial emergency, and invest in their futures. The financial education provided by BONV will go a long way to support a healthy financial lifestyle such as learning to budget and identifying needs versus wants in a culturally sensitive way.

Local banks are crucial to the success of the BONV program. Sandra J. Re, Vice President/Premier Client Services Officer of Rabo Bank, sums it up by saying “Our goal is to offer banking services to those who are uncomfortable with the idea of banking. If we can educate people about the services a bank can offer them that can make their lives easier as well as save them time and money, we can make Bank on Napa Valley a‘win-win’ for everyone.”

Current Volunteer Manager moving on…

by Aimee Inglis, Community Engagement Program Manager

When I arrived at Cope Family Center three years ago under the banner of Americorps State/National, I had one year as an Americorps VISTA and a few months as an organizing intern under my belt post-graduation from UC Irvine. I had worked with volunteers and been one many times myself (and previous personal volunteer/intern experiences had left me with a good idea of how NOT to treat volunteers/interns more than anything), but I wouldn’t have called myself a volunteer manager by any means. I brought with me a vision that a volunteer program could be a broader force for community change, and a personal belief that everyone has something to contribute, everyone has value, and a successful volunteer program prioritizes building on someone’s skills and what they’re passionate about, tapping into that passion to help drive the work of the organization.

In short, I had big ideas on what needed to be done with little experience on what it takes to get there. I was up for navigating uncharted territory, and luckily I was given the time and enough support to do so. Americorps was a bit of a nonprofit apprenticeship, and it took me a couple months to pick up steam while I really got a handle on what a volunteer manager even does! From humble beginnings three years ago, today Cope averages a base of 40 ongoing volunteers, and many more casual supporters. We’re dipping our toes in advocacy work with our Outreach & Advocacy Committee. The Woman2Woman campaign has nearly 100 women involved as donors and volunteers. Our Child Assault Prevention and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs have grown and will continue to do so with a dedicated volunteer base. We transformed our water-thirsty lawn to an edible, sustainable neighborhood gem. I’m probably overlooking some accomplishments… it’s been an eventful three years! None of this would have come together without the leadership of Joelle, our ED, Michele (my supervisor and Associate Director), and the support of fellow staff and volunteers. I felt a nearly unwavering confidence and trust in my vision and capabilities, which was invaluable to me and sometimes surprising, considering my youth & limited experience. But Cope is a unique organization, led by open & innovative folks. Even after 40 years, there is a willingness to always improve and sincere desire to do the best we can for the community.

So I don’t leave without some regret and sadness. I think that’s healthy, because in work so embedded in the community if you’re not leaving a piece of yourself behind, that’s a negative. That means you weren’t all in. I was all in, and I put as much as I was capable into the Community Engagement Program at Cope Family Center. I’ve received so much in return I couldn’t begin to balance the scales. Napa is a beautiful place, and its people are just as beautiful, despite (or in some ways because of–there’s much to say about people who rise to the occasion) the challenges we face as a community. I will miss it dearly.

As much as this sounds like an official goodbye, I am sticking around fairly close. My next adventure is at Tenants Together, CA’s statewide organization for renters’ rights, based in San Francisco. Think of it as helping families provide healthy & stable housing for their kids! I had been a volunteer counselor on their Tenant Foreclosure Hotline for about a year, and am now transitioning to staff as Hotline/Volunteer Coordinator. Cope’s investment in me means I’m now able to help improve lives throughout the state (and that still means Napa!).

I plan to be back in September, to actually walk my first Napa River Rock & Stroll (Last three years–I was always working it!), and I’m still raising funds as a member of Team Cope Family Center. Donate to my page as a going-away present?

So, it’s not goodbye, it’s more like “See you around!” To all the volunteers, community partners, and staff: thank you so much for the last three years. I have been so lucky to work with such amazing folks, and to have the opportunity to do really meaningful work. I am infinitely lucky to be able to continue to do so.

Volunteer Profile: Vanessa Mullally, Family Economic Success Assistant

From Aimee Inglis, Community Engagement Program Manager: Vanessa has been a stellar volunteer with us for over 2 years. Some of her accomplishments include becoming certified as an intermediate Volunteer Income Tax Preparer and piloting a project to build our capacity to help clients connect with local social services. We are truly thankful for all the work Vanessa has done for families in Napa County. She is a fantastic advocate and community builder.

How long have you been a volunteer, and why did you initially choose to volunteer with Cope Family Center?
This is my second year of volunteering. I responded to an advertisement to assist with tax preparation because I like to help people and work with finances.

What keeps you coming back?
I get satisfaction from the work and feel appreciated by staff and clients. I may not be earning a paycheck but I am helping put thousands of dollars in people’s ‘pockets’ that need it and that is tremendously rewarding. Money received by families through Cope’s volunteer tax program helps reduce stress by providing for necessities and also boosts our local economy.

How have you seen your volunteer role evolve during your time here?
This year I achieved intermediate level tax certification so I can prepare more complex returns and provide necessary review of returns our clinic prepares. I’m also helping with a pilot program spear-headed by Michelle Laymon of Cope: I assist clients completing applications for services and programs. Our goal is to free up home visitors to focus on bigger picture goals and activities while volunteers help clients navigate systems, processes, and workflows which are not always easily understood, especially when used once or infrequently – we can help with the learning curve.

Do you have one story you can tell us when you felt you were truly making a difference?
I recently assisted a family with four small children obtain needed funds to move into a safer home. I got goose bumps when I heard the funding was approved and the client teared up. She was worried that her kids would be homeless and was grateful for Cope Family Center’s assistance.

What is one challenge you’ve experienced as a volunteer?
It can be a challenge to stay sharp with tax rules and regulations when you don’t use the information regularly – for example we are preparing back tax returns on an as needed basis currently. However the IRS provides excellent training and materials and we can review charts and flow charts as needed. We discuss more complex scenarios with fellow volunteers, Michelle Laymon, and IRS personnel if needed until there is consensus regarding the correct application of tax law.

What do you enjoy about working with fellow Cope Family Center staff and volunteers?
There is a sense of camaraderie due to common goals. People are caring, intelligent, and possess a sense of humor.

What other work do you do in the community?
I’ve been a crime analyst at Napa Police Department and a computer applications developer and information technology director at Napa Valley College. I am semi-retired now and enjoy technical consulting and providing customer service at Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley in Napa, American Canyon, St. Helena, and Sonoma while regular staff take vacation.

What would you say to recommend Cope to friends & family who may want to volunteer?
Cope is a great place to volunteer. Your skills will be matched to needs and you and your efforts will be appreciated. You can choose how much time and energy you feel comfortable donating. Contact Aimee Inglis today!

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