What is Weatherization?

March 2017

OIC Community Connection

“Empowering People…Changing Lives.”

Reducing heating and cooling costs for low-income families, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, OIC’s weatherization program has been improving energy efficiency in homes since 1974. Utilizing state, federal and private funding, this program is able to serve over 80 homes per year. Weatherization differs from what is sometimes referred to as “weatherizing a home.” The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) analyzes all of the building systems – the building envelope, heating and cooling systems, electrical system, and electric baseload appliances – through the completion of an energy audit. In 2015, WAP’s throughout the nation provided energy efficiency upgrades to 34,220 homes and has served over 7.4 million families since its inception. For every $1 invested in the program, WAP’s returns $2.78 in non-energy benefits; for every $1 invested by the Department of Energy, the program leverages $3.44 in other federal, state,

utility and private resources. “OIC really helps people. Because of them, I was able to afford the heating for my home as well as have a little extra money in my pocket each month for other necessities”, said Dalee Kinney, an OIC Weatherization client. “The staff and contractors were very

professional and courteous.” Because

of this rigorous approach, the Weatherization Program as a whole has become a leader throughout the nation in providing home energy efficiency services in addition to improved health benefits, retention of affordable housing units, and client safety, particularly to those in the most need. Funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, Energy Matchmakers, Health and Human Services, Pacific Power and Light, Bonneville Power Administration, and AVISTA.

Our mission is to help in

the elimination of

unemployment, poverty

and illiteracy so that

people of all colors and

creeds can live their lives

with greater human

dignity.

Agency Highlights:

Weatherization 1 100 Jobs for 100 Kids Career Fair 2 Staff Corner 3 Health & Wellness 4 Program Locations 5 About OIC 6

(Dalee Kinney, OIC Weatherization Client)

(Joe Sanchez, OIC Weatherization Auditor/Inspector performing audit on

client’s home)

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100 Jobs for 100 Kids Career Fair

and organizing individuals into cohesive groups that can affect real change.” They work hard to increase the positive public perception that the Yakima Valley truly is a safe place to live, work and raise a family. In partnership with the Henry Beauchamp Community Center (HBCC), high school age students are able to attend a youth job fair, participate in job readiness activities, mock interviews, job application preparation, and earn a food handlers card. After the job fair,

The 11th Annual 100 Jobs for 100 Kids Program kicked off on March 27 at the Henry Beauchamp Community Center. Well over 300 high school students participated in the event. 100 Jobs for 100 Kids was formed by Safe Yakima Valley, an organization formed by a dedicated group of concerned citizens and led by a group of passionate and devoted professionals. At its core, Safe Yakima Valley is about “uniting and

students are interviewed by potential employers and are placed at part-time summer jobs for four weeks. This important activity gives youth the opportunity for basic on-the-job training which helps build their skill set, provides an alternative to at-risk behavior, and provides a way for the community to be involved with a solution which works toward opening up opportunities for kids. Last year over 100 kids were placed in jobs! (Students studying for their Food Handlers Card.)

Although every student is not hired, it is still a great chance to gain useful experience of going through the process of working to obtain employment. This activity would not be possible without the partnership of Safe Yakima Valley, Yakima Rotary, the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, the HBCC, OIC of Washington, and the many, many employers, organizations and volunteers.

(Volunteer conducting mock interviews.)

(Student speaking with potential employer.)

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Emma Saucedo Henry Beauchamp Community Center Adult GED Program

Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Pasco Office Receives Recognition

Chris Mitzlaff Accounting Dept.

Olivia Gutierrez Program Evaluation

Specialist

Serjick Velazquez Weatherization Program

Viviana Cardenas YouthBuild Yakima Program

Latasha Larez Henry Beauchamp Community Center

OIC’s Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Program – Pasco office recently received an “Employer of the Year” Award from Goodwill Industries. The Pasco office was recognized for helping Goodwill change lives through the power of work. OIC has been a partner with Goodwill Industries for numerous years. The two agencies collaborate in resume building, job readiness training, job search and supportive services for mutual clients. The Pasco office is lead by Regional Manager Israel Delamora and staff include Christina Carrazco, Haydee Ramirez, Leonor Rico and Rene Godina. Congratulations!

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Mold, bacteria and spills in the refrigerator can put you at risk for food poisoning. Maintaining a clean fridge can help improve the safety and quality of your foods. Always refer to your owner’s manual, but here are a few cleaning tips:

Wipe up spills

immediately, especially

from raw meat juices.

Scrub down the inside of

your fridge using a clean

sponge and warm soapy

water. Rinse with clean

water, then dry with paper

towels or a clean cloth.

Frequently clean the

refrigerator handle.

Keep the front grill free of

dust to allow free airflow

to the condenser for best

cooling efficiency.

Eliminate odors between

cleanings by placing an

opened box of baking

soda in the back of the

fridge. Chain the box

every three months.

Sort through foods at least

once a week. Throw out

foods that have been

“hibernating” in the fridge.

Check expiration dates

but when it doubt, throw it

out.

The difference between

“use by” and “expiration?”

“Use by” or “best if used

by” is not a safety-related

date. It’s the last date

recommended for use of

the product at optimal

quality. “Expiration” date

means don’t consume the

product after this date.

Health & Wellness Corner How Clean is Your Refrigerator?

Eating Right on a Budget

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OIC Black History Month 2017

Program Locations

Since its inception in

1971, OIC of

Washington has been

and continues to be

dedicated to helping

thousands of

individuals improve the

quality of their lives.

OIC provides services

through five major

areas including

community and

emergency services,

education and

employment training,

weatherization, youth

services and financial

education.

It is OIC’s desire to

afford a second

chance to individuals

and families with

multiple life challenges.

Many thanks to the following staff for making OIC’s 5th Annual Black History Month Event a successful event: James Parks, Hugh Anderson, Hilario Baltazar, Adrianne Garner, Charlene Parks, Kim Pualani, Latasha Larez, Mayra Licea, Manuel Espinoza, Whitney Wiuff, Frank Rowland, Dereje Mukuria, Steve Mitchell and Deidre Dennis. In addition, a special thanks to friends of OIC and the HBCC, Dan McClain and Alex Singer with Sodexo, Fenice Fregoso with Molina Health Care and Efrain Quiroz with United Health Care.

Education & Employment Assistance

Migrant Seasonal Farmworker

Program Provides employment and

education assistance to Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers.

815 Fruitvale Blvd. Yakima, WA

(509) 248-6751 ext. 170 Additional locations:

Mount Vernon (360) 336-2938

Moses Lake (509) 764-8120 East Wenatchee (509) 665-3715 Sunnyside (509) 839-0204 Pasco (509) 545-0484

WIOA Youth Program Provides education &

employment training to youth 14 – 24 years old

815 Fruitvale Blvd. Yakima, WA

(509) 248-6751

Additional location:

Ellensburg (509) 9662-8098

YouthBuild Yakima Provides hands-on training

to start a career in construction along with the

opportunity to attain a GED or other certification.

Ages 16-24. 815 Fruitvale Blvd.

Yakima, WA (509) 248-6751

Energy Assistance

Provides energy assistance in Grant and

Adams counties. 903 W. 3rd Ave.

Moses Lake, WA (509) 765-9206

Food Bank

Provides emergency food assistance.

1419 Hathaway St. Yakima, WA

(509) 452-7145

Henry Beauchamp, Jr. Community Center Provides a variety of

services aimed at fostering self-sufficiency and dignity

for children, youth and families

1211 So. 7th St. Yakima, WA

(509) 575-6114

The Prosperity Center Provides financial

education and credit, housing and small

business counseling. 903 W. 3rd Ave.

Moses Lake, WA (509) 765-9206 ext. 250

Weatherization Services Provides home

weatherization services. 1419 Hathaway St.

Yakima, WA (509) 452-2555

OIC of Washington Headquarters

815 Fruitvale Blvd. Yakima, WA 98902

PHONE:

(509) 248-6751 1-800-833-6388 (WA Relay)

or dial 711

FAX: (509) 575-0482

E-MAIL:

contact_us@yvoic.org

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OICofWA!

www.yvoic.org

OIC of Washington is an equal

opportunity employer & provider of employment

training services. OIC does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national

origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief; or, for

beneficiaries, applicants and participants only, citizenship

status or because of an individual’s participation in a program or activity. Auxiliary

aids and services are available upon request to individuals

with disabilities.

OIC OF WASHINGTON 815 Fruitvale Blvd. Yakima, WA 98902

About OIC of Washington

Since its inception in 1971, OIC of Washington’s vision has been to help in the elimination of unemployment, poverty and illiteracy so that people of all colors and creeds can live their lives with greater human dignity. We work to afford a second chance to families and individuals with multiple life challenges such as housing, education, gang culture, or lack of skills by enabling them to complete their high school education, attend higher education, enter a branch of military service, or

receive vocational and employment training through program services.

OIC of Washington provides services through five major areas including community and emergency services, education and employment training, weatherization, youth services, and financial education. For more than 40 years with federal, state, local and community partnerships, we are proud to have helped Washington residents

become self-sufficient through our programs including job skills training, high school equivalency attainment, energy assistance, food assistance, new homes for low-

income families, weatherization of homes and more.

OIC has and continues to be dedicated to help thousands of individuals improve the quality of their lives. Through innovative collaborations and partnerships, we look forward to many more years of making our vision for the underserved population a

working reality throughout the State of Washington.

OIC of Washington: Empowering People… Changing Lives