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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/06/2018 05B Council Partnership Committee RecomendationsBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDASTATEMENT 1 Item No. 5.B. For Meeting of: August 6, 2018 ITEM TITLE: Council Partnership Committee recommendations regarding requested letter of support from People for People and a request from La Casa Hogar for the City to join Cities 4 Citizenship SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Clear Tee, City Clerk SUMMARY EXPLANATION: At the July 23, 2018, Council Partnership Committee meeting, Laura Armstrong, Executive Director and Magaly Solis, Citizenship Program Manager, of La Casa Hogar briefed the Committee on its citizenship program and requested Council to partner with them on the America is Home initiative. Ms. Armstrong stated this is support request for 2019, not a funding request. Committee members recommended having a citizenship proclamation when La Casa Hogar reaches its 1,000 student later this year. People for People has requested a letter of support from the City of Yakima to support their application to WS DOT for grant funding. ITEM BUDGETED: STRATEGIC PRIORITY: APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve request. BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type 0 people 0 la casa hogar 7;23/2018 8/1/2018 2 Coyer Memo Coyer Memo July 18, 2018 Mayor KathCoffey City ofYakima 129 North Second Street Yakima, VVA989O1 Dear Mayor Coffey RECEIVED JULCITY OF YAKIMA 2 3 0��� °°� ~~.� OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE 3 People For People is requesting your support for our application to the Washington State Department of Tran (WSDOT). Transportation services that People For People provides will terminate on June 30, 2019. The current transportation service provides over 70,000 trips each year for individuals with special needs, aliowing them to remain independent in their communities and access critical health and human services. Our WSDOT application will provide grant funding from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2023 to sustain transportation services in the rural and remote areas of Yakima County. The focus of the projects is to ensure that vulnerable citizens have access to basic services; That elderly individuals can remain independent in their own homes; That individuals with special needs can access dialysis, cancer treatment, and other health care services; That individuals have access to employment, job training, educational opportunities, social services, nutrition, and shopping. The funding 15 extremely competitive. With that in mind, People For People would appreciate a letter of support in order to continue providing transportation services. Some facts that you may consider mentioning in your Ietter include the following: w The lack of transportation options for many of our residents. * The critical need to provide transportation service for individuals to access health care, education, employment, social services, nutrition, shopping, and other basic services. The rising cost of fuel has a dramatic impact on low-income and fixed-income individuals that live in remote rural Iocations. Your interest in coordinating services and opportunities that you provide to the public. • Any other information that would demonstrate the value of this service to the communities or specific customer needs. | have enclosed an Executive Summary, Sample Letter of Support, and Copy of Previous Letter of Support. In order to meet the deadline for the application, please return your letter of support by, Thursday, August 9 2018 to People For People, 304 West Lincoln Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902 or If you should have any questions or would like additional information, please do nVtUen|tatetocontectmeatncarlson@pfp.org or(SO9)24M-6736. Sincerely, Madelyn Carlson People For People, CEO Enclosures 304 West Lincoln, Yakima,WA 98902, (509) 248-6726 We are an Equal Opportunity Agency. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individua!s with disabilities. ifeteissw, People For Executive Summary People For People Transportation Service PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE People is submitting an application to Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to sustain and expand transportation services in Yakima County. The funds we seek will allow People For People to provide transportation services to individuals that have special transportation needs with the purpose of providing access to basic services such as health care, education, social services, and employment. Transportation Projects People For People is requesting WSDOT funding to support: Yakima County Preservation of Rural Special Needs Transportation: The project preserves the much needed transportation service for our elderly and persons with disabilities to access nutrition, health care, employment, and other community activities. It preserves the transitional transportation for WorkFirst and low-income individuals to access employment and employment related services. It preserves transportation for children with special needs to access therapeutic child care. The project also preserves the Community Connector fixed -route service between Prosser and Yakima for special needs individuals and the general public. The service connects riders with Ben Franklin Transit, Yakima Transit, Pahto Public Passage, and the Yakima Ellensburg Commuter service. Yakima County Preservation of Mobility Management: This project utilizes WIN 2-1-1 as a means to coordinate transportation services with a Transportation Information and Referral Specialist. By simply dialing a three digit number, 2-1-1, community members can identify what transportation options are available to them. Yakima County Replacement Vehicles to Sustain Special Needs Transportation: This request is to replace aging ADA accessible vehicles to preserve the much needed demand response, route deviated, and fixed route services to individuals with special needs. The projects will preserve transportation services to special needs populations in addressing the transportation needs that are identified in the Yakima Valley Region Coordinated Public Transit -Human Services Transportation Plan: Persons with disabilities lack access to employment, health care, social services, recreation, and social events. Older adults seek access to health care, as well as, shopping, nutrition, and socialization with friends and family. Low-income individuals lack access to social services, health care, job search, employment, education, and taking children to childcare. Youth lack transportation for after-school activities, summer activities, recreation, child care, alternative schools, and post -secondary education. Veterans lack transportation for health care, employment, employment related services, education, and other vital services. Gracie Sexton Transportation Operations Manager • gsexton • f .or Jan 011ivier People For People, Transportation Director ioilivierPpfp,or Madelyn Carlson People For People, CEO rnrarts(711 sfs,or. 304 West Lincoln, Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 248-6726 We are an Equal Opportunity Agency. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TTY 711 5 July 18, 2018 Madelyn Carlson People For People 304 West Lincoln Yakima, WA 98902 Dear Ms. Carlson: <Insert agency/organization name> is pleased to support People For People's application to Washington State Department of Transportation for the Public Transportation Consolidated Grant Application. We recognize the critical need to preserve the existing services that include the following three projects: • Yakima County Preservation of Rural Special Needs Transportation Yakima County Preservation of Mobility Management Yakima County Replacement Vehicles to Sustain Special Needs Transportation People For People has demonstrated their commitment and ability to provide transportation services to our communities vulnerable populations. These services are essential for <insert examples that you are aware of and examples of your agency working with People For People> As a provider of <insert information on your agency and the need for transportation services> People For People's transportation project will greatly increase opportunities for residents that live in rural and insolated areas to access essential services such as health care, nutrition, social services, shopping, employment, and legal commitments. Our agency will continue to collaborate by <insert example>. We appreciate the opportunity to coordinate resources and support these important projects. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at <insert contact information>. Sincerely, OFF1(.1.: OF THE lit4FOR 129 North Second Street City MB. Yakima, Washington 98901 Phonr (509)575-6050 • Fax (509) 576-6335 September 9, 2016 Ms. Madelyn Carlson People For People 302 W. Lincoln Avenue Yakima, WA 98902 Dear Ms, Carlson: The City of Yakima would like to express its full support of People For People's proposal to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for grant funding to sustain and expand transportation services in Yakima County. People For People has demonstrated its commitment and ability to provide transportation services to the vulnerable populations. People For People is the only transportation resource available for several Yakima County residents. We ask that WSDOT fund the following projects: Yakima County Preservation of Rural Special Needs Transportation, Yakima County Preservation of Mobility Management, and replacement vehicles to sustain special needs transportation. Thank you for this opportunity to express support for these important projects. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 6 111 Who is La Casa Hoaar 23 years old as an organization Mission: Connect and educate Latina families to transform lives and our Yakima Valley. Three programs: — Adult Education — Early Learning — Citizenship 600 families/year ,�aCana HOGAR Citizenship Education + Leaal Services Citizenship classes started in 2010 223 people = U.S. Citizens in 2017 905+ people = U.S. Citizens since 2014 Quick Stats Benefits of Naturalization Individual annual income increases by an average of 8.9%, or 53,200 Employment rates rise 2.2% Homeownership increases 6.3% -Urban Institute, The Economic Impact of Naturalization on /mmigrants and Cities (December 2015) t. caila HOGAR DAN NEWHOUSE 4TH DISTRICT, WASHINGTON 466466newhouse.hause.405 1318 LONGWOBT( HOUSE. OF8865 BEALFANG WASHINGTON, DC 20515 080E8 (2021 225-5818 FAX {202} 225-3251 3109 GEORGE WARM ROTOR WAY SAA rrr 130 9446LAND, WA 93354 OFFICE (509) 713-7374 402 EAST YAKIMA AVENUE SUITE 445 YAIRMA, WA( 99901 ()ERRE (509) (252--3243 Congress of the United States House of Representatives June 15, 2018 P 0 Box 823 TWISIA WA 98856 PriorriE (509) 468-0828 City of Yakima Attn: Mayor Kathy Coffey and Asst, Mayor Dulee Gutierrez 129 North 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901 HOUSE COPILTTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 91 1) I IRE ON E NERQA ANO WARR( DEVER OMANI AND BEI Al ED AGE NOES SUBCOMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEE ON 1.801644444E BfiANCil HOUSE COMMITTEE ON RULES EREEEHEEPTEE ON LE043LATtvE AND BUDGET PROCESS SUBCOMMITTEE ON RULES AND OFIGANIZARION OP THE HORSE VICE -CHAIR NUCLEAR CLEANUP CAUCUS RE: Recommendation for collaboration on Cities for Citizenship grant application Dear Mayor Kathy Coffey and Asst. Mayor Dulee Gutierrez: La Casa Hogar recently shared with me the opportunity to collaborate with the City of Yakima on a grant, Cities for Citizenship- "America is Home" Initiative. I am pleased by the potential collaboration and offer my strong support and recommendation of La Casa Hogar and its work. As I understand it, La Casa Hogar's citizenship has offered valuable citizenship education and naturalization legal services to many Lawful Permanent Residents residing in Washington's 4th congressional district. It is my understanding that since 2014, over 880 people have become U,S. Citizens through this valued program. I have had the pleasure of visiting La Casa Hogar and appreciate their offerings of adult education and early learning, in addition to citizenship education and legal services. It is my understanding that over 600 families per year are served through this asset in the Yakima County. I offer my strong recommendation and support for the work of this organization and appreciate your consideration of collaborating on a grant with La Casa Hogar. Should you have any further questions, please contact my office at: (509) 452-3243. Thank you. Sincerely, Dan Newhouse Member of Congress POINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER June 15, 2018 Yakima Valley Conlmunity Foundation 13 City of Yakima Attn: Mayor Kathy Coffey and Asst. Mayor Dulce Gutierrez 129 North 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901 RE: Cities for Citizenship America is Home Grant Opportunity Dear Mayor Kathy Coffey and Asst. Mayor Dulce Gutierrez: La Casa Hogar recently shared with me their opportunity to collaborate with the City of Yakima on a grant, Cities for Citizenship: the "America is Home" initiative. I am thrilled by this undertaking and the potential collaboration. I offer my strong support and recommendation of La Casa Hogar. The Yakima Valley Community Foundation has been partnered with La Casa Hogar for several years. Specifically, the Foundation provided three years of strategic granting to support La Casa's work in replicating their "evidence -based" curriculum and program model, in partnership with 7 county -wide organizations. We are honored and grateful for the opportunity to invest in such important work with such a valuable organization. They approach their work with cultural competency in a highly professional manner delivering on the high expectations they routinely set for themselves. They rely on performance over puffery and have "institutional ears" for listening while ably advocating for those they serve. La Casa Hogar's citizenship programs have offered valuable citizenship education and naturalization legal services to many Lawful Permanent Residents. It is my understanding that since 2014, over 880 people have become U.S. Citizens through this work. This current grant opportunity for a partnership between the City and La Casa Hogar is a crucial step for Yakima to expand access and awareness about naturalization among Yakima County's estimated 11,500 eligible lawful permanent resident populations at a time when many in our community live in terror. I know La Casa Hogar well and appreciate their offerings of adult education and early learning, in addition to citizenship education and legal services. It is my understanding that over 600 families per year are served through this organizational gem. I offer my strong recommendation and support for the work of this organization and the City of Yakima on this important endeavor. In my view there is no better partner for this work. Should you have any further questions, please contact my offices at: (509) 457-7616. Thank you and do reach out if there is anything further the Foundation can do to support t 's worthwhile opportunity B t re ards, a M ore CEO President June 18, 2018 City of Yakima ttn: Mayor Kathy Coffey and Asst. Mayor Deice Gutierrez 129 North 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901 RE: Reconimendation for collaboration on Cities for Citizenship grant application Dear Mayor Kathy Coffey and Asst. Mayor I)ulce Gutierrez: La Casa Hogar recently shared with me that they have an oppormnity to collaborate with the City of Yakima on a grant, Cities for Citizenship- "America is Horne" Initiative. 1 am pleased by the potential collaboration and offer my strong support and recommendation of La Casa Hogar and its work. La Casa Hogar's citizenship program has offered valuable citizenship education and naturalization legal services to many Lawful Permanent Residents residing in Yakima County. It is my understanding that since 2014, over 880 people have become U.S. Citizens through this valued program. Northwest Community Action Center (NCAC) has partnered with this program, for the past six months, as La Casa Flogar has made their model and curriculum available to us and we are now strategically partnered to expand the number of qualiq and affordable citizenship education classes offered throughout the County. We believe this current grant opportunity would be a decisive investment for the Yakima area and would support our collective work to expand access and awareness about natural among Yakima County's estimated 11,500 eligible lawful permanent resident populations. We have had the pleasure or partnering with La Casa Hogar and appreciate their offerings of adult education and early learning, in addition to citizenship education and legal services. It is my understanding that over 600 families per year are served through this asset in the Yakima County. I offer my strong recommendation and support for the work of this organization and appreciate your consideration of collaborating on a grant with La Casa Hogar. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at 865-7639 Ext.2737, Sincerely, enjarnin Soria, N( x: Director Northwest Community Action Center 706 Rentschler Lane, Toppenish, WA 98948 (509) 865-7630 June 18, 2018 City of Ya a Attn: Mayor Kathy Coffey a n d Asst, Mayor Ice Gutierrez 129 North 2"d Street Yakima, WA 98901 15 906 E. Edison Avenue Sunnyside, WA 98944 RE: Recommendation for collaboration on Cities for Citizenship grant application Dear i\lavor Kath Coffey and Asst. Mayor Dulcc Gutierrez: La Casa Hogar recently shared with me the opportunity to collaborate with the City of Ya grant, Cities for Citizenship- "America is Home" Initiative. I am pleased by the potential collaboration and offer my strong support and recommendation of La Casa Hogar and its work, La Casa Hogar's citizenship has offered valuable citizenship education and naturalization legal ser -vices to many Lawful Permanent Residents residing in Yakitna County. It is my understanding that since 2014, over 880 people have become U.S. Citizens through this xralued program. Our two organizations have been partnered for the past six months, as La Casa has made their model and curriculum available to us and we are now strategically partnered to expand the number of quality and affordable citizenship education classes offered throughout the County. We believe this current grant opportunity would be a crucial investment for the Yakima area and would support our collective work to expand access and awareness about naturalization among Ya a County's estimated 11,500 eligible lawful permanent resident populations. 509-839-7602 on a I have had the pleasure of visiting La Casa Hogar and appreciate their offerings of adult education and early learning, in addition to citizenship education and legal services. It is my understanding that over 600 fa es per year are served through this asset in the Yakima County. I offer my strong recommendation and support for the work of this organization and appreciate your consideration of collaborating on a grant with La Casa Hogar. Should you have any further questions, please contact my offices at: (509) 839-7602, Thank you. Sincerely, 4 Caty P. Johnson Executive Director 16 June 18, 2018 City of Yakima Attn: Mayor Kathy Coffer and Asst. Mayor Dole Guti t z 129 North 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901 RE: Recommenclation for collaboration on Cities for Citizenship grant application Dear Nlayor Kathy Coffey and Asst. Mayor 1)itice C1utterrez: La Casa Flogar recently shared -with tine the opportunity to collaborate with the City of Yakima cin a rnt, Cities for Citizenship- "America is Horne" Initiative. I am pleased by the potential collaboration and offer my strong support and recommendation of La Casa Hogar and its w rk, I,a Casa Hopes citizenship has offered valuable citizenship education and naturalization Lcgal services to many Lawful Permanent Residents residing in. Yakima County. It is tny understanding that since 2014, over 880 people have become U.S. Citizeris through this -valued program. As a volunteer with La Casa's citizenship classes. I see this as a critical piece of our community; I have beencommitted to this work with La Casa for over 5 years. I believe this current grant opportunity for a partnership between the City and La Casa Hogar would lae a crucial. step for the Yakima area to expand access and awareness about naturalization arnong Y a'a County's estimated 11,500 eligible lawful permanent resident populations. As a facilitator for the citizenship classes beMg ciffered by I,a Casa Elcigar at Englewood Chi -isnot" Church I have had the oppormnity to work with Lawful Permanent Residents as they work to meet the requirements for citizenship. I have been at the Naturalization Oath Ceremonies of several students who have completed the classes and met the criteria for citizenship. This is an extremely emotional moment for the new citizens. It makes me proud to be a part of the program as well as even mote proud to be an Atnerican. I have had the pleasure of visiting La Casa flogar and appreciate their offerings of adult education and early learn:Mg, in addition to citizenship educationand legal services. It is my understanding that over 600 families per year are served through this asset in the Yakima County. I offer my stmng recommendation and support for the WOrk of this organization and appreciate your consideration of collaborating on a grant with La Casa Roger. Should you have any further questkins, please contact at: (509) 307-8061, Thank you. Rebecca L Buell La. Casa Hogar Volunteer Vision Council Chair Englewood Christian Church 17 June 15, 2018 City of Yakima Attn: Mayor Kathy Coffey and Asst. Mayor Dulce Gutierrez 129 North 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901 RE: Recommendation for collaboration on Cities for Citizenship grant application Dear Mayor Kathy Coffey and Asst. Mayor Dulce Gutierrez: La Casa Hogar recently shared with me the opportunity to collaborate with the City of Yakima on a grant, Cities for Citizenship- "America is Home" Initiative. I am pleased by the potential collaboration and offer my strong support and recommendation of La Casa Hogar and its work. La Casa Hogar's citizenship has offered valuable citizenship education and naturalization legal services to many Lawful Permanent Residents residing in Yakima County. It is my understanding that since 2014, over 880 people have become U.S. Citizens through this valued program. Washington Fruit and Produce has been a financial supporter of La Casa Hogar since 2010 and continues to support La Casa currently. We believe a partnership like this could be a crucial step for the Yakima area to expand access and awareness about naturalization among Yakima County's estimated 11,500 eligible lawful permanent resident populations. I have had the pleasure of visiting La Casa Hogar and appreciate their offerings of adult education and early learning, in addition to citizenship education and legal services. It is my understanding that over 600 families per year are served through this asset in the Yakima County. I offer my strong recommendation and support for the work of this organization and appreciate your consideration of collaborating on a grant with La Casa Hogar. Should you have any further questions, please contact my offices at: (509) 44"3. Thank you. -6177 Sine ely, N E leitez ()�J ufr C�Tc��J ppU IT P .O�(iC. TIT; l� S65