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���
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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
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