MY OWN HOME
PROGRESS REPORT

My Own Home received a $5,000 grant from the Giving Circle to assist in our first year of operation as we build our capacity to grow and provide services to members.

At the time of our application we had 16 members, 5 family and 6 single, and had not yet started providing services.  With the Circle’s support, we were able to begin offering services this past July and currently have 23 members, 6 family 11 single.

We were also able to develop our list of volunteers, which now includes 30 community members willing to perform a wide variety of services for our members. All of the volunteers have now undergone background checks and an initial group has gone through our training program. 

As a result of being operational, we have been able to participate in three student service events sponsored by the University, where members had yard clean up work performed and windows washed.  An added bonus was how pleased the members were to have this kind of contact with university students.

Most recently we were invited by Moscow High School to give a presentation about My Own Home.  Approximately 120 students attended the presentation and 80 of them completed volunteer forms.  Not that we, or at least some of us, want it to snow a whole lot this winter, but if it does having so many student volunteers should be a real asset in being able to provide snow removal services for our members who need it.

Some of the other services we have performed for our current members include: moving furniture so that carpets could be cleaned, transportation and minor house repairs.  We have also held two get togethers for members to have an opportunity to meet one another and tell us what services they are most interested in receiving. We’ve also sponsored trips to a movie showing at the Kenworthy and a performance of the IRT’s summer play.

Organizationally we have recently strengthened our board with the addition of three new members: Andrea Beckett, a well known and highly regarded CPA; Jim Prall, who has extensive experience providing services to seniors on a volunteer basis;  and Susan Ripley, who has worked for Latah County’s Assessor’s Office for more than 27 years, most recently as Technical Systems Manager, and who has performed countless hours as a volunteer and board member for a number of local organizations.

Our major goals for the coming year are increasing our number of members and becoming financial sustainable through securing funding from grants and private donors.  To that end, we have scheduled a facilitated board retreat in early January to develop a concrete action plan for accomplishing them.

Debbie Bell, second grade teacher at McDonald Elementary School sent us the following update about the school's use of its 2010 Circle grant:

Our school has been proactive in supporting this project this past school year.  The purpose of this project continues to enhance the outdoor classroom at McDonald Elementary. In doing so, we can continue to provide an  integrated teaching style and an alternate learning environment for both faculty and students.

The following is a list of volunteer groups who have made this project a success:

• Backyard Harvest – Amy Grey, Director
• Adventure Club – Moscow School District
• Brad and Kate Jaeckel – McDonald School parents
• Saturday of Service – University of Idaho Volunteer Services
• Make A Difference – University of Idaho Volunteer Services
• Brian Carhart and Karen Trippei – McDonald School Teachers

Wish list for the future:

• Greenhouse - $1,200
• Grow lights for the classrooms - $500
• McDonald School Garden sign - $150
  

Contact information: If anyone is interested in donating items or volunteer their services you may contact me at:

[email protected]

Thank you again for all your support.

Palouse Prairie School:

Palouse Prairie School is a non-tuition based public charter school.  Our goals are to engage children and the community of the Palouse in an inspiring and collaborative education of the highest standards by following the educational design principles of Expeditionary Learning. 

Last semester, nineteen kindergarten students embarked on a semester long expedition called, "Feed from Seed."  There were two components of this project; students learned about the characteristics of plants and they were involved in building a greenhouse for Palouse Prairie School.  The students collected 1500 2-liter bottles from the Moscow Recycling Center.  Washington State University Architecture students were integrated into the program as part of a service learning project.  The entire architecture class spent a day with the kindergarten students in building the walls of the greenhouse. 

After completion of the greenhouse, students grew vegetables for Backyard Harvest, a local non-profit fresh food bank.  Students presented their produce to Backyard Harvest and the greenhouse will provide many opportunities for student engagement for the years to come. Volunteer opportunities: Palouse Prairie School-  teaching children about planting and growing  teaching children about plants, gardening, farming, etc.

Wish List:
1. worm bin
2. soil
3. terra cotta pots
4. Garden tools: trowel

Contact:  Jeneille Branen  [email protected]