With tax return time upon us, there are a couple programs that can prepare taxes for free.  Check out the the Tax Assistance story link for more information.  This month's update also includes information about the difference your investment in the community has made through basic needs programs in the last month.  If there is anything else you would like to see in our updates, please call us at 336-2095 or email brandi@seuw.org.

Your Gift in Action in Basic Needs Programs

During the month of January 78 families received financial assistance totaling over $8900 through Community Outreach. Financial assistance is used to help keep utilities on, provide assistance for a rent deposit, or other one time needs.

32 previously homeless families had a home through Heartland House in January.  The families participate in case management, finding employment, finishing their education, and taking additional classes on finances, stress management, and other topics.

1 Family Self-Sufficiency participant graduated from the program in January.  After participating in the program for almost two years, she and her family no longer receive food stamps or Medicaid, and are buying their first home.

More

Volunteer Opportunities

Center for Active Generations
Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver a hot noon meal to seniors in the Sioux Empire.  Learn more by calling 333-3305.  Workers on Wheels volunteers help seniors with household maintenance, transportation, and other tasks.  More

Rape & Domestic Abuse Center
Court Watchers volunteers offers advocacy to victims through the court system. Volunteers for the Rape Crisis Program are responsible for responding to all rape crisis calls that occur outside business hours.  More

Senior Companion Program
If you are or someone you know is 60 or older and looking for a way to give back to the community, Senior Companions matches volunteers with other older adults who need assistance in maintaining their independence. More

Sioux Empire United Way Corner

The Thank You Event was held on February 12 at the Holiday Inn City Centre.  Over 400 attendees sampled soup from Ground Round, Minervas, Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday, and Westward Ho Country Club.  They also enjoyed salad and bread from the Holiday Inn and cookies from Minnehaha Country Club.  Awards were presented to the following:

• Larry Oppold Memorial Award - Mel Harrington, Lutheran Social Services of SD

• Helen E (Oppold) Blair Memorial Award - Jonathan Carda, Sioux Falls Police Department School Resource Officer

• Rich Garry Rookie of the Year - Dennis Beeman, Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society's National Campus

• Volunteer of the Year - Joel Sylvester, Wells Fargo Financial Bank & Brent Weiler, Lawrence & Schiller

• Business of the Year 1-100 Employees - Architectural Roofing & Sheetmetal Inc.

• Business of the Year 101-500 Employees - Great Western Bank

• Business of the Year - 501 + Employees - CIGNA Tel-Drug

• David Birkeland Memorial Award - Pam Hanneman, Wells Fargo Bank

• Heart Club Philanthropist - Ray Trankle, Sanford Health

More

In This Issue

Tax Assistance Available
Your Gift in Action
Volunteer Opportunities
Turning a House Into a Home
Sioux Empire United Way Corner

Tax Assistance

Two local programs are able to complete tax returns for free for low to middle income households.  Volunteer Income Tax Assistance operates at the Sioux Falls Downtown Library and Tax Aide operates at Center for Active Generations.  More

Tax time is also a great time to look over your finances and budget.  Here are some tips for responsible money management:

• set financial goals and priorities
• develop a workable spending plan
• identify affordable levels of debt
• build up savings to help avoid financial crisis

To learn how to accomplish the above tips and more, Lutheran Social Services offers free monthly money management seminars.  More

Project Jump Start provides an intensive financial literacy program for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  More

Turning a House into a Home

“I had never slept on a floor before,” said Winifreida. “It was a different
experience.”

Winifreida and her family were provided furniture through Furniture Mission, “When my husband returns from Iraq, he will truly be returning to a home."

Click here for their story.