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News Quiz Current Issues Important Links Strengthen Our Community |
Community Action Duluth Names New Executive Director Angie Miller continues 24-year commitment to end poverty
Miller has been with Community Action Duluth since 2003, serving as Assets Program Manager and most recently as Associate Director. Her commitment to addressing issues related to homelessness and poverty dates back to 1984 when she volunteered full-time with the Community for Creative Non-Violence in Washington, DC. That experience inspired her and her husband, County Commissioner Steve O'Neil, to start Loaves and Fishes, an intentional community that has been providing shelter and comfort to homeless people in Duluth since 1989. As Assets Program Manager for Community Action Duluth, Miller has grown its Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) matched savings program from 30 to over 130 participants. She developed Community Action's free tax preparation sites, which served 1,200 low income residents in 2008 resulting in over $2 million in tax refunds. She also created an innovative Home Repair matched savings program in partnership with Northern Communities Land Trust and developed, marketed and taught financial education classes now offered to special populations at Mesabe Work Release, Safe Haven, the YWCA Young Mother's Program and Fond du Lac Tribal employees. "I am committed to continuing the excellent work of Stan Kaitfors, our outgoing executive director," said Miller, "I hope to strengthen programs, create initiatives and develop new partnerships to engage the community in ending poverty." Miller has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and previously worked for North Star Community Development Corporation, New Moon Publishing and the Tenants Union/Renter's Hotline at the Damiano Center. "My work at Community Action deepens my compassion and commitment to social change. It also gives me confidence in my vision for the agency," said Miller.
Steve Chadwick 5k Click here to visit the Official Steve Chadwick 5k website
Ernesto Rivas Receives "Ally in Action" Award Ernesto Rivas, Social Services Director for the Damino Center and member of the Duluth Blueprint to End Poverty "Fellowship Program" received the annual "Ally in Action" award presented by the Minnesota Community Action Partnership.
August 2004- August 2007 Economic Impact of the FAIM Program 27 First time home purchases investment ------ $58,014 28 Businesses started or expanded ----- $56,406 43 Students using FAIM money for college ----- $81,765
FAIM PARTICIPANT OPENS "TINDERBOX GIFTS" FAIM participant Nikki Townsend at her new shop, Tinderbox Gifts.
FAIM PARTICIPANT BUYS A HOUSE SUMMER 2006
“I had my taxes prepared at Community Action Duluth and used my refund to deposit the maximum in my FAIM account. As a result, I automatically had the down payment money I needed for a mortgage loan. Getting a loan isn't a complicated task, but understanding how it works is. Now that I'm in my new home, I'm realizing how much the financial literacy class helped me. I'm using the handouts to keep track of a monthly budget, paying extra towards my monthly mortgage payments to help save money on interest, and keeping a savings account (with actual money in it). I could have done it all without Community Action Duluth, but I highly doubt I would have done it right and I cannot imagine I could have done it so efficiently. The skills I learned, combined with the matching money and the personal assistance of the organization, made it possible for us to be in our own home in a matter of a few months. It also set us up for a future of financial responsibility.” Written by: Jamie Sands
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1. What percent of Duluth students receive free or reduced lunches? 2. What is the number of Duluthians living in poverty according to the federal poverty guidelines? (family of 2 = $12,490/year; family of 3 = $15,670/year) 3. What is the percentage of decrease in new jobs in Duluth in the past three years? 4. What percentage of all working Duluthians hold a bachelor's degree or higher? 5. What is the percentage of job openings in our region that require a 4-year degree? 6. What is the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Duluth? 7. What is the average rent for a three-bedroom apartment in Duluth? 8. What percentage of all Duluth working adults earn less than $15 an hour? 9. What is the average hourly wage in Duluth? 10. What is the hourly wage needed to support a family of three in our region? Sources: Duluth School District, 2000 Census, Jobs NOW Coalition, Minnesota Workforce Center, Wilder Research Study. Answers: 1. 34% of Duluth students receive free or reduced lunches. 2. 12,000 Duluthians live in poverty, according to the federal poverty guidelines. 3. There has been a 50% decrease in new jobs in Duluth over the past three years. 4. 28.2% of all working Duluthians hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 5. 7% of all job openings in our region require a 4-year degree. 6. $572 is the average rent for a one-bedroom Duluth apartment. 7. The average rent for a three-bedroom Duluth apartment is $990. 8. 58% of all working adults in Duluth earn less than $15 an hour. 9. The average hourly wage in Duluth is $12. 10. To support a family of three in our area, you need to make at least $16.18/hr.
Find Out More About Community Action Agencies In Minnesota? Find Out More About Circles of Support? Start a Business? Buy a House? Save for the Future? Service Referrals
Learn more About Poverty?
It's time for all of us to act and strengthen our community's capacity to care by offering opportunities for people marginalized by poverty and to develop their leadership and their voice. It's time to build the capacity of ordinary community members to care for their neighbors by facilitating relationships across class and race lines. Only through these relationships will we learn about what is needed from us, poor and middle class alike, to end poverty. It's time to mobilize a constituency of caring leadership across class, race and gender lines that will identify and address the systemic barriers that hold poverty and isolation in place. It's time for us, the wealthiest nation in the world, to mobilize our resources and transform people living in poverty. Write to any of these representatives and let them know you want them to get involved and help end poverty. Mayor of Duluth 411 West First Street, Room 403 Duluth City Council
Governor of Minnesota
State Representatives
State Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon 651-296-4188 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Capitol Building Room G-9 St. Paul, MN 55155-1606
United States Representative United States Senators
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Engaging our community to end poverty 19 North 21st Avenue West . Duluth, Minnesota 55806 email: mail@communityactionduluth.org . phone: 218-726-1665 . tty: 800-627-3529 . toll-free: 866-761-5257 |