Chariton, IA

The Chariton City Council has approved the Chariton City Manager’s list of nine local properties identified as being in violation of the city’snuisance laws. The property owners must take steps to abate the nuisance, or the city will clean up the properties and bill the cost to the property owners. Increasing the number of quality, affordable houses for rent or purchase in Chariton and improving the appearance of the community were two of the goals identified by participants in the Horizons visioning sessions.

On July 12, the Lucas County Development Corporation will sponsor a work day at the Habitat For Humanity house site under construction in Knoxville. This Habitat project is being funded in part through Thrivent Financial For Lutherans and its members in Lucas County. This work day will enable members of the joint LCDC/Horizons Housing Committee to learn more about the Habitat construction process. The goal is to align with the Marion County Habitat chapter to build a Habitat house or houses in Lucas County.

After much investigation and exploration of how to organize additional financial literacy for the Chariton Community the group has determined that they will begin with a middle school program.  Sue Rae is the instructor who will develop the initial project.  All students in the 8th grade will participate in an entrepreneur enterprise by setting up and operating a business.  The group is asking Horizons for funds to purchase curriculum and equipment for the project.  Profits from the student run business will be divided equally among the students and set up as individual accounts.  Parent participation is being incorporated in the activites.  Funds from the account can be used for education related expenses and the group is working to provide a small match to encourage the practice of savings. 

During the winter the group will co-ordinate the youth entrepreneurship program with a savings campaign centered around the America Saves national program.  The project will target parents of young children to encourage the development of savings habits.

Our Horizons steering committee is coordinating a Community Resources Fair on Thursday June 19th at Carpenter’s Hall in Chariton. This Community Resources Fair will bring together organizations, agencies and individuals in the community with residents who can benefit from the services they provide. There will be information booths, educational sessions, activities, door prizes and giveaways, free meals, free on-site child care, and more. Call Ruth Comer at the Chariton Chamber office, 774-4059, for more information.

Participants in Study Circle conversations, led by Barbara Shelton and Greg Neer are developing plans to begin a Youth IDA program.  The local banking and school community have been engaged in conversations to seek support.  The next stage is to meet with experienced support organizations to develop the structure of the program.  Iowa State University Extension will partner with the group to help with education for students and parents. 

Horizons members and the local school district are exploring ways to expand adult education in the community.  The Superintendent Paula Wright, a Vision meeting participant, and other community members are working with the local Community College to expand services in the community.  Kevin Seney, High School Principal, has asked his staff to identify training needs of students prior to graduation that will increase their employment skills.  The focus is to make sure that the community is doing what it can to provide opportunities for education and earning potential of community residents.  

A group of individuals teamed together at the Vision meeting to determine ways to improve the quality of affordable homes in the community.  The group is planning a public meeting to learn about establishment of a Lucas County Housing Trust Fund.  Members of the the Lutheran Congregation are currently working to develop a partnership with Habitat for Humanity in Marion County to initiate a project in the community during 2008.