Dayton, IA

Gail Lundquist, Theresa Bullock & Glenn Schreiber recently completed a three day Leadership Training Program held at the 4-H Camp near Madrid, Iowa. The training was conducted by Gwen Whiting and Jereann King, Professional trainers.
The three trained leaders from Dayton will hopefully train dozens of leaders for the Horizon program which will begin on February 7, 2009. The community of volunteers are now compiling a list of potential leaders for this program.

The Action Forum was held at the Dayton Oaks Camp & Conference Center on November 18, 2008 and was attended by 37 individuals enoying a ‘baked potato’ bar. with all the trimmings. After the meal, welcomes were given by Barb Wollan, ISU Extension Staff and Jim Patton.
Reports of the three study circles were given, with each study circle listing the highlights of their studies. The study circles found that there are resources available. They also found that poverty involves things besides a lack of money, that people can be poor in other ways and they discovered that we have many assets already existing in Dayton, i.e. organizations, etc.
The Action Forum group discussed and then voted on ’short-term projects’ and ‘long-term projects.’ The following short-term project was selected by the group: To design and print a brochure listing the resources available in Dayton and county-wide, so people would know where to go for poverty-related assistance. This brochure will possibly be sent out as a mailing and would also be available at the City Clerk’s office when individuals move in to the community and sign up for utilities.
A group of 7 - 10 individuals volunteered to assist in this project. They will meet after the first of the year to work on this. Theresa Bullock will be in charge.
The Action Forum group also discussed and then voted on ‘long-term’ projects. The group selected two long-term projects, namely: Expansion of the ‘After-School’ program in which more volunteers are needed. Ideally funds would be obtained to create paid positions for those that would assist Char Kelley, the leader of this organization.
The second long-term’ project was activating the Meals on Wheels for the elderly and needy in our community. Meals on Wheels was done a few years ago with the churches delivering meals. The problem was that during the winter months it was not safe for Senior Citizens to be trying to deliver meals when it was not safe underfoot, so it eventually was discontinued.
The new concept would be that Grandview Care Center would prepare the meals and that individuals would deliver these meals for a small daily wage or in exchange for meals for their families. Details will be worked out later.

After the study concerning poverty in our community there were many mixed views. One study group shared these comments: With the question being - “What surprised you about poverty? A few answers were “how complex poverty is, how many people are actually living in poverty in Dayton, and how many are in need of the ‘little things in life.”
When asked “Has your thinking changed about poverty?” A few thoughts - “that there are different kinds of poverty - eg.education, helping the elderly.” and “that community support is more available than first anticipated.”
In addressing “is there anything you will do differently because of this study?” Thoughts were they would “be more aware of what poverty looks like.” Approximately 3/4ths of the study group indicated they would be more active in the community’s activities, buy more things locally and volunteer to help where needed.
One team member said - “interested in how poverty can be addressed in our community, and I am excited to see what comes out of this.” Another member said - “it gave me more insight into things we need to do as a community and what I, as an individual can do.”

On Tuesday, November 18, 2008, those involved in the Horizon’s Project in Dayton will be meeting at the Dayton Oaks Camp for the Dayton Action Forum from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. A free supper (potato bar) will be provided from 5:30 - 6:25 pm. Following the meal the three study circles will report on their thoughts and findings so far. We also will be considering action ideas to reduce the poverty that is in our community.

After four weeks, the Horizon’s Project in Dayton has a total of thirty-five members, divided into three study circles. These study circles have six facilitators - (two to each study circle) to lead the groups and one blogger to put our news on the website.
The Monday study circle, led by Jim Dick and Brenda Dahlstrom meets at Emanuel Lutheran Church from 7:00 - 9:00; the Tuesday study circle, led by Dani Siebert and Sheryl Ainslie meets at the Dayton United Methodist Church from 4:00 - 6:00; and the Wednesday study circle, led by Linda Weiland and Beth Wickwire meets at Christ the King Church from 7:00 - 9:00.
In looking at some statistics about poverty, the groups found that in 1999, 58% of those that were classified as living in poverty were single females, heading a household.

We’re up & running! A Horizons Community Leadership program has been started in our community. The response to the request for volunteers has been well received from people of all walks of life.
We have three groups - one that meets on Monday night, with Jim Dick and Brenda Dahlstrom as leaders; the Tuesday night group is being led by Dani Siebert and the Wednesday night group is headed up by Beth Wickwire and Linda Weiland.
The Study groups will meet for five weeks, which began on October 13. The groups have been discussing how to recognize poverty in our community and ways to combat it. We are finding out that poverty is an issue in every community and touches many lives. In the weeks ahead we will be looking at new and different ways to help those who are need.