Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
In the 2006 ISUE Families Program of Work, poverty was identified as a universal problem in Iowa and was targeted as an area of work. To help reach that goal, Iowa State University Extension began a partnership with the Northwest Area Foundation and decided to work with identified communities in Iowa with populations between 500 and 5,000 and a poverty level of 10% or more. Keosauqua met the criteria with 1,061 residents and 12.1% poverty.

Response:
With the help of the Northwest Area Foundation and the Horizons Project, the Family Resource Management Specialist worked with people in Keosauqua who were interested in dealing with poverty issues. The Horizons Project focuses on community leadership and developing community.

Impact:
The Keosauqua Horizons group decided to develop a mentoring program. The mentoring group believes it is important for youth to connect with adults in the community through a variety of activities outside of school.

The group explored many mentoring models and decided to hold a kick-off event. They sponsored a field trip to Des Moines in April, 2008. In order not to isolate students in poverty, all high school students were invited to attend a play and dinner; thirty three students participated. Students were required to wear nice khaki or black pants and shirt/ blouse. Funds were available for any student who did not have these items.

The mentoring group believes the experience provides many skills for youth including: 1) professional development skills, 2) leadership skills, 3) social development skills. The trip resulted in many new relationships between adults and students and the mentoring group is coordinating several other outings including a trip to a sporting event in August for middle school students. The mentoring group has successfully coordinated fundraisers and obtained grant funds to subsidize the trips and is working with a 21st century grant to explore other mentoring opportunities.

Keosauqua also recognized that appropriate housing is often a critical issue for families living in poverty and struggled with realistic solutions to this problem. After much discussion, the group concluded many people are faced with energy efficiency issues in their homes. In response to this need, energy efficiency trainings were held to inform people of inexpensive ways to reduce energy bills. The sessions were held in cooperation with local businesses and utility companies and focused on ways to change long-term habits that will help reduce energy costs. Forty four people attended the workshop which resulted in an estimated $3,500 in yearly energy savings.

Additional ISUE Staff:
Sandra McLain, County Extension Director
Van Buren County, 200 Dodge Street, P.O. Box 456
Keosauqua, Iowa, 52565

Additional Team Members/Community Partners:
Himar Hernandez, Community Development Specialist 101 N, Court St. Ottumwa, IA, 52501

Contact:
Mary Weinand
Henry County Extension
127 Main Street
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
319-385-8126
mweinand@iastate.edu