Seymour, IA

11 individuals have organized a working group to monitor and encourage the community to continue to make progress in the reduction of poverty.  The group has developed an application for community groups and organizations to use to request financial support for projects.  The key questions they will use to determine which projects to support are:

·         Is it helping those in poverty?

·         How many individuals will be helped by this project?

·         Is the project sustainable?

·         Is this a reputable organization associated with the community?

·         Are low income individuals involved in the project?

·         Is this truly a need?

The group plans to hold regular meetings and will notify the community through the Seymour Herald when an application period is open.  The working group represents many different economic backgrounds and leadership experiences.  They are responsible for seeking new partnerships and funding to support the Seymour Horizons project.

Two teachers agreed to provide after-school tutoring assistance to students who were struggling in their class work.   Funding was provided by several local individuals and businesses.  Subject support was provided in science and math.  The sessions were held on Tuesday and Thursday for ninety minutes during spring term.   Five junior high students participated.   Seymour school district has a high population of students who qualify for free or reduce price lunches.

Members of the Seymour Horizons project have been contributing time to the formation of a county trust fund to address the housing needs of residents.  The Housing Trust Fund will be approved by the Iowa Finance Authority as a non-profit organization.  They will be eligible for funds from state allocations.  A housing assistance plan will be developed and approved.  Individuals helping with the document have identified the need for low cost loans to individuals who buy older homes and need to upgrade their energy efficiency or make other structural changes.  30% of the funds provided to a Housing Trust must be distributed to individuals who are at or below the poverty level.   The formation of the housing trust fund is a collaborative effort by residents from four Horizons Communities in Wayne County.  Support is being provided by state communities’ specialist Frank Owens from Iowa State University Extension.

Seymour’s Horizons group agreed that they would provide funds to continue programming efforts at the Family Resource Center.  The group pledged $500 from their Horizons funds to cover the cost of  programming, materials and supplies for families.  The Center provides parent education, parent support, Parents as Teachers home visits, family violence awareness, grants to preschools and child care providers, child care home consultant and para-professional counseling and Positive Parenting education.  The Family Resource Center is open to all parents,  many of their participants are single parents and low income families served by the WIC and food assistance programs.                                                       

Combination of efforts have put in to play , a Local Food Pantry.
The Seymour Elementary Students donated Food Items to be used in the Food Pantry, giving them the awareness of helping others. They brought the items to our Share Day earlier this spring. Others attending the Share Day donated also.
We have partnered with the Local American Legion Auxiliary, who have volunteered to be available for distribution of the goods one day a week.
The Horizon committee has been seeking a place to house the Pantry , and at this time , have two possibilities. One of the committee members is in the process of getting information from a person in another community on how they run their pantry. We are planning to have a Freezer and add bulk products and fresh produce to our inventory.

A Senior Citizen in the Community, who is also a Retired School Teacher gathered a group of 30+ young people together and did a Great Job of City Park clean-up prior to the beginning of the mowing season. They picked up a load of sticks and branches that had fallen since the 4H Clean-up following the Winter Ice Storms. They also cleaned the curbs and pulled weeds, making a very cleaned area and a very successful Spring Work Day.
The group was treated to Hot Dogs, Chips, Drinks and Ice Cream Cones for their efforts!

The City of Seymour has had a very positive response to the Horizon Group, joining the groups together to continue Clean-uo throughout the community and improve the appearance of the
town. The council agreed to provide the city truck to coordinate with the Horizon group, who are bringing together a group of local volunteers, all ages and income levels, to gather items not picked up each week in garbage bags. The Horizon Funds will pay for dumping at the Transfer Station. We will also, through the local newspaper publish notice of the clean-up, taking names of those unable to bring their items to the truck, and volunteers will pick those items up. We will also make provisions for appliances to be picked up. And the Council is working diligently to rid the properties of junk vehicles.
The City and Horizon are also working together on old homes that need taken down, and properties that are unattended.

Through our Local Newspaper, The Seymour Herald,
we have been able to print articles, publish photos, and
share public information of projects taking place through
the Horizon Project. Staff has been pro-active in recruiting
participants, coordinating activities, and providing a location
for Steering Comm. meetings.

Seymour Community Share Day involved the Entire Community, including All Age, Economic, and Income levels of people,
on all phases of the project. We had a variety of all of these levels involved in Committees to plan, work at, and participate in the entire event.
We have also included these same levels in our Steering Committee and also our efforts of Community Clean-up.

Seymour Horizons has partnered with several citizens in town to have each walk around their block and other areas of town with garbage bags and pick up trash that has been thrown out along the roads.