Program for Today: David Ivie Updates Us on MCSA

August 8 Invocation by: Bill Phelan

President Mike Ruby mentioned that Drew Burkamper has resigned. Sorry to lose Drew. Mike noted that many Rotarians were in the Great River Days parade: Scott Ingstad, Tim Nelson, Troy Pugh, Sarah Ingstad, John Stevens and Chris Ingstad. Ragbrai particpants were Jim Nepple and Steve Kundel...with Jim participating for 7 times... good job Jim and Steve...

Guests today: Doyle Tubandt and Mike Johannsen along with Barb Fick.

Happy News: Dawn Sturms Dodd told us Uncle Jim Sturms had celebrated his 80th birthday, Mary lWildermuth was happy to tour the 17 Japanese students from our Sister City. Norm Smith announced that our Italian Exchange student will be arriving but still needs a home.. Keith Porter was proud to report the grants given out by the Community Foundation to West Liberty for Gardens at School and support to Big Brothers and Big Sisters ....they need big brothers... Larry Hetzler told us he too attended and graduated from West Liberty's one room school, and yes can you believe it he had his 50th high school reunion... and Bob Lande proud Dad mentioned that son Brian had made his first hole in one and yes Bob just returned from his visit to New York to see Brian.

Program: Keith Porter introduced Barb Fick who shared the Homeless Prevention work she is doing under a small grant. She is working with Dick Yerington, Maggie Curry, Mike Johannsen and United Way to provide housing resources for individuals who are close to losing their homes or have. She teaches Real Life 101 to her participants. She has worked with 37 households with 55 minor children. She connects these individuals to resources and is working with them to become more accountable. Often these individuals do not have a concept beyond today. They don't keep track of appointments and live in the community life of lending and borrowing from one another without much currency of their own.

Barb is working at connecting them with help or providing small amounts of money for small needs that impinge on their success. She is aiming a connecting them with education at MCC so that they can have a more successful life and overcoming the daily insecurity of eviction and day to day life.

She loves her job and is certain no two days are ever the same. She demonstrated their big needs by saying often they have to borrow money even to buy toilet paper....