THE START OF SOMETHING BIG

This summer 117 youth from the nine county service area of Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) got a headstart in making their lives bigger and better. These at risk youth participated in an eight week paid work experience that combined training in how to interview, how to get and keep a job. But there was more.
The youth also learned about how to use their hard earned money wisely. They learned about the influences of advertising and the power it has to woo away their money. They learned about the principles of saving money and the benefits saving will bring. They learned how to handle their money frugally. And most of all, they learned about the correlation of staying in school and the power it has to enhance their earning ability for the rest of their lives. For example, they learned that the staying in school one day will enhance their earning capacity by $528 for each day for the rest of their lives.
As one of the participants wrote in his evaluation, “thank you for helping and wanting to make our lives bigger and better.”
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In other news from MVAC, the annual audit was presented to the board. The agency works to help people locally and this work is done in partnership with federal, state, and local governments. The funding for the agency has changed in recent years. For example:
the following shows comparisons between 2003 and 2007.
Federal dollars made up 57% of funds in 2003. 74% of funds in 2007.
State dollars made up 36% of funds in 2003. 13% of funds in 2007.
Local dollars made up 7% of funds in 2003. 13% of funds in 2007.
This is a good example of devolution. Local dollars are having to make up the for the lack of adequate support from the state. end