FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 2/24/2010
CRISIS TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Emergency transportation assistance is now available in Isanti, Chisago, and Kanabec Counties for low income working families who need a safe and reliable vehicle to get to work each day.

Partnering with social services agencies and local auto repair shops, Communities Investing in Families (CIF) is providing funds for necessary auto repairs, towing expenses, and other transportation expenses related to maintaining employment. Purchase assistance grants are available in Isanti and Kanabec Counties. CIF’s Car Donation program provides additional options for solving transportation problems by donating vehicles directly to the most needy.

“These efforts help maintain jobs for working families who are struggling to make ends meet. The funds also directly support our local communities by increasing business for local repair shops, parts stores, insurance agencies, and banking facilities,” states CIF Executive Director Matt Mathiasen. “Area business owners have thanked us for helping keep their doors open this winter. Moms and Dads are thanking us for helping preserve their jobs.”

During the first four months of this program, over $55,000 of employment-related transportation assistance has been provided through Communities Investing in Families and its local partners.

To qualify, families must meet income guidelines, be currently employed (or have a job offer), and have dependent children in the home. Requests must be directly related to maintaining employment. The application process begins by contacting your local county social services agency and requesting Crisis Transportation Assistance. For more information about Communities Investing in Families, please call Matt Mathiasen at 320-679-5671.

CIF EARNS CHARITIES REVIEW COUNCIL SEAL

Communities Investing in Family has been awarded the Charities Review Council “Meets All Standards” Seal indicating that it meets all sixteen of its Accountability Standards.

Nonprofit organizations such as Communities Investing in Families (CIF) earn the Seal by voluntarily participating in the Council’s online Accountability Wizard that rates a nonprofit organization’s performance in four critical areas:  Public Disclosure, Governance, Financial Activity and Fundraising.  By participating, nonprofit organizations like CIF can demonstrate responsibility, integrity and transparency to their constituents.

CIF is now listed as a reviewed organization on the online Giving Guide of the Council’s Smart Givers Network, www.smartgivers.org and the Council’s Smart Giver newsletter distributed to more than 18,000 subscribers in Minnesota. The Council’s Smart Givers Network is the source of unbiased information where the giving public can investigate an organization’s mission and programs to better understand what their money supports and determine whether it meets widely accepted standards.

Communities Investing in Families operates the only Car Donation Program in Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs Counties, accepting and repairing used vehicles, and donating them directly to low-income families to help them maintain or find jobs. CIF also provides crisis transportation assistance, advocacy, and life skills classes, including Financial Literacy, Family Budgeting, and Basic Car Maintenance.

For more information about supporting Communities Investing in Families, please call Executive Director Matt Mathiasen at 320-679-5671, or visit www.investinfamilies.org.

CIF/Sandstone Prison Partnership Helps Local Familiess

• Communities Investing in Families (CIF) is excited to announce a new partnership between the Sandstone Prison VT Auto repair class and the CIF Car Donation Program.
  

• According to CIF program coordinator Julie Barstad, the Car Donation Program was in need of people and places to repair donated vehicles. Jay Eiffler, VT Auto Instructor at Sandstone Prison, was in need of vehicles to repair.  “It’s a win-win situation for both programs,” says Barstad. “Many people might not even know about the VT Auto program in this county.”  (click here to read more...)

IQ Magazine, Summer 2008 SAVING GRACE

• Anti-Poverty Agencies Teach Financial Literacy, Discipline

• Matt Mathiasen is a deadbeat, and he’s proud of it. “‘Deadbeats’ used to be people who didn’t pay their bills,” he said. “Now the credit card companies call me a ‘deadbeat’ because I pay my bill every month and they don’t make any interest. I do it out of spite.”

• In the past, Mathiasen succumbed to the temptations of instant purchasing power.  He’s been forced into bankruptcy twice. Now he’s fighting back, helping to teach others the lessons he learned the hard way.   (click here for full story)

LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES INVESTING IN FAMILIES

• Stenstrom Collision and Detailing of Mora recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary of providing quality auto body repair and detailing services to the area. Nearly 350 people attended the event that included great food, live music, and lots of prize giveaways.  While planning the event, business owners Daren and Theresa Stenstrom decided it would be the perfect opportunity to tell their guests about a local charitable organization, Communities Investing in Families. The Stenstroms purchased a framed print featuring classic muscle cars to donate for their event’s raffle, with all proceeds going to support Communities Investing in Families’ programs. The print was displayed at the celebration along with information about the Ways to Work Car Loan Program, the Car Donation Program, and the More Money-More Sense financial literacy program.  Kelly Erickson of Mora was the lucky winner of the raffle. Communities Investing in Families is very grateful for the support from Stenstrom Collision and Detailing and from several other local businesses. For more information about supporting Communities Investing in Families, please call 320-396-2849.

Theresa Stenstrom presenting a check for $300 to CIF's Exec Dir, Stefanie Schroeder

Kelly Erickson, Mora winner of Muscle Car print at 5-yr anniv clebration

AFFINITY PLUS FOUNDATION AWARDS LOCAL GRANT:

• The Affinity Plus Foundation is pleased to announce a grant award of $3,000 to Communities Investing in Families for support of its More Money-More Sense” project. “More Money-More Sense” is a financial literacy project that will be offered to residents of Isanti, Chisago, Pine, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs Counties beginning January 2008.
  (click here for full story)

 CIF RECEIVES A NATIONAL AWARD:

• Communities Investing in Families recently received a 2007 National Performance Award and $3,500 from Ways to Work Inc.   (click here for full story)

WILLIAMS HONORED FOR SERVICE:

• On December 7^th, Communities Investing in Families (CIF) staff and board members took time to thank Richard “Dick” Williams for ten years of service on the organization’s Board of Trustees.   (click here for full story)

About CIF