• On Saturday, September 10, Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities dedicated its 34th home overall and the 16th Habitat home built in Davenport. The house is located at 907 LeClaire Street and will become home to Roxie Grady and her family. Grady has completed more than the required 250 hours of "sweat equity" working on her home, other partner family homes under construction, and additional Habitat activities such as homeowner classes, fundraisers, and mailings. A large portion of the funding for this home is being provided by Christ United Methodist Church. Additional sponsorship monies include a grant from the Scott County Housing Council, the Federal Home Loan Bank, and Thrivent Financial. For more information, visit (http://www.habitatqc.org) or call (563)359-9066.
• Bethany for Children & Families received a $750 grant from the Rock Island Community Foundation to provide infant-care packages for first-time parents in its Teen Parent Services program. The initiative provides education, information, and support to pregnant and parenting teens. Clients must be involved with the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services and must be pursuing a high-school diploma or a GED. Most of these young mothers have limited financial resources, and simple baby necessities can consume a large amount of their disposable incomes. Care packages will consist of a large diaper bag holding a variety of the following items: receiving blankets; baby wash, shampoo, and lotion; a hooded towel and washcloths; bottles; bibs and burp cloths; brush/comb, clippers, and baby thermometer; T-shirts and booties; newborn diapers and baby wipes; and safety items to childproof a home.
• The Riverboat Development Authority (RDA) has announced that applications are now available for the fall cycle of grants. Application forms are available at area libraries and the RDA office, or may be accessed online at (http://www.riverboatauthority.com). Applications must be received in the RDA office by September 30 at 5 p.m. The RDA office is located in the lobby of the Blackhawk Hotel, 200 East Third Street in Davenport. Applicants must be located in Scott or Rock Island county and provide a service to Scott County. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt or a unit of government and have a current Certificate of Good Standing from the Iowa Secretary of State's Office. For additional information, contact the RDA office at (563)328-8078.
• Employers who make Iowa child-support payments on behalf of their employees can now make those transfers online. The Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit launched a business-focused Web site that will allow employers to do most of their child-support business online, including making payments, reporting new hires, and reporting terminations or absences. While using the Web site to conduct child-support business is voluntary, state officials expect the online transactions will be popular. Wage withholding is already the most important source of child-support dollars, accounting for better than 70 percent of the more than $300 million collected every year. Brochures and other aids were mailed to businesses to help get them started online. Employers who didn't receive them or want more copies may e-mail (csrue@dhs.state.ia.us) or call (877)274-2580 to request them.
• The WellPower Program of Genesis Health System has been recognized by Wellness Councils of America as a national leader in employee wellness. WellPower has received a Bronze Award, which recognizes companies that have obtained strong senior-level support, have created integrated wellness teams, have collected strategic organizational health data, and are delivering tailored programs to meet their company's needs. The Genesis WellPower Program is an incentive plan for all employees and spouses. The year-long program introduces employees and spouses to health habits to improve their lives. The program focuses on fitness, nutrition, education, mental health, spiritual health, and health-status improvement through participation in programs available at Genesis. Approximately 20 percent of Genesis employees have participated or are now participating in the WellPower Program. Genesis Occupational Health is now offering the WellPower Program to area employers. For further information about WellPower for businesses, call (563)324-0696.
• The Iowa House of Representatives and Senate invite ambitious high-school juniors and seniors to apply to be a legislative page for the 2005 legislative session. Pages provide valuable assistance to legislators - running errands, delivering communication material, and distributing the many bills and amendments that are introduced and debated. Pages will get an in-depth look at the legislative process, from the inception of an idea to a bill being signed into law. To download an application, visit (http://www.legis.state.ia.us/PageInfo/2006pageapp.pdf). For more information, contact Maggie Tinsman at (563)359-3624 or 3541 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA 52807.
• Forty-three candidates filed nomination papers for the 2005 Davenport city election. That includes four candidates for mayor, six candidates for the two at-large seats, and 10 candidates for the Ward 3 seat. Only two candidates filed for wards 6 and 8. A primary election for races in which there are more than two candidates will be held on October 11, and the general election is slated for November 8. For the complete list of candidates and contact information, see (http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/images/latest/nomination.pdf). For more information on elections in Scott County, visit (http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/auditor/election_central.php).
• Bethany for Children & Families received a $750 grant from the Rock Island Community Foundation to provide infant-care packages for first-time parents in its Teen Parent Services program. The initiative provides education, information, and support to pregnant and parenting teens. Clients must be involved with the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services and must be pursuing a high-school diploma or a GED. Most of these young mothers have limited financial resources, and simple baby necessities can consume a large amount of their disposable incomes. Care packages will consist of a large diaper bag holding a variety of the following items: receiving blankets; baby wash, shampoo, and lotion; a hooded towel and washcloths; bottles; bibs and burp cloths; brush/comb, clippers, and baby thermometer; T-shirts and booties; newborn diapers and baby wipes; and safety items to childproof a home.
• The Riverboat Development Authority (RDA) has announced that applications are now available for the fall cycle of grants. Application forms are available at area libraries and the RDA office, or may be accessed online at (http://www.riverboatauthority.com). Applications must be received in the RDA office by September 30 at 5 p.m. The RDA office is located in the lobby of the Blackhawk Hotel, 200 East Third Street in Davenport. Applicants must be located in Scott or Rock Island county and provide a service to Scott County. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt or a unit of government and have a current Certificate of Good Standing from the Iowa Secretary of State's Office. For additional information, contact the RDA office at (563)328-8078.
• Employers who make Iowa child-support payments on behalf of their employees can now make those transfers online. The Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit launched a business-focused Web site that will allow employers to do most of their child-support business online, including making payments, reporting new hires, and reporting terminations or absences. While using the Web site to conduct child-support business is voluntary, state officials expect the online transactions will be popular. Wage withholding is already the most important source of child-support dollars, accounting for better than 70 percent of the more than $300 million collected every year. Brochures and other aids were mailed to businesses to help get them started online. Employers who didn't receive them or want more copies may e-mail (csrue@dhs.state.ia.us) or call (877)274-2580 to request them.
• The WellPower Program of Genesis Health System has been recognized by Wellness Councils of America as a national leader in employee wellness. WellPower has received a Bronze Award, which recognizes companies that have obtained strong senior-level support, have created integrated wellness teams, have collected strategic organizational health data, and are delivering tailored programs to meet their company's needs. The Genesis WellPower Program is an incentive plan for all employees and spouses. The year-long program introduces employees and spouses to health habits to improve their lives. The program focuses on fitness, nutrition, education, mental health, spiritual health, and health-status improvement through participation in programs available at Genesis. Approximately 20 percent of Genesis employees have participated or are now participating in the WellPower Program. Genesis Occupational Health is now offering the WellPower Program to area employers. For further information about WellPower for businesses, call (563)324-0696.
• The Iowa House of Representatives and Senate invite ambitious high-school juniors and seniors to apply to be a legislative page for the 2005 legislative session. Pages provide valuable assistance to legislators - running errands, delivering communication material, and distributing the many bills and amendments that are introduced and debated. Pages will get an in-depth look at the legislative process, from the inception of an idea to a bill being signed into law. To download an application, visit (http://www.legis.state.ia.us/PageInfo/2006pageapp.pdf). For more information, contact Maggie Tinsman at (563)359-3624 or 3541 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA 52807.
• Forty-three candidates filed nomination papers for the 2005 Davenport city election. That includes four candidates for mayor, six candidates for the two at-large seats, and 10 candidates for the Ward 3 seat. Only two candidates filed for wards 6 and 8. A primary election for races in which there are more than two candidates will be held on October 11, and the general election is slated for November 8. For the complete list of candidates and contact information, see (http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/images/latest/nomination.pdf). For more information on elections in Scott County, visit (http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/auditor/election_central.php).
