The Census Bureau will be hiring people to help them collect information in local neighborhoods.  They are looking to hire people from local neighborhoods.  According to information from Denver’s Office of Economic Development, applicants will need to take a basic skills test and the Census Bureau is offering them three times next month.  You need to pre-register for in order to take the test.   Here is more information about this opportunity, including how to pre-register: 

“The US Census Bureau is recruiting for Field Positions.   

What do people in the field do? 

a)                  Canvass door to door
b)                  Interview household respondents
c)                  Verify and update address listings and maps
d)                  Follow up with households that did not return the census
                       questionnaire by mail.
e)                  Perform quality control (QC) work 

What are the requirements? 

1)                  At least 18 years old to be hired.
2)                  Applicants must possess a valid social security number
3)                  United States citizens receive preference for census jobs.
4)                  The Census Bureau may consider non-citizens only if we have identified a need for a language skill in an area and no qualified citizens are available. To be considered, non-citizens must present documentation of employment eligibility.
5)                  Conviction(s) based on violation(s) of the law after age 18 for something other than a minor traffic violation
6)                  For field jobs such as enumerators and crew leader, applicants must be available to work flexible schedules during days, late afternoons, and evenings, as well as on weekends.
7)                  Applicants must take a written test of basic skills (e.g. basic math, alphabetizing, definitions, word problems map reading).
8)                 Applicants must pass a Federal Bureau of Investigation background check.
9)                 Persons who are hired will be fingerprinted 

TESTING SCHEDULE:   

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 -  1:00 pm & 2:00 pm
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 – 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 -  1:00 pm & 2:00 pm   

TESTING SITE:
Speer Workforce Center 1391 N. Speer Blvd., Suite 500 & 520
Denver, CO 80024 

DO NOT BE LATE!  You will NOT be allowed in once the test has begun!  Plan on being there for at least 1.5 to 2 hours to fill out the application, and take the test. 

BRING THE FOLLOWING WITH YOU:  

2 FORMS OF ID which include, but are not limited to the following: 

1)         VALID DRIVERS LICENSE
2)         SOCIAL SECURITY CARD (NOT A COPY) or
3)         BIRTH CERTIFICATE (NOT A COPY)
4)         OR VALID PASSPORT 

If you don’t have these, see contact information below for information regarding other acceptable ID 

VETERANS: 
Veterans can claim the 5-point veterans’ preference (will need to bring your DD-214) or the 10-point veterans’ preference. (You MUST bring a copy of SF-15 and/or your DD-214).  Veterans also will not receive disability preference points until they provide the required documentation. 

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:
ADA accommodations are available.  See contact information below to request an accommodation to participate in this recruitment.  Please make your requests by Friday at 12:00 p.m. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:
YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE IN ORDER TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION AND TAKE THE TEST.  PLEASE CONTACT Magdalena A via phone or e-mail:
Magdalena Aguayo
US Census Bureau Recruiting Assistant
303-226-8612 or 303-226-8621
magda28@q.com ” 

Colorado residents enjoy free days are many art and cultural venues including the Denver Museum of Nature and Science Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Denver Zoo. These free days offer great family entertainment – and exposure to new things – for virtually no cost. 

Here is a link to the 2010 Free Days and a link to a Printable Book Mark with the free days listed.

The Brighton Housing Authority (BHA) will be issuing Lottery cards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing program. Lottery cards will be available for three (3) days only.

     Tuesday December 1, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
     Wednesday December 2, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
     Thursday December 3, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lottery Cards MUST be picked up at the Brighton Housing Authority offices located at 22 South 4th Ave Suite A-1, Brighton, CO 80601 

Here is a link for more information: Brighton Section 8 Lottery

We often work with homeless families who are not only searching for their own place to live, but who are also providing care for their parents or grandparents. For those of you who have parents or grandparents on Medicare, there is going to be a meeting to let people know about the coming changes in Medicare. The meeting will be on Monday November 16, 2009 from 9:30am-11:30am at a variety of locations. Here is a link for more information:
Medicare Monday

Coats for Colorado partners Denver channel 7 and Dependable Cleaners to give winter coats to people who need them in Colorado.  If you have coats that you no longer need – or that your children have outgrown, please drop them off at any Dependable Cleaners.

The Father Ed Judy House has made an appointment to get coats for our current families in early November. 

 ATTENTION FORMER RESIDENTS:  If any of you need winter coats – mothers and children – please call us.  We would be happy to get coats for you as well at our scheduled appointment. 

Here is a link for more information:  Coats for Colorado.

The Littleton Housing Authority will open Section 8 Arapahoe County waiting list for three days October 14, 15, and 16, 2009. Applications will be available at 5745 S. Bannock Street Littleton CO 80120 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. on October 16, 2009. Faxed late and mailed applications will not be accepted.

Here is a link for more information:

Littleton Housing Authority

We just got a flyer from the Mi Casa Resource Center describing their new Bilingual Bank Teller Program.  Starting on Sept. 8, 2009, this 5 week class sounds like an excellent opportunity for those of you who are interested in job training and who are bilingual in Spanish and English.

Here is a link for more information:

Mi Casa Resource Center   (Click the What We Do Button on the left to get to the Bank Teller Traning Information)

Mi Casa hosts a Legal Night on the third Tuesday of each month. Attorneys from the Colorado Lawyers Committee and the Denver Bar Association Young Lawyers Division give free legal advice to people on a first come, first served basis. Spanish-speaking attorneys are available.

Legal Night at Mi Casa begins at 5:30 p.m., and it pays to get there early. The attorneys leave at 7:30 p.m.

2009 Legal Night Dates: June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15

Location: 360 Acoma St. Denver, CO 80223

Link for More Information:  Mi Casa

The Changing Landscape of Homelessness: Creative Solutions in Challenging Times
“A one-day conference exploring how community stakeholders can continue to create lasting solutions to homelessness in the midst of economic uncertainties and growing levels of need, particularly among newly homeless persons and families.”
June 3, 2009 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This would be a wonderful place for alumni to come share your experience and input. There are scholarships available.
Also, for those of you in the community that are advocates for people and families experiencing homelessness, this should be a fantastic conference.
Here is the link for more information:
http://www.coloradocoalition.org/what_we_do/education_programs.aspx

Stress is something everyone faces.  As the economy struggles, many of us face an increase in stress.  Here is a list of the 10 top Foods to Beat Stress:

10 foods to help beat the stress

1. Berries especially blueberries and raspberries because they contain antioxidants.  Antioxidants help to prevent chronic diseases and signs of aging.

2. Dairy  yogurt and cheeses.  Dairy products contain calcium and magnesium that help relax muscle fibers. 

3. Citrus contains Vitamin C which helps in the production of adrenaline.  Deprivation of Vitamin C often leads to fatigue and irritability.

4. Herbs like oregano, dill, thyme and rosemary also contain antioxidants.  The herbs make you food more flavorful and should mean that you can use less salt.

5. Lean Beef contains protein which helps to stabilize your blood sugar.  Beef is also an excellent source of  B vitamins (B6 and B12) which are energizing vitamins.

6. Nori (dried or roasted seaweed)  This is the richest source of iodine, which is used to make thyroid hormones which are often associated with moods, and weight loss and gain.

7.  Shellfish (Crab, lobster and shrimp) contain protein, B12 and B6, Selenium (antioxidant) and zinc. 

8. Spinach is full of iron and magnesium.

9. Turkey contains protein for its calming Tryptophan.  Turkey is much leaner than beef and has fewer calories

10.  Whole grains positively effect your serotonin levels in the same way that exercise and some kinds of antidepressants do.  The fiber in whole grains help to regulate your blood sugar.

Taken from Natural Health Magazine January 2009.