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Show Mitt rrni- -- 9ft5tLm fruWirtu From the Westside - Council Identifies Problems by Kirk Terry Community Consumer Credit Counseling offers help to families in financial trouble. Need Help With Finances? by Steve Varley in Need some budgeting help? The Community Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Utah is a organization that non-prof- it has been in business for 1 0 years counseling people with money troubles, and in some cases, actually working with the debtor and the creditor to iron things out. "The majority of people we counsel, we can help said assistant manager, Ray Evans. "We work with families, counseling them on how they should plan their budget and making sure they are immediately, Often the C.C.C.C.S. completely directs the family budget by taking over the income and distributing the funds, first, back to the family, insuring their needs are fully met, then to the creditors, providing an alternative to judgements, repossessions and bankrupcy. This program is usually carried out, with the cooperation of the participating family, until they are financially stable again. The C.C.C.C.S. is supported in large part by donations from has identified problem areas in that community as environmental pollution on the Jordan River, the shortage of curb and gutter on westside streets, a shortage of low income housing and the lack of resident representation the right appropriating money directions, for food, medical expenses, clothing and so forth." The Westside Community Council banks, finance companies, credit unions, department stores, hospitals and utility companies, plus, in some cases, small fees for their credit assistance. Consequently, these firms usually have an interest in working with the debtor, through the Service, to helpsolve their problems. Well over a million dollars was paid to creditors through the Service last year. "Chances are very great that this money would have been lost to the community if our service had not been available to help the people who needed it," Evans said. Qualify Clothing - in local government. Dick Carmen, new chairman of the council, said that the Westside, in identifying the problems, also sees progress being made in eliminating these blight stricken segments community. of the Jordan Parkway he said, is making strides in undoing the conditions found on the river and some curb and gutter has been laid. When addressi ng hi mself to the shortage of low income housing, Carmen said that there just isn't enough. It would be a severe blunder, however, he said, on the part of community planners to build the plan , Low Prices by Steve Varley Beneath the floor of the Welfare Department in the Salt Lake County complex, through a dark winding corridor and then down a long ramp stacked to the ceiling with boxes, thirty women and their director, Gladys Dunn, work energetically school when they wear the clothing. The program usually runs a bicycle fix-ushop to repair and refurbish used bicycles for the p store but right now they are in need of more help. Men who are on Social Security and who have one or two extra days a week to spare, can earn a little extra money by working in the shop. Contact the Welfare Volunteer shop for information on this very rewarding 328-746- program, by calling needed housing in just one single portion of the valley. He said that a controlled dispersion of low income housing would not permit a build up of more of the same unfavorable conditions found presently where low income housing is concentrated. As for the lack of equal representation of the westside in local government, Carmen said, the council will be conducting "candidate nights" this fall to give the westside residents a better chance to meet those running for office and to analysis the candidates platforms. Carmen said that the council will be launching a campaign of its own to strengthen the council. By holding regular monthly board meetings, to which the public is invited, and by an organized recruiting effort to enlist community support of the hoped that the council will become an influential voice for the residents. Carmen said that the council is resigned to the fact that only by council, it is having a strong, viable council can projects, goods and services be developed in the westside. He sa:d other combined strong efforts in which the council engaged has brought about the desired results, for an example, curb and gutter. In the future, he continued, the itself in council will maintain ready, workable posture. Carmen acknowledged those residents who have been instrumental in westside activities; Lorna Lee, chairman of Model Cities Physical manufacturing dresses and Environment Task Force; Ralph Anderson, member and former Volunteer shop at 2835 South Main. Gladys took over the function three years ago when they were manufacturing quilts at a loss of $70.00 each and improved on the program until now they produce over 100 articles of clothing per week for distribution to those who need state legislator; Sunday them. move out of "urbania", he stated, then there are moving in, the community at large can only clothing for the Welfare The women, working under the Division of Family Services, make the clothing in original designs, always in style, with excellent workmanship for a retail price of between fifty cents to $3.75. Emphasis is placed on quality and attractiveness, Mrs. Dunn said, so that lower income children won't feel ashamed or different from other kids in Anderson, senior citizen and long time resident participant; Katherine Washko, member of Model Cities Housing Task Force. The "urban exodus", said Carmen, is a frightening problem when one takes a close look at its implications. When more people suffer from the impact. Valuable goods and services that are always needed in a community become harder to secure and more difficult to keep. When a community has little to offer its residents, he stated, little can be expected in compnunity growth and prosperity. |