13. We originally planned to audit the Syracuse youth project in October 1978, approximately six months after the award of the operational grant. Due to slower than planned implementation of the project there had been only a relatively small amount of funds disbursed at that time; therefore, we delayed our audit until February/March, 1979. 14. As stated above this audit is being done within the first year-the operational grant was awarded in early April 1978. Hon. CONGRESSMAN IKE ANDREWS, GEORGE WILLIAMS COLLEGE, Downers Grove, Ill. January 30, 1979. Chairman, House Subcommittee on Economic Opportunities, DEAR MR. ANDREWS: The University Year For ACTION Service Learning Program began September, 1977. The Program started here at George Williams College on a very limited basis. There were at that time some nine inner-city agencies who worked with the inner-city community and all their problems. We developed a work plan which consisted of a major thrust for students getting college credit as well as getting work experience. Goals and objectives were set whereby students, community, agency, and the College would gain from the experience of each. We started with twenty-six scholars who, during the course of the year, developed learning resources center, which included reading rooms for innercity students in an alternative high-risk high school; identified many needy Headstart Families making home visits to get the families involved in support group meetings; developed a comprehensive ssytem of resources for high-risk youth who were a part of the Juvenile Court System; developed job coaching programs that assisted mental health clients in their first work situation following hospitalization; and made at least one thousand contacts within the community for helping to solve the problems which the clients would encounter. It was a real experience for our students. They were able to become expediters, counselors, models, planners, leaders, resource developers, arrangers of functions and events, and resources themselves while encouraging and teaching families and youth to work directly among and with their group members toward the larger goals of helping to better a situation in which the poverty-stricken found themselves. Yes, the funding came from ACTION. However, this funding was tied to the National Student Volunteer Program. During the course of the year ACTION itself has not assisted in the training of the administrative personnel to run these programs. This was done by the National Student Volunteer Program which is tied to the legislation which created the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. This part of ACTION, NSVP, has provided free technical assistance, materials for Service Learning Programs which included manuals, journals, case studies and resource bibliographies as well as training sessions for many teachers and administrators working with college service learning programs. It has also provided consultation and direct assistance to my program. I would urge the removal of the 10% funding limitation on Title I, Part B, Section 114 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 and request that separate authorizing legislation for National Student Volunteer Program (NSVP) and University Year For ACTION (UYA) so that these programs can be funded directly and continue to operate. I am sure you are concerned with the development of a natural resource that exists in this society. Therefore, without the meaningful input of that human potential this resource would not be developed to its fullest. I think Service Learning at George Williams College has demonstrated through the UYA Program that this is a viable means whereby students can join hands with the community in solving some problems. All five educational units of our undergraduate program are actively participating and are willing to develop that human potential which exists in our inner-cities. Therefore, I respectively request that this letter to you be included in the hearing record on the reauthorization of the Domestic Volunteer Act of 1973. Sincerely, ROLAND WESLEY, Ph. D., Associate Professor and Director, University Year For ACTION Service Learning Program. 45-150 0- 80 107 Hon. PAUL SIMON, NATIONAL PIRG CLEARINGHOUSE, Chairman, Subcommittee on Select Education, Washington, D.C., May 3, 1979. DEAR CONGRESSMAN SIMON: I am writing to thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Subcommittee on Select Education last week about National PIRG and our VISTA program. I am enclosing letters of endorsement from several members of Congress who are familiar with our projects. While all PIRG activities indirectly benefit poor people, the National VISTA grant has been invaluable in allowing the PIRGS to become directly involved with low-income communities. For this reason, the type of amendment which Mr. Kramer proposed would be detrimental to the overall effectiveness of the program. Namely, to prohibit any member of a sponsor organization from engaging in activities which VISTAS are by law prevented from doing. Since their inception, PIRGS have registered to vote thousands of students and non-students alike. Through their lobbying programs, PIRGs have provided a rare opportunity for hundreds of individuals to directly influence legislative decision-making. This type of non-partisan public education on issues and democratic process is vital to their success. Therefore, PIRGS would be procluded from further involvement in the VISTA program by Mr. Kramer's amendment. Finally, I think Mr. Kramer's amendment is not necessary. Our experience has shown that with ample supervision, the parent organization can do its own activities and assure that VISTAS comply with the Domestic Volunteer Act. I hope that the Committee will follow up on Mr. Stack's intent to clear our name of any criminal wrong-doing at the close of the investigation since no evidence has been found to substantiate Mr. Ashbrook's charges. Both Sandra Washburn and myself are available to answer any more questions you may have on PIRG or our VISTA projects. Sincerely, ROBERT A. CHLOPAK, Executive Director. ASSEMBLYMAN SHELDON SILVER REPORTS TO THE PEOPLE HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE CONSUMER Assemblyman Silver is pleased to announce a Small Claims Action Center on the Lower East Side. Small Claims Action is a program designed to familiarize the Lower East Side community with the small claims process as an effective and accessible channel for resolving consumer problems. The Small Claims Court, often referred to as the "peoples court" allows consumers to take legal action against a business or individual that owes them up to $1,000, without needing a lawyer. Additionally, filing fees are less than $4.00 and sessions are held in the evening to keep consumer's costs at a minimum. Using the small claims process as a focal point, Small Claims Action is showing consumers how to speak up and be heard both in the market place and in court. Through workshops and one-to-one guidance, community members are familiarized with all the steps involved in being an assertive consumer, from writing effective letters through suing in small claims court and collecting the money awarded. Small Claims Action serves to demystify and make accessible to all consumers complaint mechanisms and legal procedures that are available for resolving problems. If a consumer has been ripped-off and deserves redress, Small Claims Action can show them how to take action and get results. For more information, contact Debbie Fried at 533-8310, 95 Delancey Street, N.Y. 10002. HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS If you are planning to make any home improvements and repairs, you should make sure that your contractor is licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. It is illegal to operate without a license in New York City. Before you sign a contract, make sure the contractor spells everything out. including the total cost of the job, when it will be completed, and any guarantee or warranty. In addition, contractors must supply you with a copy of the agree ment in English or any other language that was used in the oral presentation. Plans cannot be changed by the contractor. Mr. JAMES K. WYERMAN, CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., November 3, 1977. Staff Attorney, Maryland Public Interest Research Group, Inc., 3110 Main Dining Hall, College Park, Md. DEAR MR. WYERMAN: I was interested to read with regard to your proposal to VISTA for two volunteers. Your idea seems excellent, for I know how many barriers confront persons who live in the target areas you plan to serve. To any person, a home is a castle, and he or she deserves every bit of assistance possible to assure that living space is safe, clean, and adequate. When the conditions are unsatisfactory, the tenant often has no idea where to turn. Providing volunteers to coordinate neighborhood assistance would fill this gap. After reading your letter and background materials, I wrote to Ms. Tabankin in behalf of your request. I share your concerns, and I very much hope that she will approve your proposal. If there is any other way in which you think my office can be of help on this matter, please let me know. Sincerely, GLADYS NOON SPELLMAN, U.S. SENATE, Mr. JAMES K. WYERMAN, COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, Washington, D.C., December 29, 1977. Staff Attorney, Maryland Public Interest Research Group, Inc., 3110 Main Dining Hall, College Park, Md. DEAR MR. WYERMAN: I have recently received notice from Sam Brown, Director of Action, that your proposal for two VISTA Volunteers has been approved. I am happy to hear this good news, as I am sure you are. Let me take this opporunity to wish you success in this project and to offer my continuing assistance. Executive Director, VISTA, 806 Connecticut Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. DEAR MS. TABANKIN: It has come to my attention that the Maryland Public Interest Research Group, MaryPIRG, has submitted a proposal for two VISTA volunteers for Prince George's County. I understand that these two volunteers would work with residents of low income areas in my Congressional District to help out on landlord-tenant problems. Because this is an older, declining area, the quality of housing and its security are vital to constituents. Many of these people are, unfortunately, unfamiliar with what steps they can take to help and protect themselves. Often, since they have nowhere to turn, they submit to inequitable situations. It is important that these persons be given an opportunity to uplift themselves. Every family should be entitled to a decent residence and with the proper means to maintain that living place. Too often, I have observed through the work of my own office that this simply is not the case. Consequently, I very much hope you will give this application careful consideration. If you have questions or need additional information, please let me know. I would be pleased to help in any way I can. Sincerely, GLADYS NOON SPELLMAN, CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., November 11, 1977. MS. MARJORIE TABANKIN, 806 Connecticut Avenue NW., DEAR MS. TABANKIN: The Maryland Public Interest Research Group has submitted a proposal for two VISTA Volunteers to begin educating and organizing on landlord-tenant problems in Prince George's County. As a member of the Housing Subcommittee of the House Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs Committee, I strongly endorse this project, which has the goal of educating and involving poverty level renters in the handling of their tenant problems. Thank you very much for your cooperation, and I trust you will be able to approve this proposal. Sincerely, PARREN J. MITCHELL, Member of Congress. HOUSE OF DELEGATES, Annapolis, Md., November 4, 1977 Ms. MARJORIE TABANKIN, 806 Connecticut Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. DEAR MS. TABANKIN: I am writing to indicate my support for the proposa developing by Mary PIRG, University of Maryland campus. The goal of assisting poverty level renters in dealing with landlords thru informed and trained volunteers is a useful objective. It is my hope that your review of the application will be promptly completeć and approved so that this project can be initiated. Sincerely yours, PAULINE H. MENES. SENATE OF MARYLAND, Annapolis, Md., October 27, 1977. MS. MARJORIE TABANKIN, 806 Connecticut Avenue NW., DEAR MS. TABANKIN: You presently have before you a proposal submitted by the Maryland Public Interest Research Group. They are requesting two VISTA volunteers for the purpose of educating and organizing poverty level renters, so that they are better able to handle problems associated with landlordtenant relationships. I am familiar with the MARYPIRG organization and know them to be intimately involved in several projects that are in the public interest. Their proposal to VISTA seems to be both reasonable and worthwhile. I strongly urge you to approve their application. Sincerely, Re Mary PIRG tenant information project. Ms. MARJORIE TABANKIN, Executive Director, VISTA, 806 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. DONALD P. HUTCHINSON. HOUSE OF DELEGATES, Annapolis, Md., October 31, 1977. DEAR MS. TABANKIN: I am writing to endorse the application of MaryPIRG for funding for a tenant education and organization in Prince Georges County. Although I represent a different jurisdiction (south-central Montgomery County), I can attest to the need for information programs involving tenants, on the basis both of my own political contact with tenant groups over the past several years and of my service as a volunteer lawyer in the Takoma Park-East Silver : Spring (TESS) area of Montgomery County. The transient nature of much work in the Washington area produces a high turnover rate with substantial resulting difficulties in educating and organizing the tenants. Apartment managers, on the other hand, tend to be somewhat concentralized and well organized, while residential home owners also tend to be organized into effective civic associations. Tenant viewpoints tend, therefore, to be less represented in public decision-making meetings. Your attention to this project is appreciated. Sincerely, DAVID L. SCULL. SENATE OF MARYLAND, Annapolis, Md., November 1, 1977. Re Maryland Public Interest Research Group's proposal on landlord-tenant problems in Prince George's County. MS. MARJORIE TABANKIN, Exective Director, VISTA, 806 Connecticut Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. DEAR MS. TABANKIN: I have just received MaryPIRG's proposal for two VISTA Volunteers to begin educating and organizing on landlord-tenant problems in Prince George's County, Maryland. This proposal appears to have great merit and has my endorsement and recommendation. However, if the program is funded, my only concern is that the two VISTA Volunteers be of the highest quality and truly interested and dedicated to the course of this project. Very truly yours, JULIAN L. LAPIDES. HOUSE OF DELEGATES, Annapolis, Md., October 24, 1977. Ms. MARJORIE TABANKIN, 806 Connecticut Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. DEAR MS. TABANKIN: I have indeed looked over the proposals submitted to you by the Maryland Public Interest Research Group for two VISTA Volunteers to deal with landlord-tenant problems in Prince George's County. These Volunteers should provide an excellent service to our low-income tenants and would serve a much-neglected group of citizens in Prince George's County. I heartily endorse the MaryPIRG VISTA proposal and urge that you approve this as soon as possible. Sincerely yours, KAY G. BIENEN. U.S. SENATE, MS. MARILYN ONDRASIK, COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS, New York Interest Research Group, Inc., 5 Beekman Street, New York, N.Y. DEAR MS. ONDRASIK: Thank you for sending the materials concerning your Neighborhood Revitalization project. I have contacted the ACTION/VISTA office both by telephone and letter to express concern in behalf of the Senator for the project's future. I hope to get some sort of substantive response soon. I will be in touch with you shortly. Sincerely, CAROLINE A. MULLER, |