Souder Visits Local CCS Office
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
U.S. Rep Mark Souder (R-Ind.) is doing his homework.
Yesterday he visited Kosciusko County Combined Community Services, continuing to familiarize himself with the newly formed Third Congressional District, its citizens, businesses and organizations.
Arriving in the morning, Souder spent more than an hour talking to CCS executive director Jim Coons, director of development Darlene Redinger, CCS North director Ron Wright and staff members.
Souder has a special interest in faith-based organizations, sponsoring a bipartisan bill last year outlining certain aspects of the faith-based agency proposals.
He got an earful at the 18-year-old faith-based charitable agency.
The biggest problem CCS clients must overcome is lack of education, not necessarily alcohol or drug abuse, Redinger told the congressman.
When someone comes into CCS for a bag of groceries, the staff interviews them to see if any of their eight major programs also would apply.
Coons said there are two things that would put the agency out of business.
"Long-range mentoring and effective child support collection makes all the difference," he said.
Souder talked about people who might take advantage of the system - the so-called lifelong welfare recipients.
At CCS, accountability is the name of the game. Calling the large, well-stocked food pantry a "drawing card," information is taken the first time anyone enters the building.
"If they're back again, we introduce them to our programs and have a long talk," Redinger said.
Souder visited every desk and spoke with most of the staff, hearing about the information and referral program; emergency assistance to provide residents with basic needs; the ChildCare voucher system; Project Independence; Wheels to Work; and the Indiana Manpower and Comprehensive Training program.
CCS is funded through federal, state and local grants as well as numerous donations.
"I was impressed with how much he knew," Coons said this morning. "It's neat to hear somebody that's tuned in and has realistic visions for the way things ought to be." [[In-content Ad]]
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U.S. Rep Mark Souder (R-Ind.) is doing his homework.
Yesterday he visited Kosciusko County Combined Community Services, continuing to familiarize himself with the newly formed Third Congressional District, its citizens, businesses and organizations.
Arriving in the morning, Souder spent more than an hour talking to CCS executive director Jim Coons, director of development Darlene Redinger, CCS North director Ron Wright and staff members.
Souder has a special interest in faith-based organizations, sponsoring a bipartisan bill last year outlining certain aspects of the faith-based agency proposals.
He got an earful at the 18-year-old faith-based charitable agency.
The biggest problem CCS clients must overcome is lack of education, not necessarily alcohol or drug abuse, Redinger told the congressman.
When someone comes into CCS for a bag of groceries, the staff interviews them to see if any of their eight major programs also would apply.
Coons said there are two things that would put the agency out of business.
"Long-range mentoring and effective child support collection makes all the difference," he said.
Souder talked about people who might take advantage of the system - the so-called lifelong welfare recipients.
At CCS, accountability is the name of the game. Calling the large, well-stocked food pantry a "drawing card," information is taken the first time anyone enters the building.
"If they're back again, we introduce them to our programs and have a long talk," Redinger said.
Souder visited every desk and spoke with most of the staff, hearing about the information and referral program; emergency assistance to provide residents with basic needs; the ChildCare voucher system; Project Independence; Wheels to Work; and the Indiana Manpower and Comprehensive Training program.
CCS is funded through federal, state and local grants as well as numerous donations.
"I was impressed with how much he knew," Coons said this morning. "It's neat to hear somebody that's tuned in and has realistic visions for the way things ought to be." [[In-content Ad]]