KLA Members Attempt To Have County Recognized By National Civic League

As members of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy, Christanne Howe, Stephanie Noffsinger and Angela Ritchey had to do a "white paper" project.

They chose to try to get Kosciusko County designated as an All-America City community by the National Civic League.

Tuesday, they learned their application was one of 33 finalists of the 93 applications. On June 21-22, in Atlanta, they will find out if Kosciusko County is one of the 10 finalists.

As part of the application process, the three women had to describe the community, some of the challenges it faces and what the community is doing to meet those challenges.

One of the biggest issues, they discovered in their research, was access to health care and prescription drugs.

"Especially the elderly or single parents who don't have health (insurance)," said Noffsinger, "that's a big chunk of their money."

In their application, the three reported, "... Consumer credit data revealed that approximately 40 percent of the household income of lower income families with chronic medical conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, is spent on prescription medication. Only a few organizations in the county had both the resources and the ability to distribute the resources efficiently to the people in need. Now, as a result of a problem-solving cooperative, a countywide prescription assistance program serves every outlying area in Kosciusko County."

Another issue they singled out was cultural harmony. In their research, they discovered that approximately 5 percent of Kosciusko County's population is Hispanic and 92.9 percent is white, according to U.S. 2000 Census figures.

"We like to call it cultural harmony, not diversity, because it helps with what we're trying to accomplish," said Noffsinger.

One organization that is addressing the issue of cultural harmony is Sus Amigos. An entirely volunteer effort, Sus Amigos "brings together those interested in bridging the gaps between the English and Spanish-speaking members of Kosciusko County, created by language barriers and cultural distinctions. ... In its first 12 months, Sus Amigos has successfully developed a community orientation video welcoming new Spanish-speaking members to the community and providing them with valuable information regarding community services," according to the application.

Noffsinger said, "What's great about the video is all the actors are local, second-generation Hispanics. It's all done in Spanish by Hispanic people."

Another part of the application asks specifically what the community is doing for youth.

For this part of the application, the women highlighted the Kosciusko Community YMCA and its youth programming.

"There were a lot of good things we could have highlighted but we had to pick just one," said Noffsinger.

Their application says, "In 1999, the YMCA made a commitment to the youth in Kosciusko County by appointing a Teen and Family Director, whose responsibility it was to develop programming specifically for youth and teens. ... In addition, through the generous (support) of the Dekko Foundation, the YMCA also boasts a new youth center, equipped with a meeting area, game tables and large television. No longer do kids hang out in the YMCA's reception area lamenting the absence of anything to do."

The last part of the application asks the applicants to tell about the community they live in.

Noffsinger said they wrote about Kosciusko's good economy, lakes, festivals and towns.

"We think it's a great place to live," said Noffsinger.

Ritchey said, "Employment opportunities are great." And with a high percentage of home ownership - 79 percent - she said residents take ownership of the community and get involved.

To help promote Kosciusko County at the finals in Atlanta in June, Noffsinger said, "we will be recruiting (community) members to come to Atlanta to celebrate our community."

Ritchey said they will have to give a 10-minute presentation on the county and then go through a 10-minute interview process.

"We hope," said Noffsinger, "to take some of the YMCA kids and those who are excited to live here."

If Kosciusko County is named an All-America City, Noffsinger said, there will be many benefits.

"The point in winning is, it's a great thing for the chamber to say we've been awarded this," she said.

The National Civic League's "stamp of approval" will help attract businesses and people to the community, said Ritchey. The NCL also will promote the community nationally.

Lake City Bank, said Noffsinger, paid the application fee.

As a 12-year resident of Kosciusko County, Ritchey said, she didn't realize the vast opportunities in the community until she started research for the application.

She said, "We're real excited!"