2014 newsletter

www.ClimbWyoming.org
2014 NEWSLETTER
Left to right, Jillian Balow, Department of Family Services, Dr. Ray Fleming Dinneen,
CLIMB Wyoming and Governor Matt Mead celebrate the statewide impact of CLIMB
Wyoming’s program for single mother families in poverty.
CLIMB Wyoming Recognized for Impact on Families in
Poverty in Wyoming by Governor Matt Mead and the
Wyoming Department of Family Services
(Cheyenne, WY) - For nearly 28 years,
CLIMB Wyoming has provided low-income single mothers training and placement in careers that successfully support
their families. Recently Governor Matt
Mead and the Wyoming Department
of Family Services recognized CLIMB’s
commitment to and impact on families
in poverty in Wyoming with the Friends
of DFS award.
The award is given rarely – this is
the third time it has been awarded to a
Wyoming organization in recognition of
outstanding work in helping Wyoming’s
Our MISSION
families in need. Past recipients include
Ronn Jeffrey and Youth Alternatives, and
The Boys and Girls Club of Wyoming.
“The CLIMB program is about more
than just a paycheck,” said Governor
Mead. “It provides single mothers the
opportunity to learn both personal
and work skills, which leads to the
opportunity to experience the pride
and self-worth that comes with being
self-sufficient.”
The need for the CLIMB Wyoming
program remains great with 43% of
Wyoming’s single mothers and their
children living in poverty in 2012,
and nearly 30% of working mothers
with children under three working in
low wage jobs in Wyoming (National
Women’s Law Center).
“For years, CLIMB has been one of DFS’
most valuable partners in helping families move from public assistance to self
sufficiency. CLIMB works for the women
and children it serves, and it works for
us,” said Steve Corsi, Director of the
Wyoming Department of Family Services
Since 1986, CLIMB has served over
1,700 single mothers and over 3,500
of their children. On average, CLIMB
graduates more than double their income, and 76% are employed two years
after completing the CLIMB program.
CLIMB graduates also significantly
decrease their dependence on public
healthcare and food stamps.
“We are grateful for the partnership
of Governor Mead and the Wyoming
Department of Family Services, their
support enables us to serve some of
Wyoming’s most vulnerable families,”
said CLIMB Wyoming Executive Director and Founder Dr. Ray Fleming Dinneen. “It is such an honor for CLIMB to
be recognized with this award.”
CLIMB Wyoming is a nonprofit organization that trains and places lowincome single mothers in careers that successfully support their families.
CLIMB INVESTORS August 2013 through July 2014
This year’s CLIMB programs would not have been possible without generous contributions from many individuals
and entities. The participants, staff and board members of CLIMB would like to thank the following individuals and
organizations for their financial investment in our work:
#1 Properties
71 Construction
Abigail Moore
Accentuate
AdamsCraft Builders
Adrian Robinson
Adrienne Benson
AHEPA Cowboy Chapter #211
Aida Farag
Albany County
Albany Insurance Agency
Alex Dawson and Greg Gricus
Alice and Tom Hogarty
Alivia and Darrin Bingham
Allison Bergh
Allison von Maur and
Mark Newcomb
AmazonSmile Foundation
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Amy and Forrest McCarthy
Amy and Paul Boillot
Amy and Scott Evans
Amy and Steve Unfried
Amy Davis
Amy Moon
ANB Bank - Cheyenne
Andi and Matt Odell
Andrea Deaton Christensen
and Jon Christensen
Andrew Scott
Anna and Jeff Olson
Anna and Steve Sullivan
Anne and Eric Miller
Anne and Tom Muller
Anne Comeaux
Anne Schuler
Annie and George Putnam
Annie and Travis Riddell
Anonymous
Antler Inn, Clarene
and Creed Law
APH Design & Sales Co.
AT&T
Attitudes P.L.U.S., Jan Felton
Bailey’s Welding Scholarship
Bank of Jackson Hole
Bank of the West
Barb and Tony Kruger
Barbara Allen
Barbara and Charlie Walter
Barbara and Jeffrey Wogoman
Barbara and Jerry Carlson
Barbara and John Rogers
Barbara and John Simms
Barbara and Pete Laybourn
Barbara Dilts
Barbara Herman
Barbara Zelazo and
Michael Scher
Bart Rea
Cumulative OUTCOMES
88.8% Graduation Rate
Number of Moms
Served 1809 (since 1986)
Number of Children
Served 2868 (since 2004)
CLIMB’S impact will be felt for generations
Greetings from CLIMB Wyoming!
Innovative and research-based trainings,
comprehensive services that include life skills
and counseling, and continued support for our
program graduates enable us to report continued
success in ending the cycle of poverty: on
average 78% of CLIMB graduates are employed
two years after completing our program.
As many of you are aware, we will discontinue
the CLIMB program in Sweetwater County (see
page 8). While we are certainly disappointed
to reduce the reach of our program, we are
committed to continuing our high quality
services in ten counties across Wyoming.
We could not do it without your help, as we
depend on both private and public dollars to
subsidize our critical program. Thank you for
your interest in supporting Wyoming’s most
vulnerable families in their efforts to create a
brighter future.
Two years after
completing the
CLIMB program,
Employment Rate
Increases
from $1044
to $2324
two years
after program
completion
Monthly Income
Decreases
from 50% to
30% two years
Percentage on
Food Stamps
after program
completion
Dr. Ray Fleming Dinneen
Founder and Executive Director
Percentage on Public
Healthcare
Beatrice Howard
Becky and Tom Frisbie
Becky and Tom Jordan
Becky Rigsby
Becky Watson and
Betsy Carlin
Beedee and Ted Ladd
Ben and Eydie Trautwein
Berte and Alan Hirschfield
Bertha Bodenheimer
Beta SigmaPhi
Gamma Chapter
Beth and Paul Howard
Betti Deutsch
Betty and Don Walters
Betty and Shaun
Andrikopoulos
Betty Iriondo
Betty Terrill
Bland and Liza Hoke Family
Fund of the Community
Foundation of Jackson Hole
Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Wyoming
Blue Envelope Health Fund
BNSF Railway Foundation
Bonnie and Doug Self
BP
Brandi Monger and
Billie Addleman
Brandy and Steve Marrou
Brenda and John Lyttle
Bruce Brady
Bruce Hayse
Business Aviators, Inc.
Campbell County
Campbell County Care
Board - CSBG
76% of graduates
are employed
compared to
45% at start
Campbell County
Opportunity Fund
Capital West Bank - Cheyenne
Capital West Bank - Laramie
Cara Eastwood Baldwin
and Ryan Baldwin
Caren and Ed Murray
Carl and Emily Knobloch
Carla Deville
Carma and John Corra
Carmel Wallace
Carol and Art Merrell
Carol and Chuck Schneebeck
Carol and John Gonnella
Carol and Tucker Fagan
Carol Bowers and Mike Kraft
Carol Holland
Carol Matteson Pascal
Carole and James Lamanna
Carole and Norm Hofley
Carole Lee and Don Morris
Caroline and Mike Poelma
Caroline Johnson
Carolyn and Andy Ripps
Carolyn and Robert Nelson
Carolyn and Rollin Abernethy
Carpenter & Sons, Inc.
Carrie and Jack Howe
Carrie and Scott Kirkpatrick
Carrie Bell
Catherine Cooper
Catherine Hansen-Stamp
and Barry Stamp
Cathy and Stan Tetenman
Cathy Connolly
Chad and Liz Deaton
Decreases
from 32% to
11% two years
after program
completion
Chandra Ravilochan
Charis Kipper
Charles Engelhard Foundation
Charles Scott
Charlotte and Maron Davis
Chelsea Congdon and
James Brundige
Cheri, Jeffrey, Katy
and Mike Witz
Cheryl and Bill Schwartz
Chesapeake Energy
Corporation
Cheyenne Housing and
Community Development
Cheyenne Light Fuel & Power
Cheyenne Orthodontics,
PC, Jason Bird
Cheyenne Regional
Medical Center
Graduate STORIES
LARAMIE: Laramie is pleased to celebrate
the commencement of its most recent
CLIMB Wyoming Office Careers Program!
These women received computer training
in Microsoft Office, Excel and Outlook,
QuickBooks, and other office skills
including phone, fax, filing, customer
service and professional communication.
They have started careers with Urgent
Care of Laramie, the University of
Wyoming, Seasons Psychiatric Clinic and
the City of Laramie. This group of women
has really demonstrated its commitment
to one another. Completing this rigorous
program can be difficult, and these
women really supported each other from
the beginning. They have given each other
rides, cooked and babysat for each other.
They have celebrated successes together
and they have helped each other to
transform their lives.
Cheyenne Skin Clinic
Cheyenne Women’s Clinic, PC
Chris and Cate Finlay
Chris and Phillip Pridmore
Christine and Lance Windey
Christine Lamolinara
Christine Miller
Christopher Frank
Christy and Matt Russell
Cindy and Matt Daly
Cindy Vandewark
City of Cheyenne
City of Gillette
City of Laramie
Claire and Harmon Davis, II
Claudia Bonnis and
Terry Winchell
Climate Control
CASPER: This group of ladies came to
CLIMB eager to learn new skills during
our Inventory Technician training. They
were open minded about learning from
each other and each one was truly here to
change their lives in a positive way. These
ladies joined CLIMB with experience in
the food service industry or completely
unrelated fields of work. They all went
confidently into their interviews because
of the thorough preparation they received
during the CLIMB program, including a lot
of interview practice! Their hard work has
paid off and they are successfully working
in their new careers with employers like
Woodward Machine Corporation, Hunting
Energy Services- Drilling Tools and
Kustom Koncepts.
Cloud Peak Energy
Resources LLC
Colleen and Bob Grady
Collins Backhoe & Water
Service, Betty and
George Collins
Combined Federal Campaign
United Way - Cheyenne
Commerce Bank of Wyoming
Community Foundation
of Jackson Hole
Con and Velma Kreuzer
Connie and Dwight Helm
Connie and Larry Atwell
Cony Corporation
Cowboy Moving and
Storage, Inc.
Cowboy Village Resort
CP Consulting, Inc.,
Cindy Pomeroy
Craig C. Cook
Cross Charitable Foundation
Crusita and Martin Ellbogen
Cy Tetenman
Cynthia and Andrew Slavens
Cynthia Lummis and
Al Wiederspahn
Damon Lodge No. 3,
Knights of Pythias
Dan Cheney and
Wendy Fanning
Dan Nelson
Dana and Carl Nagel
Daniella Botur
Daniels Fund
Dara and John Corkery
Darcy and Jeff Rice
TETON: Our most recent graduates from
our unique open enrollment program have
successfully completed training in office
skills including Microsoft Office Suite
and other computer systems. Through
the training received in this program the
women are prepared more effectively
to compete for and succeed in career
opportunities in our local area. Many of
the participants were unemployed or
underemployed when they came to CLIMB
and have doubled or even tripled their
income. Current business partners for the
Teton area include Teton County/Jackson
Parks and Recreation, Jenkins Building
Supply, Blue Spruce Cleaners and Bank of
Jackson Hole.
Darlene Hansen
Daughters of Penelope,
Olympus Chapter 6
Dave Foreman
David Johnson
Dawn Fleming Jackson
Debbie and John Hechinger
Debbie Schlinger
Debra Sonderman
Delta Kappa Gamma Chi Chapter
Denise Burke
Denise Newell
Denteffex
Department of Family Services
Department of
Workforce Services
Design Construction
Diane and Curt Cox
Diane and Rick Kaysen
Diann and Tom Mann
Dining in Catering/Alice
and Billiy Boney
Don and Virginia Porter
Donna Nelson
Dooley Oil, Inc.
Dorothy and Art Sigel
Dottie Forester
Dr. Larry and Vicki Meuli
Dr. Laura and Dr.
Lane Smothers
Dr. Lisa Finkelstein and
Dr. Marc Domsky
Dr. Millie Maxwell
Dr. Richard and Sue Sugden
Dray, Dyekman, Reed
& Healey, PC
Eileen and Gary Parker
SWEETWATER: These graduates
completed a CDL training that will help
them earn higher wages in short haul
trucking careers, which will accommodate
family schedules.
CHEYENNE: Our recent Inventory
Technician graduates received a diverse
training that will enable them to be
employed in a variety of careers. In
addition to their certificate of completion
from CLIMB Wyoming, this group earned
forklift certificates, OSHA 10 card, CPR/
First Aid, and a Distribution Center
Specialist Training Certificate from
Laramie County Community College.
Their training also included customer
service, computer skills, inventory and
materials management, and an overview
of hazardous materials. These participants
were determined to achieve their goals
and make a better life for themselves
and their children. They acknowledged
that group counseling was difficult, but in
closing talked about life-changing things
they learned from the process.
Eileen and Greg Prugh
Elaine and Dale Roth
Elaine Rosenthal
Elisa Maturo-Chambers
Elisabeth Rohrbach
Elizabeth and Matthew Kelly
Elizabeth Blissman, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Cheroutes
and Walter, Charlie and
Sophie Stoessel
Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Sword
Ellen A. McGee
Ellen and Jim Arnold
Ellis Public Affairs
Emily Coombs
Emily Curran and
Bryan Bedrosian
Environmental Health Trust
CHEYENNE: Congratulations to our recent
Cheyenne program graduates, who earned
their Class A Commercial Drivers License
and are now certified to drive fuel trucks
and excavators, construction vehicles and
passenger vehicles after receiving the
highest level of training available in the
industry.
These participants were extremely
dedicated. The training that they did was
outdoors from 8 am to 5 pm daily for two
months — does anyone remember the
weather in February and March? — and
they would often stay out until 6 or 7
at night, training extra on weekends to
ensure they received their certification.
These single moms were unemployed or
working for minimum wage before joining
the CLIMB program. Lowe’s Distribution
Center, Four Quarters Excavation,
Arrow Moving and Storage, and Knife
River Corporation are among the local
employers that have hired
these graduates.
Erick Sills
Factory IT
Family Physicians of
Laramie, LLC
Father Carl Beavers
Fern Gullett
Field & McClure CPAs
Fine Dining Restaurant Group
First Interstate BancSystem
Foundation, Inc.
First Interstate Bank - Casper
First Interstate
Bank - Cheyenne
First Interstate Bank - Jackson
First Interstate Bank - Laramie
First Street Vision
Fish Creek Veterinary Clinic
Floyd’s Truck Center, Inc.
FMC Corporation
Frances and Allan Tessler Fund
Frances Biederstedt
Frances Pollak and
Ernest LaBelle
Francine Fleming
Fred Emerich Revocable Trust
Friendship Mariners, First
Presbyterian Church
G & M Thorvaldson
Gainor and Joe Bennett
Gannett Peak Technical
Services
Gaylyn and Brett Frantz
Georgene Tozzi
Georgia and Robert Spicer
GFWC Women’s Civic
League of Cheyenne
Gillette Evening Rotary Club
GILLETTE: It has been so exciting
watching the progress of our recent CDL
graduates! Our moms started their job
placements within a few days of obtaining
their CDL licenses, with all moms earning
between $16-$18 per hour, hauling water
in the oil and gas industry, concrete in
the construction industry and beverages
in the retail industry. The community
response was great, offering jobs that
were the right fit for each participant. It
can be scary to begin a new job, even
when it’s what you’ve been working for.
This group of graduates showed such
courage and enthusiasm to get started
and begin the really hard work of learning
more about their individual trade. CDL
jobs require long hours, but our moms
assured us it was a ‘good tired’.
Gingee Prince and
Becket Hinckley
Ginny and Ken Mahood
Giovanini Foundation, Jane
and Joe Giovanini
Glenda Lawrence
Glennise and Michael Wendorf
Gloria and Terry Rogers
Governor and Mrs.
Matthew Mead
Grace Randolph
Gregory Dyekman
Groathouse Construction, Inc.
Gros Ventre Ob/Gyn
Guthrie Family Foundation
Guthrie Mediation,
Nancy Guthrie
Gwen and Dan Perdue
Gwen and P K Rice
Halladay Motors, Inc. /
Joannides Family Foundation
Halley & Murray, CPAs, PC
Harmony Home and
Community Club
Hawkins, Kominsky, Devries
& Associates, PC
Heather and Don Day
Heather and Patrick Fleming
Helen and George Mathes, Jr.
Helen and Sean Macauley
Hirst Applegate, LLP
Holly Hogarty
Hot Power Yoga, LLC
Ibby and Rick Davis
Indy Burke
Intermountain Combined
Federal Campaign
J.J. Healy
New TRAININGS
W
orkforce research is a key
component of the CLIMB
program model. CLIMB staff
are constantly reaching out
to local industries, employers
and business organizations
to determine what employers
need and where the jobs are.
Our established trainings
include CDL/Short-haul truck
driving, Certified Nursing
Assistant, Inventory Technician,
Welding, Health Information
Technology, Office Careers and
Medical Coding.
Over the past year, industry
research and workforce
demand has led to the
creation of two new career
trainings at CLIMB:
PROFESSIONAL WORKFLOW
SPECIALIST TRAINING
CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT
TRAINING
Launched in the winter of 2013 in
Cheyenne, the Professional Workflow
Specialist training was developed in
response to trends in office management,
and employers looking to hire staff with
critical thinking and problem solving
expertise.
Building upon our existing Office
Careers training, CLIMB partnered with
Laramie County Community College
to develop the Professional Workflow
Specialist training which includes project
management, critical thinking, problem
solving, databases and using cloud technology for document sharing.
As a result, graduates are working in a
variety of office environments in Cheyenne and adding immediate efficiency
and value to their employers: medical
offices, insurance agencies, banks and
nonprofits. One graduate has reworked
the patient scheduling process in her
medical office to ensure patients are
moved quickly into an appointment.
“We are hearing from employers about
the ability of our graduates to jump in
and learn, and ask good questions to
improve processes,” said Shawn Casey,
Business Liaison, Cheyenne CLIMB
Wyoming. “Their training in problemsolving and critical thinking makes them
really valuable employees.”
Population growth and aging baby
boomers are two of the trends influencing the recent expansion of medical
facilities in Casper. Currently Casper has
two hospitals with a third under construction, and dozens of specialty clinics
and facilities.
“Over the past few years, CLIMB has
been tracking the growth in Casper’s
health care industry and has seen that
Casper is becoming a larger regional
hub for healthcare services,” said Beth
Worthen, Industry Research and Program
Development Consultant for CLIMB.
Recognizing the opportunity for
CLIMB participants, CLIMB created a
new Certified Medical Assistant training in partnership with Casper College.
Currently underway, the CMA CLIMB
program will prepare participants to perform patient, clinical and administrative
tasks in a variety of medical office settings, and trains on procedures including
administering medications, assisting
with minor surgery, performing an EKG,
basic laboratory skills and maintaining
medical equipment. The administrative
training includes scheduling, maintaining medical records, billing and coding
for insurance purposes.
CLIMB participants Elizabeth and Lisa practice problem solving during a Professional
Workflow Specialist training session at Laramie County Community College.
Jack and Carole Nunn
Jackson Council of
Catholic Women
Jackson Hole Title & Escrow
Jacqi Rabago
Jacqueline Ferrall
Jaimie Field
James D. & Bess S.
Polis Foundation
James J Naramore, MD
Jamie and Tim Kearley
Jamie Caulkins
Jan and Bob Spires
Jan and Doug Brimeyer
Jan and Pat McGuire
Jan and Randy Dancliff
Jan and W.M. Stalcup
Jane and Charles Kusek
Charitable Fund
Jane and Kerry Greaser
Jane and Ron Stoughton
Jane Carhart
Jane Jerger
Jane Matthews
Janelle and Andy Rose
Janet and Duane Swinton
Janet and John Costello
Janice and Robert Hartman
Jared and Cheryl Black
Jay A. Jerde
Jean and Jason Lewis
Jean and Pete Jorgensen
Jean Barash
Jean, Tim and Anna Day
Jeanie and Fred Staehr
Jeanine and Pete Karns
Jefferies
Jennifer and Daniel Mayernik
Jennifer and Navar Holmes
Jennifer Davis
Jennifer Walsh
Jenny and Danny Shervin
Jenny Black
Jill and Bob Jensen
Jillian and John Balow
Jim and Estelle Haefele
Jo and Scott Schmillen
Joann and Joe Cioffi
Joanne and John Cornelison
Jocelyn and Aaron Boss
John and Thersa Freeman
John Dinneen
John Freeman
John McPherson, DDS
John Nissenbaum
Jonah Bank of Wyoming
- Cheyenne
Joy and Ron Surdam
Joyce and Dan Butcher
Judy and Ron Weickum
Judy and William Cox
Judy Boyle and Russell Nelson
Judy Dixon and Rob O’Connell
Judy Hinkle
Julia Nielson-Healy
Julie and Larry Kummer
Julie and Matt Faupel
Julie and Paul D’Amours
Julie and Will Obering
Julie Bromley
Julie Klein
Juliet Unfried
Juliette Rule
JustGive.org
Kaitlin Wolff
Karen and Greg Rich
Karen and Jim Coleman
Karen Colclough
Karen Jerger and Chuck Harris
Karen Parent
Karen, Cary, Christopher,
Andrew and Ben Brus
Kari and Tim Moss
Karla Tessler Fund
Karol Slater
Kate and Aaron Foster
Kate and Brad Mead
Kate and Dave Sollitt
Kate Gersh
Kate Sarosy and Scott Sissman
Katherine and Clifford Cohn
New BOARD MEMBERS & STAFF
FROSTY KEPLER
Forrest “Frosty” Kepler
joins the board of
CLIMB Wyoming after
six years on the CLIMB
Advisory Board. Kepler,
former president of
the engineering and
architectural firm of Banner Associates,
Inc., holds Professional Engineer
certification in five states, is a Land
Surveyor in Wyoming and Arizona,
as well as a Registered Geologist in
Wyoming. A graduate of the College
of Engineering at the University of
Wyoming, Kepler was named to the
College of Engineering’s first National
Advisory Board. He has served on the
board of directors for First National
Bank Wyoming, as chairman of the
Wyoming State School Committee and
is an Emeritus Board Member for the
University of Wyoming. Kepler enjoys
skiing and running and resides in Laramie
with his wife Harriett.
JEAN LEWIS
Jean Lewis joins the
CLIMB board as the
former Statewide
Development and
Training Coordinator
for CLIMB. A mother
and educator, Lewis
graduated with a BA in Environmental
Studies from the University of Vermont
and received a Fellowship in Professional
Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector from
the El Pomar Foundation. Lewis gained
her MS in Science Education from
Montana State University and spent her
graduate residency in Science Education
at the Teton Science School, where she
became an Environmental Educator and
a K-3 Educator at the Journeys School.
Lewis currently serves on the Jackson
Hole Childcare Helpers board of directors.
Katherine Hetrick
Kathleen and David McCann
Kathryn and Chris Boswell
Kathryn and Jack Landon, Jr.
Kathryn and Silas Matthies
Kathy and Bob Cummings
Kathy and Bruce Bummer
Kathy Kline
Kati and James Fini
Katie Pierce
Katsey Long
Kay Wallick
Kehr Levy Fund
Kelly and Jack Wright
Kelly and Richard Peek
Kelsey and Jeffrey Zelazoski
Kemmerer Family Foundation
Kenlyn and William Long
Lewis is impassioned by the progressive
and effective work that CLIMB does
throughout Wyoming and is honored to
be part of the positive change that CLIMB
creates. She lives with her husband and
their three sons in Jackson, where she
enjoys skiing, horseback riding and taking
naturalist excursions with her kids.
CYNDI ROMANEK
Assistant Program
Director, Cheyenne
Cyndi has enthusiastic
compassion to assist
the CLIMB participants
to reach their fullest
potential. She brings
a diverse set of skills to her position
as she has taught special education,
advocated and mentored young adults
as an Independent Living Consultant
and worked as a legal assistant in the
juvenile court system. A Wyoming native,
Cyndi’s passions include supporting her
three amazing children in their individual
activities, being in the mountains and
enjoying performing arts.
CATHERINE
MCCOLLOCH
Program Assistant,
Teton Area
Catherine joins CLIMB
Wyoming as the Program
Assistant for the Teton
program. Originally
from Dallas, Texas, Catherine received
a degree in Economics with a minor in
Poverty Studies from Washington and
Lee University. She joins CLIMB from
the prestigious KIPP Dream Prep, a
charter school in Houston where she
successfully worked with underserved
children in poverty. “While working with
children was rewarding, I am excited to
help struggling single mothers on their
journey to self-sufficiency.”
Kerri and Jesse Blunn
Kevin Murphy
Kiddie Cottage
Kim and Craig Jacobson
Kim and Walt Gasson
Kimberly Hunt
Kimberly Shannon
Kinskey Family Foundation
Kit Hughes
KJ and Craig Morris
Krista Anderson Mixter
and Jed Mixter
Kristan Clarke
Kristen and Jerimiah Rieman
Kristen and Walt Omlor
Kristi Wallin
Kristie Eggebroten
Kristine Yarber
Kurt and Diane Nyffler
Laramie County
Larimer Family Foundation
Laura and Brandon Harrison
Laura and Luke Jackson
Laura and Ted Ladd
Laurentius Marais
Laurie Huff
Laurie Lochridge
Leah Janssen
Lee and Ed Riddell
Leeann Prichard
Leo Gonzales
Lesha Thorvaldson
Lesley Wangberg
Leslie Nutting
Leslie Petersen and
Hank Phibbs
DARBY GOODSPEED
Program Director,
Teton Area
Darby joined the Teton
Area program in October
after over nine years
as a counselor in the
Casper area. She is a
proud Wyoming native who attended
the University of Wyoming for a Bachelor
in Exercise and Sports Science and a
Master’s in Counselor Education. Darby’s
love for adventure and being outdoors
drew her to the Jackson area, where
she enjoys cycling, hiking, softball,
hunting, snowmobiling and fly-fishing.
Her passion for helping others and her
counseling background have been useful
in understanding the CLIMB philosophy
and assisting program participants in
their journey.
GINA SIGEL
Mental Health Provider,
Laramie
Gina is honored to join
the inspiring CLIMB team
and work with women
in Laramie. Raised in
Wyoming, Gina soaked
up the food and music at college in New
Orleans and moved to Chicago before
coming back home in 2004. She earned
her Master’s in Coun­sel­ing at the Uni­ver­
sity of Wyoming and worked with under­
served pop­u­la­tions, receiving Counselor
of the Year in 2012. Gina is pas­sion­ate
about food and raises natural, grassfed
beef with her husband’s family on their
ranch in the Snowy Mountains. She is
dedicated to yoga and to her husband
and three children.
Levin Strategic Resources
Lincoln County
Linda and Dale Ward
Linda and Dick Aurelio
Linda and Ed Boenisch
Linda and George Gault
Linda and John Jackson
Linda Mars
Linsenmann &
Linsenmann LLC
Lisa and Chad Driewer
Lisa and David Carlin
Liz Rea
Lokey Lytjen and Bill Collins
Lori and Don Dickerson
Lori Clark-Erickson and
Chris Erickson
Lori Iverson and Chris Harder
Lori Roux
Lori Taylor and Robert Thorn
Lorie Cahn and Doug Brown
Lorraine Steinheimer
Louise Gignoux
Louise Lasley
Lucie and Harry Osborn
Luette and Michael Keegan
Lukas Petersen
Lynn and Foster Friess
Macy Law Office, P.C.
Maggie and Dan Land
Maggie Hagen
Marcia Craighead
Marcia Kunstel and
Joe Albright
Margaret and Garrett Lynch
Margaret and John Gibbens
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| LARAMIE’S VOICE
2014 | LARAMIE, WYO
TUESDAY | JUNE 10,
‘Bettering
our lives’
EDUCATION
CLIMB Wyoming was recently featured in the
following publications: Deseret News, Laramie
Boomerang, and Wyofile. Complete versions
of these stories are available on the CLIMB
Wyoming website, www.climbwyoming.org,
under CLIMB Updates.
COURT
Hung jury
results in
mistrial
BY THE NUMBERS:
CLIMB WYOMING
sPERCENTGRADUATION
RATE
sPERCENTOF
GRADUATESEMPLOYEDIN
TWOYEARS
ME
s!VERAGEANNUALINCO
ISHIGHERTWO
YEARSAFTERGRADUATION
Jury fails to reach
verdict on alleged
kidnap, sexual
assault case
By CHILTON TIPPIN
[email protected]
A trial involving a WyoTech
security guard who allegedly
assaulted
kidnapped and sexually
in a mistrial.
a minor ended Friday
jury first
The six-man, six-woman
District
notified Jeffery Donnell,
were
Court Judge, that they
p.m.
12:45
about
at
ed
deadlock
Friday.
Donnell issued an “Allen
jurors to
Charge,” encouraging
The jury
continue deliberating.
ns but
proceeded with discussio
returned without a decision. at
Donnell declared a mistrialjury
The
about 4:30 p.m. Friday.
15 hours.
deliberated for nearly
and the
Both the alleged victim
the trial,
defendant testified during
ay. The
which began Wednesd
withheld
names of both are being
Laramie
in accordance with the
g
regardin
policies
ng’s
Boomera
cases.
alleged sexual assault
See Court, A7
EDUCATION
n ceremony Thursday evening
CLIMB Wyoming graduatio her
receives a hug during a
Boomerang photograp
Amanda Schneider, left,
this spring. JEREMY MARTIN/
seven women to graduate
at the Depot. Schneider
Hill committee
readies report
was one of
mothers achieve independence
Program seeks to help single
By EVE NEWMAN
[email protected]
Clutching tissues and smiling
women
at their children, seven
of
commemorated the start
lives
a new chapter in their
a
Thursday evening during
on
CLIMB Wyoming graduati
ceremony.
others
As friends, family and
the
Depot,
the
at
looked on
s
cap-and-gown-clad graduate
on of
celebrated the completi
started
intensive training they
to give
in February, designed
selfthem skills to achieve
sufficiency as single mothers.
For graduate Amanda
Schneider, finishing CLIMB
Wyoming felt like starting
anew.
“I just need to be the parent
not
I’m supposed to be and
to help
rely on somebody else
raise my child,” she said.
was
A few months ago, she
living
and
jobs
working two
she’s
with her mother. Now
interviewing for long-term
positions and plans to move
twoher
with
out this summer
year-old son.
times
Even better, she’s “100
was a
more mature” than she
few months ago.
Follow us on Twitter
@WY_Boomerang
during a graduation
with graduate Nerida Mora
Katie Hogarty, right, talks
spring.
Wyoming program director Mora was one of seven women to graduate this
ceremony Thursday evening.g photographer
JEREMY MARTIN/Boomeran
nts, including job
“I’ve gained some
had.
independence that I never
I
I’ve taken these steps that
ever
never would have taken,
r
in a million years,” Schneide
said.
Like facebook.com/
Laramieboomerang
CLIMB Wyoming operates
in six communities around
Wyoming and has been
in Laramie since 2004.
The program provides
for
comprehensive training
participa
local
training in areas where
.
positions are available
By AERIN CURTIS
[email protected]
could be
CHEYENNE — The end
re’s Select
in sight for the Legislatu
ee.
Investigative Committ
was
The 16-member panel
review
to
formed last August
Public
State Superintendent of
work at
Instruction Cindy Hill’s
the Wyoming
Department
At a glance:
of Education.
The task
The work of
has included
the Legislature’s
a review of
Interim
topics raised
Investigative
in a report
Committee might
from the
be drawing to a
r’s
Governo
close as it finishes
Inquiry Team,
its report on State
the committee
Superintendent of
reports.
Public Instruction
Its work is
Cindy Hill’s first
now drawing
tenure with
to a close,
the Wyoming
said Rep.
Department of
Glenn Moniz,
Education.
R-Laramie.
Before it is
ly
complete
will finish
done, though, the panel
he said.
a report on its findings,
stages,
That report is in its draft
he added.
initially
The committee’s work
See Hill, A7
See CLIMB, A10
. . . . . . . . . . A4
Comics/Abby . . . . . . B5 Opinion . . . . . B1-B4
INDEX:
. . . . . . . . . . . B8 Sports . . .
. . . . A2
Calendar . . . . . . . . . A2 Legals
. . . . . . . . A5 Weather. . . . . .
Classifieds . . . . B8-B10 Obituaries
To Subscribe
(877) 452-3789
“Clutching tissues and smiling at their children, seven
women commemorated the start of a new chapter in
their lives Thursday evening during a CLIMB Wyoming
graduation ceremony.” — Laramie Boomerang story
Margaret Gilday
Margaret Roberts and
David Bentley
Margo and Marc LaHiff
Marguerite Herman and
George Powers
Marietta Dinneen
Marilee Jaquith
Marisa Kuhn
Mark and Kirsten Bohlinger
Mark Aronowitz
Mark Houser
Marlene and Peter Lang
Marsha and Mark Holden
Martel Construction Co, Inc.
Mary and Dan Armour
Mary and Erich Schmidt
Mary and Mark Obringer
Mary and Peter Thorsness
Mary D. Bunning
Mary Guthrie
Mary J. England
Mary Jo and Keith Downey
Mary Kay Jensen
Mary Ostlund
Mary Pokorny and
Jeff Bjornsen
Mary Shafer-Malicki
and Pat Malicki
Mary Vrooman
Mary Waid
Matthew and Stacey Obrecht
Maura Lofaro, M.D.
Maureen and Ken Womack
Maya and Mike Crothers
McDonald’s of Jackson Hole
McGee, Hearne and Paiz LLP
Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Melanie and David True
Melanie Parrish Handschin
Melissa Honeycutt
Mercedes Huff
Meredith Winn and
Justin Adams
Michele and Jim Rose
Michelle and Steve Beahm
Michelle Quinn
Michelle Rooks and Eric Orton
Mickey Babcock
Mile High United Way
Mimi and Bobby Stein
Mina and Jeff Neishabouri
Miriam and Bob Lenz
Missy Falcey
Missy Hoster
Mitch Dann
Modern Electric Co.
Molly and Scott Hirschfield
Mona Pearl
Monica and Ben Burgeson
Monica Lohn
Munger Clan
Myrna and Stephen Greenberg
Nancy and Dick Riddle
Nancy and Lew Baker
Nancy and Mike Faems
Nancy Binks-Lyman
and Frank Lyman
Nancy Hughes
Natalie and Sheldon Frankel
Natrona County
Neva and John Schmechel
NewLevel Group
Newton Foundation Fund
Nicki and Brendan McDermott
Nicole and Niclas Hauser
Nicole Garrett
Nina and Brian Lenz
Noa and Ted Staryk
Oregon Trail Bank
PacifiCorp
Pam and Scott Gibson
Pamela and Jerry Rankin
Pamela and John Winter, II
Pamela and Jonathan Downing
Pamela and Richard Ivey
Pamela Evans and Minh Tran
Pat and Homer Luther
Patricia and Bob Krause
Patricia and Jake Nichols
“Growing up, Ray was most inspired by her
mother’s ability to see potential in those who
struggled; Pat worked with people whom society
dismissed as being invaluable.” — Wyofile story
“One placement program in Wyoming is
successfully finding work for women by
training and placing them specifically in jobs
that are in demand in the local economy.”
— Deseret News story
Patricia and Keith Davis
Patricia Berlin
Patricia Hartnett
Patricia Roser and
Andrew Langford
Patrick Hesler and Kerry
Finnegan Hesler
Patti Boyd
Patty and John Lummis
Patty Webb
Paul Berteau
Paul Vogelheim
Paula Grosch and Mike Wardell
Pauline Towers-Dykeman,
Trey and Paul Dykeman
Peak Promotions, Kent
and Kari Shriner
Peggy and Bryan Monteith
Peggy Carter
Penne and Scott Ainsworth
Pete Gosar
Peter Reis
Pizza Hut/Jackson’s
Sports Grill
Polly and Dick Vaughan
Polly and Sandy Wakeman
Powder River Energy
Foundation
Priscilla Marden and
Tony Panarisi
Raising Girls, a project of
The Equipoise Fund
Randy and Diane Harrop
Ray Fleming Dinneen
and James Dinneen
RBC Foundation - USA
Rebecca and John Kuker
Rebecca Jenkinson
CLIMB Wyoming to Discontinue Program for
Low Income Single Mothers in Sweetwater County
Changes in funding necessitate new long term strategy for
critical Wyoming program
(July 9, 2014, Cheyenne, WY) – CLIMB Wyoming, a nonprofit organization that
trains and places single mothers in careers that successfully support their families, is dismayed to announce that as a result of decreases in public funding and
long-term strategic considerations, it will discontinue its program for low income
single mothers in Sweetwater County.
“It is with a broken heart that I share the news that as of October 1, 2014 we will
no longer operate our Rock Springs site and discontinue services to single mothers and children in need in Sweetwater County,” said CLIMB Executive Director
and Founder Dr. Ray Fleming Dinneen. “CLIMB will be working with current
program participants and program graduates to ensure we honor our commitment to them through this process.”
“The decision to discontinue services in Sweetwater County was not a shortterm, reactive response to our most recent TANF award. We are grateful that
the Wyoming Department of Family Services has recognized that their recent
investment of $1.542 million will have significant impact on the most vulnerable
families in 10 counties across our state,” said Dr. Fleming Dinneen. “This is a
strategic decision to focus on our long-term sustainability. We are well positioned
to continue to offer services to vulnerable families across Wyoming. We will
continue to offer private donors an impactful way to invest in Wyoming’s future.
And we will seek new ways to partner with Wyoming legislators to continue our
critical work.”
Discontinuing services in Rock Springs comes after a series of reductions in
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other funds that have
been historically consistent for CLIMB. Over the past year, changes to Department of Labor, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and Wyoming Department of Family Services TANF funding priorities have decreased CLIMB’s
public funding by nearly $1 million. As a result, CLIMB has increased private
funding to help fill the gap.
“We recognized that the landscape of public funding was shifting and launched
an aggressive private fundraising plan in response,” said Dr. Fleming Dinneen.
“Although we have more than doubled our private fundraising dollars in just eight
months, it has not been enough to offset our need for additional public support.”
Regena Field
Representative Mary
Throne and Kevin Boyce
Reverend Michael Carr
Rhonda Woodard and
George Kallas
Rita Meyer
RMB Capital Management
Robert Southard and
Alyson Hagy
Robert Wemple
Roberta and Doug Coates
Robin and Barry Sims
Robin and John Volk
Robin and Phil Cameron
Robyn Lunsford
Rocky Mountain Power
Rocky Mountain Power
Foundation
Ronda and Dave Whitman
Rose and Ron Novak
Rose Consulting
Rosemary and Rich Barrett
Rowena Heckert
Roxanne and Jeff Robinson
Roy Searle
Ruth and Bob Peters
Ruth and Mike Massie
Ruth Ann Petroff and
Mark Barron
Ruth Harrington and
Tim Bradley
Ruth R. Ellbogen Foundation
Ryan Allen
S.L. Gimbel Foundation
Advised Fund at The
Community Foundation
Sally and Jim Belcher
Sally and Jim Byrne
Samantha Stuckley
Sandi and Bruce Tully
Sandra and Bob Murray
Sandra and Charles Ksir
Sandra and Derek Goodson
Sandra and Roger Willis
Sandra D’Amico
Sandy and Brian Cousins
Sandy Hessler
Sara Bohlinger
Sara Bursac
Sara Murphy and
John McInerney
Sarah and Renny Kerr
Sarah Brino and
Marc Tetenman
Sarah Gorin and Bern Hinckley
Featured EMPLOYER PARTNER
C
LIMB works with hundreds
of employers across the state
to provide them with motivated,
highly trained staff and provide
our participants with careers that
change their lives! We recently
sat down with Tony Woodward,
CEO of Woodward Machine
Corporation in Casper, WY, to
talk about his consistent hiring of
CLIMB graduates. Currently eight
CLIMB graduates are working at
Woodward Machine Corp.
Hi Tony! Can you share a little bit about the kind of business
you operate?
Woodward Machine Corporation
was founded in 1978 in Maryland, and relocated to Wyoming in 1993. Our company manufactures steering
components for race cars, including the safety steering columns and steering
wheel quick-release hubs used in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, as well as complete
power steering systems of our proprietary design, which are sold worldwide.
Some of our components are used in US military vehicles. Our products generally represent the high end of the NASCAR market and can be seen in virtually
every in-car camera shot on television. The work is mostly close-tolerance and
the machining equipment is more the type used in aerospace production, as
opposed to oilfield metalworking.
How did you find out about CLIMB and what has motivated
you to partner with us?
We originally had two CLIMB grads apply for one job as a welder. We ended up
hiring one as a welder and the second as an assembly technician. They stayed
five years and were exceptionally competent employees. We looked to CLIMB
for our next hires for the machine shop. Although CLIMB does not offer specific training in machining, the graduates already have enough general familiarity
with industrial practices that they are well prepared for additional training on
the job, which we are glad to provide.
How many CLIMB graduates work at Woodward now?
What do they do?
We currently have four machinists, two machine operators, one welder, and
one assembly technician. The more experienced two of our machinists can also
write CNC (“Computer Numerical Control”) programs, which means they rank
at the upper level of the machining trade as it exists today. The operators show
every indication that they will rise to that level. Our welder has become expert
at Tungsten-inert-gas welding of aluminum, which is not a usual skill in the
oil patch. Our shop supervisor is not only a CLIMB graduate but subsequently
earned her Associate Degree in Machine Tool Technology.
Scarlett Family Foundation
Seidler Foundation
Senator Grant and
Maralyn Larson Fund
Shanna Workman
Shannon and Jamie Yarrow
Shannon Brooks Hamby
and Curt Hamby
Shannon Smith and
Scott Holthus
Sharel and Sean Love
Sharon and Rick Walls
Sharon Thorvaldson
Shay Howlin Gruver
and Jeffery Gruver
Sheila and Kevin Brazell
Sheila Gleason
Shelley Simonton and
Matt Bowers
Shelly and Tony Aquilla
Sherry and Gary Eckman
Sherry and Ron McGrath
Shirley and Ed Cheramy
Shirley and Paul Piper
Shirley Craighead
Shirley Garrett-Robinson
Sidney and Oliver Walter
Silver Star Communications
Simon Contractors
SkyMed International
Smokey and Chuck Rhea
Snake River Lodge and
Spa, Lisa Chambers
Snowdon Fund
Solvay Chemicals, Inc.
Soroptimist Foundation
Soroptimist International
of Laramie
Spirit Dance Foundation,
Florence Lemle and
Ron Saypol
Spradley Barr Motors, Inc.
St. Johns Medical Center
Stacy and Rob Caesar
Staples Foundation
for Learning, Inc.
State Farm Mutual
Automobile Insurance
Stephanie and Dave Teubner
Stephanie Fanos
Steve Easton
Steve Walters
Construction, Inc.
StoneRiver Foundation
STS Foundation
Sue and Pete Dennis
Sue and Tim Mason
Sue Fleming and Doug Halsey
Sue Ibarra
Sue Wedel
Sundahl, Powers, Kapp
& Martin, LLC
Sunny and James Kaste
Sunrise Rotary Club of Laramie
Sunset Village
Susan and Andrew Heffron
Susan and Doug Samuelson
Susan and Mark Good
Susan and Peter Ordway
Susan Juvelier
Susan McDowell
Susan Mick and Bob Gordon
Susan Pieper Bailey
Susan Simpson
Susie and Stuart Palmer
Suzanne Anderson
Suzanne Marie Howard
Suzie and Trent Hultman
Sweetwater County
Sylvia Hackl
Synthia and Leonard Scoleri
Tammy Valdez
Tamra and Mark Hendrickson
Tawyna Plumb
Tegeler & Associates
Teresa Ankeny
Teresa De Groh and
Arne Jorgensen
Teresa Wright and Steve Wolff
Teri Hernandez
Terra Public Relations, LLC
Terry and Gary Trauner
Teton County
Teton Sports Club
The Best Western Outlaw Inn
How does the CLIMB program prepare graduates for
working at Woodward?
They have already had to prove they can show up for work and meet quality
standards. Most have had training in supporting skills such as emergency first
aid and fork lift operation. The self-discipline of CLIMB classroom experience
can also come in handy, since after they have proven themselves at Woodward
for a while we will pay the tuition, books, and lab fees for those interested in
taking Machine Tool Technology courses at Casper College.
How do CLIMB employees compare to your other staffing
experiences?
I can confidently state that the track record of CLIMB graduates at our company is superior to that of hires from the area labor pool. First, they are parents,
and as such they tend to be responsible and motivated. Second, they are intelligent and aware, and they grasp the dual concept of productivity and precision.
Our goal is for our employees to attain proficiency in a respected technical occupation and to earn compensation commensurate with their skill; we are not
looking for cogs in a wheel.
What would you say to other employers to encourage them to
consider CLIMB graduates?
Climb graduates are prepared to respond to opportunity if you can offer it.
Is there anything else you want to share with us about
partnering with CLIMB?
Your dedication to bettering peoples’ lives is the highest and best use of my tax
dollar. Thank you, and please keep up the good work.
The Brooks Foundation
The Courtenay C. and Lucy
Patten Davis Foundation
The Eldon M. Spicer Family
Donor Advised Endowment
Fund through the Wyoming
Community Foundation
The Goodstein Foundation
The Hearst Foundation
The Jannotta-Pearsall Family
Fund of the Community
Foundation of Jackson Hole
The McMurry Foundation
The Rheam Family:
Mike, Emery and Jamie
Mackintosh and Grand
Fishing Adventures
The Robert S. and Grayce
B. Kerr Foundation
The Spence Law Firm, LLC
The Wold Foundation
The Wort Hotel
Theresa Dowling
Theresa Zacharias and
Frank Byrne
TJX Foundation
Tracey Johnson
Tracy and John Dooley
Tracy and Sean Haling
Trish and Rafael Williams
Trudi McMurry-Holthouse
True Foundation
United Methodist Women
United Way of
Campbell County
United Way of Laramie County
United Way of Southwest
Wyoming
Valerie and Patrick Finnegan
Verisk Analytics
Verizon Foundation
Vicki and Thor Gunderson
Vickie and Mark Memmer
Vicky and David MacFarlane
Vicky and Mike Kmetz
Vonde Smith and Bryan Ulmer
W. Jean Coates
W. Winfred Moore
Wallick and Volk
Walmart Distribution Center
Walmart Foundation
State Giving Program
Walmart Supercenter - Casper
Walmart Supercenter Cheyenne
Walmart Supercenter Laramie
Walter Eggers
Warehouse Twenty One,
Dave Teubner
Wendy Curran
Wendy Tyson
Western Sky Design, LLC
Wheeler Family Foundation
William E. Wecker
Associates, Inc.
Wilma and Carl Lathrop
Wilson Formal, LLC
Women of Steel,
Steelworkers Local 13214
Wyoming Community
Foundation of Casper
Wyoming Trial Lawyers
Association
Yellow Iron Excavating LLC
Zonta Club of Cheyenne
Zonta Club of Laramie
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PD
JACKSON, WY
PERMIT 81
CLIMB Wyoming
1001 W. 31st Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Address Service Requested
Board of Directors
Mary Shafer-Malicki, President
Father Carl Beavers
Frosty Kepler
Jean Lewis
Dave Teubner
Beth Worthen
Ray Fleming Dinneen, Psy.D.
Founder & Executive Director
For more information about becoming a business
partner, program participant or investor,
Contact CLIMB’s
Home Office
1001 W. 31st Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001
(307) 778-4126
[email protected]
www.climbwyoming.org
CASPER
(307) 237-2855
[email protected]
CHEYENNE
(307) 778-0094
[email protected]
GILLETTE
(307) 685-0450
[email protected]
LARAMIE
(307) 742-9346
[email protected]
TETON AREA
(307) 733-4088
[email protected]