Residents of Miami county, Indiana, who wish to receive financial assistance from nonprofit groups and service agencies will soon be required to participate in community service projects in order to receive funds.

The new program will be administered by Miami County Resource Network, which began partnering with community agencies to help facilitate outreach programs last August. The idea for the program came from Peru Mayor Jim Walker.

Participating agencies may require clients to complete a certain number of hours of community service doing things like cleaning city parks, planting trees or small repair jobs at playgrounds in order to receive financial assistance. Clients could also be required to clean, paint or help out at any of the 10 agencies currently a part of the partnership.

Clients who don’t complete assigned community service hours would not be permitted to come back for additional financial assistance until the hours were fulfilled. Those unable to do community service projects due to an impairment or handicap would have to attend classes on topics such as finances, budgeting and parenting.

“This gives clients more self-worth and accountability,” stated Debi Wallick, who leads the resource network. “They’re not just getting something for free, but also giving back to the community. This is their way of paying it back.”

Businesses, township trustees and other groups in the county can submit project ideas that clients can work on to gain community service hours, as well. An employee with Miami County Resource Network will oversee the program.

Source: Kokomo Tribune