“We are helping to change lives one person at a time,” said Wayne Stenberg, Executive Director of the Semcac office in Rushford. He states, “In 1966 the Economic Opportunity Act was established and passed by the federal government. Their mission was to fight America’s war on poverty. Senator Walter Mondale awarded the organization their first $30,000 grant to help those in need.” In 1967 some concerned citizens of Winona County joined the war against poverty when they learned about the Economic Opportunity Act and started the Winona Citizens Action Council. Their goal was to obtain funds to help families or individuals in need. Fillmore and Houston counties joined and not long thereafter, the Southeastern Minnesota Citizens Action Council, or Semcac was created and in 2004, Wayne D. Stenberg was hired as the Executive Director in the Rushford office. Stenberg earned his Certified Community Action Professional certification in 2015 and is a member of many boards that promote community action.
Semcac’s main office is based out of Rushford, Minn., and in 2018 it was voted one of the best places to work in southeastern Minnesota. Stenberg confidently recited Semcac’s mission statement, “To empower and advocate for people in order to enhance their self-sufficiency by maximizing community resources.” He went on to say, “Our vision is to help individuals, families and communities thrive, leading a vibrant southeastern region,” and that, “Semcac has a great relationship with the public.”
Rushford Semcac has approximately 235 employees and offers over 25 programs to 12 counties in southeastern Minnesota. Stenberg said that their 2017 Annual Report reveals that the staff assisted 27,016 individuals to include an additional 58,354 via public transportation. “We have four food shelves in seven county offices which distributed 8,791 food boxes, and we have a homeless shelter in Freeborn County.” The report also states that 450 individuals got assistance to prevent homelessness in 2017.
Stenberg states, “This is a fulfilling career and it’s rewarding knowing that at the end of the day you have helped make the world a better place.” He went on to say that the Meals on Wheels Program is popular and delivers a balanced meal to homebound seniors or those confined to their home who are age 60 or older. “Volunteers are
important for the daily delivery of hot meals to homebound people.” Stenberg believes, “One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time.”
Semcac’s Head Start offers programs which encourage the development of certain skills that children need to become healthy and successful learners. According to Stenberg, “We know that children in their pre-school years need exposure to language development, social and emotional development and physical health development to name a few.” Children attend a half-day or a full day program, four days a week at a licensed center, from September to May. He states that this is also a popular program.
Rushford Semcac office provides Weatherization, Volunteer Driver Program, Senior Dining, Senior & Caregiver Advocacy, Rolling Hills Transit, Outreach, Meals on Wheels, Housing Rehab Loans, Homeless Prevention & Assistance, Housing Rehab & Development, Head Start, Energy Assistance and Family Planning Clinic. They provide food shelves in Preston and Rushford as well. “Part of our mission is to give assistance to families who are enduring a crisis, especially during the holidays.” Stenberg went on to say that Semcac’s Energy Assistance Program reached 5,291 families last year who were in need of weatherization or energy related repairs. These programs help to empower families and individuals to get through their crisis and help them to become financially stable. When asked what the future looks like for Semcac, Stenberg replied, “We are going strong and will press on to be the voice for the voiceless.” He states, “A big part of our success is that we hold to our values and will continue to empower individuals and families to climb the ladder out of poverty. We provide a safety net through community action that becomes their ladder.” To get more information about the programs Semcac offers, you can call the Rushford office at (507) 864-2786.
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