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CEAP CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF SERVICE In April, Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) celebrated 30 years of providing human services to northwest Hennepin and Anoka Counties. CEAP is a multi - service, non - profit agency that was founded by Madeleine Roch in 1970 and serves the residents of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Anoka County and part of Champlin. In 1971 CEAP was incorporated as a tax - exempt charitable organization and elected its first Board of Directors. CEAP's very first program included a food shelf, a clothing closet, free household furniture, baby- sitting services, referrals, and temporary shelter in local family homes. By the end of 1971, CEAP served on average 2,100 meals with donated food, gave out clothing to 125 people, and provided 10 days of baby- sitting, 14 hours of skilled labor, 8 hours of light housekeeping, 200 miles of transportation, and answers to 150 telephone calls. Today, CEAP serves approximately 240,000 meals a year from its two food shelves and gives 550 families financial assistance. Each year almost 3,000 visits are made to the clothing closet. In 1985 The McKnight Foundation began funding the Family Loan Program through which families can borrow money at no interest to buy a used vehicles or make car repairs. Since the Family Loan Program's inception, CEAP has provided approximately $1,600,000 in loans to almost 1,400 borrowers. In 1987 CEAP expanded its service area to include all of Anoka County and open an office in Coon Rapids. That office moved in 1991 to its current location at the Anoka County Human Services Building in Blaine. Other programming activities that have developed over the years and that CEAP is currently involved with are: the Welfare - to -Work Collaboratives with Anoka and Hennepin counties; CEAP operates Partners in Change, a mentorship program also for MFIP families; and the Youth Activity Scholarship Fund, through which children of MFIP families may receive scholarships to participate in extracurricular activities. CEAP also sponsors many annual special events throughout the year, including Minnesota FoodShare Month in March; Celebrate the Children; Back -to- School Program; the Caring Tree; and holiday programs in December. CEAP's newest program is the Career Clothing program. Women who are job searching or are in school may shop at either of CEAP's two Career Clothing closets to choose professional attire for job interviews. This program relies on donations from the community. In addition to CEAP's original mission, CEAP is working now to provide emergency support to families in crisis and facilitate personal skill building while enhancing the self - esteem of their clients. For information about CEAP, please call 763 -566 -9600. The speed of time is one second per second. — Anonymous ACCESSORY STRUCTURES UTILITY SHEDS CITY CODE REGULATES FENCES 13 There are rules and regulations regarding where you may build a structure on your property and how big it can be. Buildings less than 120 square feet do not require a building permit but still must meet certain regulations. All other structures require a building permit. All structures are to be placed in the side or rear yard of the property and must meet certain setbacks. The setbacks depend on which zoning district you are in. Please call City Hall at 427 -1410 BEFORE you begin construction to confirm setbacks and other regulations. Section 9.11.17 (Fences) of the City Code states: "Fences shall be located entirely on the owner's property and the fence location and placement shall be the owner's responsibility. Fences shall be located such that they do not interfere with traffic visibility." NOTE: There is no reference as to distance from the property line. Front yard fences can be a maximum of 4 feet in height. Rear yard privacy fences over 6 feet in height require a permit, with a maximum of 8 feet allowed. Plans must be submitted showing how the fence is to be constructed. DOLLARS INTO SENSE CLASS Anoka County Extension Service Staff and Dollar Work Volunteers will present a free Dollars Into Sense Class on June 20th, at 10:30 a.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. at the Northtown Library. To register, call the Anoka County University of Minnesota Extension Service at 763 - 755 -1280 by June 16th. Classes will cover budgeting and address credit issues, tracking expenses, making a spending plan, goal setting and how to get help.