Desert Messenger

March 15, 2023 www.DesertMessenger.com 21 We want dates of your events planned for NEXT SEASON! SUBMIT FOR FREE at www.QuartzsiteCalendar.com • Birth • Obituary • Anniversary Place it FREE in the: Desert Messenger! 928-916-4235 Got something to share? WACOG services in La Paz County A Community Action Agency As the Region IV (La Paz, Mohave, and Yuma Counties) Community Action Agency, Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) provides a comprehensive array of services to help people achieve their highest level of self-suffi ciency. Services and programs reach a di- verse population of La Paz, Mohave and Yuma Counties; residents from preschool children participating in Head Start programs to older adults attending senior center activities. FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS • Emergency rent, mortgage, or util- ity payment assistance • Foreclosure Prevention and infor- mation • Lowering heating and cooling costs • Information on programs that of- fer fi nancial help • Budgeting assistance for low in- come households • Information on other community services WACOG programs provide a safety net of services to the community, working to prevent homelessness, maintain independent living and providing the foundation for the de- velopment of self-suffi cient, healthy, caring and productive children and families. The organization's services extend a helping hand to residents in times of crisis or need. Nancy's Kitchen GARLIC BEEF STIR FRY 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 red bell pepper or or yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips 3 cloves garlic, minced 12 oz. boneless beef sirloin steak, thinly sliced 1 can (14.5oz.) cut green beans or French Style Green Beans, drained ¼ cup stir fry sauce, divided Hot cooked brown rice or white rice Directions 1. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Cook bell pepper 3 min- utes or until just tender crisp. Add garlic and cook 15 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove from skillet; set aside. 2. Cook beef 2 minutes in same skil- let, or until steak begins to brown, stirring occasionally. Add peppers, beans and 2 Tbsp. stir fry sauce; cook 2 minutes or until heated through and slightly thickened. 3. Remove from heat and stir in re- maining 2 Tbsp. sauce. Serve over rice, if desired. WACOG has been dedicated to the health and well-being of the com- munities and people WACOG serves since 1971. CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM "Meeting people where they are, with what they have, to get to where they want to be.." Type of assistance provided: • Family need assessment • Employment Seeking • Stable housing • Overcoming obstacles to indepen- dence & Self-Suffi ciency • Develop Family Budgeting skills • Advocacy • Referrals • DES Online Services Navigation For Assistance Call: (877) 829-2264. Leave a message as requested NEED HELP PAYING YOUR UTILITY BILL? Apply through WACOG: Western Area Council of Govern- ments (WACOG) will assist house- holds with no internet access or unable to complete the DES portal. Type of assistance provided: • Electric • Natural Gas • Propane • Wood • Coal • Water • Energy Education • DES Portal Application Assistance For Assistance Call: (877) 829- 2264. Leave a message as request- ed. OR Apply through the DES ON- LINE Portal: Applicants can apply for utility assistance safely from their own homes using the LIHEAP online portal. https://des.az.gov/LIHEAP HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAM "We Empower Community Mem- bers to Become Self-Suffi cient" MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE UP TO $40,000 PER APPLICANT COVID-related Homeowner Assis- tance Fund (HAF) Program. • Mortgage Assistance up to 12 months in delinquency and 3 months future payments. • Property Taxes (one year) • Homeowners Insurance/HOA Fees (one year) • Utilities, including Internet • HELOC in expired period To request assistance: Email: housingcounseling@wacog.com Call 866-559-2264 COUNSELING • First-time Homebuyer/Pre-pur- chase • Foreclosure/Default Prevention • Tenant-Landlord/Fair Housing (Rental) • Predatory Lending • HECM Default FOR COUNSELING APPOINT- MENT: Contact Regina Gonzalez: 928-217-7160. Email: reginag@wacog.com FOR FINANCIAL & HOMEBUYER EDUCATION Register @ www.wacog.com • 8-Hr. Homebuyer Education Workshop • Money Matters: Workshop WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM The Weatherization program's goal is to lower the high cost of utility bills for low income households. These are free services for income qualifi ed ap- plicants. Measures applied are based on an Energy Audit Assessment of the home and may include: • Insulation of Attic or Floor • Sun Shades/ CFL bulbs • Duct and Envelop Sealing • Repair or replacement of A/C, heating unit. • Miscellaneous energy related repairs. For Assistance Call: (928) 782-1886

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