NIOBRARA COUNTY – Goshen HELP, a community action agency that partners with local communities is now serving Niobrara County.

The organization is funded by a Community Service Block Grant administered by the state of Wyoming. In its third year, the organization sets out to “build community support and cooperation to identify the sources of poverty, and then to seek out solutions to address those causes,” according to executive director Kyle Borger. 

The organization – whose motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” – is based out of Goshen County. Goshen HELP is expanding to provide services in Niobrara, Crook, Carbon, Washakie and Weston counties. 

Executive Director Kyle Borger stopped in Lusk this week during a road trip to each of their new service areas.

“We were in Lusk to introduce Goshen HELP as the administrator of their community services block grant,” Borger wrote in an email to The Herald. “We were looking to make connections with community members to find out how we can best support Niobrara County and to give them information on how people in need can get help from us.”

Goshen HELP has budgeted $5,136 for direct financial assistance, with the remainder supporting case managers who will provide assistance for Niobrara County residents to become self-sufficient. Additionally, Goshen HELP is contracted to provide an additional $21,657 over two years to address COVID-19 related needs through a CARES ACT CSBG Grant, according to Goshen HELP’s Facebook page. 

Goshen HELP offers services to those in need of assistance. In addition to food assistance, fuel cards, hotel vouchers, utility assistance, rent assistance and financial counseling, they offer emergency services to provide immediate services for crisis events and case management for clients who need to address a complicated problem.

The Salvation Army already partners with the organization, but Borger is hoping to find more partners in the Lusk community.

“Goshen HELP desires to become partners with existing agencies, churches and organizations within your county to learn how to best work with you and support the wonderful work you already have in progress,” the Facebook event page reads. “Our desire is not to simply provide financial assistance with few questions, but rather to work with families to address the challenges they face to become self-sufficient so they will not need help in the future.”

“We are asking local community members to help create a committee in Niobrara County to help Goshen HELP learn how to best serve the county, evaluate the services we do provide, promote our services, and help to create volunteer opportunities within the county,” Borger said.  “We are also looking for volunteers to serve on Goshen HELP board committees and on our board. Our requirement is to have at least one board member from each county.”

Goshen HELP offices can be reached Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. Those interested can visit GoshenHELP.com and fill out an application. 

Contact the office at (307) 532-0269 to talk with staff.