Angela Peterson, Author at Albany County Public Library

December 4, 2023December 4, 2023 by Angela Peterson

In need of a little community support this year? Let Interfaith help!

Interfaith has some amazing programs available to assist with paying for food, bills and rent, finding housing or employment, and growing personal skills! If you or someone you know is in need of some support this season, please reach out to Laramie Interfaith via phone or stop by their location:

Address: 712 E Canby St, Laramie, WY 82072

Phone: (307) 742-4240

LIEAP Program–The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is an energyassistance program that assists households with winter heating bills. LIEAP also assists with energy-related emergencies, such as utility shut-offs, deposits, and heat losses due to broken furnaces. LIEAP eligibility is based on household size, total pre-tax household income, and heating fuel type (natural gas, electric, propane, heating oil, coal, wood, pellets). When approved for LIEAP, you may also be approved for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). WAP helps qualified individuals and families reduce their home heating costs by making their homes more energy efficient. Laramie Interfaith can assist clients with completing and submitting the application.

Intensive Case Management Program– ICM supports a limited number of qualified individuals and/or families with rental assistance. Those accepted into the program commit to a series of obligations receiving dedicated case management. This includes, among other things, efforts to secure and sustain housing, employment, improvement of life skills, addressing individual needs, fostering social skills and community relations, and establishing goals to enhance overall quality of life.

Food Pantry- The Food Pantry offers non-perishable food and hygiene items. No documentation is needed, but households must complete the Link2Feed intake form. The Emergency Food

AssistanceProgram(TEFAP)provides foodassistance tolow income households. The Commodity Supplemental FoodProgram(CSFP) works to improve the health oflow income persons at least 60 years of age.

If you are interested in lending a helping hand, check out their Christmas Basket! Sign-ups are open and the deadline to sign up is Monday, Dec. 11. Baskets will be distributed at the Laramie Interfaith pantry starting Dec. 18.

Click here to sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/ZDsWE6Y7ns

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November 24, 2023December 15, 2023 by Angela Peterson

Activities for Cold Winter Days

As the weather changes and we welcome winter, let’s look at all of the great indoor activities our community has to offer! Please note that some activities are free and some require a daily pass or membership.

The Albany County Public Library (310 S. 8th St) http://www.acplwy.org

Free to the Public

The library’s children’s space has toys, games, a coloring station, a maker’s station, comfortable spaces to read with your child(ren), and a light table! You can see their programming for children 0-5 years old in the events section of each age group on this site and on our main events list.

The Nest Indoor Play Space (located on the 3rd floor of the Laramie Plains Civic Center) https://thenestlaramie.com/

The Nest is an indoor play space designed for families with children 5 years and under with play areas and toys specifically geared for each age group. Their mission is to provide a space for families to play, learn, and grow together. They hope to serve as a hub for the Laramie parents with young children, and to offer a place for connection and most importantly FUN!

Pricing Options (as of November 2023):

1-Child Membership: $38/month

2-Children Membership: $62/month

Additional Siblings: $20/month

Drop-In: $10/day

10 Entry Punch Card: $90

Hours of Operation:

Monday CLOSED

Tuesday 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Wednesday 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Friday 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Saturday 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Sunday CLOSED

LEAP Ninja Warrior Fitness (4037 East Grand Ave, Suite C) https://www.leapwyo.com/

Simply put, LEAP’s mission is to help you, “Challenge Yourself and Encourage Others.” After spending time in our facility and with our team we want our members to walk out of our doors with a smile and feel like they are better version of themselves. We are here to help you put fun back into your fitness routine. Our team cares about guiding and encouraging each and every member to obtain the goals they seek for themselves.

Hourly Rates for Open Gym:
_{No Reservation needed}

Ages 6 & Up …………………….$10
Ages 2 – 5 ……………………….$6
Under 2 …………………………FREE
Spectators……………………FREE

UW Art Museum (Centennial Complex 2111 East Willett Drive) https://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/events/index.html

Free to the Public

Wednesday Afternoon Art Explorers will occur every Wednesday from 1:30-2:25 PM at the University of Wyoming Art Museum (September 13 through November 15).

Tuesday Morning Art Explorers will occur every Tuesday from 10:30-11:45 AM at the University of Wyoming Art Museum (September 12 through November 15).

Art Explorers is a weekly learning experience for pre-schoolers aged 3-5 years old and their caregivers. A museum educator leads children through the galleries, where we will get curious about the art that lives at the UWAM and then engage in new materials and sensory experiences to discover how we can express ideas through making.

Come join museum educators one Saturday a month from 10 AM-12 PM for Art Buffet: Weekend Walk-In Workshops. Each month, children and their families are invited to look closely at a different artwork on view at UWAM and create an artwork in response to what we see and learn. Feast your eyes on our buffet of supplies, we cannot wait to see what you make – some sessions include visiting artists or special guests!

Caregivers are expected to stay with their child; this is not a drop-off program. These sessions are free and open to the public, no prior registration is required.

Contact uwarted@uwyo.edu for more information.

UW Geology Museum (Department of Geology and Geophysics 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3006) https://www.uwyo.edu/geomuseum/index.html

UW Insect Museum (Ecosystem Science and Management 3354 1000 East University Avenue)

The Insect Gallery is open to the public on weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 9 am to 4 pm. The gallery is not open on weekends, nights, or holidays. Visitors are welcome, there is no fee, and no appointments are necessary for small groups. Large groups are encouraged to call the curator, Dr. Scott R. Shaw, at 766-5338 for appointments.

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November 24, 2023 by Angela Peterson

Laramie Child Care Providers Are Here For You

Laramie Child Care Providers Are Here For You

Are you struggling to find a good fit for child care? Or even a facility without a wait-list?

Many of the home child care providers who do not come up on Google searches have spots available! These providers are fully qualified, licensed and trained providers who have been caring for members of our community for years. They are experts at what they do and are able to provide care with a touch of a family feel.

Please use the link below to find home providers; not all of the providers on the list have spots available, but many of them do. Feel free to call around to ensure that you are finding a provider/facility that is the right fit for you!

https://findchildcarewy.org/maps/“

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November 12, 2023 by Angela Peterson

Scholarships for The Nest

The Albany County Early Development Coalition has awarded The Nest Indoor Play Space monies to help fund the “Pay What You Can” program that offers families that would not otherwise be able to visit The Nest, the ability to pay an amount that works for their situation. To learn more about this program, please visit Pay What You Can At The Nest or contact them here.

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October 23, 2023October 23, 2023 by Angela Peterson

Changes to Child Care Subsidy

The Department of Family Services recognizes that strengthening the support that we offer families with young children and providers who care for them is essential for growth at all levels of our community. With that being said, I am excited to announce that the DFS child care subsidy is working towards more effective ways to provide funds to child care providers, in order to make financial assistance easier for everyone.

What families can expect:

– Rate increases, resulting in less money out of pocket for care for you.

– Flexibility in approval days, including allowing for sleep time and job search as eligible activities.

-Payments based on authorizations, rather than attendance. This means that if your child is out sick, that day will be paid for by DFS instead of it having to come out of your pocket.

What providers can expect:

– Rate increases, resulting in greater funding for you as you continue to operate your facility.

– Payments to providers twice a month instead of monthly.

– Payments based on authorizations, rather than attendance. This means that you guys will still get paid for days that children do not attend, and you don’t have to worry about putting extra burden on your families for such events.

These changes went into effect as of October 1st. For any questions, feel free to reach out to your local DFS office at 307-745-7324.

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Angela Peterson

Additional Siblings: $20/month

Drop-In: $10/day

Hourly Rates for Open Gym: No Reservation needed

Ages 6 & Up …………………….$10 Ages 2 – 5 ……………………….$6 Under 2 …………………………FREE Spectators……………………FREE

Hourly Rates for Open Gym:
_{No Reservation needed}

Ages 6 & Up …………………….$10
Ages 2 – 5 ……………………….$6
Under 2 …………………………FREE
Spectators……………………FREE