Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency aims to raise its profile

Even the Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency's new executive director wondered when she first heard of the organization, "CAP? Do they make hats?"

Now at the helm of the tri-county nonprofit, Carolina Bradpiece aims to raise the social service agency's profile and boost fundraising, especially in Dakota County.

That effort officially starts Wednesday as CAP joins dozens of other nonprofits participating in Give to the Max, a one-day online fundraising blitz. It will continue throughout the year.

"It's time Dakota County knew us a little better," Bradpiece said.

The Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency got its start in 1976 serving just the two western counties, then expanded into Dakota in 1985.

Now, with more than a dozen programs, the agency offers housing, food, education and financial support to more than 52,000 people, about one-third of them in Dakota County. In 2010, the agency budget was about $20 million, with about 20 percent of that coming from donations.

The agency has always accepted donations from Dakota County residents and businesses, but has focused more on fundraising efforts in Scott and Carver counties in recent years.

Take Jeni Halverson, a personal-care attendant from Rosemount, for example.

Caught in a financial bind when family health problems coincided with her husband's unemployment, she turned to Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP for help with her utility bills.

"It was a huge, huge relief for me," Halverson said. "I literally bawled on the phone. I was so embarrassed at the time. I said, 'You have no idea the stress that you took off of me.'"

With the gas and electric bills covered, her family was able to keep up with car payments and their mortgage.

She shares her trials now so that others realize that they can get help through -- or give support through -- the CAP agency.

In addition to energy assistance payments, the agency also works on weatherization and food programs.

In Dakota County, the CAP agency offers Meals on Wheels and hosts nine lunchtime dining sites for senior citizens.

For some of the county's youngest residents, CAP offers the Head Start preschool program.

Marlys Huismann, a spokeswoman for the agency, said that demand for all of its programs has been rising as economic woes have persisted.

"Everyone's really just trying to keep their heads above water," she said.

The agency gets about 3,000 calls a year from all three counties from people seeking such emergency housing assistance.

As Bradpiece sees it, if Dakota County is a home, CAP is the handyman helping keep things in order. And she wants others to lend financial support to make the needed repairs.

"If a window breaks, you want to fix it. You want to take care of your home and you want to take care of your neighbors," she said. "Home, these days, has been very stressed out."