Lee Grim, right, with International Joint Commissioner Rich Moy during the IJC’s fall semi-annual meeting in October.
Lee
Grim
The International Joint Commission recently recognized departing board members, among them Borderland’s own Lee Grim.
A report by the IJC said the members of boards play an important role in the IJC’s work.
“The numerous boards that report to the IJC are our feet on the ground in watersheds along the Canadian-U.S. boundary,” said an internal report. “The IJC would like to recognize several board members who (are) passing on their duties and retiring this year, leaving a legacy of volunteer service and expertise. They have our gratitude.”
Grim has been a familiar face in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed for decades. Grim, of International Falls, was appointed to the former Rainy Lake Board of Control in 2003, following high water events in 2001 and 2002.
“Back then, Lee was appointed as a public member in an IJC effort to add more local representation to the board. His involvement has been vital, and helped foster the establishment of a new Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board in 2013, which includes six public members along with Tribal, First Nation, and Metis representatives,” the report said.
Grim, a former research biologist at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota and a biology instructor at Rainy River Community College, also has been the voice of the watershed, said the report.
“He’s given weekly radio updates on water levels and board activities. Those efforts were especially helpful during record flooding in the spring of 2014,” the IJC noted.
National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is Dec. 21. Since 1990, on or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, the National Coalition for the Homeless brings attention to and seeks compassion for the homeless who have died because they didn’t have a warm, safe place to sleep.
Even as the recovery works its way through the entire economy, no one is immune to potentially being homeless.
People in the community — colleagues and family members, military veterans, and friends — might be too proud to ask for help. Too often, homelessness ends in tragedy.
Social Security provides services to the homeless. Services may be viewed at www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness. Those who are homeless can apply for benefits and, if eligible, benefits can be deposited directly into a personal banking account, a Direct Express debit bank card, or another electronic account. Benefits may also be mailed to a third party, or if necessary, a representative payee can receive the funds.
Social Security also collaborates with other agencies to help the homeless. At www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness/collaborations.htm, those interested can read more about the Health Care for the Homeless program that provides grants to a network of local public and non-profit private organizations.
Social Security also participates in the Federal Interagency Reentry Council, as well as the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness program. PATH helps people with serious mental health issues or people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Every day, and especially Dec. 21, remember those living without a place to call home. Homelessness is a complicated and emotional issue, but brothers and sisters — friends and family — can be helped to access the safety net that Social Security provides.
Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness to learn more.
