The Special Programs Department is an incubator, a place to experiment with and develop new programs for CACST, programs that do not necessarily fit within the existing program structure. Once Special Programs has set up and developed a program that proves to be beneficial to our clients and sustainable by the agency, the program may be moved into an existing division or a new division may be created to administer it and similar programs. As of December, 2004, we have 3 programs in various stages of development:

WRAP - Weatherization, Rehabilitation and Asset Preservation Project
TLC - Tool Lending Center
ST-IDA - South Texas - Individual Development Accounts

The Tool Lending Center (TLC), located at the CACST Housing Center in Rio Grande City, is a key element in our strategy of empowering people to improve their lives by literally providing them the tools needed to improve their living conditions. CACST is always searching for funds to rehabilitate low-income housing in our area, but the great need for such assistance overwhelms the resources available for such work. Since many low-income residents would be able to make improvements to their homes if they only had proper tools with which to work, the TLC is a project that will have a long-term impact on the local housing situation, especially in the colonia areas, which far exceeds its cost.

Funding
This exciting project is funded by:

Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone - Tools & equipment
Project WRAP - Space cost
Community Service Block Grant - Initial operating costs, tools
HUD YouthBuild - Tools

Tools and Equipment The TLC is stocked with a broad variety of high-quality tools and equipment. These tools include:

• Pneumatic Equipment
• Electric Power Tools
• Lawn & Garden Tools
• Gasoline Powered Equipment
• Ladders & Scaffolds
• Painting Equipment
• Concrete Finishing Tools
• Water Pumps
• Hand Tools

Membership
While the project is targeted to low-income people, any person living within the CACST primary service area of Starr, Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Duval Counties can become a member and use the TLC.

Rental Fee
The TLC charges a small rental fee for each item borrowed. This fee covers the cost of staffing the TLC and covering routine maintenance and repairs. This fee is, in most cases, far below market rates.

Deposit
The TLC charges a refundable deposit for each item. This deposit is usually the replacement cost of the item or its pawn value.

Competition
It is not the intention of CACST to be in competition with any other organization, non-profit or for-profit. Only one commercial establishment rents tools and equipment in the area and the rental items are mostly items designed for commercial and/or contractor use. The TLC carries few items that the local commercial establishment carries.

Starr County operates a Self-Help Center in La Casita that offers tools on a similar basis. We will work as partners, each referring clients to the other if we do not have the requested item.

South Texas Individual Development Account (ST-IDA), an asset development project, is designed to increase the capability of low-income high school students and families to become self-sufficient through acquisition of assets. For high school students, this asset development project will have as its goal the acquisition of a post secondary education. For families, the asset development project will have as its goal the purchase or construction of a first home.

The results and benefits expected from the ST-IDA project are that (1) students and families will understand the importance of asset acquisition; (2) students and families will transition into a better financial position; and (3) the community will gain financial-savvy citizens.

Educational ST-IDA - ST-IDA involves the recruitment of high school juniors and seniors. These students will be asked to save $25.00 per month from earned income to be matched by the project on a 2:1 ratio. The Student will then use this money to help pay for post-secondary education. The benefits of this program are: