Masthead photo: DIAPER Project event, Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc. | |
In 2023, the NCCAA launched the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP) through grant funding from the Office of Community Services (OCS). This initiative has been branded for NC as The D.I.A.P.E.R. Project (Demonstrating Innovative Approaches to Promote Economic Resiliency). In partnership with the Diaper Bank of NC, five of our local community action agencies work to provide needed diapers and diapering supplies to qualified families. Participating families are waitlisted from Head Start/Early Head Start and receive 100 diapers/month, as well as wipes and ointment. Wraparound supportive services are offered to families, as well as referrals to promote economic self-sufficiency. NCCAA is excited to continue to offer this incredible program to not only ensure children have access to clean diapers, but also families are provided support as they work to improve their economic mobility. | |
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Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA)
Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton
Economic Improvement Council (EIC)
Martin, Chowan, Pasquotank, Tyrell, Hyde
Franklin-Vance-Warren-Opportunities, Inc.
Vance, Warren
Greene Lamp
Lenoir, Greene
WAGES, Inc
Wayne
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Thank you Detrick, and Good Luck!
We say goodbye this month to Detrick Clark, who has Directed our Housing & Energy Programs since 2021. Detrick has become Program Project Officer Supervisor at the Office of State and Community Energy Programs, U.S. Dept. of Energy, and we look forward to collaborating with him in his new role.
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Community Action News From Around State
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SCAP Mourns the Loss of Davis | |
Southeastern Community Action Partnership mourns the passing of dear friend and co-worker Wanda Davis. Davis most recently served as a Community Services Block Grant Case Manager II and ROMA Trainer, and had worked with our agency in various roles for 33 years.
Davis held various positions with SCAP including Center Supervisor, where she was responsible for coordinating activities and programs in target areas and conducting surveys to assist with community planning, and had also worked in outreach.
SCAP will miss Davis’s work ethic and kind heart. She was a strong link with the Columbus County Youth and Families Association since its beginning in 1992, and served on their Board of Directors as Vice President. She always wanted to see young people achieve their dreams.
She will leave a legacy of being a true advocate for the families of Columbus County. She was a warrior, unrelenting in her fight for a cause for the people.
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YVEDDI CSBG Director Retires, Replacement Named | |
After many years of dedicated service, Regina Chappell retired as YVEDDI's CSBG Director in June.
Regina started her career in 1979 as the first Speech Therapist for YVEDDI
Head Start. She left for her “dream” career...working for an Airline for 23
years. She has traveled all 50 states and 14 foreign counties (two of which
she lived). She returned to YVEDDI as a receptionist and then as the Ad-
ministrative Assistant for CSBG.She has served as Director for the past 11 years.
Says Chappell: “The one thing I am most proud of is that we have graduated over 200 customers who have successfully risen above
poverty by working to educate themselves and apply for and sustain good paying jobs and careers. I have put together a wonderful staff who are dedicated to our motto: To build self- sufficiency for under resourced individuals and families through coaching, mentoring, and community partnerships.”
Chappell's replacement, Dawn Cheek, was promoted from another staff position at YVEDDI.
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WAGES CSBG Staff Exceeds All Grant Outcomes | |
The WAGES CSBG Self-Sufficiency Program continued its excellent service to the community during the 2021-22 service year.
Under the leadership of Program Director Karmashia McDuffie and the diligent work of the CSBG Case Managers Constance Copple and Javier Murillo, the CSBG Department met and/or exceeded all of the 2021-2022 Grant Outcomes!
Here are a few of the exceeded grant outcomes:
- The number of participant families served.
- The number of participant families who are employed and obtain better employment.
- The number of participant families securing standard housing.
- The number of participant families provided educational supports.
Congratulations to WAGES!
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SRCAA "Men of Action" to Host Session for New Fathers | |
Join the virtual "Keys to Fatherhood" for newborns session on August 9.
The SRCAA "Men of Action" will host "The Keys to Fatherhood" for newborns. This will be a virtual session on August 9, 2023, from 6:00-7:00 pm.
There will be discussions on many topics as they relate to fathers and children.
You may join from any device! We look forward to seeing you on the call!
Join by Zoom Meeting ID: 966 1877 4893 Passcode: 721779
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Charlotte Area Fund Graduates 96 at 20th Annual Ceremony |  | |
On June 15, 2023, Charlotte Area Fund held its 20th Annual Graduation and 96 clients earned national and state career pathway certifications in Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Broad Band Fiber Optics, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Community Healthcare Worker, and Medical Technicians including Nursing Assistant (1&2), and Dental Assistants, and also High School Equivalency Diplomas. This summer, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Highway Construction Academy was relaunched that included recent CDL certified clients who were upskilled with Forklift Operator Certifications to secure high wage employment with various local construction projects under contract with NCDOT. We have the graduation video and photo collage that capture various moments throughout our clients’ journeys.
“Our staff and board of directors are committed to helping the entire family move out of poverty towards self-sufficiency. Evidenced by client and partner feedback, we’ve become a trusted agency that provides career pathways to earning livable wage careers that stabilizes families and uplifts the entire community. For decades, generations of economically marginalized Mecklenburg County residents have relied upon our services when all else has failed.”
– Nicholas V. Wharton, President & Chief Executive Officer
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A Day of Community and Connection: WAMY's Informational Cookout in the Junaluska Community |  | |
From WAMY: "Today (July 30) was a day filled with sunshine, smiles, and lots of valuable information at our WAMY Community Action cookout in the heart of the Junaluska Community in Boone, NC. We gathered as neighbors, not just to enjoy some good food and fun times but also to learn about how we can better support each other.
At WAMY, we believe that everyone deserves a helping hand. That's why we're here - to lend that hand, help. We all need a little boost sometimes, right? During the cookout, our team shared stories about the work we do and the Housing & Weatherization programs we offer.
But today wasn't just about us talking. We also listened. We heard your stories, your challenges, and your dreams. We learned so much from you all, and we're excited to use this knowledge to better serve our community.
We want to give a big shout-out to everyone who attended the cookout. Your presence and participation truly made this event special. It's clear that the Junaluska Community is filled with caring, committed individuals who are ready to support their neighbors. This is what community is all about!”
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Member Highlight
Greene Lamp Head Start and EHS Staff Having a Good Time at the Beach!
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The Greene Lamp crew was in Wilmington for the for 2023 Summer Leadership and Family Engagement Conference | |
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Member Highlight
Testimony from a Parent-Turned-Coworker at Macon Program for Progress
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Action Item
Congress: Leave Head Start Alone! Sign the Petition
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The House Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee has proposed cutting Head Start by $750 million for the next fiscal year! Help tell them not to. | |
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Meet Vivian Bumgarner, of Mountain Projects
Vivian, Manager of Mountain Projects Home Rehabilitation and Weatherization Program, recently celebrated her 38th Work Anniversary!
“One of my best memories was of two little elderly ladies in Canton,” says Bumgarner. “They didn't have a bathroom, only an outhouse that they had used all their lives. We did lots of work on the home and built a bathroom with running water. Later, when we went for an inspection, this little lady grabbed our inspector by the sleeve for a full bathroom tour, complete with flushes of the toilet. She was so excited to have a bathroom! No longer did they have to go outside in the middle of the night, in freezing weather, rain or snow. Now they had the luxury that most of us do. This is why I do what I do!”
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The Laurinburg Exchange
SCAP's Ericka Jones Whitaker on Scotland County's I. Ellis Johnson Elementary School Project
A community center is in the works in Laurinburg, at a closed school named for Scotland County's first African American Principal. Southeastern Community Action Partnership lauded for its leadership. Read More
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News Channel 12
Children Receive New Bikes For Dunking the Police Chief
National Night Out in Kinston features dunk tank, free bikes and a damp chief. Read More
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Pilot Mountain News
Farmers Market Vouchers Available for Seniors
The North Carolina Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides eligible lower-income older adults with coupons to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at their local farmers’ markets. The program is designed to improve the nutrition of older adults and increase business for local farmers. Read More
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Duke Energy
Duke Energy awards $1 million in grants to support community assistance programs across North Carolina
As North Carolina communities continue to feel financial strain from the rising cost of basic needs, the Duke Energy Foundation is providing $1 million to support nonprofits dedicated to serving low-income communities. These grants will strengthen capacity and increase the impact of local agencies that are on the forefront of helping North Carolinians with essential services like meals and shelter. Read More
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Fox 8
Desperate North Carolina in Need of Foster Families
More than 15,000 children in North Carolina are in foster care, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. While that number has stayed steady since 2020, the number of households willing to care for them is dropping. Read More
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News 13
Buncombe County Struggles to Recruit and Train Social Workers
Social Work Division Director Rebecca Smith said the department is facing a critical staffing situation with a lack of people applying for positions. As of July, 10 of the department's 29 positions are open. Read More
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Smoky Mountain News
Mountain Projects' HOP Program Wins Award
Mountain Projects, one of 52 regional human service organizations working on North Carolina’s groundbreaking Healthy Opportunities Pilot program (HOP), under the auspices of Impact Health, has been recognized by Mission Health Partners with its 2022 Community Partner Award. Read More
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Salisbury Post
“Gearing Up for Success” helping get families ready for school
Summer vacation is in full swing for many kids and their families, but school will return sooner than most people think. Luckily, the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency, Inc. has helped take the lead to give kids the tools they need to prosper in the upcoming academic year.
Read More
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News 13
Mountain Projects compiles guide to help Canton mill workers
Nearly two months after the last shifts at the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill in Canton, many workers are still rearranging their lives, not just for income, but health insurance, too. Figuring that out comes with complicated paperwork and rapidly approaching deadlines. A mountain organization is working to streamline the process to ensure workers are covered going forward. Read More
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In Case You Missed It ... | |
National Community Action Partnership Announces Priorities for 2023-24
The National Community Action Partnership (NCAP) is proud to announce the release of its Public Policy Priorities for 2023-2024! The updated priorities are the product of a 10-month review process, including six national listening sessions, anonymous survey responses, and input from NCAP Board Members, stakeholders, partners, and staff. Overall, NCAP received feedback from 100+ Community Action individuals and organizations.
Check out this video on NCAP Priorities
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NCCAA Annual Conference in Review | |
For Career Opportunities within our Network: | |
Share your community action career opportunities on our web page and have them distributed to 7000+ emails through the NCCAA newsletter! Send your job listings to communications@nccaa.net. | |
Working together to share the impact of Community Action
Does your Community Action Agency have impactful content to share? Let's collaborate. The NCCAA develops creative content year-round to celebrate, educate and inform. Let's amplify the voices of organizations in our network! Let's share the impactful work of community action and tell the stories of our clients! Reach out for collaboration: communications@nccaa.net.
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“I Am” Community Action Video
Please share this video in your social media!
The purpose of Community Action agencies is to provide a broad range of activities and services that help individuals move the needle towards self sufficiency. Our programs help and encourage children and youth, support the working poor, support individuals and households in crisis, sustain and honor the elderly, strengthen families and work to strengthen the entire community. #CommunityAction #NCCAA
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Share Community Action News with a Friend | |
As a member of the NCCAA community, we work to empower low-income families, change people's lives for the better and improve the communities we serve. We are all dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. Please take a moment and forward this news to a co-worker and grow the community of professionals dedicated to this important work. | | | | |
