January E-Newsletter
Community Action and Dr. King
On January 18th, CAFI joined social service agencies across the county in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There is an especially close link between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Community Action Programs centered on a shared commitment to addressing pervasive poverty in the United States.

For Dr. King, ending poverty and income inequality were cornerstones of his Civil Rights mission from the early 1960's until his assassination in 1968. in that same period, President Lyndon B. Johnson launched his "War on Poverty" with the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. This act created Community Action Programs, Head Start and other anti-poverty programs.

While they were equally committed to ending poverty, Dr. King and LBJ differed on how to address the problem. Dr. King believed President Johnson was taking an indirect approach by focusing on the symptoms of poverty. Dr. King proposed a more head-on approach to fix poverty itself. Dr. King's ideas included a guaranteed livable income for Americans, which he argued would allow those in poverty to invest back in their communities, purchasing goods, finding reasonable housing, and having the means to living a better life.

Despite these differences in strategy, Dr. King provided ongoing support and advocacy for LBJ's "War on Poverty." Dr. King's efforts sparked a national discourse on the importance of economic equity that, along with LBJ's anti-poverty programs, resulted in a lower rate of poverty and a more narrow income gap. Data indicates programs like Community Action and Head Start were effective in reducing poverty in America from 20% in 1965 to 11% in 1974. Many believe that a reduced commitment to funding such programs has led to the rise of poverty rates and income inequality back to past levels.

We can only imagine the profound impact Dr. King would have continued to have on the fight to end poverty and economic inequity in the United States. He was committed to helping all Americans, of all ethnicities, rise out of poverty. CAFI is honored to continue this work in Georgia.
NOTICE OF VACANT SEATS

COMMUNITY ACTION FOR IMPROVEMENT, INC. IS SEEKING MOTIVATED VOLUNTEERS TO FILL THE VACANT SEATS ON THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CAFI’s Mission:
Our mission is to build sustainable communities with partners by providing services and resources utilizing the “whole family approach” with low-income households to help reduce the burdens of poverty.
Volunteers who serve on CAFI’s Board of Trustees provide an invaluable service by governing the agency. Serving as a Board Member is an excellent way to get involved in your local community and an experience that can truly make a difference in the lives of others.

CAFI is recruiting to fill the following Board vacancies:

Heard County: 
·      (1) Seat representing the low-income population
·      (1) Seat representing the Private Sector
Troup County:
·      (1) Seat representing the Private Sector


If you are interested in serving on our board, please contact our office for an application:
Community Action for Improvement, Inc.
Attn: Sherry Hendrix, Administrative Manager
1380 LaFayette Parkway
LaGrange, GA 30241
(706) 884-2651 Ext. 207
shendrix@cafi-ga.org
www. cafi-ga.org
HEAD START UPDATES
  • CAFI Head Start Centers are enrolling children in all locations: Coweta, Carroll and Heard. Please call: 706-884-2651.
  • CAFI Head Start is seeking interested community members to join our Policy Council. If interested, please call Brittany Carlock: 706-884-2651.
  • On February 1, 2021, the Coweta Head Start Center will distribute meals at no cost to families with children enrolled in the Coweta Center.
  • The Coweta Head Start Center in Newnan has been temporarily closed since the Christmas holiday due to damage caused by a car hitting the building. Fortunately, the accident occurred when the building was closed, and no one was injured. Children and families have continued to receive virtual instruction and direct services from CAFI Head Start staff. Repairs to the building are in progress.
It's Tax Season Again!

Head Start wants to make sure you have access to the resources you need to file your taxes. Please click the link below for some helpful information.
Head Start Photo of the Month
Head Start Teachers Ms. MackNeil Hurston and Ms. Karen Harden
read to students at the Carrollton Head Start Center (January 22, 2021)
Employment / Volunteer Opportunities
We have several job openings at CAFI! If you are interested in the positions below, find more information and the CAFI Employment Application on our website:

Troup-LaGrange
  • Resource Navigator (Head Start)

Heard County
  • Teacher's Assistant (Head Start)
  • Program Aide (Head Start)

Coweta County
  • Program Aide (Head Start)
 
Carroll County
  • Cook Assistant (Head Start)
  • Program Aide (Head Start)
  • Infant/ (Head Start)
Community Resources
Check out current community job openings here!
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