Before enrolling in Lifeline’s Family Development program (the Community Action Agency for Lake County, Ohio), Stacy worried each night about how to provide for her two young daughters. She was working and going to school, but it never seemed like enough. How would she feed them? Clothe them? Would she ever feel like she could give them everything they needed? …
Community Action Serves Middletown Veteran with Mobility Modifications
Mr. Dean enjoys sitting on his repaired porch with a new wheelchair ramp that allows him to leave the house. Imagine being confined to your home for over two years with trips being limited only to the doctor or hospital. Think about not being able to visit with neighbors, smell the flowers in the front yard or make trips to …
By Car Program Helps Single Mom Fulfill Dream, Create Better Life for Family
Carolyn, a single mother of four, was trying to make a better life for her and her children by going to school to become a dental lab technician, but when her car broke down it changed everything. “My car broke down and after it was gone it changed my life tremendously,” Carolyn explained. Not only did Carolyn struggle to run …
Study Shows Community Action Agencies Contribute to Economic Development
Ohio University and the Ohio Association of Community Action agencies have released a research study entitled Community Action Agencies: Strengthening Ohio’s Communities. The study was conducted by Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and reports how Community Action Agencies’ contribute to their community’s economic development through various programs and initiatives. Open publication – Free publishing “OU’s research …
Homeless Veteran Finds a Home and a Job with Community Action
David, a Navy veteran of the first Gulf War, found himself homeless after losing his job and going through a divorce. The father of two was staying at a homeless shelter in Fremont, Ohio when he turned to WSOS Community Action for help. WSOS is one of six pilot Community Action Agencies in Ohio participating in the Ohio Vocation, Education, …
Stay-at-Home Mom Improves Life for Her and Her Kids Thanks to Community Action
Charity was a stay-at-home mom with three young children who was feeling frustrated about some of her past decisions and not being able to provide for her family the way she needed to. She knew that she wanted more out of life for her and her children and wanted to be a good example for them. Her two youngest children …
Child Goes from Unable to Communicate to Top of Kindergarten Class
When Tristan’s parents brought him to Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission for Head Start pre-school classes he was three years old and the staff was unable to understand one word that he tried to speak. He was administered the National Reporting System (NRS) Assessment Test, which is a standardized assessment for Head Start students instituted by the federal government to demonstrate …
Community Action Helps Dislocated Worker Upgrade Skills and Succeed
Uriah worked as an installation supervisor making $15 an hour when the company he worked for shut down and he lost his job. After almost a year of trying to find another job, he turned to Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) to upgrade his skills. Uriah was interested in upgrading his skills so that he could find a good …
Community Action Helps Diabetic Continue to Get Medication in Time of Need
Kathy is a diabetic who takes two types of insulin to manage her condition and tests her blood sugar three times a day, but after being injured in 2010 she had to switch from full-time to part-time work and was struggling to pay for her expensive medications after the decrease in income. At 60 years old, Kathy doesn’t qualify for …
Giving an Ex-Offender a Fresh Start
Brett had spent 18 of the past 35 years behind bars. Released for what he expects will be the last time, Brett began trying to get his life together. Although Brett wanted to turn over a new leaf and contribute to society, finding a steady job with five felonies on his record proved extremely difficult. After countless applications and interviews, …