Over the past 50 years, Community Action Agencies across the country have worked tirelessly to leverage resources, develop local programs, and administer grants to help low-income families and individuals achieve self-sufficiency to fight the war on poverty. Over the past year, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Economic Opportunity Action of 1964, we have celebrated …
Community Action Keeps Kids Warm
For the second consecutive year, Jackson-Vinton County Community Action, Inc. (JVCAI) has provided hundreds of brand new coats to low-income children to keep them warm. The program, which was made possible by the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in partnership with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA), …
Community Action Provides Training
Fred had a liberal arts degree from Kent State University and struggled to find employment. Both he and his wife were working part-time jobs and struggling financially. They were the definition of the working poor. They were first referred to the Community Action Council of Portage County (CAC) by a board member who told them about a program that utilized …
Legislative Update
The 130th General Assembly is now on summer break after finishing the biennial budget, presenting us with a good opportunity to review the bills OACAA has followed and those we will continue to follow when the General Assembly returns: HB 3 INSURANCE NAVIGATORS (Sears, B.) Among other provisions, HB 3, which becomes effective on July 30, provides for the certification …
Community Action Helps Senior Citizens Remain in their Own Homes
The Scioto County Community Action Organization (CAO) Social Service Department received a call from Area Agency on Aging, District 7 on April 29. The Passport case manager stated she had a consumer that needed repairs on a block foundation for a trailer. She said the consumer was 69 years old, in a wheelchair, her trailer was an older model and …
Will you be joining #GivingTuesday?
Social media has created a number of opportunities for nonprofits to increase fundraising goals while lowering campaign costs. It has successfully launched several viral micro-donation campaigns such as the Cold Water or ALS Ice Bucket Challenges and it has enhanced year-end and year-round fundraising. You’ve likely heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday though have you heard of Giving Tuesday? The …
Community Action Provides Help in a Time of Tragedy
Danielle is a mother with three sons ages 9, 14 and 15. One morning as she and her family were getting ready for school and work, Danielle and her children experienced a tragic and life altering event. Danielle’s husband collapsed and died. She not only had to deal with the pain of losing her husband, but also with the reality …
Community Action Helps People Attain Self-Sufficiency
Jane had been struggling to find and maintain employment. In the summer of 2006, she began utilizing the HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which is operated by Washington Morgan Counties Community Action (WMCAP). This program is vital to the community and provides low-income residents the support they need to maintain affordable safe housing. Through the HUD Section 8 …
Community Action Serves their Local Communities
In 2001, Lawrence County lost the only hospital in the county, forcing 62,000 residents to seek services from hospitals across the river in West Virginia and Kentucky. Medical professionals vacated the community, $250,000 in hospital revenue disappeared from the area, and southern Ohio had a significant gap in their health care services. Upon the closure, the community called upon the …
Community Action Provides Support
After a recent job loss, a family was struggling financially and had fallen behind in their rent payments. They came to Geauga Community Action for assistance.The family had never asked for assistance before and they were not sure what was available. Fortunately, Geauga Community Action was able to use Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funds to help with a past …