Brett, a young father of two who was unemployed was referred to the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties’ Fathers Matter program which fosters increased involvement with children, provides parenting skills, and helps fathers to look within themselves to find ways of meeting their personal and financial goals. Brett was so pleased with the program, he sent a letter to …
Community Action Helps Young Mother Succeed
Skyla, is a 23 year old mother of five who lives in Chillicothe, Ohio. Through a Ross County Community Action program called “Determined To Succeed” she has become a shining example of how someone can thrive despite being confronted with numerous barriers. Determined To Succeed is a newly developed program at Ross County Community Action that was started to help …
Community Action: Helping Our Youth Grow
Ken was a single father, raising a five-year-old daughter when he learned that he had another infant daughter, 17-month-old Savannah, who was removed from her mother’s custody by protective services for neglect. At the time, Ken had been unemployed for nearly a year and was living in an apartment provided by a transitional housing program. He was also attending weekly Alcoholics …
Community Action: Helping Veterans
Luther, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, had a good job as a police officer in Florida, but he was forced to leave that position to return to Ohio to care for an ill parent and was unable to find another position. A local veterans organization referred him to the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties’ …
Community Action Helps Dislocated Worker Gain New Skills and Find a Job
Michael, a 55 year-old resident of Weinland Park in Columbus, Ohio who lost his warehousing job did not know where to turn. “I lost my job in 2011 and my whole world crumbled,” Michael explained. “I lost my apartment, my relationship and my freedom. I felt defeated and I had no self-esteem. I thought that I was going to be …
Weatherization Leads to Safer Home
Ramona, a single mom from Lorain, Ohio had been living in strife for seven years without any heat in her home. Her nearly 100-year-old home was in desparate need of major repairs, including a new boiler, but the expenses were beyond her meager budget. Ramona looked to Lorain County Community Action Agency (LCCAA) for help. She applied for the Home …
Community Action Helps Veteran Find Job
Tammy, an LPN, Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and mother of seven children lost her job while on maternity leave. Her husband was unable to work due to a back injury and was in the process of filing for disability. Consequently, the family was struggling to meet their rent and utilities payments and came to WSOS (Wood, Sandusky, …
Head Start: Helping Ohio’s Youth
In 2012, more than 6 million children under age six lived in poverty in America. Head Start served 1,146,468 children and pregnant women last year. In Ohio, Head Start served 49,702 children. Head Start is a national program that promotes the school-readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development, as …
Computer Training Helps Unemployed Dayton Man Land a Job
During a period of unemployment, the 55-year-old Kevin nearly became homeless after his electric and gas services went through the disconnection process. Though he had access to a home computer, he didn’t know what to do with it. Kevin decided learning to use the computer might help him to find a job and improve his situation. Kevin heard about the Community …
Community Action Giving a Helping Hand to Neighbors in Need
Uneek Lowe, a Cincinnati resident suffering from a genetic brain disorder did not know what to do when the ceiling tiles in her dining room began to sag. With each passing day more tiles started sagging until half the ceiling looked as if it was caving in. “I thought, oh my god the whole ceiling is going to come down. …