Earlier this month, the City of Columbus announced a $1.5 million allocation to IMPACT Community Action to implement Empowered!—a new clean-energy workforce development program complete with experiential job opportunities targeted at 18 to 24-year-old Columbus residents. The program stems from the city’s Sustainable Columbus initiative, whose focus is to promote and strengthen energy-friendly policies and practices in the larger Columbus …
IMPACT Community Action Honored with Columbus Foundation Award
Congratulations are in order for IMPACT Community Action, whose critical pandemic and eviction prevention efforts made them the deserving recipient of the 2021 Columbus Foundation Award and related $50,000 grant. Established in 1943, The Columbus Foundation provides philanthropic assistance to donors, businesses, and residents in their mission to both improve and strengthen the Columbus community. According to their website, the foundation’s longtime history of …
Community Action distributes 20,000 bottles of soap across Ohio
The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies, in partnership with the Office of Governor Mike DeWine, has coordinated the distribution of over 20,000 bottles of soap to Community Action Agencies across Ohio. Thanks to a generous donation from Bath and Body Works, these soaps will be distributed across the state at food pantries, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, and other vital locations …
Wrapping up the 2016 Annual Summer Conference
Last week, OACAA held the 2016 Annual Summer Conference, which was hosted by Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron, and Richland Counties, and welcomed over 200 Community Action professionals from across the state back to Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio. The full schedule of plenary sessions, breakout classrooms, awards, and recognitions kept attendees busy and learning throughout the conference. …
Community Action Gives Ex-Offenders a Second Chance
Fawn’s mug shot Fawn was a drug addict and 12-time convicted felon when she turned to IMPACT Community Action in Columbus. “I was homeless and felt helpless in Cleveland, Ohio. I literally lived on the street with my addiction. My face was plastered as a most wanted fugitive in Cleveland,” explained Fawn. “Drug and alcohol abuse became my life and …
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 …
Ex-Offender Turns Life Around and Chases His Dream
This is the story of Dante, an ex-offender who received assistance from IMPACT Community Action in his own words: “At the age of 21, I was a young man with dreams, hopes and potential, but I was also immature, irresponsible, impressionable and reckless. I made a mistake that cost me 18 years of my life. I went to jail in …
Community Action Helps Homeless Woman Fulfill Her Dreams
Sandra had come from a broken home. She dropped out of school in the ninth grade, had an addictive lifestyle, had served time in prison, and was living on the streets. But thanks to Community Action, she completed her education, has a home and a great job where she says, “I am living my dream and it feels great!” While applying for …
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 …