Those who meet four-year-old Shallus—now a bouncing gymnast and music lover—might not believe that just two months ago he struggled with debilitating mouth infections. “He would wake up multiple times [at night] crying,” Shallus’ mother Anais Beatty said. “I’d be up with him giving him medicine.” The pain from his mouth infections also frequently prevented Shallus from attending a full-day …
Gerken retires after 45 years of service at NOCAC
Next month, Deb Gerken, Executive Director at Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission, will retire after 45 years of dedicated service to her community in northwestern Ohio and the Community Action Network. Ms. Gerken started her career in 1975 as the senior programs director at NOCAC shortly after graduating from Adrian College. Over the following 13 years, she also served as child …
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 …
2018 Winter Legislative Conference Recap
Thank you to all who attended the 2018 Winter Legislative Conference, #OHWLC18! Over 200 Community Action professionals, partners, vendors, presenters, and elected officials joined us in Columbus last week. We hope you enjoyed the great lineup of featured speakers and workshops. Photos from the mobile app and others throughout the conference can be found in our Flickr album. If you …
Hunger Banquet: An Experience to Remember
In March, Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC), with the support of local businesses, caterers and partner organizations, hosted the 2015 Hunger Banquet in Williams County. This banquet was not your typical fundraising event but instead, it was an experience to remember. As guests arrived, they were greeted by individuals holding cardboard signs—not signs that directed them to the venue …
Community Action is With You Every Step of the Way
Amanda was an 18-year-old stay-at-home mom to three young boys when she first turned to the Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) for help with her utilities in 2008. At the time, she didn’t know her financial situation or even who her utility companies were because her “husband handled that stuff.” Now she is a single, self-sufficient mom with a …
Community Action Agencies Help Struggling Families After Severe Storms Hit Ohio
When severe storms hit Ohio on June 29 it left hundreds of thousands of Ohioans without power, causing many low-income families to struggle to survive. Community Action Agencies throughout the state stepped in to offer assistance with anything from gas for generators to help paying for prescription medication, food and other necessities. Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission The Northwestern Ohio …