Empowered Newsletter | July 2024 | Issue 7 | |
NCCAA board members at our Annual Conference in Cherokee | | |
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Prime Example of Our Mission!
Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity, Inc. Meets Vance Co. Crisis Head On
The strength of Community Action was on full display last May in Vance County, when the sudden closure of a residential hotel left approximately 50 families unhoused.
The crumbling Hotel 121 in Henderson had been a problem spot for years, but it provided shelter nonetheless, and when its occupancy permit was suddenly revoked families had the rug pulled from beneath them.
Residents without any alternatives were housed in a gymnasium and provided portable showers. They had to abandon many of their belongings, which had become infested with cockroaches and bedbugs. After seven days each family that hadn’t found alternate housing was given a hotel room. Pregnancies made the ordeal more difficult for several families.
Marionna Poke-Stewart and her staff at Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity, Inc., jumped into action, providing relocation services and coordinating with other local organizations and resource partners to provide relief.
The effort has been further complicated by a local housing shortage and price gouging on the part of some property owners.
Some details of FVWOPP’s effort so far:
- 39 families applied for services
- $2,000 to $4,000 each to stabilize a family.
- FVWOPP is paying past due utilities and new deposits in order to establish new utility services. Paying first month rent and deposit for new unit.
- The agency has committed up to $30,000 in CSBG funds to assist customers, and is also providing ongoing case management services that include job training and educational assistance to mitigate future occurrences for these families.
- FVWOPP has partnered with over a dozen partners on the state and local level to provide relief.
As we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Community Action movement, let’s applaud FVWOPP for their hard efforts, and for standing as a fine example of what our work is all about
Read More
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Congratulations to Our New CCAP Certification Recipients! | |
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Angela M. Bates
Executive Director, Greene Lamp Community Action
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Crystal Gwendo
Deputy Director, Greene Lamp Community Action
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Darrick L. Horton,
Executive Director, Davidson County Community Action
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The Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) credential recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and application of the core competencies required to effectively carry out the vision, mission, purpose, and values of the Community Action movement.
CCAP positions the Community Action Network to serve the best interests of people experiencing poverty. The program:
- Transmits the vision and values of the Community Action movement from one generation to the next.
- Guides individuals towards effective leadership within Community Action.
- Solidifies Community Action as a true calling.
- Recognizes and elevates the professional status of those that earn the CCAP credential.
- Embodies the Promise of Community Action.
More Announcements to Come!
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Intro to ROMA Training
Don't miss your chance to join us in Raleigh for Intro to ROMA. Spend the day learning all about Results Oriented Management and Accountability or ROMA.
Carey Gibson, Deputy Director, ANCRT will lead the training all about the fundamentals of ROMA. Lunch will also be provided.
Space for this training is limited so don't delay. Register today!
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Click Here for Roma Registration
Roma Hotel Booking Information
A small block of overnight rooms is available for those traveling to Raleigh for the training event. To reserve your room at our reduced rate, click the link below.
Hotel Booking Link: https://group.embassysuites.com/ifvcxb
You can also make a reservation by calling 1800-Embassy or 919.881.0000. Please be sure to mention that you are part of the __NCCAA Training _Room group block and give the group code 793.
You have until July 24th to make your reservation at the special group rate.
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Serving the Most Vulnerable
Agency Spotlight: NEW CA, Inc.
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Recently Nash Edgecombe Wilson Community Action (NEW CA Inc.) collaborated with United Community Ministries Shelter in Rocky Mount to feed those in their unsheltered community.
NEW CA Inc.’s collaboration with United Community Ministries Shelter is a testament to its commitment to providing community services wherever it sees a need.
Thank you to the staff of NEW CA, Inc!
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Wharton Delivers Keynote at the Inaugural EQUALibrium
Awards Gala
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Nicholas V. Wharton, President and CEO of the Charlotte Area Fund, delivered the keynote address at the WFAE/ National Public Radio Inaugural EQUALibrium Awards Gala at The Revelry North End Charlotte recently.
The Charlotte Area Fund, Mecklenburg County’s Community Action Agency, has been fighting poverty for 60 years along with 1000 national partner agencies.
Over 100 nominees and winners were celebrated in seven categories. Arts/Culture, Business/ Organization, Education, Government, Healthcare, Social Justice/Community, Advocacy and Sports.
Yesterday, Wharton was announced as part of Fifth Third Bank's second cohort of its Empowering Community Leaders career development growth program, aimed at fostering the next generation of nonprofit leaders in the communities the Bank serves. One of two North Carolinians selected, Wharton will enter the Harvard University Executive Leadership program (18 months).
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Second Harvest Food Bank Opens Market |  | |
The Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina (SHFB) has introduced a farmer's market at its Food Distribution Center in Fayetteville, where those facing hunger can choose fresh produce and meats, and it has been a game-changer. On average, 200 families have taken advantage of the market each time it is open, a testament to the program's success and the community's support.
The produce market, offering a variety of fresh produce, is just the beginning. SHFB is committed to expanding these markets to communities in its 7-county service area where the need is urgent. In this service area, 16.7%, or over 130,000 individuals, are food insecure. Children represent over 51,000, or 28% of the population, living in food deserts. Together, we can make a significant difference in these communities because HUNGER CAN'T WAIT!
The Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina (SHFB) significantly impacts our community through its Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA). By purchasing fresh produce and protein from local farmers, SHFB provides nutritious foods to needy families.
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Alpha Phi Alpha Donates to Johnston-Lee-Harnett | Phi Lambda Chapter – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., donated 30 box fans to Johnston-Lee-Harnett Community Action, Inc., low-income individuals and families. This is the beginning of a partnership with our agency to meet the needs of the community. In the past they assisted the agency with Men for Tots to assist Head Start Children. | |
Central Piedmont's Elliott Invited to Panel | Natasha Elliott, Executive Director Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc., was recently asked by NCDHHS to sit on a panel for Opioid Prescription and Drug Abuse Advisory Committee to discuss Supportive Housing Services. Ms. Elliott discussed the agency’s rapid rehousing program and how the agency partners with other human and social services agencies to best meet the needs of those we serve who are literally homeless. Other agencies on the panel discussed substance use and mental health issues they are seeing in housing. Some of the agencies present were Freedom House Recovery, Oxford House, NC Association of County Commissioners, Queen City Harm Reduction, and Jubilee House. | | |
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Experiment in Self Reliance Adds Abdul-Salaam
Scott Abdul-Salaam has joined ESR as the Development and Agency Relations Manager
under the leadership of Mr. Fred Bazemore.
In a remarkable achievement, Scott was recently honored as part of Black Business Ink's prestigious Power 100 cohort which includes 90 individuals and 10 organizations from various professions across
North Carolina.
Abdul-Salaam is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and Savannah College of Art and Design, and is President and Founder of the ScottCares Foundation. His career history includes work with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Welfare Reform Liaison Project and more. Welcome Scott!
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Action Pathways ASPIRE Program Off and Running
The Action Pathways, Inc. ASPIRE 2024 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides employment and workplace readiness skills to young adults who often lack the skills to obtain employment and succeed. Young participants add solid work experience and skill sets to their resumes, and gather knowledge in setting career goals, financial literacy, and an overview of the community in which they reside.
Action Pathways, Inc. hired seventeen (17) youth participants who are Cumberland and Sampson County residents between the ages of 15 –17 to work with various community partners to host the youth.
This month's featured SYEP participant is Danielle Chilsolm. Danielle was hired as Program Support for the Action Pathways, Inc. Head Start Program and Finance Department.
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Four Square Community Action receives NCSECU Grant |  | |
Four Square Community Action, Inc., was recently awarded a $40,000 capacity building grant by the North Carolina SECU Foundation. The funding is part of the Foundation’s Mission Development Grant (MDG) program, which provides each non-profit awardee with $40,000 and an approved consultant to help address organizational needs for future business goals and sustainability.
A complement to its large-scale grant awards, the MDG program is important to SECU Foundation’s statewide funding strategy to help expand support to rural counties, historically marginalized populations, and underserved communities. MDGs cover a wide spectrum of support for programming that focuses on housing and shelter; children and youth services; food insecurity; mental health services; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and arts and cultural education.
“These small dollar, high value grants are making a sizeable impact for non-profits whose programs and services are critical to the people of North Carolina,” said SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell. “Our Mission Development Grant program supports the sustainable development of communities, and we are overjoyed to provide these North Carolina non-profits with funding to meet their current needs and help position them for the future.”
Other NCSECU Grantees From Our Association this Cycle:
Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission
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Central Piedmont Receives Grant to Support Financial Stability | |
Central Piedmont Community Action, Inc. was awarded a grant as a part of PB Mares's “PBMares Cares” philanthropic grant making program for the Spring 2024 grant round. CPCA, Inc. was funded for a proposal in the amount of $5,000.00 for ECONOMY: FINANCIAL STABILITY. PB Mares supports initiatives that provide a pathway for individuals to obtain financial stability and economic success.
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I-CARE Poverty Simulation | |
In the spring, Bryan Duncan, Executive Director of I-CARE, Inc. and NCCAA Board Member, facilitated a Poverty Simulation sponsored by Christian Mission in Mooresville and held at the Selma Burke Community Center in Mooresville. The event was a well-attended success!
To learn more about Poverty Simulations through the NCCAA contact Nafia Speach
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Agency Spotlight: WAMY Community Action Staff Retreat | |
YouthBuild Grant Awarded to Franklin-Vance-Warren | |
Last year, Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc. was honored as one of two organizations in North Carolina to receive funding for a YouthBuild program.
The organization was awarded a $1.5 million grant aimed at supporting individuals in the four-county area served by FVWOPP. YouthBuild is a community-based apprenticeship program designed to help youth aged 16-24 who have previously dropped out of high school.
Participants in the YouthBuild program gain valuable vocational skills in various fields such as construction, healthcare and heave equipment operation. They engage in community service projects, contributing to affordable housing initiatives in their neighborhoods.
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Mountain Projects Begins Executive Director Search | |
Mountain Projects, Inc., will soon begin a huge transition, as 26-year Executive Director Patsy Davis transitions toward retirement.
Davis, who also serves as President of the NCCAA Board of Directors, will leave her post in the spring of 2025.
Mountain Projects' own Board has named a search committee and begun work to replace Davis.
Those interested in more information should click here.
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Traveling the World in Gastonia!
Agency Spotlight: Gaston Community Action
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Students at Highland Charter Head Start in Gastonia enjoy "Around the World"
Summer Enrichment Program | |
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Welcome Kris Evans, NCCAA Intern!
"Hello! my name is Kris Evans. I'm from Wilson, NC and attend UNCG, studying retail and consumer studies. I enjoy traveling, music, fashion, going to concerts, astrology, learning languages, and advocacy. I hope to have some sort of impact in the world, whether that be in the fashion industry as a stylist or through communicating and working through the struggles of our society. I enjoy doing multiple projects and trying new things, so mixing these ideas and having experience within differing communities is something I believe can help me achieve my career goals. Through the internship with NCCAA, I hope to continue my work in volunteering and assisting while learning how to make a bigger difference through my actions.”
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Katrenna Gomez has joined the Heal NC initiative as its newest Success Coach.
In this new role, Gomez will be providing case management and other resources to families who are part of the HEAL NC initiative. HEAL NC provides resources to help empower Head Start families to achieve sustainable livelihoods.
Gomez previously worked as the Health Manager at Johnston Lee Harnett County Head Start/ Early Head Start.
She has an associates degree from Tulsa Community College
and is certified in Practical Nursing.
Gomez said she is most looking forward to working with families in need of a little support and guidance.
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Weatherization Training for NCCAA Board | |
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NCCAA hosted a weatherization training before its most recent board board meeting. Thanks to all who attended and compliments to Edi Palau, our Weatherization Director for a job well done!
Special thanks to the NC Community Foundation in Raleigh for hosting the events.
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WAGES and HEAL NC Plan Workshops to Help Team Members Avoid Burnout | |
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WAGES and HEAL NC are offering workshops in Wayne County based in the Community Resiliency Model (CRM), which teaches participants to re-set the natural balance of the nervous system with easy-to-understand concepts that bring reliable relief. CRM helps people help themselves and others. Beneficial to small teams and the general public, CRM helps navigate life’s difficult situations.
More Information
Christina Watts
WAGES Community Engagement Coordinator
Email: cwatts@wagesnc.org
Phone: 919-731-9999 Ext. 212
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Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA)
Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton
Economic Improvement Council (EIC)
Martin, Chowan, Pasquotank, Tyrell, Hyde
Franklin-Vance-Warren-Opportunities, Inc.
Vance, Warren
Greene Lamp
Lenoir, Greene
WAGES, Inc
Wayne
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NCCAA Certificate Program Classes Begin in August & October | |
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The NCCAA, in partnership with Southern University, continues to offer popular certificate courses in Case Management and Head Start Family Engagement.
Class start dates have been set for the first quarter of 2024. Please reach out if we can provide fliers for your distribution.
Read More About the Certificates at These Links:
Head Start
Case Management
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Links to Career Pages in the NCCAA Network | |
(Link goes to home page when career page isn't offered) | |
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Far West
Blue Ridge Community Action, Morganton
Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission Inc., N. Wilkesboro
Catawba County, Hickory
Community Action Opportunities, Asheville
Four Square Community Action, Inc., Murphy
Macon County Program for Progress, Franklin
Mountain Projects, Waynesville
WAMY, Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Counties
West
Charlotte Area Fund, Inc., Charlotte
Davidson County Community Action, Lexington
Experiments in Self-Reliance, Inc., Winston-Salem
Gaston Community Action, Inc., Gastonia
I-Care, Inc., Statesville
Salisbury-Rowan Community Action, Salisbury
Sandhills Community Action Program, Southern Pines
Union County Community Action, Monroe
Yadkin Co. Economic Development District, Boonville
Central
Alamance Co. Community Services Agency, Burlington
Central Piedmont Community Action, Durham area
Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc., Henderson
Johnston Lee Harnett Community Action, Inc., Smithfield
Passage Home, Wake Co.
Southeastern Community Action Partnership, Lumberton
Telamon, Raleigh
Welfare Reform Liaison Project, Greensboro
East
Action Pathways, Fayetteville
Choanoke Area Development Assoc., Rich Square
Coastal Community Action, Newport
Economic Improvement Council, Edenton
Eastern Carolina Human Services Agency, Jacksonville
Greene Lamp, Inc., Kinston
NEW Community Action, Rocky Mount
Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency (WAGES), Inc., Goldsboro
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Share your community action career opportunities on our web page and have them distributed to 7000+ emails through the NCCAA newsletter! Send your job listings to communications@nccaa.net. | |
Working together to share the impact of Community Action
Does your Community Action Agency have impactful content to share? Let's collaborate. The NCCAA develops creative content year-round to celebrate, educate and inform. Let's amplify the voices of organizations in our network! Let's share the impactful work of community action and tell the stories of our clients! Reach out for collaboration: communications@nccaa.net.
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Share Community Action News with a Friend | |
As a member of the NCCAA community, we work to empower low-income families, change people's lives for the better and improve the communities we serve. We are all dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. Please take a moment and forward this news to a co-worker and grow the community of professionals dedicated to this important work. | | | | |
