Empowered Newsletter | August 2025 | Issue 8 | | Gaston Community Action Head Start hosted an Open House to help families get ready for the school year. Attendees could submit forms, complete applications, and access screenings and referrals—all in one place. | |
Collaboration in Action:
NCCAA and the Women's Center of Wake County
| | NCCAA Executive Director Sharon Goodson visited Passage Home in Raleigh last month for an energizing meeting with Amy Smith, Executive Director of The Women's Center of Wake County. | | |
Last month, NCCAA Executive Director Sharon Goodson visited Passage Home in Raleigh for an energizing meeting with Amy Smith, Executive Director of The Women's Center of Wake County.
The Women’s Center provides stability and housing for single women experiencing homelessness, aligning closely with the mission of Community Action across NC.
Meeting at the Passage Home Pantry, where families receive bi-weekly food deliveries, Sharon and Amy shared ideas, visions, and high-fives as they explored future opportunities to strengthen services for those in need.
We are excited about the possibilities of collaboration and the collective impact we can have when organizations come together to serve our communities.
| | HEAL NC Brings Moms Together for Healing and Hope | | |
Last month, a group of Head Start mothers gathered in Goldsboro to share their hopes, struggles, and stories while learning new tools for coping through the Community Resiliency Model (CRM).
This event was part of HEAL NC, a partnership of NCCAA and WAGES, Inc. funded by The Duke Endowment, serving Head Start parents navigating complex challenges including CPS involvement, substance use, mental health concerns, and early life trauma.
Two inspirational speakers—HEAL NC Success Coach Shenita Wynn and WAGES Head Start Coordinator Nicki McCullen—shared their journeys, encouraging the mothers in attendance to open up, support one another, and find strength in their shared experiences.
The moms also decorated canvas tote bags with their children’s names, calming beach images, and words of encouragement. This creative activity provided a moment of mindfulness and joy, allowing each mother to take home not just a bag, but a symbol of healing, self-worth, and hope.
Learn more about HEAL NC at https://www.nccaa.net/heal-nc.
| | | NCCAA Joins Celebration of ADA’s 35th Anniversary | |
On July 24, NCCAA’s Peg Morrison celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in Raleigh.
The event, hosted by the NC Department of Health and Human Services spotlighted programs and investments improving the lives of North Carolinians with disabilities.
It was emcee’d by Kelly Crosbie, Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. Crosbie shared her personal experience of growing up with family members who lived with disabilities.
Pictured above, from left: HEAL NC Program Manager Peg Morrison, NC DHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, Kelly Crosbie; Hairstylist, Singer-Songwriter and Musician Lydia Williams; and NC DHHS Deputy Secretary for Health Debra Farrington.
| | Webinar: Guidance for Boards Facing Fiscal Uncertainty | |
When Your CAA’s Fiscal Year is Uncertain: What Boards Can Do Now
Monday, August 18th at 2 PM ET | 1 PM CT | 12 PM MT | 11 AM PT
Join the National Community Action Partnership for a walkthrough of the new guide When Your CAA’s Upcoming Fiscal Year is Uncertain: A Guide for CAA Boards. This session will introduce key strategies boards can use to stay informed, plan for different scenarios, and support their agencies through changing fiscal conditions. The webinar will focus on actions boards can take to help their agencies remain strong and mission-focused during uncertain times.
| | News from Around The Network | |
Candace McMillian is a Fayetteville 40 Under 40
Candace McMillan, 38, of Fayetteville, is the data monitoring and professional development coordinator for Action Pathways Inc. (Head Start Department).
She was nominated for 40 Under 40 because “Her hard work is unmatched and deserves to be recognized on a larger scale,” nominator Kimberly Lynch writes. “Candace stepped up during times of organizational restructuring, showing true leadership that improved team cohesion and efficiency. Her dedication to service and her community shines through every role she takes on — both professionally and personally.”
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Read more about Candace here
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Coastal Community Action Helps Seniors
Prepare for Hurricane Season
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Last month Coastal Community Action (CCA) partnered with Carteret County Senior Services to host a successful “Big Pop Up” event at the Leon Mann Jr. Enrichment Center. The event helped local seniors prepare for hurricane season by distributing essential disaster recovery items such as diapers, wipes, flashlights, tote bags, and cleaning supplies.
In addition, seniors received food bags containing six shelf-stable meals, helping address food insecurity in the community. High demand resulted in the complete distribution of supplies within minutes. This event marked the final stop in CCA’s four-county Pop-Up series, funded in part by a $300,000 grant supporting communities across Craven, Jones, Pamlico, and Carteret counties.
Pictured above, Coastal Community Action CSBG director Stephanie Cox organizes adult and children's diapers.
Read more about the event here
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REBUILDING TOGETHER
The Platter Family’s Home
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The Platter family’s home, a farmhouse located in a rural part of the Boone community, has been a place of love and connection for three generations. But when Hurricane Helene damaged the aging roof, it put both the home and the safety of the children inside at risk.
The cost of repairs was beyond what WAMY could cover alone, and hope was starting to fade—until Boone Sunrise Rotary and Blowing Rock Rotary stepped in with generosity and heart. Thanks to their financial support, WAMY was able to complete critical roof repairs, ensuring the Platter family’s home is safe and dry once again.
But the kindness didn’t stop there—Boone Rotarians showed up in person to help install two brand-new doors, bringing warmth and security back to this beloved family home. Now, the Platter family can continue making memories in a home that’s ready to protect them for years to come.
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Johnston Lee Harnett S.T.A.R.S. Team in Action
Johnston Lee Harnett Community Action CSBG staffers Tanisha Rouse, Senior Counselor / Supervisor, and Barbara Vinson, Counselor, attended the Second Annual Christmas in July hosted by the Salvation Army last month.
The CSBG S.T.A.R.S. program, which stands for Sucessfully Transitioning to Acheive Real Self-Sufficiency, is a self-sufficiency program designed to help low-income residents in Johnston, Lee, and Harnett County identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented them from becoming independent.
| | BROC Pageants Raise $33,775 | | |
Left to right: 2025 Little Miss Princess -- Miss Oakley Castro, 2025 Miss CAG Susan Wolfe, and 2025 Junior Miss -- Laken Miley Davalos-Limon
Congratulations to the Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission's Wilkes Community Action Committee for raising $37,775 through their annual Miss "CAG" (Community Action Group), Little Miss Princess, and Junior Miss pageants.The year-long campaign raised $37,775. The 52nd “Miss CAG,” 44th Wilkes Community Action Committee (WCAC) sponsored “Little Miss Princess,” and the 11th Junior Miss Annual Pageant. The pageant is the Annual Fundraising finale of WCAC which is a supportive arm of Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, Inc. (BROC). The committee begins raising funds after the pageant for next year annually and is constantly working on fundraising efforts along with BROC to raise money for the various programs they support.
| | Canton's Resilience and Community Action | | |
In a recent episode of Reimagine Rural from the Brookings Institution, Canton, North Carolina’s remarkable resilience in the face of multiple crises over five years—including Tropical Storm Fred, Hurricane Helene, and the shuttering of its historic paper mill—is spotlighted. Through heartfelt storytelling, residents demonstrate how grit, grace, and community solidarity can sustain hope and identity.
A key segment features Patsy Davis, Executive Director of Mountain Projects Community Action Agency. Patsy shares invaluable insights into how Community Action played a pivotal role in supporting Canton’s recovery and preserving its community spirit. Her reflections show how local leadership and grassroots support can drive true resilience in the wake of disaster
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MPP Head Start Teachers get CDA Credential
Head Start teachers Allie Sapin and Kabree Sellers, from Macon Program for Progress, have both just obtained their Child Development Associate credential.
The CDA is a nationally recognized certification in early childhood education that allows early educators to gain valuable skills and experience in the early childhood education field. Congratulations to these Head Start teachers!
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Support for Seniors
The Goldsboro Rotary Club recently donated $500 to the WAGES Senior Companion Program.
This gift directly supports the WAGES mission to provide meaningful companionship and assistance to older adults in our community, helping them maintain independence, dignity, and joy in daily life.
Every dollar goes toward enriching the lives of both our senior companions and the neighbors they serve. Thank you, Rotary Club of Goldsboro!
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Charlotte Area Fun has partnered with the Royal Summer Jazz Series to bring an unforgettable “Date Night” concert experience to local low-income families. The final show of the summer takes place Thursday, August 7 at 7:30 PM at The Amp Ballantyne and features Dave Koz & Friends, along with a stellar lineup of jazz legends.
Watch CEO Nick Wharton’s interview with WCCB News Rising here.
| | WAGES and HEAL NC Host Workshops to Help Team Members Avoid Burnout | | |
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: 919-734-1178 ext. 212
| | Links to Career Pages in the NCCAA Network | | (Link goes to home page when career page isn't offered) | | |
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 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
Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc., Henderson
Johnston Lee Harnett Community Action, Inc., Smithfield
Passage Home, Wake Co.
Southeastern Community Action Partnership, Lumberton
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 (info@newcainc.org)
Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency (WAGES), Inc., Goldsboro
| | 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. | | Cheryl Leonhardt, Asst. Family & Child Development Director from Blue Ridge Community Action recently attended a meeting with Gov. Josh Stein's Child Care and Early Education Task Force. Leonhardt shared BRCA's Hurricane Helene story as education leaders discussed childcare and disaster recovery. | |
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.
| | 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. | | | | |
