February 2020
"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." - Lao Tzu
Agency News
Success Story: Provided by WAGES
We are so proud of all the success our agencies achieve! These stories have been collected and adapted by Mariah, and edited for clarity.
On September 27, 2019, "Valerie" entered the CSBG Self–Sufficiency program with several barriers, which consisted of homelessness, unemployment, medical conditions, and limited family support. As the Case Manager, I begin assessing her needs and collaborated with her to develop an action plan. I explained to Valerie that the program duration was three years, but Valerie was determined to graduate within six months. Valerie stated that she was told to file for disability due to her medical condition by several people, but she did not want to depend on a Social Security check to provide for her and her son since that could be terminated at any time. Valerie was determined not to let her medical condition hinder her from succeeding.

WAGES supported Valerie by paying for two months of rent in the amount of $1,000.00 to avoid eviction and provided interview trainings, interview clothing, and gas vouchers to attend and prepare for interviews. During the time Valerie was applying for employment, I continued to support her and provide various educational opportunities. She completed an online course in customer service and graduated with a certification. She also re-enrolled in a four year degree program at Wayne Community College majoring in Business Administration. As the Case Manager, I also provided Valerie with a referral to Verizon Wireless and assisted her with completing the application and her resume. Valerie presented that she was in need of interview clothing due to her rapid weight loss, which was caused by her medical condition and being hospitalized. I requested clothing assistance for Valerie and assisted her in selecting clothing that made her feel confident and interview ready.

Valerie contacted the me on October 9, 2019 to inform me that she was scheduled for an interview with Verizon Wireless for a Business Account Manager. Valerie and I practiced interviewing skills and customer service techniques to prepare for the interview. Valerie contacted me on October 11, 2019 to tell me she was offered the position with a starting salary of $38,400.00 yearly. Valerie thanked me and said that she was grateful for her employment opportunity. Valerie will be graduating from the CSBG Program on February 18, 2020. Valerie said she did not allow her medical condition to limit her ability to provide for her family. She also stated that she will never forget the support she received from WAGES, but mostly from her Case Manager who was more of a family support than a resource.  
Want to share your success stories? Send them to [email protected]
Community Action News, Publications and Features
WAMY is featured in this touching story of one young boy who raised money to buy toys for children in need.
Charlotte Area Fund is featured in this radio show: "Francene Marie interviews a GREAT panel of guest that included Nicholas Wharton from Charlotte Area Fund, Scott Ellis with Know Your Rights: Youth Symposium Lead, and the amazing Maria Macon the Founder/Executive Director Mecklenburg Council of Elders, Inc."
NCCAA is excited to update you on our third installment of our healthy community events and announce the launch of our recipe pilot program, Cooked.

WAMY is excited to announce they are working on creating a new housing coalition for their counties!
Check out this excellent feature from Pride Magazine about poverty and what Charlotte Area Fund is doing to help.
Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) will host a Winter Wonderland fundraiser event at the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter from 4-7:30 PM on Sunday, February 16 to honor donors, celebrate the winter season, and commemorate 55 years of service to the Winston-Salem area.
NCCAA: SHOUT OUTS
A SHOUT OUT showcases the awesome work of NC's CAA Agencies, Staff, and Partners
Shout out and Congratulations!...... Mariah Handy, the newest member of NC Community Action Association. Mariah will be working as our Communications Fellow. Mariah graduated with a Bachelor's in Communications with an emphasis in Organizational Communications and Advocacy. She has lived all over the country, but is returning to North Carolina after a three year stay in rural Idaho. Mariah has spent the last three years working for non-profits and small business owners, and is excited to continue her career in the non-profit field.

She will be reaching out to all our agencies to connect with your Communication staff and learn more about your organizations. She is also working on weekly blogs, daily social media content and finding new ways to tell our stories. She says, "feel free to email me anytime with your stories, news, events, and successes. I want to promote everything you do!" You can email her at [email protected]
Keep the Shout-Outs coming - send to [email protected]
In Loving Memory of Laurie Welch
We are grieved by the passing of Laurie Welch this January. She served as a case manager with the Central Piedmont Community Action for the last six years. Her absence will be felt by the statewide Community Action network and the people of Randolph county that she served.

NEW Grounds Coffee
Did you know you could get 20% of the revenue from NEW Grounds Coffee if you help grow our network? Learn how you can help returning citizens and fundraise for your organization at the same time by clicking the button!
NCCAA Events
2020 Leadership Expedition
March 25-27
Raleigh, NC
Non-Profit leaders, join your peers for an immersive 2.5-day Leadership Expedition where your leadership skills will be enhanced through experiential learning. If you love classroom learning, slide presentations, and boring lectures, this event is not for you. We'll take advantage of the beautiful coastal environment surrounding Wrightsville Beach with sailing challenges, beach-side team building, and other outdoor learning activities to intensify learning and build actionable behaviors.
"2020 Vision" for the 2020 NCCAA Conference
May 12-15
Wilmington, NC
"Where there is no vision, there is no hope" - George Washington Carver

The 2020 NCCAA annual conference will offer clarity and insight for "2020 Vision" in the new year. Keep up with the latest updates and the developing agenda on the conference website here.

The room block at the Embassy Suites Hotel is full but look for overflow hotel options there, too.

Meet One of the Speakers: Dr. Calvin Moore
Hear From Region IV Program Manager as He Marks One Year at the Helm!

As we begin a new year and a new decade, NCCAA is committed to having “20/20 Vision” for the future of community action across NC. For Dr. Calvin Moore, who became the new Regional Program Manager for Region IV Head Start in May of 2019, 2020 will mark first full year at his new position.

We are excited to announce that Dr. Calvin Moore will be joining us just as he marks his first full year with Region IV to present remarks at our May 2020 conference! Dr. Moore is an exciting addition to Region IV as he brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision for Head Start. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Dr. Moore and register today to join us in Wilmington. Click here to learn more about Dr. Calvin Moore’s experience and get excited for the line-up at our “20/20 Vision” NCCAA Annual Conference.
2020 NCCAA Board Summit
May 16-17
Wilmington, NC
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other board members from across the state and hear from industry leaders on everything from board roles and responsibilities to assessing and understanding your agency’s finances. This year we will be joined by leading experts in the field like CAPLAW Executive Director and General Counsel, Allison Ma’luf.

We will also have a special dinner session to discuss the relationship between the Board and Head Start Policy Council.
Whether you are a seasoned Board Member or only recently took on the role of sitting on a community action board, you will find this 1.5 day training engaging and informative.
Other Events
Tickets are just $10 and include lunch . Help build a more equitable North Carolina for every child!

Email Adam Sotak, Public Engagement Director, NC Child if you have any questions: [email protected] .
Learn more and register  here    
2020 Kids: Building Racial Equity in Child Advocacy
March 30, 2020
McKimmon Center, Raleigh, NC
2020 Kids is a one-day policy summit for child advocates. 
Participate in the discussion to:
  • Better understand how organizations that default to white norms can get in the way of children meeting their full potential in North Carolina; 
  • Learn from peers who are changing the odds for children in their communities by leading with racial justice; and 
  • Connect and build power to advance racially equitable public policies.  

Who Should Attend :  Anyone who advocates for children and their families in North Carolina!  Advocates for early childhood, juvenile justice, education, health, immigration reform, mental health, foster care, child abuse prevention, and anyone interested are invited to attend.   
National News
2020 Census: Are You Ready?

Have you already assigned one of your staff members to be on top of the census campaign Community Action Partnership is doing? If not, make sure to do it quick because the 2020 census is right around the corner!

"Community Action Partnership is part of the  Census Counts  campaign, which involves more than 15 national organizations and dozens of community partners working together to make sure that the 2020 Census is fair and accurate. The Partnership is the lead representative for the low-income “hard-to count” population." Learn more about what you can do to make the census this year as accurate as possible.
BBB Spark Award Opportunity
The BBB is providing a $2,000 prize to a business owner who is 35 years old or younger, who's business is less than 3 years old and who demonstrates Character, Culture and Community. Learn more here
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Mark Your Calendar
February

March
25-27 | 2020 Leadership Expedition, Wrightsville Beach, NC

May
12-15 | NCCAA Conference, Wilmington, NC
16-17 | NCCAA Board Summit , Wilmington, NC

August
26-28 | National CAP Conference , Seattle, WA

November

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