Empowered Newsletter | January 2026 | Issue 1 | | HEAL NC families are pictured during a June 2025 engagement event that included rock painting and learning about the Community Resiliency Model. | |
Stepping into 2026 Together
Letter from the Executive Director
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January 2026
Dear Community Action Family,
As we step into 2026, I want to pause for a moment and speak to you heart-to-heart, not just as a leader, but as someone who has been blessed to spend many years doing this work alongside people who care deeply about their communities.
Last year was hard. Plain and simple.
It asked more of us than we expected. Many days felt like we were building the bridge while walking across it, navigating funding delays, political uncertainty, and constant change, all while making sure the people who needed us most didn’t fall through the cracks. For those of you on the front lines, I know that weight didn’t stay at work. You carried it home with you. And I want you to know it was seen.
Still, every single day across North Carolina, you showed up.
You unlocked doors early, answered phones with patience, listened carefully, and kept finding a way forward. You met neighbors who were sometimes tired, sometimes frustrated, sometimes afraid and you offered help with dignity and respect. That kind of service takes strength. It takes heart. And it takes faith in something bigger than the moment you’re standing in.
I’ve worked through many seasons enough to know that politics will come and go. Budgets will rise and fall. But the calling to care for one another? That stays.
I’ve always believed Community Action is faith in action, whether you name it that way or not. It’s love made practical. It’s hope with its sleeves rolled up. It’s doing the next right thing, even when the road ahead isn’t clear.
As we move into this new year, I hope you’ll remember a few things:
You were called to this work for a reason. When things feel shaky, return to your “why.”
You are not walking alone. This network is strong because we lean on one another, especially when times get tough.
Small victories still matter. A warm home, a stocked pantry, a family breathing a little easier those are blessings, whether we call them that or not.
Rest when you can. Even the strongest servants need renewal. There’s no shame in that.
Community Action has lasted because it is rooted in community, grounded in compassion, and sustained by people who believe that everybody deserves a fair chance. You are that steady presence. You are that calm in the storm. And you are doing important work quietly, consistently and with grace.
I won’t promise that 2026 will be easy. But I do believe it can be purposeful. And I trust that, together, we will continue to meet whatever comes, with wisdom, courage, and care for one another.
Thank you for your service, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to the people of North Carolina. I am proud to walk this journey with you.
With gratitude and deep respect,
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Seeing Our Progress & Looking Forward!
Do you have 2025 Community Action highlights you'd like to share on NCCAA social media or via the monthly newsletter?
Are you working on something BIG for your Community Action Agency in 2026 that you'd like us to share with the network?
Send us a photo of yourself and a description of your goal, milestone, or accomplishment, and we will share your news!
Let us know! communications@nccaa.net
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Make Your Plans!
Annual Conference Set for May in Wilmington
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Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
301 N. Water St., Wilmington, NC 28401
Conference Dates: May 19 – 22, 2026
Pre-conference on Tuesday, May 19
Conference kicks off on Wednesday, May 20
Board Summit Friday, May 22
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Want to be a Facilitator?
Request for Proposals 2026 NCCAA Annual Training Conference
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The last day to submit your proposal is Friday, January 16, 2026.
You will be notified the following week if your submission has been approved for the 2026 conference.
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2026 Award Nominations
Recognizing Those Who Go Above and Beyond
| | Community Action Employee of the Year. Boardroom to mailroom! | | Exemplary individual contribution to association, agency or community | | Client who has achieved a significant level of self-sufficiency and independence | | Corporation, foundation, or other partner that has advanced our cause | | Andrea Harris Scholarship | Student interested in a career serving underserved people and communities | | Dr. E. Marie Watson Executive Director of the Year | An Executive Director who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in program development, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization. | | Weatherization Excellence | An individual who demonstrates outstanding performance, exceptional skill, and a strong commitment to weatherization | | An elected official who has significantly advanced the cause of Community Action in North Carolina | | An outstanding CAA board member who has made significant contributions through their work on the board | |
iCan Connect Work Groups – CSBG, Fiscal Support
Peer guidance, best practices, support...in real time.
NCCAA will launch Microsoft Teams chat groups called iCan Connect, a new, statewide space designed to support real-time peer connection across the North Carolina Community Action Network.
These Teams-based groups will provide an accessible, informal way for staff across
agencies to share questions, challenges, best practices, and timely updates as they arise. iCan Connect is designed to leverage the collective professional experience and subject-matter expertise already within our network, allowing peers to learn from one another, offer guidance, share wins, and provide support in the moment.
By using MS Teams, NCCAA aims to create an organic, easy-to-use platform that strengthens collaboration, problem-solving, and mutual support across agencies statewide.
| | News From Around the Network | | Crystal Gwendo is New CEO for Passage Home | | |
NCCAA is happy to announce that Crystal Gwendo has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for Passage Home, bringing more than 18 years of leadership experience across nonprofit and public service sectors.
Gwendo will lead Passage Home in serving Wake County through housing stability, workforce development, emergency assistance, and economic mobility initiatives.
Prior to her nonprofit career, Gwendo served in the United States Air Force, where she held leadership roles across domestic and international installations. Her experience includes managing federal budgets exceeding $137 million, overseeing $3.2 billion in Air Force assets, and leading multidisciplinary teams during disaster response and large-scale operations. Her service was recognized with honors including the USAF Humanitarian Medal.
Gwendo holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, and holds degrees in Occupational Safety and Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Production Maintenance.
Throughout her career, Crystal has remained focused on strengthening systems that support families, expanding opportunity, and building communities where people can thrive. She is a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) and an active leader in regional and statewide efforts addressing homelessness and early childhood education.
We look forward to Crystal's leadership, collaboration, and compassion she will bring to Passage Home and the families it serves.
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JLHCA Names New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of Johnston-Lee-Harnett Community Action, Inc., (JLHCA) announced the appointment of Ruby Rouse Bryant as the organization’s new Executive Director. Bryant succeeds Dr. E. Marie Watson, who led the agency for more than 40 years.
Bryant’s history with JLHCA spans more than four decades, beginning in 1978 when she first became involved with Head Start as a parent and volunteer on the Head Start Policy Council. Her dedication to community service quickly became evident, leading her to serve on the Board of Directors from 1991 to 2000. Following her board tenure, she joined the agency as the CSBG Senior Family Services Counselor and Harnett County Supervisor in the Lillington office. In 2008, she made history as JLHCA’s first Human Resource Director.
| | MPP Employees Recognized for Years of Service | | Congratulations to these Macon Program for Progress employees who were recognized for their many years of service to the children and families in the community: Linda Browning, HUD - 35 years, Theresa Trammel, Head Start - 30 years, Joyce Webb, Head Start - 25 years, Cindy Allen, Head Start - 15 years, Danielle Bryson, Head Start - 5 years, Amanda Manos, Head Start - 5 years, Lisa Penland, Community Services - 5 years, and Jennifer Trammel, Head Start - 5 years. Thank you to these staff members for their years of service. | | Feeding Families for the Holidays | | Mountain Projects hosted a drive-through ham dinner giveaway for Haywood and Jackson County residents last month, offering 200 holiday dinner bags. We’re proud of Mountain Projects for helping local families enjoy a warm holiday meal this season. | | SCAP Holds End-of-Year Staff Training | | Last month, the Southeastern Community Action administration team held its annual end-of-year training—filled with learning, laughter, and good food. These moments help staff members reflect, recharge, and prepare to continue serving our communities with purpose in the year ahead. | | Aryn Smith is BRCA Employee of the Year | | Congratulations to Aryn Smith, 2025 BRCA Employee of the Year. "As the Community Services Director, Aryn exemplifies the values and mission of Blue Ridge Community Action through her dedication to the families she serves. She shows care and compassion in every interaction and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure families feel supported, respected, and heard. Her team-first attitude and willingness to work alongside others make her a trusted support to both her coworkers and the families we serve." | | Making Winter Memories at Lincoln Park Head Start | | Winter fun was in full swing at Gaston Community Action's Lincoln Park Head Start! Our parents, staff, and children had an amazing time enjoying festive activities and making joyful winter memories together. | | Greene Lamp’s 9/11 Day of Service Program | |
Food and Hygiene Drive
Between the months of November 2025 – December 2025, Greene Lamp's AmeriCorps 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance Program conducted a Food and Hygiene Drive. This project sought out to support senior centers, homeless and domestic violence shelters, the veteran population, as well as community blessing boxes. The focus of the drive was to collect non-perishable food items and essential hygiene products through partnerships formed with public schools, local businesses, churches, and first responder stations. After the collection of donations and with support from high school students from North Lenoir and Kinston High, donations were separated and delivered to the recipient partners. This project served Lenoir and Pitt counties.
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Battle of the Badges Blood Drive
The “Battle of the Badges Blood Drive”, organized by Greene Lamp's AmeriCorps 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance Program, was held at the Holloway Recreation Center in Kinston, NC. This event highlighted community collaboration and the crucial need for blood donations. First responders from various departments and community members participated, showcasing resilience and dedication to service. The drive exceeded expectations with 30 donations and 20 pints of blood, which equates to 60 lives saved. The event strengthened and fostered connections between first responders and the community, setting the stage for future collaboration and demonstrating unity in achieving common goals.
| | Innovation in Communications | | |
Tuesday Talks with WAMY Community Action
WAMY Community Action's Director of Philanthropy, Allison Jennings, has created a video series that shares 50 things you may not know about WAMY Community Action. This is a great example of how to engage your social media followers and promote awareness of your agency. Watch Allison's first video above, which she released in July of 2025 and catch her other social media innovations on the WAMY Facebook page, linked here.
| | News From the Community Action Partnership | | 2026 Management & Leadership Training Conference | | |
NCAP invites you to the 2026 Management & Leadership Training Conference (MLTC), taking place January 28th – 30th in Orlando, Florida!
NCAP’s Management and Leadership Training Conference (MLTC) is designed for both current and aspiring leaders in Community Action and human services. The 2026 MLTC will offer immersive training sessions, dynamic roundtable discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or preparing to take that next step into management, MLTC will equip you with the tools and insights to lead with confidence and impact.
Our room block at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista is now full. While NCAP does not have an overflow block, NCAP has compiled a list of nearby alternative hotel options for attendees. If you have any questions, please reach out to registration@communityactionpartnership.com.
The deadline to register at our regular registration rate has been extended! Register by Thursday, January 8, 2026, to save.
| | HEAL NC December Engagement Event Recap: | | Keeping Your Peace During the Holidays | | |
On Dec. 9, HEAL NC welcomed 24 participants to an Engagement Event focused on holiday wellness. Speaker Candra Edwards, MSW, LCSW, gave a thoughtful and relatable presentation on "Keeping Your Peace When Everybody Wants a Piece of You.”
As Candra acknowledged early on, the holidays can be joyful—and deeply stressful. Between financial pressures, family expectations, and emotional landmines, many participants nodded along as she normalized the feeling of being stretched too thin. One participant summed it up candidly in the chat: “Holidays are definitely stressful…I be wanting to GIVE more than I have the money to GET.”
While most HEAL NC events are in person, this presentation was virtual due to inclement weather.
Throughout the session, Candra emphasized practical, compassionate strategies for protecting one’s peace. Boundaries emerged as a central theme—both setting them ahead of time and giving yourself permission to use them in the moment. Participants reflected on how often they prioritize everyone else’s comfort at the expense of their own, allowing uncomfortable conversations or situations just to avoid conflict.
One mother shared how liberating it was to hear the reminder: “It’s okay to say, ‘I don’t want to have that conversation right now.’”
The chat was lively and affirming, with participants reinforcing one another’s insights:
- “Boundaries are important and key to keeping your peace of mind.”
- “Reality is that gift won’t be remembered in 6 months. Best gift is time, not the stuff that breaks next week.”
- “These are great ideas!”
Candra encouraged participants to prepare in advance of holiday gatherings—communicating expectations with trusted people, identifying exit strategies, and asking for help before feeling overwhelmed. One attendee noted how meaningful it was to hear the message, “Ask for help before you’re drowning,” especially while juggling school, holidays, and daily responsibilities. Accepting support, she reflected, is sometimes the hardest but most necessary step.
Participants shared wellness tools that work for them, including breath work resources like YouTube’s Othership channel, which one described as helpful for staying regulated throughout the day. Another mentioned the free iChill app, which offers simple, evidence-based tools from the Community Resiliency Model to manage stress and support nervous system regulation.
The evening closed on a celebratory note, with one participant proudly announcing in the chat: “I GRADUATE FRIDAY Y’ALL!!!!”
Moments like these—honest reflections, shared coping strategies, and collective celebration—are what make HEAL NC events so meaningful. As families approached the holiday season, they carried with them a powerful reminder: protecting your peace is not selfish—it’s essential.
Watch this HEAL NC video to learn more about this program.
| | WAGES and HEAL NC Plan 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
ARCAP Community Action 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
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. | |
Community Partner Careers
Open Until Filled: Housing Ownership Rehab Officer with the NC Housing Finance Agency
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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. | | | | |
