Empowered Newsletter | July 2025 | Issue 7 | | The Senior Resource Center from Mountain Projects held a fun appreciation event for its Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion volunteers. Pictured are some of the Foster Grandparents. | | Congratulations to our New CCAP Recipients! | | |
Congratulations to our new Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) Certification Recipients: Dr. Ericka Jones Whitaker, CEO of Southeastern Community Action Partnership, Inc., Kathleen Lowe-Jacobs, CSBG Director of Southeastern Community Action Partnership, Inc., and Stephanie Cox, CSBG Director for Coastal Community Action, Inc.
The 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. To learn more about the program, visit https://communityactionpartnership.com/ccap.
| | Creativity and Connection with HEAL NC | | |
The June HEAL NC Engagement Event brought participants together for a morning of creativity and learning, highlighting the value of play and resilience.
The event began with a rock painting activity, reminding us that unstructured play—whether for children or adults—supports creativity, stress relief, and social connection. Participants then explored the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) with WAGES Community Engagement Coordinator Christina Watts, while Success Coach JoAnn Smith shared her personal journey of resilience.
CRM is an evidence-based approach that teaches practical skills to help individuals stabilize the nervous system, manage stress, and support the well-being of themselves and others.
A special thank you to Abberly Solaire Apartment Homes of Garner for donating stones for this creative and meaningful event! Learn more about HEAL NC at https://www.nccaa.net/heal-nc.
| | | HEAL NC welcomes New Success Coach | |
We are thrilled to welcome Shenita Wynn, the newest member of the NCCAA family, as our HEAL NC Success Coach!
Shenita brings over a decade of experience from the Wayne County Health Department, where she supported breastfeeding mothers through peer counseling.
As a HEAL NC Success Coach, Shenita will be providing case management and essential support to empower Head Start families in building sustainable livelihoods.
| | The CCAP Candidacy Guide for 2026 is Now Available | | Thinking about pursuing your CCAP? The newly released 2026 CCAP Candidacy Guide is your go-to resource for understanding the process, requirements, and key deadlines. Whether you're just starting your journey or preparing for final submission, this guide will help you plan with confidence. Download it now and take the next step toward becoming a Certified Community Action Professional! | | NEXT MONTH: NCAP's 2025 Annual Convention | |
There's still time to register!
August 27–29, 2025 | Marriott Detroit Renaissance Center
Join Community Action Agencies and other human services providers from across the country at NCAP’s 2025 Annual Convention, taking place August 27th – 29th in Detroit, Michigan. The NCAP Annual Convention is the premier event for Community Action Agencies and human services providers dedicated to strengthening families and communities. Attendees will gain timely updates on federal standards, learn proven strategies from peer agencies, and access training and resources designed to increase impact and efficiency. With sessions covering topics from education to job training, the convention equips agencies with the tools needed to help entire families advance together, supporting their path to economic stability and growth.
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Big Changes to Medicaid (and other programs) | |
The NCCAA is keeping a close watch on potential federal cuts that could impact Community Action clients.
“We expect changes that may amplify disparities for the marginalized people of North Carolina," says Sharon Goodson, NCCAA Executive Director, "Most of these folks have no financial cushion; Working families and seniors are going to have a hard time making ends meet without healthcare."
In the coming weeks,
the public will learn the details of what deals were struck to pass a multi-trillion dollar funding/defunding package. NCCAA will share information as it comes available.
"These times will bring opportunity to tell our clients' stories. People may finally understand that poverty is not a moral failing - because they will experience it themselves and they will know that federal policies are directly related to the health and well-being of entire communities," says Goodson.
| | | News from Around The Network | |
RETHINK POVERTY
BRCA hosts Poverty Simulation Experience
| | Blue Ridge Community Action and the North Carolina Community Action Association hosted a powerful Poverty Simulation that gave participants a glimpse into the daily struggles many families face. Each person took on the role of a real community member and had to make tough choices about housing, food, work, and transportation with very limited resources. It was fast-paced, emotional, and eye-opening. Learn more about the NCCAA Poverty Simulation Experience at www.nccaa.net/poverty-simulation. | |
Summer Fun at Duffyfield Child Development Center
Duffyfield Child Development Center (part of Coastal Community Action) held a day of fun for its staff and students. The event featured a bouncy house, live music, and free haircuts from the barber students at Craven Community College.
| | WAMY Warriors Help Retired Veteran | | This weekend, Marina Greene from New River Light and Power, Appalachian State University’s nonprofit electric utility, her son Max, and other WAMY Warriors joined forces to support a retired veteran in the Junaluska Community in Boone. Together, they tackled yard work at his 100-year-old home, bringing fresh energy and care to this historic property. Marina went the extra mile by coordinating NRPL to trim a hazardous tree earlier in the week, ensuring a safe and productive workspace for the team. For more information on WAMY, visit https://wamycommunityaction.org/. | |
MPI Celebrates Patsy Davis' Retirement
On June 26, Mountain Projects honored its beloved Executive Director, Patsy Davis as she begins her well-deserved retirement after 35 years of dedicated service to Western North Carolina.
Guided by the words “Love your neighbor,” Patsy has lifted up countless individuals and communities with compassion, strength, and vision.
Under her leadership, Mountain Projects became more than an organization — it became a place of hope, resilience, and family. Thank you, Patsy, for your heart, wisdom, and unwavering dedication. You’ll always be part of the NCCAA family.
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Patsy's legacy will be commemorated through the Patsy Davis Legacy Fund, a designated fund to support affordable housing in Western North Carolina. Since launching approximately two months ago, donations total $223,000.
To make a contribution, please visit MountainProjects.org/legacyfund or send a check to Mountain Projects, 2177 Asheville Road, Waynesville, NC 28786, designating the Legacy Fund.
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Michelle's Journey Forward
Meet Michelle, a determined single mother who recently earned her Associate’s degree in Business from Southwestern Community College and is now pursuing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Business Law at Western University, graduating next year.
With support from Macon Program for Progress’s Self-Sufficiency Program—providing housing, utilities, tuition, and school supplies—Michelle was able to stay focused and move closer to her goals. Congratuations Michelle!
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Sarah Finds Stability Through Macon Program for Progress
Sarah, a dedicated single mother of two, turned to Macon Program for Progress during a time of urgent need. Her biggest challenge was securing reliable transportation to maintain employment—a barrier that other programs could not address.
Through the Self-Sufficiency Program, Sarah received the transportation support she needed, along with consistent childcare for her daughter, allowing her to stay employed and focus on her family’s future. Today, Sarah is working and moving toward greater independence. Her determination, paired with community support, has set her and her children on a path to long-term success.
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Greene Lamp Feeds the Community
Greene Lamp Community Action has been hard at work providing free food to the community this summer. Last month, Greene Lamp's Self-Sufficiency program sponsored free Hot meal giveaways in Greene County, Beaufort County and Pitt County last month.
Pictured at right is the Greene Lamp Team during its recent pop-up Drive-Thru Food Giveaway in Kinston, NC. Visit https://greenelamp.org/ to learn more.
| | | ESR Joins United Way Agency Fair | | Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) attended the United Way of Forsyth County Agency Fair in Winston-Salem. The annual Agency Fair serves as an opportunity for the community to learn about the various local non-profit agencies that partner with the United Way. | | 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. | | Dr. Abdul Rasheed, executive director of Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc., presented to the Rotary Club, outlining the agency's transformative programs designed to empower families and strengthen communities across Vance, Warren, Granville, and Franklin Counties. | |
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. | | | | |
