June 2021
NCCAA Launches “Sleeves Up North Carolina” COVID Vaccine Campaign
The North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA) launched Sleeves Up North Carolina—a statewide public education campaign aimed at dispelling common myths and providing factual information about the COVID-19 vaccines. For more information, visit the Sleeves Up resource hub on the NCCAA website.
Agency News
Every child dreams of what they want to be when they grow up. An astronaut, a teacher, a pirate, or an actress. But some children aren’t allotted the same opportunities to achieve their childhood dreams. With a special focus on literacy and language, the Choanoke Area Development Association of N.C., Inc. (CADA) Head Start/ Early Head Start Program, prepares economically disadvantaged children and their families for success in kindergarten and in life.
Community Action News, Publications and Features
While agreeing to raise electric rates for Duke Energy customers, regulators also increased money for low-income weatherization and called for proposals to make rates more affordable. NCCAA executive director Sharon Goodson comments on the association’s efforts to leverage funding to provide energy assistance to North Carolinians in need.

Read more here
In recognition of its pandemic relief work, Greene Lamp Community Action has been awarded the key to the city by Kinston Mayor Don Hardy. “Greene Lamp Community Action has been a huge part of the community for the last 54 years,” Hardy announced. “They provide significant support, including rental assistance, utility, and even disaster assistance as well.”

The North Carolina Community Action Association presents Come Home, a moving documentary that explores the life experiences and successes of NEW Reentry Council clients who have reentered society. The film, produced by North Carolina cinematographer Sherrod Knox, reveals personal accounts from of former incarcerated individuals, and includes commentary from public officials and NEW Reentry Council staff. The expansion of successful reentry in society is to incorporate opportunity, reduce recidivism and increase safety.


Charlotte Area Fund CEO Nick Wharton leveraged his guest appearance on the Hull and Chandler Leadership Series to provide an overview of the history of the community action movement and discuss poverty and racism in the Charlotte area. The Leadership Series is a monthly discussion sponsored by law firm Hull and Chandler during which local and regional nonprofit, business and social sector leaders are interviewed on topical issues. Access the interview here
Residents of Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson counties participated in the NEW Reentry Council’s May training session. The resume building and cover letter writing presentation held for clients of NEW Reentry Council was conducted by Shamika Gardner of Skylar Business and Personal Solutions.

Learn more here
In celebration of Community Action Month, Southeastern Community Action Partnership (SCAP) donated 500 reusable face masks to the Robeson County Courthouse. The mask donation, accepted by Superior Court Judge Tiffany Peguise-Powers on behalf of the courthouse, will help ensure that all people entering the courthouse are in adherence to county COVID protocol.

Read more here
WAMY Community Action donors recently boarded flights to destinations across the globe. With COVID restrictions in place, travels experienced luxurious destinations via the agency’s virtual “Around the World in One Day” fundraiser.

Read more here
NEW Grounds Coffee© is coffee with a purpose. When you drink NEW Grounds Coffee© you provide people with NEW opportunities and a NEW start. Through NEW Grounds Coffee© we provide financial support and training opportunities for re-entry efforts across North Carolina.

Read more here


The words “epic” and “transformative” best describe the recent Night of Hope event organized by the NEW Reentry Council as part of its annual Reentry Week awareness campaign. Hosted by TV personality and author Valonda Calloway, the event celebrated individuals who have successfully transitioned back into society.

Read more here

Network News
NCCAA to Explore Certification Program for
Red Hat Linux Software
We are excited to present a new certification opportunity. Red Hat, a provider of enterprise open-source operating system IT solutions, is offering to our community action agencies and their clients a deeply discounted Linux certification program. Research shows that Linux certified professionals in the United States earn an average annual income of $120,000.
Equity Starts Here Challenge: Continued Learning
We hope you’ve come away with a better understanding of equity, your own beliefs, and values, and what inequity looks like in our society. As with everything, the first step to change is understanding ourselves, changing our own behavior, and then working to help others change theirs. We hope that as you shared your experiences regarding this challenge with your circle, you found great connection and allyship. Please continue to share your experiences and thoughts with those around you.

Although the challenge is complete, advocating for equity will never be over.
William Sawyer, vice president of the EIC Board of Directors (center), passes free diapers and other infant supplies through the window to an Edenton woman who was attending The Big Pop Up drive-through community benefit at the Perquimans county recreation center in Hertford.
Photo credit: Chris Day, Daily Advance
EIC's The Big Pop Up™ event provides supplies for hundreds of eastern
North Carolina families
Economic Improvement Council staff and volunteers along with members of the NCCAA team provided supplies to hundreds of families at the most recent
The Big Pop UpTM event held in Hertford, North Carolina. Hosted by EIC, the event began attracting participants nearly three hours prior to its 10 a.m. start time. “I am extremely surprised,” said Dr. Landon Mason, EIC executive director. “We knew there was a need, but the volume of traffic speaks volumes.
Inspirational Word
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