Empowered Newsletter | March 2025 | Issue 3

Students at Gaston Community Action's Highland Charter Head Start Center celebrated 100 days of school by dressing like they were 100 years old!

Make Your Plans!

Annual Conference Set for May in Raleigh

Sheraton Raleigh Hotel and Raleigh Convention Center

Conference Dates: May 13 – 16, 2025

Pre-conference on Tuesday, May 13th Conference kicks off on Wednesday, May 14th

Board Summit Friday, May 16th through Saturday, May 17th

Sneaker Ball Gala on Thursday, May 15th

Sneaker Ball Returns!

Popular Event Now Included in Conference Registration

At our conference last year in Cherokee we held our inaugural “Sneaker Ball” event to enjoy fellowship in our work community, to recognize allies in the community action fight, and to present themed awards to individuals and organizations notable for recent work. We also use the event to announce our annual NCCAA standing awards.

This year's Sneaker Ball is included in your conference registration.

Sneaker Ball tickets can also be purchased separately by friends, family and community members

Board Summit Scheduled May 16 & 17

North Carolina’s CAA board leaders will hear from a leading expert on multiple topics related to board governance after this year's annual conference. Come get a refresher while learning new techniques and best practices. Space is limited so register today.

Recognizing Those Who Go Above and Beyond

2025 Award Nominations

Yellow Buttons = deadline THIS FRIDAY

Hall of Fame

Champions of the Community Action movement in North Carolina

Essential Piece

Community Action Employee of the Year. Boardroom to mailroom!

Roselle Copeland

Exemplary individual contribution to association, agency or community

Lonnie D. Burton

Client who has achieved a significant level of self-sufficiency and independence

Gloria M. Williams

Corporation, foundation, or other partner that has advanced our cause

Andrea Harris Scholarship

Student interested in a career serving underserved people and communities

News From the NCCAA

You're Not Alone; Help is Here!

Protect Your Mental Health

The North Carolina Community Association (NCCAA), in partnership with Integrated Family Services (IFS), is offering free, confidential emotional health support for Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) staff.

Take advantage of one-hour sessions designed to help you manage stress, navigate personal or workplace challenges, and enhance your well-being-all in a safe, supportive space with guidance from licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). Your well-being matters. Connect, share, and find the support you deserve!

Questions? Contact: Sheryl Andrews, CSBG Liaison

Phone: 919-790-5757

Email: Sheryl.Andrews@nccaa.net

NCCAA Seeks Audit Firms for Referrals to Network Agencies

The NCCAA is seeking CPA firms that are interested in working with nonprofits.

Please contact our office to connect with us and learn more: 919-790-5757

Success Story! Empowering Change: The Story of

Mr. Lonnie Atkinson

Javier Murillo, WAGES, Inc., CSBG Case Manager and Head Start Male Involvement Coordinator, discusses future educational plans with Lonnie Atkinson, CSBG participant.

At 32, homeownership once seemed out of reach for Lonnie Atkinson. Just two years ago, he was in a very different place. On April 2, 2025, he will celebrate two years of sobriety—a journey that began after years of struggling with addiction, dropping out of high school, and facing legal challenges. Now life has changed.

“My wife and I just closed on our home—we are officially homeowners,” he shares with a grin. “The top has no ceiling for me right now.”

Click Here to Read the Entire Story from WAGES, Inc.

News From Around the Network

Charlotte Area Fund Opens LISC Financial Opportunity Center in New Headquarters

Charlotte Area Fund opened its new headquarters facility off North Wendover Road in east Charlotte recently. Community members, partners and staff came together to celebrate the milestone inside the new space. The organization said it partnered with Habitat for Humanity to make it happen. 

“I think being in east Charlotte [and] relocating from our former location [and] being placed based in an echo system of social sector partners is going to be very important for the work that we do.," CEO Nick Wharton said. "To change the economic trajectory of folks' lives."

More Here from WCNC-TV Charlotte

Charlotte Area Fund CEO Nick Wharton speaks at the opening of the organization's new headquarters building in East Charlotte

Mountain Projects Holds One-Stop Resource Hub

Mountain Projects recently held a One-Stop Resource Hub at its location in Waynesville.

Team members and community partners provided free resources, including: over-the-counter medications (vitamins, allergy relief, pain relief, digestive health, and more), hygiene supplies and clothing, along with tax help, FEMA applications, and health insurance enrollment.

Blood sugar & blood pressure screenings from Blue Ridge Health were offered, as well as free legal information from NC Legal Aid Disaster Relief attorneys.

Shown here are Mountain Projects employees Hailey Griffith, Tori Plemmons and Chelsea Ruiz

CAO Father Engagement Breakfast a Success

Families at Community Action Opportunities' Estes Head Start enjoyed a Father Engagement Breakfast recently. All the families shared a yummy breakfast and spent time in centers learning from the children. A special thanks to the teaching staff and family service team for organizing this event.

Franklin Vance Warren's YouthBuild Program Gains Steam

Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc.'s YouthBuild is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program for youth aged 16-24 who have previously dropped out of high school. Participants gain vocational skills in construction and other in-demand industries like healthcare, IT, and hospitality. Through required community service, youth contribute to affordable housing projects in their neighborhoods. They split their time between vocational training and the classroom, earning a high school diploma or equivalency degree, developing leadership skills, and preparing for postsecondary opportunities.Here, YouthBuild students are hands-on in their carpentry class, learning the fundamentals of construction and craftsmanship.

Organization Adds Flowers to Passage Pantry Food Deliveries

In addition to Passage Home's bi-weekly Passage Pantry food delivery in mid-February, families received flowers courtesy of the volunteers at MOM Wishing Widows Well. Their goal is to provide a little something extra on Valentine's Day for widows, caregivers, and individuals who are struggling. 

Passage Home's staff delivered them directly to clients along with their food boxes filled with nonperishables and fresh produce. 

Charlotte Dentist Visits Gaston Community Action Head Start

Students at Highland Charter Head Start recently learned all about caring for their teeth through a visit by Dr. Quaston Murray, a dentist with Riverbend Village Dental Care in Charlotte

In Memoriam

SCAP Mourns the Passing of Greene, Jr

Executive Director Dr. Ericka J. Whitaker and the SCAP Board of Directors, and staff are deeply saddened to share the passing of Mr. Richard Greene, Jr., former Southeastern Community Action Partnership Executive Director.

He entered eternal rest on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in Charlotte, NC.

Mr. Greene dedicated 45 years of his life to the mission of empowering and uplifting communities in southeastern North Carolina. Our hearts go out to Mr. Greene’s family, friends, and those impacted by his work and life. His contributions will be remembered for generations to come.

Rest in peace, Mr. Greene

News From the Community Action Partnership

2025 Community Action Messaging Toolkit Now Available

There is no more important time than now to be on point with messaging about the Community Action mission. The linked toolkit provides a collection of network talking points for communicating the critical importance of Community Action Agencies to local communities across the country. The toolkit also includes sample graphics and social media posts, along with guidance on how to quickly and easily add your agency's logo to the templates provided.

“I love the Parent Engagement Events. They always leave me with so much knowledge and tools to just get throughout everyday life. HEAL NC has been a big part of my mental health and success these short months, and I truly appreciate all three of the women

who work constantly to support us.”

– Jalissa Douglas

Parent of the Month: Jalissa Douglas

“‘HEAL NC has been a big part of my mental health and success’.”

Tall and stately, Jalissa Douglas exudes confidence. She is quick to smile and makes others feel

at home. But behind her easy manner is a story of hardship and survival. HEAL NC is a program

designed to uplift Head Start and other parents who have experienced early life trauma, mental

health concerns, and/or substance use. It is a partnership of the NC Community Action

Association, WAGES, and The Duke Endowment.

“HEAL NC has helped my mental health tremendously. I just transitioned here from

Philadelphia, and this group has balanced me out a hundred percent.”

Jalissa moved to North Carolina in the fall to remove herself and her child from a toxic situation.

“I love the Parent Engagement Events,” she said. “They always leave me with so much

knowledge and tools to just get throughout everyday life. HEAL NC has been a big part of my

mental health and success these short months, and I truly appreciate all three of the women

who work constantly to support us.”

Jalissa has connected with peers through HEAL NC.

“The world can tear us down but, in these engagements, everyone comes together,” she said.

“I’ve developed soul friendships in the group.”

For many, HEAL NC has become a second family.

“I have an amazing Success Coach who truly listens to me and tries everything in her power to

help and provide resources, motivation, encouragement and constant checkups. I never grew

up with a mother but if I did, I would wish it was someone as kind and gentle as her!”

Today Jalissa’s future is full of hope. She is taking college classes and doing well.

“God is my source of all motivation but also my son Kamarri. My future goals are to finish

school and become a surgical tech.”

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.

We Want Your Stories!

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.

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