Empowered Newsletter | November 2023 | Issue 11 | |
Volunteers at our Kinston, NC, DIAPER Project resource event | |
Our 2024 Conference in Cherokee will celebrate the
NCCAA's 60th Anniversary!
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Interested in Becoming a Sponsor? | |
Want to be a presenter at the conference? | |
NCCAA Helps Distribute Funds to NC Homeowners
Work With the NCCAA to Spread the Word
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Our Weatherization program has current funds available through Duke Energy to assist homeowners in many parts of the state. But we can't help if homeowners don't sign up! Edi Palau, our new Director of Housing and Energy Programs, and Frankie Miller, Housing and Energy Specialist are organizing canvassing events during the next few weeks. They've already made a stop in Macon County, where they visited 255 homes. Upcoming canvassing dates and locations are listed below, so please reach out if your organization can assist!
Canvassing Dates & Locations
11/9/2023 – Greensboro, NC. •. 11/14/23 – Asheville, NC. •. 11/16/23 – Fayetteville, NC
11/9/2023 – Washington, NC
9:30am - 1:00pm
Learn More - Edi Palau, Director of Housing and Energy Programs
Frankie Miller, Housing and Energy Specialist
(919) 790 - 5757
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Teams of volunteers led by Edi Palau and Frankie Miller are canvassing for homeowners in need of repairs
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Exciting News for SCAP and Scotland County
SCAP Awarded $9.6 Million for Affordable Housing
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The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency has awarded one of five grants to Southeastern Community Action Partnership, which, in partnership with Scotland County, will provide affordable housing in Laurinburg, NC.
The funds will finance the I. Ellis Johnson Multifamily Housing site, creating 55 rental units that will be annexed into the former I.E. Johnson Elementary School, recently renovated and repurposed as a community center.
“These grant funds exemplify the County’s unwavering dedication to fostering affordable housing and sustained economic growth within the historic I. Ellis Johnson area,” said SCAP CEO, Ericka Jones Whitaker. “The community is in dire need of affordable housing, and we are deeply appreciative to be a part of this endeavor to uplift this remarkable community. At the heart of our mission lies the commitment to empower the individuals we serve, and we firmly believe that one of the most impactful ways we can achieve this is by providing high-quality, affordable housing to this community.”
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NCCAA Visits Action Pathways Event | |
NCCAA staff joined Action Pathways in Fayetteville, NC for a Weatherization Extravaganza and the Halloween-themed employee appreciation day! We are proud of Action Pathways and we were thrilled to tour their new facility in Fayetteville. Shown: NCCAA Executive Director Sharon Goodson and Action Pathways Director Lonnie Ballard. | |
Breaking News From NCAP: CCAP Candidate Extension Extended | |
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The Certified Community Action Professional designation is the premier credential in our field, and now you have 30 extra days to join the largest CCAP class in the program’s history. The CCAP Commission has authorized a 1-time CCAP enrollment deadline extension to November 30, 2023. Don’t wait to apply, though, because your application should be submitted, completed, and paid for by midnight on November 30. Individual and group enrollments should be purchased as soon as possible to provide candidates ample time to get the required reference responses and other application details fully submitted before the extended deadline. We want YOU walking across the stage in Seattle celebrating 60 years of Community Action and the amazing professionals in this work.
Scholarships through NCCAA are available on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to be considered for one of the NCCAA member scholarships, please reach out to Nafia at this email address: nafia.speach@nccaa.net today.
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Agency Spotlight: Community Action Opportunities | |
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These gentlemen from Community Action Opportunities in Asheville provide Weatherization Services to 8 counties in Western North Carolina. Together, the team has more than 35 years of weatherization experience, 6 BPI certifications, 2 cats, and 3 dogs.
Thank you for all your work gentlemen!
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Success Story: Salisbury-Rowan Community Action | |
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"Thank you! I’m truly grateful for your help and for getting my family what we need to succeed!"
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Assistance From SRCAA Helps Single Mom to Stability
While De’Shonna Sabb, a single mother of four, worked part-time in search of financial security for her family, her kids struggled in school.
When she discovered SRCAA, Inc., she enrolled in the Self-Sufficiency Program, with the goals of earning a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and obtaining tutoring services to assist her children in their academics.
Through support, advocacy and financial assistance provided by SRCAA, Ms. Sabb’s children received tutoring services, and SRCAA provided De’Shonna full tuition for CDL training. She earned her license in June, 2023, and is now receiving financial coaching to to develop a plan for financial security.
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Community Action News From Around State | |
SCAP Opens New Head Start Center in Maxton
Southeastern Community Action Partnership had a wonderful ribbon-cutting celebration for its new Head Start Center in Maxton, NC. Community leaders from Scotland and Robeson counties were in attendance.
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Charlotte Area Fund Staff Attends 21st Annual UNCF Women Who Lead Luncheon in Charlotte
From the Charlotte Area Fund, Inc. (CAF): "We express our sincere gratitude and support for the 21st UNCF Annual Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon - Charlotte. The CAF team and Nicholas Wharton, CEO & President, were honored to be amongst the nearly 1,000 attendees demonstrating support for our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This year's event was undoubtedly a tremendous success showcasing empowered women leaders in our community and the tradition and legacy of Black educational excellence."
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CAF Director Nicholas V. Wharton with attendees at the 21st UNCF Annual Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon | |
October was Fire Prevention Month, and that meant lots of visits to and from firefighting crews at our many Head Start Centers statewide. Here's a one of our favorite pictures, from Macon Program for Progress's Head Start. They visited the Burningtown Iotla Fire & Rescue Dept. near Franklin, and did some dramatic play in their classrooms as well. We have no idea about the pile of cash at bottom right, but we're not asking any questions. | |
Union County Community Action Welcomes New Board President | Union County Community Action, Inc. is pleased to announce that Dr. Matthew M. DeForrest has been elected as Chair of its Board of Directors, filling the role recently held by Mr. David Broome, Esq. Dr. DeForrest is Interim Director of the Edward E. Crutchfield Center for Integrated Studies in the college of Liberal Arts and Professor of English at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). He is a long serving member of the UCCA Board of Directors. He is a resident of Monroe, NC. | |  |
ESR Empowerment Series Continues | |
Experiment in Self Reliance continues its Family Empowerment Series on November 13 with a workshop on Planning for Holiday Spending.
The popular series teaches budgeting, banking services, renter’s skills, and career readiness. Each session provides detailed information about the topic of the day and how it affects your budget and your overall financial health.
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Mountain Projects and Partners Plan ACA, Medicaid Counseling Events | “I often see and hear stories of people whose lives are cut short because of the lack of health care,” said Patsy Davis, Executive Director of Mountain Projects. “I also know of people who were doing great in life until they got sick, and their cost of care sent them into a downward spiral. Jackson County is in the top 45 lowest earning counties in North Carolina. This expansion will help many of our neighbors get the vital health care they need and deserve.” | | |
Watauga County to Partner With WAMY for Housing Repairs | “We all know how dire our housing market is and how short we are of units,” one commissioner said. “One of the things this program could do is shore up this most fragile part of the rental unit supply. It would be far less expensive for us as a county to shore up these units than it would be to replace them or to deal with the displacement of families and individuals if these units went away.” | | |
WAMY's Community Garden Brings in the Harvest | “Bob and I have always loved to garden, but when we moved to Newland, our house was in the forest, and we had no room to grow anything,” said one of the garden's co-founders. “When I saw the big empty lot, overgrown by weeds, I had the vision of a community garden that could provide food for those in need.” | | |
NCCAA Poverty Simulation Comes to Goldsboro Family YMCA | |
The gym at the Goldsboro Family YMCA seemed like the perfect setting for Thursday’s poverty simulation and an experience to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
The NC Alliance of YMCAs, in partnership with the Goldsboro Family YMCA and the NC Community Action Association, hosted a Poverty Simulation Experience for YMCA leaders at the Goldsboro Family YMCA.
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Agency Spotlight: Blue Ridge Community Action | |
Here's another image from one of our agencies. The students at Blue Ridge Community Action's Northside Center had their Halloween game going on! Webs were being slung! | |
Milestone
NCCAA Honors Powell Upon Her Retirement
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We celebrated Valerie Powell in October as she retired after 25 years of service at the NC Office of Economic Opportunity. Valerie is pictured here with Celeste Gore-Purcell, Fiscal Unit Manager of the NC Office of Economic Opportunity and NCCAA Executive Director, Sharon Goodson. | |
T-Shirts Commemorate Founding, Support a Cause | |
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As requested, NCCAA's "1964 tees" are available for sale, but only until November 29th!
Join us in celebrating and commemorating the Equal Opportunity Act and the founding of the Community Action movement where federal resources were aimed at eliminating poverty by improving living conditions for residents of low-income neighborhoods and by helping the poor access economic opportunity.
Your tee-shirt purchases will help meet our holiday fundraising goal ($5,000!!) for the purchase of gifts and a holiday celebration for youth living in a Raleigh foster care home.
THIS IS IMPORTANT - Don't delay - shirts will only be available to purchase until November 29th!
Click here link to purchase (and to choose colors and sleeve lengths)
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In 2023, the NCCAA launched the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP) through grant funding from the Office of Community Services (OCS). This initiative has been branded for NC as The D.I.A.P.E.R. Project (Demonstrating Innovative Approaches to Promote Economic Resiliency). In partnership with the Diaper Bank of NC, five of our local community action agencies work to provide needed diapers and diapering supplies to qualified families. Participating families are waitlisted from Head Start/Early Head Start and receive 100 diapers/month, as well as wipes and ointment. Wraparound supportive services are offered to families, as well as referrals to promote economic self-sufficiency. NCCAA is excited to continue to offer this incredible program to not only ensure children have access to clean diapers, but also families are provided support as they work to improve their economic mobility. | |
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Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA)
Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton
Economic Improvement Council (EIC)
Martin, Chowan, Pasquotank, Tyrell, Hyde
Franklin-Vance-Warren-Opportunities, Inc.
Vance, Warren
Greene Lamp
Lenoir, Greene
WAGES, Inc
Wayne
| Images of a 2023 DIAPER resource fair in Kinston. (Darius Carr photos) | |
Certificate Program Classes Scheduled for the 1st Quarter of '24 | |
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The NCCAA, in partnership with Southern University, continues to offer popular certificate courses in Case Management and Head Start Family Engagement.
Class start dates have been set for the first quarter of 2024. Please reach out if we can provide fliers for your distribution.
Read More About the Certificates at These Links:
Head Start
Case Management
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Health Note
Free Covid Tests Available this Fall
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Featured Career Opportunities & RFPs | |
RFP Spotlight: BRCA Seeks Four-County CNA | |
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BRCA is calling for submissions for a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) covering Burke, Caldwell, and Rutherford Counties.
The primary objective of this assessment is to guide planning and service delivery to low-income families in these counties. Tasked with the oversight of the Community Service Block Grant in these counties, BRCA is required to complete a CNA every three years in order to adhere to CSBG guidelines.
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The needs assessment should be completed by March 8, 2024.
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Links to Career Pages in Our Network | |
(Link goes to home page when career page isn't offered) | |
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. | |
In Case You Missed It ... | |
NCCAA Annual Conference in Review | |
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.
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“I Am” Community Action Video
Please share this video in your social media!
The purpose of Community Action agencies is to provide a broad range of activities and services that help individuals move the needle towards self sufficiency. Our programs help and encourage children and youth, support the working poor, support individuals and households in crisis, sustain and honor the elderly, strengthen families and work to strengthen the entire community. #CommunityAction #NCCAA
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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. | | | | |
