Empowered Newsletter | November 2024 | Issue 11 | |
Blue Ridge Community Action Executive Director Stephanie Ashley, Economic Improvement Council Executive Director Dr. Landon B. Mason Sr., NCCAA Executive Director Sharon Goodson and Bill Bradley of the Ballantyne Insurance Group pitch in at the recent Big Pop Up sponsored by Blue Ridge Community Action in Morganton | |
Rallying for Hurricane Relief in Morganton
Big Pop Up at Blue Ridge Community Action
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On October 28, Blue Ridge Community Action organized a free product distribution event to assist families in its Hurricane Helene-devastated community. Turnout was tremendous, and families in need received new winter clothing, gloves, hats, tennis shoes, household items, baby, children, and office supplies, toys, bedding, baby cribs, cleaning supplies, appliances, and more.
In total, the following numbers were achieved:
- 520 Households served across 8 counties
- 2203 People served
- 35 Veterans served
- 156 Elderly (65+) people served
- 150 Disabled people served
BRCA has expressed thanks to partners who helped make the event possible: the Office of Economic Opportunity in the NC Department of Health and Human Services Community Action Partnership National Office Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies North Carolina Head Start Association and Samaritan's Feet International
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Thank you to our Colleagues in the Buckeye State! | |
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We're deeply indebted to our colleagues at the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) for their support of Blue Ridge Community Action, its staff, and people in the surrounding community on October 28. Our thanks go out to Phil Cole, Executive Director of OACAA, Pickaway County Community Action Association Executive Director Becky Hammond, and all the many directors of sister agencies across the state of Ohio.
OACAA coordinated a large delivery of supplies to BRCA.
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Successful Jones County Event
Coastal Community Action Holds Pop Up
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Coastal Community Action, Inc. recently held a Pop-Up event to help provide for low-income families in their community. From the Jones County Civic Center, the agency handed out hygiene Items, food produce boxes, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, and booster beads to low-income families.
With the help of Jones County Community Hope Inc the agency also handed out free COVID-19 tests. Also distributed were 100 food produce boxes from Conetoe Family Life Center. Coastal Community Action plans pop ups in other nearby counties soon.
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Fundraising for Displaced Community Action Employees
Sometimes the Helpers Need Help Too
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Dear Colleagues - Western North Carolina has been devastated by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Agency colleagues in the mountains are busy serving community members who have experienced deep loss in this disaster. We have learned over the last two days that at least four community action staff have lost their homes or experienced extreme damage. Let’s help the helpers this time and ensure our colleagues have what they need.
Contribute if you can at this link: https://gofund.me/c79dbf99
Sharon Goodson, Executive Director
#CommunityAction
#nccommunityactionassociation
#CommunityActionWorks
#hurricanehelenerelief
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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
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New Employee Welcome: Andrea Ajagbe, HEAL NC Success Coach | |
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Andrea Ajagbe is a Florida native with a diverse professional background centered on customer care, advocacy, and positive change. With a passion for empowering others, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from both traditional and nonprofit sectors. Her most recent role was managing a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter at Wayne Uplift, where she demonstrated her commitment to supporting vulnerable communities.
Ajagbe holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from UNC Pembroke, along with Associate degrees in Accounting and General Studies. A natural communicator with lived experiences, she connects deeply with the families HEAL NC serves, providing compassionate and effective guidance as they work toward their goals.
Andrea’s nurturing approach is rooted in her strong family values as a dedicated mother of five and proud grandmother. These values shape her work, ensuring that every individual she interacts with feels supported, safe, and valued. Her blend of analytical skills and sociological insight allows her to address complex challenges with both heart and intellect.
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The NCCAA is happy to offer Executive Leadership Certificates, beginning this fall. They were once offered in conjunction with SEACAA, but we now offer these courses in a partnership with Southern University.
More Information Soon!
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Training & Technical Assistance Needs Survey | |
Please help us clarify the ways. we can help you! | |
Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts
Mountain Projects and Local Donors Help Displaced Families
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Mountain Projects has had a trial by fire in flood relief over the past three years, dealing first with the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Fred in 2021, and recently by Hurricane Helene. As with all of our local agencies, networking is and local connections are key. This story about one family that lost its home in recent flooding is a fine example. | |
Head Start Awareness
Snapshots From a Few of Our Agency Head Starts
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Face painting at Mountain Projects | |
Pre-service Training at Franklin Vance Warren | |
Success Story
Family Empowerment Self Sufficiency (FESS) Graduate at
Southeastern Community Action Partnership
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Lauren Simmons of Robeson County completed SCAP’s FESS program in the spring of this year. Her story highlights the impact of financial assistance and personal encouragement in achieving educational and professional goals.
Says Simmons: “This program has assisted me with alleviating so many financial burdens during my journey in obtaining my sonography degree. It is very challenging going back to school with two young children, especially in this economy, therefore this support offered by SCAP was very much appreciated. Not only did the financial support help me to obtain my degree, but the encouragement that was offered by Mr. Dee and knowing that he was only one phone call away was very helpful.”
The staff at SCAP found Lauren’s perseverance and dedication truly inspiring. Balancing education and family responsibilities is no small feat, and Simmons has done it with grace and strength. Her success is a beacon of hope for others in similar situations. Says SCAP: “Best of luck in your future endeavors as an Ultrasound Technician!”
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Agency Spotlight
Dental Screenings at Northside Children's Learning Center
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The Caldwell County Health Department conducted dental screenings for 68 Head Start students at Blue Ridge Community Action's Northside Learning Center recently. It’s a great initiative to promote oral health among young children. | |
Agency Spotlight
Charlotte Area Fund Highway Construction Class
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WAGES and HEAL NC Plan Workshops to Help Team Members Avoid Burnout | |
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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
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Careers with the NCCAA Network | |
Links to Career Pages in the NCCAA Network | |
(Link goes to home page when career page isn't offered) | |
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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
Telamon, Raleigh
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
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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. | |
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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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. | | | | |
