Empowered Newsletter | October 2024 | Issue 10 | |
Ramping up flood relief efforts: Haley Griffith, Vivian Bumgarner and Vicky Ferguson,
of Mountain Projects | |
Fundraising for Displaced Community Action Employees
Sometimes the Helpers Need Help Too
| |
|
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
| |
Flood Notes From Our Agencies | |
From Blue Ridge Community Action | |
Blue Ridge Community Action, Morganton | |
|
Damage
Hurricane Helene has caused catastrophic damage across the Western Region of North Carolina. We at Blue Ridge Community Action, Inc. are extremely grateful that we did not experience any casualties. However, over half of our staff are currently without power, and some are also without water. Additionally, cellular and internet services remain minimal.
Our administrative building, which houses Finance, HR, Adult Day Care, Head Start/EHS, Smart Start, Childcare, Weatherization, and Case Management, was flooded, resulting in a complete loss of all contents and condemnation of the building.
We are working diligently to restore Finance and HR services as quickly as possible. Additionally, we are in the process of identifying temporary locations for our Adult Day Care and Childcare classrooms.
| |
From Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission | |
Pet Blessing Box, Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, North Wilkesboro | |
Supplies
Remember BROC is a drop off site for supplies to support hurricane relief in our tri county area. Our staff has been in our mountain counties working diligently on repairing homes and supporting those in need. Sending another load of supplies again today!
Pet Blessing Box
Our pet blessing box is open! Homeless/low income families can pick up blankets, food bowls, pet toys, pet clothes, pet food, and children's books from Jessie's Place. This pet blessing box is dedicated in memory of Jessie Marley, and is our way of trying to help those pet owners in need. We know your pets are family to you. Anyone that wants to help our effort please feel free to drop by and leave pet items for those in need.
| |
From Community Action Opportunities | |
Pisgah View Head Start Staff Mary, Jen, Yesenia and FSA Leslie worked with Mercy Chef and Earthfare to deliver both hot and frozen meals to families in need in Asheville. | |
Supplies
Received a large delivery of packaged meals for Head Start families plus diapers, water & feminine products from Duke Energy
| |
Widespread damage in the northwestern mountains | |
Appeal from Allison Jennings at WAMY:
The storm has left not only destruction but also despair, with hundreds of our community members missing. We are committed to doing everything possible to aid in search efforts and provide relief to those affected. The devastation has damaged homes and created immediate financial emergencies for many low-income homeowners.
Your support is vital. By donating to WAMY, you can help us:
- Repair and restore homes for families in desperate need
- Provide emergency financial assistance for critical needs
-and so much more! We are currently a collection site for essential items
Each contribution directly impacts the lives of individuals and families, helping to restore hope and provide stability. The need is urgent, and your generosity can be the driving force behind our efforts to rebuild and reunite our community.
Please consider making a donation today at www.WAMYCommunityAction.org. Your involvement can make all the difference in our mission to stand strong and united in the face of adversity.
Thank you for your compassion and your commitment to making a positive impact.
| |
Head Start Awareness Month
New School Year, New Momentum for Head Start!
| | |
|
WAGES, Inc., Head Start Program of Excellence!
In September the National Head Start Association recognized WAGES Head Start & Early Head Start as one of 12 Head Start Programs of Excellence across the country.
The Program of Excellence is awarded to top Head Start and Early Head Start programs for delivering a well-rounded classroom experience and comprehensive services associated with robust positive outcomes to children from birth to age five, their families, expectant parents, and their communities.
We are so proud of the WAGES Head Start team and their commitment to early childhood education.
Read more here:
https://nhsa.org/.../12-head-start-programs-earn-program.../.
| | |
Family Engagement
Head Start Feature Photos from I-CARE
| |
Head Start Final Rule Released
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the Office of Head Start (OHS) released a final rule making significant changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards. The rule, Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming, addresses multiple standards ranging from staff compensation and benefits to incident reporting requirements. Effective dates for policy changes are staggered over the next seven years, with the first changes going into effect on October 21, 2024. The rule is the culmination of a nine-month federal rulemaking process, which began with OHS publishing proposed changes to the standards on November 20, 2023. Over 250 Community Action Agencies, Associations, and National Partners submitted a set of public comments in January 2024 addressing that initial proposal.
| |
|
The NCCAA Energy team is working closely and diligently with all Community Action Agencies that participate in the State Weatherization Assistance Program and that have received their fully executed contracts and have vetted subcontractors. We're encouraging everyone to maximize every opportunity by leveraging all of Duke Energy’s funding (where applicable) in as many homes as possible, all while addressing the wait list that continues to increase.
We're developing innovative ways to utilize Duke Energy funding (Helping Home Fund, Duke Energy Weatherization Carolinas/Progress) and teaming with two agencies, Johnston Lee Harnett Community Action and Passage Homes Inc., in projects in their communities to assist families in need.
| |
Twin Rivers YMCA in New Bern hosted us for a poverty simulation on September 17. Thank you to Kelly Millington (Interim CEO) and Erin Langley (Director of Mission Advancement) for hosting us! | |
HEAL NC Holds First Family Engagement Event | |
HEAL NC held its first Family Engagement Event in Goldsboro on 9/26, and each participant created a vision board. Vision boards help people set clear goals and keep focused on reaching them. Success Coach Arerel Belmer organized the event and shared her inspirational story as part of the program. HEAL NC works with Head Start parents to provide intensive support to end cycles of generational trauma that often occur in under resourced communities. | |
WAGES and HEAL NC Plan 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: 919-731-9999 Ext. 212
| |
Limited Time to Enroll in October Cohorts! | |
|
The NCCAA, in partnership with Southern University, continues to offer popular certificate courses in Case Management and Head Start Family Engagement.
Please reach out if we can provide fliers for your distribution.
Read More About the Certificates at These Links:
Head Start
Case Management
| |
Careers with the NCCAA Network | |
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
Central Piedmont Community Action, Durham area
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
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. | |
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. | | | | |
