March 2025

Photo: Highland County Community Action Organization, Inc. supporters and staff present a sign created by Head Start students during their visit to Capitol Hill. Ohio agency representatives met with elected officials during NCAF's Washington Conference to advocate for the Community Action Network.

OACAA Executive Director Earns Robert M. Coard Award

OACAA Executive Director Phil Cole was recognized as a recipient of the Robert M. Coard Advocacy Award presented by the National Community Action Foundation during their annual conference in Washington D.C. The award pays homage to the visionary Action for Boston Community Development leader and catalyst of the national Community Action movement. Congratulations, Phil!

OACAA Updates Self-Sufficiency Standard Report and Online Calculator

In 2015, in cooperation with the University of Washington School of Social Work Center for Women's Welfare, OACAA released the Self-Sufficient Standard report and online calculator tool. Our continued partnership with UW has allowed us to regularly update the data to reflect cost of living adjustments. We’re happy to share the latest data from March 2025 is now available to use in our online calculator!

>>> VIEW CALCULATOR

Save the Date: 2025 Annual Summer Conference

Gwen L. Robinson, Cincinnati trailblazer and community champion, dies at 78

(Story Source: Cincinnati Enquirer; Author: Kaycee Sloan; Photo from: Cincy CAA Facebook)

Gwen L. Robinson, who served as the president and CEO of the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency (CAA) for 23 years, passed away Monday at the age of 78.

The CAA, in an Instagram post, said Robinson was a "true champion" for the community, who "dedicated her life to ensuring residents live in a community where everyone is equipped with the tools and resources to be self-sufficient."

Robinson joined the organization in 1995. It strives to lift individuals and families out of poverty through services such as job training and housing assistance.

She served the organization for over two decades before officially retiring in 2018.

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SELF shares Chelsea's story

(Story Source: SELF)

At SELF, we believe everyone has the power to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency. Chelsea’s story is a testament to resilience and the strength to overcome poverty. Through SELF’s Motherhood and Maternity Addiction Services (MAMAS) Getting Ahead program, she redefined her future and reclaimed her life.

Rediscovering Strength

Chelsea spent 14 years battling addiction, a struggle that pulled her deep into the cycle of poverty. “As you’re going through the beginning process of recovery, there is a deep, dark hole that you’ve dug yourself into and you are definitely in that cycle of poverty and trying to get out and trying to better your life,” she shared.

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PICCA receives $18,000 donation for Ohio House

(Story Source: PICCA Headlines; Author: Jeff Phillips)

CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO (March 3, 2025) – Homes for Veterans, a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization focused on providing barrier-free spaces for military veterans, donated $18,800 to Pickaway County Community Action (PICCA).

The funds will be used to renovate bathrooms and showers at Ohio House, which PICCA uses to provide transitional housing for homeless veterans, said PICCA Executive Director Jonna Motter.

“We are so blessed that Homes for Veterans believes in the important work we are doing for unhoused military veterans,” Motter said. “This work will greatly improve the quality of life for people who served our country and defended the freedoms we enjoy.”

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