Community Action Helps Young Father in Time of Need

Brett, a young father of two who was unemployed was referred to the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties' Fathers Matter program which fosters increased involvement with children, provides parenting skills, and helps fathers to look within themselves to find ways of meeting their personal and financial goals. Brett was so pleased with the program, he sent a letter to Jessika Smith, his social service specialist, to thank her. Following is what Brett wrote:

Community Action Helps Young Mother Succeed

Skyla, is a 23 year old mother of five who lives in Chillicothe, Ohio. Through a Ross County Community Action program called “Determined To Succeed” she has become a shining example of how someone can thrive despite being confronted with numerous barriers.

Community Action: Helping Our Youth Grow

Ken was a single father, raising a five-year-old daughter when he learned that he had another infant daughter, 17-month-old Savannah, who was removed from her mother’s custody by protective services for neglect. At the time, Ken had been unemployed for nearly a year and was living in an apartment provided by a transitional housing program. He was also attending weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to support his recovery. He was interested in parenting support because he was concerned about caring for such a young child and Savannah’s eating habits.

Community Action: Helping Veterans

Luther, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, had a good job as a police officer in Florida, but he was forced to leave that position to return to Ohio to care for an ill parent and was unable to find another position.

Community Action Helps Dislocated Worker Gain New Skills and Find a Job

Michael, a 55 year-old resident of Weinland Park in Columbus, Ohio who lost his warehousing job did not know where to turn. "I lost my job in 2011 and my whole world crumbled," Michael explained. "I lost my apartment, my relationship and my freedom. I felt defeated and I had no self-esteem. I thought that I was going to be able to bounce right back and get a job, but no, that didn't happen. I would apply for jobs and I would never hear back from employers. I felt punished by society. I wondered 'what am I doing wrong?' I am over 50 years old and suddenly for the for the first time, I felt useless. I needed help."

Weatherization Leads to Safer Home

Ramona, a single mom from Lorain, Ohio had been living in strife for seven years without any heat in her home. Her nearly 100-year-old home was in desparate need of major repairs, including a new boiler, but the expenses were beyond her meager budget.

Community Action Helps Veteran Find Job

Tammy, an LPN, Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and mother of seven children lost her job while on maternity leave. Her husband was unable to work due to a back injury and was in the process of filing for disability. Consequently, the family was struggling to meet their rent and utilities payments and came to WSOS (Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa and Seneca Counties) Community Action for help.

Head Start: Helping Ohio's Youth

In 2012, more than 6 million children under age six lived in poverty in America. Head Start served 1,146,468 children and pregnant women last year. In Ohio, Head Start served 49,702 children. 

Head Start is a national program that promotes the school-readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development, as well as providing health, nutrition, social services and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments. Most Community Action Agencies in Ohio offer Head Start programs, but these programs have been hit hard by the sequestration.

Because of the $405 million in cuts nationally, 57,265 children will lose services and 18,000 staff will suffer job losses or pay cuts. In Ohio, 2,782 fewer children will be served this year and there will be 11,168 fewer days of service provided to the remaining children served. Many teachers will lose their jobs and transportation and other services and supplies will be cut, affecting those who need it most.

Following is the story of how Head Start helped one young boy at the Head Start provided by Lorain County Community Action Agency (LCCAA):

Computer Training Helps Unemployed Dayton Man Land a Job

During a period of unemployment, the 55-year-old Kevin nearly became homeless after his electric and gas services went through the disconnection process. Though he had access to a home computer, he didn't know what to do with it. Kevin decided learning to use the computer might help him to find a job and improve his situation.

Community Action Giving a Helping Hand to Neighbors in Need

Uneek Lowe, a Cincinnati resident suffering from a genetic brain disorder did not know what to do when the ceiling tiles in her dining room began to sag. With each passing day more tiles started sagging until half the ceiling looked as if it was caving in. "I thought, oh my god the whole ceiling is going to come down. It was a mess," said Lowe. Without the money to fix the problem, Lowe placed several calls to a local non-profit well  known for serving elderly and disabled homeowners. After weeks of waiting for an answer, representatives told her there was nothing they could do - her situation was not considered enough of an emergency.

Homeless Mom Gets the Help She Needs

Following is a letter from a mother of three who's children were enrolled in Community Action Wayne/Medina's Head Start and Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funded programs. It tells of the struggles this family endured and how Community Action helped improve their lives.

Diabetic Senior Receives the Help He Needs

Juan, a 66 year old Lake County resident who lives with his daughter’s family is an insulin-dependent diabetic without medical insurance. His family must absorb the financial responsibility of his medical care. Juan turned to Lifeline for the Empowerment and Development of Consumers, the Lake County Community Action Agency, for assistance with his diabetic needs.

Local program helps fathers be fathers

Article and photo reprinted with permission from the Marion Star 
Published June 16, 2013 by John Jarvis

When Richard G. Byrd Jr. heard about a program that would help him find work after months of being told by employers they wouldn’t hire him because he had a felony conviction, he had his doubts. “I wasn’t sure, but I was open-minded,” the 31-year-old Marion resident said.

There's No Place Like Home

Mark and Joann had big dreams of buying their first home for them and their three children. To help in this process, they turned to Lima Allen Council on Community Affairs (LACCA) for asistance.

Community Action Helps Improve Family's Livelihood

Melissa, an LPN, is caring for both her husband and her mother who are disabled, as well as her two young children. After becoming the sole bread winner when her husband could no longer work, Melissa realized she needed to do more to provide for her family.

Eye Care Assistance Helps Ohioan See a Better Future

Mallory lost her job and was living in a homeless shelter. She also broke her glasses and had no way of replacing them without any medical insurance or money. She learned of Lifeline's Eye Care Assistance program from another shelter resident. Mallory turned to Lifeline, the Lake County Community Action Agency, for assistance.

Homeless Veteran Finds a Home and a New Family

In January 2011, the Ohio State Highway Patrol picked up a man they found walking on State Route 23 just south of South Bloomfield and took him to the Circleville Police Department. Because the man was a homeless veteran, the CPD contacted Joe, Pickaway County Community Action's (PICCA) transitional housing manager.

Ex-Offender Turns Life Around and Chases His Dream

This is the story of Dante, an ex-offender who received assistance from IMPACT Community Action in his own words:

"At the age of 21, I was a young man with dreams, hopes and potential, but I was also immature, irresponsible, impressionable and reckless. I made a mistake that cost me 18 years of my life. I went to jail in June 1994 and was released on May 23, 2012.

A Win-Win Situation for Employer and Employee

David, an army veteran who served as a fire control equipment specialist in the 1980's was laid off, had exhausted his unemployment benefits and feared losing his home. He had never used his VA benefits before, but he visited the Scioto County One Stop, run by the Community Action Organization of Scioto County for possible assistance with veterans services.

Single Mom Goes Back to School and Buys a Home with the Help of Community Action

When Betty Jo first came to Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF), the designated Community Action Agency for Butler County, she was a struggling single mother who was working full-time. She had been taken advantage of by others and she seriously doubted her ability to succeed.

Community Action Helps Rural Resident Receive Needed Medical Treatment

Roy is a diabetic living in rural Mahoning County who had a stroke that left him blind. As part of his care, his doctor recently ordered him to start receiving dialysis treatments three times per week. Unfortunately, the  facility he was sent to is in Trumbull County, roughly 25 miles away from his home, and being blind he was unsure how he would get to his appointments.

Community Action Helps Dayton Youth Improve Her Grades

Cierra is an 11-year-old girl living in Dayton who has been participating in the Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area's Youth Empowerment Center. She has been flourishing in the program and was recently excited to report to the director of the program her noteworthy improvement in her school performance.

Community Action Helps Stroke Victim Keep His Home

J.D. is a veteran who was working full time until he suffered a stroke and heart attack that placed him on FMLA (Family & Medical Leave Act). This ultimately led to his termination of employment when his leave extended beyond 12 weeks, leaving him and his wife in financial trouble.

Reuniting a Family and Much More

When Josh was referred to the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties’ Fathers Matter program by the child support offices, he was homeless and living in his van. The program not only helped him become a better father, but improved his life.

Community Action Helps Homeless Woman Fulfill Her Dreams

Sandra had come from a broken home. She dropped out of school in the ninth grade, had an addictive lifestyle, had served time in prison, and was living on the streets. But thanks to Community Action, she completed her education, has a home and a great job where she says, "I am living my dream and it feels great!"