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.