As president of the board at Monticello Area Community Action Agency, I have seen what wonderful work this organization does for low-income families in our community. I am distressed by the latest threat from Congress to dramatically reduce Community Services Block Grant funding, the core funding for MACAA and the nearly 1,200 Community Action Agencies throughout the country. These agencies provide critical services to 20.7 million low-income Americans every year.
In 2009-2010 MACAA assisted 2,060 families. Beyond the numbers are real people. Each program at MACAA touches their lives:
Head Start provides early education for pre-school children, has a strong component of educating parents, and launches these children and families into the public school system with skills and confidence.
The Coalition Assisting Residents in Emergency Situations and the Rural Outreach programs help with emergency assistance for food, rent, utilities, transportation and other essentials. Without this financial assistance, families could spiral into an even deeper crisis.
Hope House provides transitional housing and supportive services to homeless families, helping them to develop resources and regain enough stability to move to permanent housing, thus creating a better future.
Through campus visits, skills development and help with applications and fees, Project Discovery inspires and prepares high-school students to attend college who are at risk or whose parents never attended college. The attainment of a college education changes the whole course of a person’s life.
Family Economic Security offers tax preparation assistance and financial educational training, as well as opportunities to build assets.
Through stimulus funds for Community Action Agencies, MACAA developed a Back to Work program in partnership with Piedmont Virginia Community College and the Virginia Employment Commission, training 132 students for the job market.
CSBG isn’t our only source of funds. We partner with other organizations, are supported by foundations and local governments and benefit from the generosity of our volunteers and donors. Outside of our Head Start grant, CSBG is our largest source of funding. Without it, programs will have to be cut back, and the numbers we serve severely reduced.
Contact your representatives in Congress and tell them you care about the future of all of our citizens. CSBG funding is one of the most effective resources we have for providing opportunities and assistance for those who are in need. Your voice will make a difference.
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