Email from Community Action, Inc of Rock & Walworth Counties The latest Community Action news Creating Pathways Out of Poverty — One Story at a Time  Welcome to your monthly update from Community Action, Inc., where we spotlight the progress, partnerships, and people driving change in Rock and Walworth counties. Each edition brings you closer to the heart of our mission — empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. A Note from the Executive Director Halloween Diaries I don’t know about all of you, but as soon as October hits, my mind shifts directly to Christmas! Christmas was my mother’s favorite holiday, and I am happy to say that her joy completely rubbed off on me. My Christmas shopping will be completed in the next two weeks, and my tree will go up on October 16th to coincide with the beginning of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas! YIPPPEEEEEE! This year’s new addition to the tree is a continuously looping Christmas themed train set that will traverse the circumference of my tree 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I am aware of the fact that we still have Halloween and Thanksgiving, I am not diametrically opposed to either; I love giving out candy. Halloween was awesome when I was a kid. Being part of the feral generation, we would come home after school on Halloween after having worn our costumes all day at school, regroup, grab a bigger bag and then gather in the street as our parents barked a bunch of instructions to us that we absolutely were not listening to. We were a roving band of miniature ghouls, goblins and vampires surrounded by other roving bands of miniature superheroes, witches, and oddly enough but not unusual, roving bands of former presidents. We were left in the care of our older siblings, who were often too busy gossiping or flirting to care about what we were doing. We received the occasional headcount and the more frequent threat of annihilation, but we were basically on our own; just the way we liked it. Rumors would spread about which house was giving out the best candy, which houses to avoid because they were giving out that peanut butter candy in the orange and black wrappers, which house to egg because they were giving out fruit, and the jackpot houses. These were the houses that gave out full cans of soda or full-size candy bars. These houses were to be visited multiple times, but there had to be a coordinated plan of attack. We accomplished this by exchanging parts of our costumes to appear like different kids or temporarily switching costumes altogether with another band of marauders. It was the late 70’s and early 80’s and Halloween bragging rights were at stake; Judge Not lest Yee Be Judged. Now that I am much older, and trick or treating is frowned upon at my age, October is the month that Wisconsin transforms. The rich greens of summer transition into gorgeous shades of red, yellow and brown. October in Wisconsin means tailgating at a Badgers game, corn mazes, hayrides, gathering around a fire in someone’s backyard, maple syrup, the smell of hot apple cider, and the great debate regarding when we must stop wearing shorts. All of this with a backdrop of some of the most breathtaking scenery anyone could imagine. I have had the privilege of living and visiting several amazing places in this country, but I don’t think anything I have seen elsewhere, rivals fall in Wisconsin.  Still, I wish that kids today could experience Halloween the way that me and my friends did. As free as we were, we also felt equally safe. Maybe it was real, and maybe it was the joy and naiveté of youth, but it was the world we existed in. For whatever reasons, real or imagined, communities have become less welcoming and people more closed off. The world has certainly changed; but memories of our fun, festive and feral Halloweens are forever. J. Marc Perry Executive Director When Marc Perry joined Community Action 20 years ago, he returned home with a simple goal: give back to the community that raised him. Since then, his vision, leadership, and dedication have helped expand opportunities for thousands of local children, families, and community members. Join us in celebrating two decades of service and impact.  Click here to read Marc's full story. Community Action is honored to be selected as this year's nonprofit recipient of a generous $1,000 donation from Nowlan Injury Law. We extend our sincere thanks to Jenny and the entire Nowlan team for their support and commitment to strengthening our community. Partnerships like these help us continue creating opportunities and pathways to self-reliance for individuals and families throughout our community. Keeping Beloit Warm This Winter Winter is coming, and Community Action, Inc. is ready to help. Join us for the annual Beloit Bundle Up Winter Wear Distribution on Saturday, October 24, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, at our main office located at 1428 Wisconsin Avenue in Beloit. Community members can receive free winter clothing, including coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and other cold-weather essentials while supplies last. This event is made possible through the generosity of local donors and community partners, including Visit Beloit, whose support helps ensure that individuals and families throughout the Beloit area have access to the winter essentials they need. Together, we can help our neighbors stay warm, safe, and prepared for the colder months ahead.  At Community Action, we believe everyone deserves access to the resources they need to thrive. Events like Beloit Bundle Up help reduce barriers and connect local families with essential items that support health, well-being, and economic stability during Wisconsin's winter season. Learn More A Sweet Tradition Returns: The 13th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza Get ready for one of Beloit's favorite holiday traditions! Community Action is excited to host the 13th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza on Saturday, December 5, bringing families, friends, and neighbors together for a morning of creativity, holiday fun, and community spirit. Participants can choose their own gingerbread adventure by purchasing a take-home kit to decorate at home or attending the on-site workshop at Fruzen Middle School to build and decorate alongside other community members. The event will also feature a special visit from Santa, open gym activities for children, holiday treats, and plenty of festive fun. More than just a cherished holiday tradition, the Gingerbread Extravaganza is Community Action's largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds support programs that help nearly 5,000 individuals and families throughout Rock and Walworth Counties access opportunities that promote stability, self-reliance, and brighter futures. Order Your Kits Today Sign Up to Volunteer Donate to Our Event Community Action is partnering with Go Beyond Grades Beloit to help local families start the school year with a complete picture of their child's success. The campaign encourages families to take three simple but impactful steps: Connect with your child's teacher and build a strong partnership. Learn what your child is expected to achieve in reading and math and how to support learning at home. Make attendance a priority and build strong attendance habits from the start. Families can access free tools, information, and resources through the Go Beyond Grades Beloit website to help support their child's education throughout the year. Together, we're working to ensure every child has the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Community Action recently hosted our Project Thrive Breakfast & Panel Discussion, bringing together community leaders, employer partners, program participants, and supporters to celebrate the power of workforce development. Attendees heard firsthand how Project Thrive helps individuals build the skills, confidence, and connections needed to achieve long-term economic self-reliance while strengthening our local workforce. We are grateful to everyone who joined us, including elected officials, community partners, employer representatives, Project Thrive staff, and program graduates.  Together, we are creating pathways to opportunity, building stronger futures, and helping individuals and families thrive. Our Community Resource Table is a lifeline for families facing tough times, and thanks to donations, we’re making sure no one feels alone. We still need essentials like personal hygiene items, diapers, baby wipes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food.  Take What You Need. Leave What You Can. Drop off your donations at Community Action Main Office, 1428 Wisconsin Avenue, Beloit, WI. Every item matters—please give today and help us uplift our community! Families in Our Community Need Safe Shelter Now The need for shelter in our community is urgent. Currently, 103 households, including 170 individuals and 63 children, are waiting for a safe place to stay. You can help make a difference. Help Families Find Home Help Us Make a Difference Our neighbors at Twin Oaks Shelter for the Homeless are in need—and your generosity can help bring comfort and stability to individuals and families facing difficult times. We are calling on our community to donate essential items that make a real impact in someone’s daily life. Every contribution, big or small, helps restore dignity and provides vital support on the journey toward lasting stability.  You can view the full list of needed items here (click the “How You Can Help” tab). Now Enrolling: Quality Child Care in Beloit & Janesville Community Action, Inc.’s Community Kids Child Care Centers in Beloit and Janesville are now enrolling infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to the general community. Our programs provide safe, nurturing environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive. With experienced early childhood educators, engaging activities, and nutritious meals, we support every child’s development while giving parents peace of mind. We also offer affordable rates and assistance options for qualifying families—helping remove barriers to high-quality care and supporting working families across our community.  ⚠️ Spaces fill quickly—don’t wait to secure your child’s spot. 📞 Learn more or enroll today: 608-313-1300 | [email protected] Enroll Now CAI Wishlist's We encourage our community to explore our wishlists and support the many programs in need. Your contributions can make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve. Twin Oaks Shelter for the Homeless Community Kids ***In addition to our wish lists, we have a list of needs for our Community Sharing Garden, which can be found under the "List of Needs for The Garden" tab. Help Support Your Community! Donations enable us to provide critical services to those who need it most. Your contributions help break the cycle of poverty by funding programs that empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. Every dollar donated translates into tangible support, offering hope and a pathway to a brighter future. By donating, you become a vital part of a compassionate community committed to making a lasting difference. Donate to CAI Today Stay Connected, Stay Inspired! Follow us on social media to be part of an amazing community where you get: Exclusive Updates Behind-the-Scenes Content Engaging Stories Interactive Fun Community Connection Join us today and never miss a moment of the action! Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Community Action, Inc of Rock & Walworth Counties | 20 Eclipse Center | Beloit, WI 53511 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice