Dear John,

We hope you enjoy this "little" thank you from one of our children at Head Start. It is our way of recognizing your support of Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA)!

Because of you, CMCA provides programs and services that positively impact kids and their families. Every program we have impacts children in some way. Our Head Start programs work directly with children and their families to build social, emotional, and academic skills.

Our Housing Choice Voucher Program, Energy Assistance Programs, and Weatherization Program provide safe, affordable, energy-efficient housing for families.

Programs such as SkillUp, business coaching, and financial coaching help families build solid financial stability and provide them the skills to maintain and grow their finances.

And, relationship classes, leadership classes, and other social connection programs help families develop the skills necessary to create and maintain healthy, lasting relationships within the family and community.

This is the work that is made possible through your support! Thank you for being a member of our team!

From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy, safe, and healthy Thanksgiving!

Making ends meet when your salary is $10,000 a year is hard, especially when you have a child to support. But that is what Liz was doing when she enrolled her daughter in Head Start.

“When we first met Liz, she was struggling," says Kathy, a CMCA Family Support Coach. "She was working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and making about $10,000 a year - not enough to support the needs of one person, let alone a mother and child.”

Enrolling her daughter in Head Start was a vital turning point for Liz. Her daughter Cassidy had some serious behavioral issues that made it difficult for Liz to find childcare.

“Sometimes, I’d have to miss work because I couldn’t find a place for my daughter to stay during the day,” says Liz. “This just made us fall further behind on paying bills.”

After Cassidy enrolled in the Head Start program, Liz began to see positive changes in her behavior. Liz also began working with Family Success Coach Kathy. Kathy knew that Liz had outstanding debt and needed help learning to budget her income, so she paired her up with a CMCA Financial Coach. Together the coach and Liz built a budget to allow Liz to pay off outstanding debt.

As Liz became more confident in her budgeting abilities, she decided to move back home to live with her mother to save some money and pay off expenses.

"This seems to be working well for the family," says Kathy.

Liz also began to search for a living wage job. Working with Kathy, she found a position at a local manufacturing business in her community. The day she accepted a job with the company she increased her income by 170%!

The future for Liz and Cassidy looks a lot brighter these days.

“Since beginning her new job, Liz’s income has increased measurably, and she is doing much better,” says Kathy. “She is now considered over income for Head Start which means she is moving out of poverty. She seems to be very happy with her improved circumstances."

Support Children and Their Families this Holiday Season With a Gift to CMCA Through CoMoGives

Through coaching provided by CMCA programs, people living in poverty develop the skills, assets, and social connections needed to not only move out of poverty but to remain self-sufficient. In 2020, 75% of those who participated in CMCA programs reported increases in their net income because of the skills they learned through CMCA programs. Your gift supports this success!

ABOUT CoMoGIVES

CoMoGives is an annual online fundraiser that supports 148 high-impact nonprofits in Columbia and Mid-Missouri. Donors can make a single donation to one, two, ten, or more organizations on November 30th – December 31st, 2021. All money raised, minus credit card fees, goes directly to the participating nonprofits.

All gifts donated to CMCA through CoMoGives benefit ALL of our programs, not just those in Boone County. Our goal is to raise $15,000 this year to support families in their journey toward financial stability and self-sufficiency. Will you help us reach our goal?

Donate Now!

Join Us for Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants, a monthly Facebook Live Broadcast!

Our December "Two Charis and Some Potted Plants" Facebook Live event will be hosted on Thursday, December 16 at Noon! Join us as a special guest joins us to talk about the many ways that CMCA programs and services positively impact kids and their families.

ABOUT THE BROADCAST

To help you better understand how our programs and services fit into the Steps to Success, we are hosting a monthly Facebook Live broadcast called Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants. During these 15 minute episodes, you'll have a chance to meet and hear from CMCA staff, clients, and donors as they talk about the programs, services, and other ways that CMCA helps families through the Steps to Success.

Follow us on Facebook to receive alerts so you won't miss upcoming broadcasts!

The CMCA 2020-2021 Annual Report is Available for Download!