Dear John,

At some point or another in our lives, we all experience trauma. The definition of trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. The source and timing of traumatic experiences can often impact how each person processes the experience. Studies indicate that even when members of the same family experience the same traumatic event, each person may process and respond to the trauma differently.

Living in poverty brings with it various levels of trauma. As an organization working with individuals experiencing poverty, we understand the importance of using a trauma-informed approach. When working with our clients, our goal is to restore a sense of safety, power, and self-worth. We do this by adhering to the Six Principles of Trauma-Informed Care.

These include:

Safety

Throughout the organization, staff and the people they serve feel physically and psychologically safe.

Trustworthiness and transparency

CMCA operations and decisions are conducted with transparency - to build and maintain trust among staff and client members.

Peer support and mutual self-help

These are integral to CMCA's service delivery approach and are key to building trust, establishing safety, and empowerment.

Collaboration and mutuality

CMCA recognizes that resolving issues related to poverty can only occur through the meaningful sharing of power and decision-making. Everyone has a role in a trauma-informed approach.

Empowerment voice, and choice

CMCA aims to strengthen the staff, client, and family members' experience of choice and recognizes that every person's experience is unique and requires an individualized approach. This perspective builds on the strengths of clients, staff, and communities rather than responding to perceived deficits.

Cultural, historical, and gender issues

CMCA actively moves past cultural stereotypes and biases, offers culturally responsive services, leverages the healing value of traditional cultural connections, and recognizes and addresses historical trauma.

In the year ahead, you will read stories and view data reflecting the positive impact of a trauma-informed approach. You'll see how empowering and engaging client members allows them to build the skills necessary for financial stability and overall well-being.

Building a Solid Foundation for Families

In December, CMCA finished and sold a 3 bedroom home located in Cullimore Cottages located on North 8th Street in Columbia. The new owner received a 20% down payment gift of equity as part of the purchase of their new home.

Imagine you're a mom with three young children living in a rented apartment. You work hard to provide for your family and are happy to have a safe place to call home. Now, imagine that your landlord informs you you'll have to move out and gives you less than a month to find a new place for you and your children to live. Susan didn't have to imagine this scenario because she lived it.

As soon as Susan learned that she and her kids would need to find a new place to live, she began searching for one. Unfortunately, finding a safe, affordable option was not easy. A lack of safe, affordable housing in her price range and an experience with a past eviction made finding a new rental almost impossible. The weeks between finding out she needed to move and moving out went quickly, without Susan finding a new home for her family. So, to protect her kids, she and her children moved in with Susan's mother.

Living with her mother was less than ideal for Susan and her kids because the house was small and crowded. Because of this, Susan turned to Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) for help in finding a new place to live.

Susan first met Rachel, a Family Success Coach (FSC) for CMCA's Head Start, during a home visit to discuss her needs.

"Although Susan has a very calm nature, I could see the issue of finding housing was stressful for her," says Rachel.

Working collaboratively, Susan and Rachel created a plan to help Susan identify her goals and reach them. One goal included having her children enrolled in Head Start. She met that goal quickly. The second goal was to find safe, affordable housing for herself and her kids.

Within a month of working with Rachel, Susan found a house she wanted to rent. It had ample space for her children, the cost for rent was within her budget, and it was in a good neighborhood.

"Susan was so excited when she signed the rental agreement for the house," says Rachel. "She came right to my office to tell me this news!"

When asked how working with Rachel and CMCA helped her achieve her goals, Susan responded, "I wouldn't have been able to find the place we now call home without Rachel's help. She was supportive and helped guide me to the right place for my kids and myself."

Thank you for helping us EXCEED our year-end fundraising goals!

The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us. Through our year-end campaign to raise funds to support families who are working toward financial stability, you stepped up to help us not only meet our goals but exceed them!

Each year CMCA participates in the CoMoGives year-end giving campaign. This year we raised $18,625 through CoMoGives and $5,470 through our direct mail campaign for a combined total of $24,095 raised to support families on their journey toward financial stability! Thank you to all of you who gave toward these campaigns.

Although we met our year-end goal for 2021, we still need your help in 2022. As families enrolled in CMCA programs continue to work toward self-sufficiency and family well-being, we know that unforeseen needs will arise. Having funds ready to support them through difficult times will ensure they remain on the path to success.

Thank you for living the Community Promise through your partnership with CMCA. You are truly helping people help themselves and each other with every gift you give!

Donate Now!

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

Our January "Two Charis and Some Potted Plants" Facebook Live event will be hosted on Thursday, January 27 at Noon! Join our Director of Research & Data Melody Vieth as she shares our new CMCA Data Dashboard!

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!