Dear John,

February has brought a lot of uncertainty for people. Winter storms and cold temperatures have increased the need for energy assistance and safe, affordable housing. Since December 2021, CMCA has issued 279 Housing Choice Vouchers to families, equaling $126,293 in dollars to support this vital need. More than 1,211 families have also received energy assistance during this time.

Asking for help can be difficult and scary for families. Now, more than ever, we're seeing people who never needed assistance reaching out for the first time to request support. To make CMCA a safe and supportive place to turn to, we offer our members a variety of entry points to services and provide cross-service referrals and support. Those seeking support can choose who to request help. CMCA's website offers online registration and interest forms and email addresses and phone numbers to allow people to reach out to the staff in each program. Members may also visit one of our county-based Family Resource Centers to seek support in person.

Creating a safe space to support people means developing trust through relationships. Developing relationships with individuals, families, and community partners is the backbone of the work we do at CMCA. Relationships allow us to work as partners with our members and the community and address immediate needs and long-term success.

As a supporter of CMCA, you're part of our team and we thank you for doing your part to support your neighbors through your gifts of time, talents, and treasures.

Honoring a lifetime of service

Amid an air of excitement, people gathered at the Williams Family Support Center on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, to celebrate the 100th birthday of Bernadette Johnson. Known as Grandma Bernadette, Johnson has been an active Foster Grandparent Parent (FGP) volunteer at the Williams Center Head Start since the year 2000.

“I love people, " said Johnson when asked why she has volunteered with the FGP program for so many years. She added, "I have always tried to live in a way that reflects my purpose - to serve others."

Attendees of the celebration included children currently enrolled in the Head Start program and adults who attended Head Start when Grandma Bernadette first began volunteering.

“Grandma Bernadette volunteered in my classroom when I attended Head Start," said Haley Bristol, now a classroom floater at the Williams Center Head Start. "She was always very kind and a lot of fun to have in the classroom!"

Others attending the celebration included fellow FGP volunteers Lois McDermit, Eva Mishler, Latricia Thompson, Diana Sweet, and Joy Brummitt.

“We love Grandma Bernadette,” said Grandma Eva. “Before COVID she and Grandma Lois and I would have lunch together every Wednesday. She’s just the sweetest person!”

When asked what her secret to living a long, happy life is, Grandma Bernadette responded, “Keep going like an 18-wheeler – MOVE IT! And always serve others!”

Dreams are a big part of setting and achieving goals. For Katie, a 22-year-old single mother of one, the dream of becoming a nurse to support her family is what motivates her every day.

When Family Support Coach Diane Kiplinger first met Katie during a Head Start home visit about her daughter Mia, she learned of Katie’s dream. Together, she and Katie began to work on a plan to achieve Katie's goals.

Because Mia is still in preschool, Katie’s time is limited. She thought she would have to wait until Mia started Kindergarten to take classes toward her nursing degree. Diane worked with Katie to find possible education alternatives. Together they discovered an online school offering general education classes for free due to COVID. The time commitment to take these classes fits into Katie’s schedule and allows her to work at her own pace. This flexibility made taking the first step toward her goal easier for Katie.

“Katie is very excited and says her classes are going well,” says Diane. “She has a good plan in place to continue toward meeting her goal to become a Registered Nurse.”

Diane’s support as a Family Support Coach was vital to Katie’s success in creating a plan to meet her own goals. This is often the case with CMCA members. They know what they want but need a little support and guidance to get their plan in place to reach those goals.

Katie’s story is a living example of the importance of relationships in building an environment that makes it safe for members to dream. From those dreams come goals. Through those goals, lives can change for the better

Get your tickets NOW!

Join CMCA as we welcome the World Famous Harlem Wizards to Jefferson City! The Wizards are a show basketball team delivering interactive fun for families while helping to raise funds for non-profits like CMCA.

The event will highlight the antics of the Wizards as they take on the JC YIMBY team including local celebrities:

Judge Cotton Walker
Bethany Walsh (Hello Belle)
Jessica Sanford (Hello Belle)
Missy Creed McMcFerron (JC Magazine)
Kenton Gewecke (KOMU TV Weather)
Rachel Senzee (City of Jefferson)
Edwin Cooper (MO Dept. of Mental Health)
Mike Lester (JC City Council)
Carlos Graham (Lincoln University)
Terrance Smith (Lincoln University Athletics)

You won't want to miss the fun! Tickets available from $15!

Benefits from the sale of tickets to this event will benefit housing projects hosted by Central Missouri Community Acton.

Get Your Tickets!

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

Our next "Two Charis and Some Potted Plants" Facebook Live event will be hosted on Thursday, March 3 at Noon! Join Kevin Wehner, healthcare advocate for CMCA, as he share about his work.

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!