| CMCA Connection a monthly update focused on empowerment, strength, and resilience. |
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Dear John,
Did you know that May is National Community Action Month? What does this mean? It means that it’s time to come together and celebrate the great work that Community Action Agencies and State Associations are doing. Did you know that the goal of Community Action Agencies is to uncover the causes of poverty and develop solutions, with community input and support, to eradicate those causes positively? What three words come to mind when you think about Community Action and Central Missouri Community Action to describe what we do? Let us know by adding your comments to this Word Garden. Want to learn more about the history of the Community Action movement? Check out the National Community Action Partnership About Us page.
To learn more about the Missouri Community Action Network and how they advocate for agencies within Missouri, visit their website. And, to learn about CMCA’s history, check out our About Us page on our website!
As a supporter of CMCA, you’re part of the Community Action movement, which is a powerful thing! Thank you for supporting the work that CMCA does to ensure that families living with low-income gain the skills and resources necessary to become financially stable and move out of poverty! |
Harlem Wizards raise awareness about housing development needs |
On Saturday, April 23, 2022, the Harlem Wizards, an entertainment basketball show focused on fundraising, came to Jefferson City on behalf of CMCA to support housing development initiatives there! The game attracted more than 800 attendees and helped raise more than $16,000 to support building projects for affordable housing in Jefferson City.
The Wizards provided a very interactive experience for attendees that included a pre-game meet and greet and opportunities for kids to warm up with the team and run out with them onto the court at the start of the game. Wizards players interacted with attendees throughout the event, running into the stands to take selfies, involving them in singing and dancing, and making them feel a part of the show.
Pitted against the Harlem Wizards was CMCA's JCYIMBY team, a team of 19 community volunteers. Members of the JCYIMBY team proved to be fierce competition for the Wizards. They scored points, all the while graciously supporting the Wizard’s antics. Among the 19 JCYIMBY team members were several who helped raise additional funds for housing development initiatives through personal peer-to-peer campaigns. Overall, members of the JCYIMBY team raised $6,250! The three who raised the most through their campaigns were named MVPs. They were Dr. Serese Smith-Haxton from Capital Region Medical Center, Carlos Graham from Lincoln University, and Rachel Senzee of the City of Jefferson. For a full listing of our JCYIMBY team members, visit our CMCA Facebook Event page.
Thank you to all who came to support CMCA at the game and to our community partners who helped make this event possible. If you missed this year's game, you may get a chance to attend next year! Stay tuned! We are incredibly grateful to our event sponsors:
Thurman Shinn & Company, CPA's, Capital Region Medical Center
Central Bank of Jefferson City Building Consensus, Inc.
Missouri Community Action Network Jefferson City School District
City of Jefferson, Missouri The Rocket Group
ABC 17 News KMIZ Oscar Mayer
1canoe2 Valley High JCMO Air B&B
Strikers Eat, Drink, Play |
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Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) programs are as varied as the people who participate. Most people come to CMCA seeking help for an immediate need. That’s what Tonya did. As a single mother, she needed child care to seek and maintain employment. Because of this, she enrolled in CMCA’s Head Start program. “I remember that Tonya was depressed and didn’t have a lot of confidence in herself,” says Family Support Coach Jamia. “She was also unemployed, living in transitional housing, and only receiving $235 a month from her Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)benefits.”
It was evident to Jamia that Tonya’s needs extended far beyond that of childcare. Working together, Jamia and Tonya developed a plan that addressed finding a job and helping Tonya find more permanent housing for herself and her child.
Today, Tonya and her son live in a safe, affordable home. She has steady employment at a gas station in her community and has additional support to ensure that she and her son don’t end up in transitional housing again. "All of the changes I'm seeing in my life are because I finally reached out for help at CMCA," says Tonya. "If other people need help, I'd encourage them to reach out too." |
Support the Women and Infant Relief Fund (WIRF) by attending Bingo for Babies on Thursday, June 2, 2022. This family-friendly event features food and drinks from the Ozark Mountain Biscuit Company. Games and activities for children will keep them happy as you participate in a fun game of Bingo. A silent auction will give you an opportunity to take something special home knowing that you're helping new and expecting moms and their babies have healthy, happy starts. Only 35 tickets left for this must-attend event! Get yours today!
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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, May 26, 2022. 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! |
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