| CMCA Connection
a monthly update focused on empowerment, strength, and resilience. |
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Santa (Jennifer Klosterman) and the team from BRIDGE distributed gifts to more than 120 families during the holiday season - helping to ensure the holidays were merry and bright for everyone. |
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Dear John,
We at CMCA hope you and yours enjoyed a safe, healthy holiday season. As we move into 2023 and leave 2022 behind, we’d like to highlight some of our most impactful stories and successes. We hope you enjoy this brief year in review! |
Bingo for Babies raises $10,000 to support women and infants! | Between games of Bingo, attendees enjoyed opportunities to win prizes by playing other games like Simon Says. |
We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to host our second annual Bingo for Babies event on Thursday, June 2, 2022. More than 100 people gathered at Columbia’s Sentinel Park in the Arcade District to support the Women and Infant Relief Fund (WIRF) through participation in games of Bingo and other fun activities.
“The first time we hosted Bingo for Babies was in 2018,” says Jackie Rivera, Health Administrator for CMCA’s Head Start programs. “We weren’t able to have the event in the past few years due to COVID, so it was exciting to have friends and supporters together again!”
The event’s purpose was to raise funds for the WIRF program, which provides diapers, wipes, breastfeeding, and other necessary items to new and expecting moms and their babies. Funds raised from the event will go a long way toward relieving the pressure low-income parents feel due to economic inflation and limited resources. “On any given day, one in three families with low income may face the decision between buying diapers for their child or buying food for the family,” says Rivera. “WIRF ensures that these families don’t have to make such difficult choices.” WIRF is an entirely donor-driven program that does not receive federal or state funding. Head Start families in the eleven mid-Missouri counties served by CMCA (Audrain, Boone, Benton, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Hickory, Howard, Moniteau, Morgan, and Osage) are eligible for support through WIRF, including pre and post-natal support as well as crisis support.
Please click the button below if you’d like to support WIRF or any of our other programs.
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| Housing Choice Vouchers provide safe housing for families |
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The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program provides a subsidy toward rent for low-income families. Individuals receiving HCV benefits may apply them toward a house, condo, mobile home, or other housing options. There are five types of housing vouchers available. Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)
HCVs are provided to families by CMCA who meet the income guidelines for their area. CMCA provides these vouchers to families living in Callaway (except the city of Fulton), Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau, and Osage counties. Some cities in these counties have their own Housing Authority systems that provide vouchers.
Department of Mental Health (DMH) - Rental Assistance Program (RAP) RAP vouchers provide one-time assistance to prevent eviction and re-establish housing stability or provide safe and affordable rental housing for families. This assistance helps households with adequate resources to rent on their own once they have received aid.
Mainstream Vouchers Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities. Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
HUD-VASH is a collaborative program that pairs HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance with VA case management and supportive services for homeless Veterans. These services help homeless Veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing and access the health care, mental health treatment, substance use counseling, and other supports necessary to help them in their recovery process and with their ability to maintain housing in the community.
Foster Youth Independence Vouchers
This program allows Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to request housing choice vouchers (HCVs) to serve youth under 25 with a history of child welfare involvement. |
CMCA Volunteers of the Year celebrated |
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Pictured above: Karen Taylor, Pastor of Missions and Discipleship. Darin Preis, CMCA Executive Director; Stefani Thompson, CMCA Community Organizer Cole County; and Trevor Dancer, Senior Pastor. |
| Volunteer Michael Pryor receives his award from Darin Preis, CMCA Executive Director. |
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At CMCA, we know that our work wouldn’t be possible without the support of volunteers and community partners. For this reason, we nominate dedicated volunteers and partners each year and select a winner from each category. Two individuals received nominations for the Volunteer of the Year award, and seven groups received nominations for Partner of the Year. Narrowing the nominees down to one winner in each category is never easy. All are worthy of recognition for their contributions to CMCA.
This year’s Partner of the Year is the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Jefferson City. Stefani Thompson, a CMCA community organizer, made the nomination.
“First United Methodist Church has supported every project I have presented in the community, no matter how big or small,” says Thompson.
Thompson cited that the FUMC always offers space for training events or meetings presented by CMCA. The church, staff, and congregation are active in the community, supporting the homeless population, families in crisis, and CMCA’s special events.
We are truly grateful to everyone at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City for your ongoing support and partnership!
The 2022 Volunteer of the Year is Michael Pryor. Mr. Pryor has been a volunteer Foster Grandparent for many years, working with students at local schools to support their educational and social/emotional needs. He also assists with Boone County Poverty Simulations. These events provide opportunities for community members who haven’t experienced poverty to learn what it’s like to live in poverty. As someone who has experienced poverty firsthand, Mr. Pryor shares his experiences to help others understand the realities of poverty. In addition to his work as a Foster Grandparent and Poverty Simulation volunteer, Mr. Pryor also serves on the Board of Directors for Central Missouri Community Action.
Michael was nominated for Volunteer of the year by Kelley Lucero, Community Organizer for Boone County.
“He has always been dedicated to Community Action and is willing to help the movement in any way he can,” says Lucero. “He is a leader in the community and is loved by the children he works with at Benton Elementary.”
She adds, “Michael lives the Promise of Community Action with a dedication to making his community a better place to live.”
We are grateful to Michael Pryor, the First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City, and all others nominated for their work with CMCA. Your service makes the seemingly impossible - possible! |
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Want to learn more about CMCA in 2022? Check out our Annual Gratitude Report! |
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| Join Us for Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants, a monthly Facebook Live Broadcast!
Our first episode of “Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants” Facebook Live is Tuesday, January 24, at noon! We will chat with Boone County Community Organizer Kelley Lucero, who will share information about the REALITY ENRICHMENT AND LIFE LESSONS (REALL) program. This program provides active, hands-on experiences for teens that challenge them to think critically about their lives through the simulation of reactive and proactive life situations. Tune in to learn more and how to have a REALL simulation experience in your schools!
ABOUT THE BROADCAST
Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants is a monthly program that allows you to learn more about CMCA, our programs and our people. During the 15-minute episodes, you will CMCA staff members and learn more about our programs and services. You'll also hear amazing stories of how our members successfully work toward financial stability. Follow us on Facebook to receive alerts so you won’t miss upcoming broadcasts! |
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