Renovations are underway at the former Molas furniture store in downtown Lorain where LCCAA headquarters will move later this year. 

The move will "right size" the LCCAA offices from a 20,000-square-foot, four-story maze to a 14,000-square-foot defined and efficient space, said CEO Jackie Boehnlein.  

Working with Jon Veard of United Property Management and architect James A. Yorks of Amherst, the design will retain a monumental staircase and as much old character as possible. 

Following the office renovations, a second Molas company building will be converted to a central kitchen for LCCAA's Head Start programs and storage for the agency. 

Learn more in the Lorain Morning Journal. 

LCCAA Employees helped staff the "stations" in the Poverty Simulation, including this Quick Cash establishment.

LCCAA hosted a Poverty Simulation in Elyria last month to show social services staff and others who work with people in poverty what life is really like for the people they try to help.

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies conducted the simulation at the Lorain County Transportation and Community Center. Over an hour, participants experience what it is like to live in poverty for a month, with 15 minutes segments representing weeks. 

Participants are given roles to play which may range from single parent to a child with disabilities to a senior citizen on a fixed income. In their roles, the participants must solve problems related to housing, transportation, finding employment and feeding themselves and their families. 

"These simulations really do provide a look at how hard it is to break out of poverty," said Frank Prihoda, LCCAA's Director of Planning and Community Services. "Millions of Americans struggle with these issues and understanding their daily lives can help tremendously in determining how to help."

Working with partner agencies, LCCAA will host two upcoming sessions of its Tech Connect program. 

Ohio Means Jobs will host the program May 16 through June 7. Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Ohio Means Jobs. On site registration has been offered at Ohio Means Jobs, however, participants can also contact LCCAA. 

The collaborative Women Empowered, Employed and Educated (WE3) will hold a sesson at Elyria High School June 6  through June 21. Classes will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Register by contacting Robert McDonald, LCCAA Client Services Coordinator  at 440-204-3151.

 

Tech Connect is an eight-week program designed to improve participants computer skills and enabled them to secure higher paying jobs. Skills include Microsoft Office, email and internet use. Anyone who successfully completes the program earns a free, refurbished computer. 

Want to improve your skills but can't attend these classes? Classes at LCCAA's Computer Learning and Technology Center are held on demand. Call Mr. McDonald to express interest. 

LCCAA will lease a room from St. Agnes Catholic Church at 611 Lake Avenue in Elyria beginning this summer. 

In the short term, the space will serve as a recruitment hub for families enrolling in Head Start. The location will not be staffed or have regular hours of operation. 

All meetings and services will be by appointment and scheduled in advance. 

For 2017-18, services including utility assistance, financial literacy classes, Head Start socialization events, and community meetings are being planned.