Congresswoman Kaptur Visits Head Start


Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur visited the Hopkins-Locke Head Start Center on March 31. As part of her new "Read to Succeed" initiative, the Congresswoman read Eric Carle's classic "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to the children who wore caterpillar hats.

She also encouraged them to observe nature and plant butterfly-friendly seeds. The visit was part of National Literacy Month. 

The Read to Succeed initiative encourages everyone to promote childhood reading, literacy and the benefits of learning the read. Learn more by clicking here. 
Parents Invited to Hear Hamilton Relocation Plan

Elyria City Schools will begin a major construction project this summer that includes demolition of the building currently housing LCCAA's Hamilton Head Start Center. 

LCCAA has provided Head Start services to southern Elyria from the former Hamilton school since 1992, CEO Jackie Boehnlein told The Lorain Morning Journal, acknowledging this will be a big change for the community. 

LCCAA has identified a new location and parents are invited to hear the plans tomorrow night, Thursday, April 13, at 5:30 at the current location. 

Read the full Morning Journal article by clicking here.

Learn more about the Elyria City Schools facilities plan by clicking here. 
Winter Crisis Helped Hundreds

Despite a mild winter, LCCAA's Winter Crisis program dispersed more than a quarter of a million dollars to help residents maintain electric and gas service. 

Approximately 2,853 low-income households received help paying their utility bills or reconnecting service. Another 1,058 household enrolled or reenrolled in PIPP Plus. 

PIPP Plus, available year round, allows qualifying residents to reduce their utility bills to a percentage of their income. Residents must keep up with their payments and verify their eligibility annually. 

For information on PIPP Plus call, 440-245-1870. Appointments are not made outside of crisis programs. Walk-in at the LCCAA office at 401 Broadway on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed daily from 11:30 to 1 p.m. 
Dads and Dogs Make a Great Lesson

Two fathers joined Beverly Jones' Head Start Classroom at the Cascade Early Childhood Center in Amherst for a recent lesson. 

Students and fathers read stories, sang songs and played bean bag games, all while learning the Five Little Hot Dogs fingerplay. Everyone made a take home book to remember the fingerplay and recite it again at home. 

The lesson was capped off with tasty hot dogs. 
Poverty Simulation Scheduled for April 27

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies will conduct a Poverty Simulation in Elyria on Thursday, April 27. 

The event at the Lorain County Transportation and Community Center, 40 East Ave., will allow participants to get a glimpse of what life is like for the millions of Americans currently struggling to get by. 

Using role playing, participants will experience realistic stressors associated with living in and trying to break out of poverty. 

The program is free and open to the public but registration is required. It is recommended for social services staff and anyone in contact with people in poverty. Click here for a registration form or call 440-204-3121 with questions. 
Safe Summer Kickoff May 6

Lorain County's Bridges Out of Poverty Coalition will host its Safe Summer Kickoff May 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ohio Business College in Sheffield Village.

The event includes summer camp sign ups, child identification kits, PIPP Plus information, health care and medicaid information, raffles and a bookmobile. 

Learn more from this shareable  flier. 
Lorain County Community Action Agency      440-245-2009