May 2020
Coronavirus wreaks havoc in the southeast....and across the globe

"Keep calm and carry on!"
Becoming 100% virtual is a major disruptor to the way we do business, the way we learn and the way we live – but it is also propelling us forward while making use of fully available technology. With companies going virtual overnight, this article offers some tips to help with the transition ...... continue
Looking for ways to stay connected with your colleagues in the southeast while social distancing?
Community Action Live at 5......Coming Your Way!

Wind down from your work week and join us for Community Action Live at 5 on SEACAA Facebook Live - Fridays at 5pm featuring our very own, DJ Amaz-n starting on Friday, May 8th.
You won't want to miss this live virtual party and fundraising campaign to benefit the collective work of Community Action. Stay tuned!
"Stronger Together" in Biloxi
There is still time to Submit
Conference Proposals here
Beat the June 5th Early Bird Deadline!
" Stronger Together" is the theme for the 2020 SEACAA Annual Conference November 3-6

Register NOW!

Promote your brand identity and marketing capabilities at the largest gathering of regional, state, and local CAA's in the southeast!
SpeakUp SEACAA!
Regional Stories that Inform, Empower and Inspire
Pictured are: Anthony Gordon, Ford General Manager, JanMichael Ojeda (recipient) Arlene Dobison CEO, and Chairman William Holt + (Vehicle)
DREAM MAKER
The Magic Happens
Mr. JanMicheal Ojeda, says “his life turned around for the better when he entered the doors of The Agricultural and Labor Program (ALPI). I don’t know what the future will bring, but nothing will ever top what Ms. Dobison and ALPI has done for me. For as long as I live, nothing will ever top today.”

Lake Alfred, FL - It doesn't get any better than that! That's the Community Action way at ALPI! JanMicheal was presented with the gift of a lifetime by CEO, Arlene Dobison, at ALPI's annual Business Meeting and Luncheon. Enrolling in ALPI’s Family Self-Sufficiency program has made an unforgettable difference in his life and the life of his family headed by a single mother of three, struggling ........ continue
Congratulations, ALPI!
IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
Barbourville, KY - When Glenn Mason went to an ENT for difficulties with his ear, never did he anticipate he would be diagnosed with a tumor that would change the course of his life. Devastated after severe complications from surgery, Glenn was advised to sign up on disability. Learn more about this determined customer's turnaround after his referral to the KCEOC Community Action Partnership KY Career Center ........ continue
Great Work, KCEOC!
Winston-Salem, NC - High school dropout and single mother of four, Ms. MA, was inspired to complete her education after enrolling in ESR’s Inspire 340 program...... continue
Congrats, ESR!

Ms. MA pictured with her life coach, Norma Lucas.
Got a story to match these? - please share with the network! - info@nccaa.net
Grow Yourself during the Pandemic!
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES
Work in Human Resources, as a Deputy Director or Executive Director, or Financial Officer?...... SEACAA offers a web-based e-learning platform Executive Leaders web-based Certification program , that can be accessed 24 hours/day, 7 days/week to accommodate your schedule so you can work at your own pace......... OR
consider the SEACAA Certified Community Action Management Program (CCAMP) that has two certification programs for all members interested in achieving high educational and professional standards in community engagement and management.
"SEACAA Certification classes provide high-quality training at reasonable prices. Content is updated regularly to reflect current issues. Register today!" - Ricky Baker, SEACAA Board Member/Executive Director, LKLP Community Action Council, Inc.
"Boots on the Ground in all 100 NC Counties."
NC - This report prepared by NCCAA/SEACAA Executive Director, Sharon C. Goodson, describes NC's response to COVID-19 as it swept across the state. CAA's in NC immediately re-assessed the needs of families and communities and revamped how programs and services would be provided. Services to low-income families, children, the elderly, veterans and returning citizens shifted to virtual, via teleconferencing, tele-case management, web-based platforms, as well as, drivethru, drop box and other systems to effectively and efficiently serve families while practice social distancing..... continue
KY's KCEOC employees stand on the front lines ready to deliver critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heroes Among Us
Finding Community in Quarantine
"Send socks!" begged soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War. . ........ More than 155 year later, American health care professionals today plea, Sew masks!

A Community Coming Together
Yadkinville, NC - And that's just what volunteer, Lucy Welch, with the Yadkin River Quilters Guild, did for Yadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc. 's (YVEDDI's), Yadkin County Senior Center , Soup Kitchens, drivers for Meal on Wheels, as well as several other community organizations that needed them.
You rock, Lucy!

SAFE WATER
TRI-COUNTY CAA TEAMS UP WITH BLEACH MAKER TO FIGHT COVID-19

LaGrange, KY - Tri-County Community Action Agency is partnering with WaterStep to provide people in their community with a tool to fight COVID 19 - a patented bleach maker.
WaterStep , a nonprofit organization based in Louisville Kentucky, manufactures and provides products to make water safe to drink...... .continue

Executive Director, Brenda Fox, says although they already have clean water, they have a need for bleach which kills the virus on surfaces. WaterStep has turned their expertise and attention to helping entities across the U.S. provide bleach to individual communities. "Here at Tri-County we are utilizing the bleach maker provided by WaterStep and with just the cost of ordinary table salt we can produce a gallon of bleach per hour. I would urge any CAA to reach out to them."  
Meridian, MS - Executive Director, Ron Collier, pictured above with Dave Schultz, Director of Wesley House, loading cases of chickens at Multi-County for distribution. A line of customers in cars anxiously await .... continue


“We are doing everything we can to ensure families have access to food during this crisis,” Interim Food Bank Director Cortez Phillip said.
Fayetteville, NC - To ensure families and children are given the resources they need, Action Pathways Second Harvest Food Bank collaborates with local businesses and organizations to expand their distribution reach....continue



Winston-Salem, NC - Twenty-nine Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) clients were adopted by St. Leo's - making sure they received groceries, food for an Easter meal, cleaning and household supplies, and presents from the Easter bunny for the kids to alleviate some of the stress of the holidays, especially for those with a limited budget...... read more
Thanks, St Leo's!
NCCAA is credited for leading the way in innovative efforts to meet the needs of their state and community during this crisis by NCCARE 360, a statewide coordinated care network in Carolina Public Press news article.
“This is a new day, and it’s requiring all of us to think differently about how we serve those most in need and those who were most in need prior to this pandemic.” ~ SEACAA/NCCAA Executive Director, Sharon C. Goodson
The coronavirus is a huge wake-up call that affects us on many levels - but have you stopped to wonder what the coronavirus does to us?
  1. It humbles us.
  2. It equalizes us.
  3. It unifies us.
  4. It connects us....continue.
Step back to see this pandemic from a broader perspective.
Use the resources in the Partnership's 2020 CA Toolkit to celebrate Community Action Month, showcase your successes and increase your agency's visibility.
Click here to download the 2020 Community Action Month Toolkit.
For communications resources related to Community Action and COVID-19, click here .
The spread of COVID-19 inordinately threatens communities that have suffered from environmental injustice and racial bias.

For millions of homeless, low-income or disabled people, running water can be a luxury, remote work isn't an option and ......... continue
PROFESSIONAL
Turning Towards Our Professional Circle
Fear and uncertainty can be overwhelming. The sudden changes to our work environments, workflows, and even work responsibilities has presented added challenges that can cause pressure and stress. Use this tool to leverage the expertise, power, and support of your network to care for yourself and others.... continue
Inequality is magnified in times of national hardship. Perhaps nowhere is this clearer than in communities of color, which have long endured inequalities across American economic, social, and civic systems. Persistent segregation has restricted tens of millions of people of color to some of the most densely populated urban areas in the country; structural and environmental racism has produced extraordinarily high rates of ....... continue
MEMBERSHIP
I Heart SEACAA
Members are the lifeblood of associations. They help fulfill your organization’s mission and propel your organization forward. SEACAA is still your #1 go-to resource for CA practitioners and professions in the southeast, especially during times of crisis and in this era of uncertainty. Support the Association with your regional Agency dues if you have not done so.
Note that 2020 is an election year and agencies must be in good standing as of June 15th to participate .
.... Renew here
Regional & National News
The national Community Action Partnership offers support and a list of resources to assist agencies responding to this crisis.... continue
List of financial resources that might provide some relief. Also some guidance on how to manage your finances during the novel coronavirus pandemic
... continue

Commentary
Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) Lyrics: Rockets, moon shots / Spend it on the have-not's / Money, we make it / Before we see it, you take it / Oh, make you want to holler / The way they do my life / Make me want to. ... 

This hit song by the legendary Marvin Gaye is relevant in 2020 as it was in 1971. Why?
Dr Joyce J. Dorsey, President/CEO of the Fulton Atlanta Community Action offers insight into that question and more as to why poverty persists and begs the question - "Is Community Action Dreaming the Impossible Dream?"..Dr. Dorsey contends that the lyrics of the song continue to apply to the persistent, cyclical state of economics experienced in the low-income communities in America and all over the world. ... continue
Thoughts, reactions to this commentary? Contact Us
The Coronavirus Invasion
News Alerts
There is lots of speculation about changes we can expect to see in the coming months or years: Will nations stay closed? Will touch become taboo? What will become of restaurants?
How wealth affects people’s ability to respond to a pandemic.
Wall Street Journal reports on how COVID-19 threatens only small town grocer.
#GivingTuesdayNow Will Take Place Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Giving Tuesday has announced that #GivingTuesdayNow , a global day of giving and unity, is set to take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
Still to Come.... Mark Your Calendar
MAY
5
#GivingTuesdayNow
6
National Nurses Day
10
Mother's Day
12
Virtual SEACAA Board of Directors Meeting
29
Florida Association for Community Action (FACA), Inc. Virtual Board Meeting

AUGUST
National Partnership Annual Meeting, Seattle Washington
NOVEMBER
3-6
SEACAA 2020 Annual Conference , Beau Rivage, Biloxi, MS
15
2020 NCAF Annual Conference (rescheduled)


Hey there, remember to send your newsletter submissions to seacaa.org@gmail.com by July 24th for the August SEACAA Spotlight.