Our Mission
To educate, equip, and empower people to
achieve healthy relationships, finances, homes, and neighborhoods.
Our Vision
MCCA envisions healthy, self-sufficient families interacting positively
with one another in strong, safe, and diverse neighborhoods to enhance the community
while preserving the environment.
Our Culture
To treat clients, external contacts, and employees with respect and honesty.
We are all in this together!
|
|
Message from Executive Director:
|
We acknowledge that this is a difficult time in our world, not only responding to COVID-19, but also to the abuse of power and injustice which led to the death of George Floyd.
We were formed in 1965 to ensure all people had access to resources and rights. We advocate against power and control in domestic violence relationships. And, we continue to denounce all forms of violence and any acts that dehumanize anyone.
Our Culture emphasizes that we treat everyone with respect and honesty. Our Guiding Principles emphasize that we believe everyone matters.
As an organization, we will listen and learn to know how to use our voices and act.
“No one can fully understand another person’s unique experiences but we must listen and try.”
~ Kellogg School Dean Francesca Cornelli
As one of our team members so eloquently stated:
“Each one of us is unique. Our world is diverse. All of us should feel, and be, valued and welcomed within a family, a workplace, a neighborhood, a community, and a country. We must continue to identify and listen for the inequities in our society and do the work, together, to correct the imbalance. Let solidarity be the antithesis to the uncertainty and fear in our communities.”
In Partnership for Justice & Peace,
Deborah White
|
|
Low-Income
Energy Assistance
|
Since the start of COVID-19, Mid Central Community Action has helped
helped 234 households with their utility payments.
LIHEAP has been extended through June 30th, 2020. If you have not yet applied, there is still time to submit your application and documentation for processing.
|
|
|
|
|
MCCA's First Step Program is receiving additional funding to aid those individuals and families experiencing unemployment, loss of hours, or other financial crises due to COVID-19 and the stay-at-home orders.
The new grant program covers more resources, at a more substantial level, and can serve individuals and families at a higher income eligibility to help ensure that our communities are stabilized and can economically recover.
Customers may request Mid Central Community Action resource assistance through the state referral system at
helpillinoisfamilies.com or call 2-1-1 (see McLean County Housing Assistance Coalition message below).
|
|
|
|
Mid Central Community Action
|
|
Financial Opportunity Center
|
If you are interested in how MCCA’s Financial and Employment Coaching services can take you to the next level, reach out to our Financial Opportunity Center (FOC).
Contact our FOC Program Manager and HUD-Certified Housing Counselor to discuss how you can:
- Acquire education/certification
- Obtain a job/career
- Raise income/net worth
- Reduce debt/ increase savings
- Build credit scores
For more information contact:
Kathy Shubert
kathys@mccainc.org or 309-834-9242
|
|
The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted our lives in so many ways including the loss of income, a reduction in hours at your job, or having to work from home. We are providing you with a few tips that will save you money on your utility bills but cost you nothing.
Open the blinds and curtains:
Don’t forget to open the blinds and curtains in your home, even if it doesn’t get direct sunlight. The natural light is great for working and helps minimize the use of overhead lights or desk lamps. If you’re going to use lights, make sure to turn them off in rooms when you’re not using them. However, on very hot sunny days, you may want to close your blinds and curtains in rooms you’re not actively using to help keep your home from picking up heat generated from the sun’s rays.
Set your Ceiling fan to summer mode:
Most ceiling fans have a setting where your blades can turn clockwise or counterclockwise. During the warmer months, your ceiling fan’s blades should run counterclockwise direction as this will direct the air downward into the room and create a cooling wind effect.
Be smart about your thermostat:
Make sure to turn off or turn down your AC when you are not in your home, since there is no need to cool an empty house. It is estimated that you can save about 3% on your energy bill for every degree that you set back your thermostat. Furthermore, you can realize additional savings if you shut the vents to rooms that are not used that often, like a spare bedroom or basement.
Use your Energy Saving settings on the computer:
Did you know your computer has built-in settings for saving energy? By changing a few settings, you can reduce a bit of energy use from your electricity bill. These power modes are active, active standby, and passive standby. For example, you can set your computer to move into lower power consumption modes automatically if you stop using it to take a long phone call or break. Then, you can resume working from where you stopped. According to Energy Star, the computer-related electricity cost is reduced by these computer energy consumption modes by about $25-75 per machine annually.
If you have additional Tips to help save energy without spending any money, please let us know, and your suggestion may be featured in a future MCCA newsletter.
|
|
West Bloomington Rehabbed Home For Sale
|
|
|
|
Rest easy knowing the house has newer siding, new furnace/ac, new water heater, and newer kitchen appliances. In addition to new paint, there is new flooring and new windows on the back porch, and a new back door! The carpet is newer, and the windows are newer or insulated with storm windows. Worried about storage? Don't be! The big back yard has a large storage shed made by local students. As an added bonus, Two Men and a Truck will move you for free (within city limits). Check this house out before it's gone!
|
|
Thank You For Supporting Mayors Manor On Giving Tuesday
|
|
Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.
For those who have experienced homelessness their journey is filled with uncertainty and doubt. During this pandemic, uncertainty and doubt are magnified for all of us, especially for the residents of Mayors Manor.
Given the communal environment offered at Mayors Manor, Mid Central Community Action has implemented additional measures to help provide a safe, healthy, and supportive home for the residents.
The donations that were received on Giving Tuesday allow us to continue providing these much needed and appreciated measures.
|
|
On October 21, 1965, people of our community banded together to form the McLean County Economic Opportunity Corporation (MCEOC) known today as Mid Central Community Action (MCCA). These individuals were made up of a cross section of the community - government, education, business, and civil rights activists. Our founders believed in the power, promise, and potential of our youth, justice, and resource equality for all. They also believed in helping everyone who was vulnerable, whether that was due to domestic violence or poverty. Even 55 years later, our organization remains steadfast to these principles. That is why during these challenging times when the future has never felt so unpredictable, we are doing everything possible to sustain daily operations and provide services to our community. While there is a lot of uncertainty, we know that we need to adapt fast to our changing reality. Now, more than ever, our community needs us. And we need you.
|
|
Please consider making a donation of $55 to celebrate our 55 years of impact for the “55 For 55” Campaign. In addition to monetary contributions, there are also many other ways you can support us! For one, you can advocate for us by sharing our mission with a family member or friend. Even a quick mention on your social media would mean the world to us.
In times like these, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are. Thank you for being part of our community.
With you, more is possible!
|
|
|
|
Be On The Lookout For The
30 For 30 Campaign
|
Help support MCCA by donating $30 to celebrate the 30 customers that we coached to become homeowners this year through our NeighborWorks Homeownership Promotion services.
|
|
On June 6-13, NeighborWorks America and its network of more than 240 local organizations (including MCCA) are celebrating the 37th annual NeighborWorks Week.
NeighborWorks organizations share a deep and abiding commitment to creating opportunity for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their communities.
|
|
|
|
|
Livingston County Community Needs Assessment
|
Mid Central Community Action is conducting a survey of the needs individuals and families may be experiencing in their lives in Livingston County.
Results from the study will be considered by MCCA for planning, developing, and delivering agency programs, services, and activities.
We would like to encourage everyone living in Livingston County to participate. Survey closes soon. Please share your input by June 10, 2020.
Please contact Jerri Andrew for more information:
Phone: (309) 834-9226
|
|
McLean County Housing Assistance Coalition
|
MCCA is part of the Housing Assistance Coalition where McLean County non-profits, churches, and municipalities have come together to create a coordinated application for rental, mortgage, and utility assistance relief. Through this collaboration, residents impacted by a COVID-19 related job loss may be able to get help with 1-3 months of housing assistance.
People in need should call
2-1-1 to find out where to apply or if they have any questions.
|
|
Laura Grant - MCCA Lead Income Supports Coach
|
Laura Grant, MCCA Lead Income Supports Coach, has exemplified the Promise of Community Action through her compassionate, equity lens for 13 years. She continues to provide encouragement, opportunities, and resources to hundreds of residents in McLean and Livingston counties each year. She is a valuable member of our team through her passion, expertise, and impact. Please enjoy listening to Laura’s video as she describes how our service delivery has evolved over the years.
|
|
|
|
|
Check out the brand new Mid Central Community Action Facebook page! Give it a like to stay up to date with all of our programs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
